ATTACKING IN CENTRAL AREAS

SESSION TITLE: ATTACKING IN CENTRAL AREAS

OBJECTIVES

• coach midfielders and forwards to attack centrally
• penetration in central areas of the pitch
• combination play in central areas of the pitch

ORGANISATION

Pitch size: pitch marked with cones as shown below utilizing 2/3 length of the pitch x 44 yards with an end zone.
Teams play 8v7 with attacking team make up of the 2-2-3-1 and defending team playing in a 1-2-2-1-1.
Restrictions: No throw in awarded if ball goes out via the coned areas and practice is restarted, other game regulations apply.

INSTRUCTIONS

Play starts from defending 8 who tries to play a pass into defending 9 which is intercepted by attacking 5 and practice is live.Practice will restart from end zone with feeder playing ball in.
The attacking team score points by scoring in the big goal while the defending team have to thread  (aerial or ground) pass through to No 9 to run onto in the end zone.

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Create supporting diamonds and triangles around player in possession
• Head up and awareness of teammates, ball and opposition.
• Make play unpredictable and be creative
• Feint to play one way and play another quickly
• Vary service into the front players – to feet, aerial, mid height etc
• Body position and movement of players to receive
• Midfielders playing on shoulder to receive
• Short passes, 1-2s, quick combinations, wall passes, take overs etc
• Movement and runs to clear space for teammate
• Positive attitude to go forward
• Rotation of positions and overlapping runs
• Forward runs in behind to stretch distance between opposition lines or checking back to receive short in seam area

DIFFERENT PICTURES

Attacking No 10 playing in the seam area and looking to get on the ball
Rotation of position by 8 and 10 – 10 vacates seam area and 8 makes an intelligent forward run into the space in the final third
Rotation and interchange of 3 attacking midfielders in final third so as to create central overloads

PROGRESSION / VARIATIONS

Progress to a phase of play practice

ADDITIONAL COACHING POINTS

• Positioning of full backs in line with deepest midfielder to open gaps between the opponent midfielders for central penetration
• Ball may have to go wide initially before space can be created centrally for penetration (overload to isolate)
• Use quick switch of play (half space to half space switch)
• Create central overloads in the seam area with the No 10 playing in between the lines with the No 11 and 7 coming into half space as well.