Forward runs to penetrate and support

This session is about encouraging forward runs to penetrate defensive lines, supporting runs to provide options once this line is broken, and to help organise defensive positioning.

In order to score goals, you need players willing to run and pass forward. With the growing number of teams looking to press high and play high defensive lines, having players with the ability to recognise different ways of getting in behind is critical to creating goalscoring opportunities.

This is a session that could be run every two to three weeks, or dependent on specifics of upcoming opponents (high pressing teams leaving lots of space in behind). We would usually run it on MD-3 (extensive day).

End-zone game

After a technical warm-up, including one-twos, up back through, and third-player runs, we move on to the first activity. We set up in a square 32yds x 32yds, with six-yard wide channels and 12-yard end zones, for an end-zone game with the goals turned around. Divide players into teams and set up for 6+GK v 6+GK. Points are scored by connecting eight passes [1a], or by advancing over the end line and scoring into the turned-around mini goals. 

1a

One attacking player can move into the wide channel unopposed, but must play a forward pass [1b]. 

1b

This encourages attacking players to make forward runs once the wide player receives the ball in this zone. Points can be scored through the poles that the goalkeeper can turn to defend [1c]. 

1c

The end line is an offside line too. We award points for eight passes to encourage high pressing and to stop the defending team dropping too deep. Numbers can be adjusted, but we like using smaller numbers to begin with so the players get exposed to lots of opportunities to execute the desire actions.

With teams of six, this allows another group to work on another pitch on the same patterns of play, specifically to a full size goal. Rotating three teams of six allows for a “circuit”, which can be great for the main working day of the week.

Including the goalkeepers allows them to get reps in the build-up play and using poles in the middle makes a smooth transition to defend using their hands (with goals only scored from the end-zone). We run this for three sets of four minutes.

THINK VERTICAL

We set up in a space 50yds x 64 yds, with a 12-yard channel at one end. Set up 11v11 as shown. The red team can score points if they find a team-mate in a wide end-zone and connecting a pass out of the zone (two points) [2a], or finding the target (the blue goalkeeper) [2b], or receiving a pass (one point). 

2a

2b

When the red team find the goalkeeper, a different red player has to receive back from the goalkeeper, to encourage supporting runs. The blue team can score points by scoring in one of the four mini goals (the red goalkeeper can only defend the two central goals) [2c]. We run this for two sets of six minutes.

2c

11v11

Now we set up 11v11 in full game conditions.

The red team should have an emphasis on playing forward, penetrating the defensive line, and restricting themselves to three touches in their own half as they push into the opposition half, and unlimited touches once they advance over the halfway line, to encourage speed of play but also to push the blues to press them and hold a high defensive line. The blue team should have an emphasis on high pressing, playing a high defensive line; they can all operate everywhere, and are awarded two goals if they score from a regain in the final third.

We run this for two sets of ten minutes.

What are the key things to look out for?

In this session, we look for: different types of runs and passes to disrupt the defensive line (a straight pass with a diagonal run, a diagonal pass with a straight run); timing of runs; weight and detail of pass; angles to create opportunities to play one-twos to receive the pass running forward or in behind; up back through patterns involving the third player (opposite movements, soft sets, correct weight of forward pass so runners don’t break their stride); quick supporting runs to provide options for the player on the ball; organising rest defence positioning once the defensive line is broken to ensure connections between lines and effective counterpressing on loss of possession to lock the opposition in and start the next wave of attack. It is very important that the defensive team are managed correctly to press high and play a high line; constraints will help but having another coach to focus on this will be critical to ensure objectives are met.

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

Players may force passes in behind when not in an optimal position to do so; encourage a switch or double-switch of play if not on immediately (wide, then in behind). Players may get caught offside; look at coaching the timing and angles of runs in behind in the technical/unopposed part of the session.