Attacking Play To Unlock A Back Four

DESCRIPTION

Set Up:

The size of the playing area will depend upon the age and ability of your players.

Create at one end three squares 10 by 10. The attacking shape is based upon a 4-3-3. At the beginning of the practice the attacking team have a player in each of the three squares as demonstrated by the diagram.

In any attacking phase the attacking team can have two players leave these zones but one player must always stay back. This is vital as it gives the attacking team the opportunity to think about how they can ensure defensive security while they are in possession. During the attacking phase the player in the square can change to reflect how the angle of the attack might have to change if any given situation.

At the opposite end of the pitch create five gates as demonstrated by the diagram. The gates show the five different ways the attacking team can unlock the back four.

Gate 1 and 5 represents the opportunity between the fullbacks and the sideline.

Gates 2 and 4 represents the oppportunity between the fullback and the centre backs.

Gate 3 represents the opportunity between the centre backs.

The defending team will look to shut as many of these gates as possible but it is impossible to shut all gates at the same time. The attacking team will look to build possession, probing to find which gate can be exploited.

Upon losing possession the attacking full backs must retreat to their squares, the rest of the attacking team have their normal duties once out of possession. 

The attacking team score by getting the ball past the keeper in the goal. The defending team look to play out and play the coach the ball who will be in the central square. 

COACHING POINTS

Coaching Points:

Passing

Passes need to have good accuracy, weight and disguise.

First touch

Players need to have the condfidence to recieve the ball in a variety of different situations. The also need to know when to protect the ball from the defender on their first touch.

Awareness:

The players need to be aware of the three basics, where the space, where the opposition and where are my teammates. Players need to check their shoulders often and before they take their first touch to make themselves aware of these options.

Decision making

Football is a simpe game often over complicated. In any given situation when in possession of the football a player can only make one of three decsions which i call the 3 R's. they can either (1) run with it, (2) release it or (3) retain it. Teach the players to make good decisions based upon the pictures they see developing.

Switching play

The success of switching play often relies on the speed on execution. This is not to say that individuals have to rush but it has to be done quickly as a team. A simple way of conveying that to your team is to stress three simple steps, (1) Quick, (2) Early and (3) within two touches. If each player can opperate within these steps then when the team switches play their will open up the opposition defence.

Rotation

The team needs to know when rotation can be used to open up defenders. Basic principle is that one player comes out of a position opening up a space for another player to fill.

Width and Depth

The team in possession need to make the pitch as big as possible, stretching the pitch from side to side and end to end. This makes it harder for the defending team to remain compact.

Triggers for movment

The players need to be aware of the different triggers for different movement patterns, for example when to over lap or underlap, when to run in behind and when to show in a deep wide position etc.

Recovery/Transition

Upon losing possession the players need to get into their defensive positions quickly with the nearest players showing the willingness to press the player in possession.