1. Throw-ins - Left back and right back always to take throw-in (side dependant). Strikers to position themselves high up, taking advantage of no offsides, dragging defender out of corners and thus stretching the opposition's line. 1 central midfielder and 1 winger fake runs creating a gap down the line for central mid to SPRINT into. Make a couple of variations so opposition don't cotton on to the tactic.
Variation 1 (diagram) - On command "GO" LW fake sprints toward thrower, CM starts to jog towards thrower then sprints off toward corner (throwers target should be in gap in front of CM's run), ST having created a high attacking line does a jog fake towards area and then turns quickly and sprints towards penalty area awaiting cross (Could also cross runs with other striker).
Variation 2 - On command both LW and CM jog toward thrower, ST jogs towards area then sprints off to corner. CM then makes a run into the penalty area.
Variation 3 - Same as 1 but CM stays where they are after fake and LW turns after their fake run and sprints down the line.
Quick throw switch - LW and CM simply sprint to each others positions and thrower throws down line into path of CM's run.
(Players must learn variations so they know what to do when thrower shouts number before picking up ball)
POINTS
* Ball always goes down the line
* Strikers stay away from corner, pushing high up, making fake runs, prepared for a ball into the box
* Move needs to be fluid (listen to the thrower who gives the commands to move)
* Don't take too long to get setup. Referees won't give us much time
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.
Most 1v1s are lost in the first second, when the defender rushes in and dives. Teach your players to slow the attacker down, take away the dangerous option and pick the right moment, and they will win far more of them.
The FA's FutureFit framework lands this season, bringing a 3v3 entry format at Under-7s. Here is what actually changes on a Saturday morning, and how to coach it well.