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Look forward, play forward, run forward
This is an in-possession session, looking at developing and maintaining possession to progress from the midfield area into the final third.
This is an in-possession session, looking at developing and maintaining possession to progress from the midfield area into the final third. This can be by playing through, around or over, with short-, mid- and long-range passing. If playing to the highest player is not an option, the team in possession should stay on the ball as an individual or as a team until the right moment to break the opposition line appears.
Players in the session will be able to choose the right opportunity to see and produce a line-breaking pass (which, when put into a game, will be the equivalent of creating a goalscoring opportunity).
The challenge for the players is when to play forward. The right moment may be after one pass, four passes or six passes. Once a pass is made into the free/ attacking area, the team in possession have to run forward to ensure they can support the attack and maintain possession. If the defending team make the recovery faster and outnumber the attackers, they will have a good chance to win possessions. Therefore, after the ball has been played forward, the team in possession needs to run forward in support.
I will usually run this activity when I want to focus on my midfield players looking, playing and running forward. This activity will allow players to work on a variety of skills, such as scanning for opponents and team-mates and for the target player or striker. Players will also work on their movement and positioning to either play forward or to stay on the ball under pressure. I am asking my midfielders to see the ball, and see the position of the target players. If the pass forward is not available, the midfielder should retain possession for the team, with smaller movements to create space and opportunity.
As a team, the focus is on combination play and being patient in possession. If you can’t play forward, try to stay on the ball and wait for or create the right moment.
I run this session when we are looking to develop our patience in possession but also when we are looking to play forward and threaten the opposition back line or get the ball into the highest player. This session would be useful against a team playing a high defensive line. This session can also become very physically demanding. I have found with various teams that initially the players play forward as quickly as possible which can result in turnovers, or if they do maintain possession they are setting themselves up for lots of forward and backwards running.
| Area |
Minimum of half pitch |
| Equipment |
Cones, mannequins |
| No. of Players |
Minimum of 14 |
| Session Time |
One hour |
6V6+2
We set up in an area of minimum 22yds x 44yds dimensions. We set up in a 6v6+2. The red team and blue team both start in one half with one neutral player. The other neutral player operates behind the end line at the opposite end. The teams compete for possession, and when they are ready, they play to the opposite end [1a]. In this example, the red team play forward, and then sprint forward to maintain possession in the other half, with the blue team recovering and attempting to win possession [1b].
[1a]
- Neutral player feeds ball in
-
Teams compete for possession
-
Red team wins possession
-
Red players play forward to opposite end
[1b]
- Red team sprint forward to maintain possession
-
Blue team recover and attempt to win possession
We can add progressions if required, for example adding mannequins to act as defenders behind the pressing blue team, or playing forward on one touch [1c]. We could also add challenges such as making five passes before playing long and forward, trying to get to the long pass in one touch (and ask players why this would be useful and how they should set themselves up to do this), or restricting the target players to play off minimal touches. We could also progress it with a shorter pass into the opposite half for a team-mate to run on to and pass forward, helping players to time forward runs to stay onside.
Coaches can encourage players to think about when to play over, through or around, the type of pass they use (chipped, driven, left, curled, punched), and other details about the pass (whether it is into feet or in front of a team-mate for them to step into, and the weight of pass). The team in possession should try to have an option ‘under the ball’, who has the pitch in front of them to play forward. If an individual cannot pass forward, they should consider whether they can set up a team-mate to pass forward.
We run this session for around one hour. I would ensure the players understand the task and are having success consistently before progressing to the next progression or challenge. I would also keep the focus on my midfielders and ensure they are strong in at least one of the focus areas: looking forward, playing forward, running forward. I would also challenge particular midfielders depending on their strengths, and their areas of development.
[1c]
- Blues win possession
-
Blue 7 receives and passes forward (on one touch if coach introduces condition)
-
Blue 9 runs on to pass
SMALL-SIDED GAME
We set up in the same area, and progress this into a small-sided game. We divide the space into thirds, and both teams set up as 1-4-1 with a goalkeeper in a full size goal. Each end zone is 1v1 plus a goalkeeper, the midfield is 4v4. When the ball is played into the striker, midfielders can make an supporting run into the attacking third [2].
[2]
- Red goalkeeper plays to red defender
-
Red defender plays into midfield
-
When ball is into striker, midfielders make a supporting run into attacking third
COACHING POINTS
What are the key things to look out for?
I usually use this session to focus on my central midfielders and how they receive, retain, and release the ball.
In possession: be comfortable to stay on the ball as an individual and as a team; shielding the ball to hide it from the opponent and give yourself more time; technique (type of pass, detail of pass - shorter and medium-range passes in your half, longer pass to play forward); scanning (know where you want to go when in possession, whether that be to pass or dribble); knowledge of space and time; positioning to play forward.
Out of possession: Defending, individually and as a team; applying pressure and denying space, not allowing the opponent to play; recovery runs when the in-possession team is playing to the opposite end.
What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?
Typical mistakes include players trying to force the long passes to the opposite end. This results in over- and/or under-hit passes, or completely misplaced passes.
If a pass is under-hit, a recovering defender can win possession. If the pass is misplaced, the opposition take over possession.
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