Attacking patterns

This session is about attacking patterns, reinforcing messages to the players. It is unopposed to start with to make sure that the session flows. 

With Wales, we played with a back three, with two wing backs, and we created a box in the middle of the park. I was considering moving to a back four, and the roles of the full backs would be different to the wing backs, so that’s why we ran this session. Whatever shape you want to set up in, this session is great to get messages across to players as simply as possible.

We set mannequins up in the defensive shape of the team that we’re up against next. In this session, I use the example of a back five and a compact midfield four.

The session helps paint pictures for players when we are in possession without any pressure from the opposition. If you need to change shape or some players’ responsibilities, then this is a good practice. The goalkeeper defending the goal starts the practice with a long pass to the two centre backs on the halfway line, who are unopposed. They then play in the patterns that you’ve set out.

Football is evolving all the time so it’s important to challenge your players. Your attacking shape in the middle and final third will be made up of players being in the right position at the right time.

On this occasion, we are asking full backs to play inverted, either as a 6 or further forward as a 10.

The relationship between the full back, centre midfielder, and wide player is important to make sure all spaces are filled at the right time.

This session could be done on MD-2. It needs to be done at match tempo to get any quality out of it. I would do this session unopposed for ten minutes before moving on to 11v11 for 15-20 minutes, or by itself for 15-20 minutes. It gives players reminders of what is expected of them within our shape. The session can be varied in shape to suit your game plan in preparation for the opposition you face next.

The key messages are ruthlessness in the box, discipline with the ball, organisation from behind, ball speed and passing detail.

UNOPPOSED PRACTICE

We set up on a half pitch. I also mark out five channels across the pitch, so when we have possession, all five channels should be filled. (When we are playing against a back four, leave out both 9 and 10, but against a back five, leave out the 9.)  In this example, the mannequins are set up in a back five with a midfield four. We are looking to exploit the spaces in between those two units if we can. The goalkeeper is essentially neutral and starts the practice from the six-yard box, playing into the centre backs, who are unopposed towards the halfway line [1], and then launch an attack into whatever patterns you decide to play, going back towards the goalkeeper. You can switch another team in so that everyone in the squad gets a chance to run these patterns and also gets chance to rest after running at match tempo.

[1]

1. Neutral goalkeeper starts practice from six-yard box

2. Goalkeeper plays into centre backs towards the halfway line

3. Centre backs launch attack, going back towards goalkeeper

TWO TEAMS

We set up on the half pitch as before, but this time instead of playing against mannequins, we run opposed with two teams (10v10 plus the neutral goalkeeper), making sure all players understand their roles [2]. Sometimes I set this up and create an overload rather than the 10v10. We run this for up to 20 minutes. 

[2]

1. Neutral goalkeeper starts practice from six-yard box

2. Blue team set up in formation of next opponent

3. Goalkeeper plays into centre backs towards the halfway line

4. Centre backs launch attack, going back towards goalkeeper

We can also progress this by playing 11v11 on a full pitch [3]. I will show the players video clips of exactly what we’re going to face in the next match – in this example the back five and compact midfield four – and then go into the 11v11, where you want to see your patterns you’ve created and practised in match play.

[3]

1. Reds v blues in 11v11 with match rules at full match tempo

COACHING POINTS

What are the key things to look out for technically and tactically?

Technically, we are looking at ball speed to switch to our advantage. Defending teams always like to have the overload and force you to play one way. We need to switch play under pressure to our advantage. Ball speed and decision-making are both really important.

What are the typical mistakes that players might make, and how do you avoid them?

Typical mistakes are: lack of quality if not trained at match tempo; when the ball is being switched from side to side, some players don’t find the right moment to be in the right position. The more you work it, the more fluid it becomes.