Creating and assist zones

PATTERNS TO A FINISH

We set up on a half pitch, split into two groups, with two mirroring patterns working at the same time into separate goals. This means that each group works in half of the central zone, and a full half space and wide area.

Each side has a two centre backs, a 6, an 8, a full-back, a winger and a striker, replicating a 4-5-1. The mannequins are set up in a 4-4-2 formation.

We run through unopposed passing patterns, each time building from the centre backs and ending with a finish. The first two patterns run discretely. The first pattern focuses on the wide player’s inside shoulder run [1a]. In the second pattern, the wide player drops to open up space, allowing the full-back to drift high and the 8 to come inside [1b].

[1a]

1. The ball starts with the inside centre back

2. The 6 drops in to receive, playing it to the outside centre back

3. The 8 drops in to receive and plays the ball beyond the mannequin to the advancing full-back

4. The winger, who has made inverted run beyond the mannequin receives the ball and crosses it

5. The striker and the 8 are advancing to finish

[1b]

1. The outside centre back starts with the ball, playing it to the inside centre back

2. The inside centre back bounces with the 6 who has dropped in to receive

3. The full-back drifts high

4. The wide player comes inside

5. The inside centre back plays a lofted ball to the advanced full-back

6. The full-back crosses for the advancing 8 or striker to finish

The following three patterns include a switch of play between the sides. The third pattern works on using an inverted full-back [1c], the fourth on combinations between the 6 and the 8 [1d], and the fifth and final pattern on a diagonal switch from the centre back to the winger [1e].

We run each of these patterns numerous times before moving onto the next. The first time is always about understanding the pattern – primarily where the ball goes. Then, we look at the detail and coaching points within the pattern.

We run this for 20 minutes.

[1c]

1. The inside centre back starts with the ball, playing it to the 6 who has dropped in

2. The 6 bounces it to the outside centre back, who plays the ball to the full-back

3. The full-back plays the ball inside to the 8 who has dropped in

4. The 8 switches to the 8 on the other side

5. The full-back makes an inside run

6. The 8 moves with the ball before playing it to the winger, then making an inside to out run and receiving the ball back

7. The 8 crosses for the striker, or the advancing winger, to finish

[1d]

1. The outside centre back starts with the ball, playing it to the inside centre back

2. The inside centre back plays the dropping 6, who returns the ball to the outside centre back

3. The outside centre back plays to the dropping full-back, then moves to receive it back, before playing it inside to the 6

4. The 6 switches the ball to the 8 on the other side who plays wide to the high winger

5. The winger cuts back for the striker or the advancing 8 to finish

[1e]

1. The inside centre back starts with the ball, playing to the dropping 8 who bounces it to the outside centre back

2. The outside centre back sets before playing a long diagonal switch to the advancing winger on the opposite side

3. The winger plays forward for the run of the 8

4. The 8 dribbles then cuts back for a finish from the advancing striker

INDIVIDUALS

We set up on a half pitch, with a goal and one goalkeeper. Mannequins are set as required in order
to dictate movement or skills needed to finish.

The first iteration is about runs beyond and cutting in to finish. The focus is on the full-back, who makes a run to receive the ball from inside, before dribbling through two tight mannequins to finish [2a].

The second iteration focuses on the opposite side 8 running beyond lines. The focus is on the 8, who receives from a centre back and goes to finish [2b].

[2a]

1. The ball starts with a centre back who plays to their defensive partner, who dribbles forward to play to the full-back

2. The full-back makes an inside run to receive

3. The full-back dribbles through the mannequins before finishing

[2b]

1. The 8 makes a curved run to receive beyond the lines from the centre back

2. The 8 advances into the box and shoots

The third iteration is about dribbling skills to finish, with the focus on the 8. The 8 receives from the centre back, then dribbles between four mannequins, before shooting from outside of the box [2c].

The fourth iteration works on a touch turn and finish with the focus on the striker, who receives the ball from the centre back with their back to goal and must control, turn and shoot [2d].

[2c]

1. The centre back plays in to the dropping 8

2. The 8 turns and dribbles through the mannequins before shooting

[2d]

1. The centre back plays a direct ball into the striker who has their back to goal

2. The striker controls, turns and finishes

The fifth iteration works on a cross and a finish, with importance placed on balance, technique and timing. The focus is on the winger and the striker. The winger receives from the centre back, then crosses it in for the advancing striker to finish [2e].

The sixth and final iteration works on nearside 8 inside runs, with the 8 making a curved run inside to receive from the centre back and finish [2f].

We run these iterations on loop for 10 minutes.

[2e]

1. The centre back plays the ball to the winger who dribbles forward and cuts back

2. The striker pulls back before running across the box to finish from the near post

[2f]

1. The winger makes an inside run

2. The centre back sets and plays a through ball

3. The winger finishes

coaching points

What are the key things to look out for?

Once the players have grasped the pattern or the practice, we then focus on the detail, including the timing, shape and speed of runs, the type and pace of the pass, body shape to receive and the type and execution of the finish.