• Half pitch extended in length by 20yrds, with full width, incorporating
5yrd safe zones as illustrated.
• 19 players (incl. GK) arranged 8v8 in main playing area plus 2 players
in safe zones who support MF from behind, 1 ball.
• Supporting players also operate as Targets for D’s on gain
of possession.
• Defending team line-up with 4D’s, 4MF’s & GK.
• Practice starts with: coach feeds ball into MF’s to initiate attack.
• If pressurised: MF’s can play back to supporting players in end
zone, to change point-of-attack & retain possession.
• Objective is: create goal-scoring chances in free play to score.
• Off-side rule applies.
• On gaining possession: D’s retain ball & attempt to pass to 2T’s
in end zone.
• Practice restarted by coach with initial team arrangements.
Detail
• Stretching D team units (& reasons why).
• Passing speeds, direction & distance of first touch
to receive ball.
• Interchange of position of A’s into space & between D’s.
• Taking-up supporting positions, including distance, angles & nature
of movement.
• Wall-passes & overlaps.
• Quality of final pass, crosses & passes into & within penalty area.
• Simple progression for this practice is:
- Build-up play continues, but when a regain of possession takes
place; encourage counter-attack
to score as directly, accurately & quickly as possible.
• Dispersal (spreading-out) as a team & in team units.
• Quality of passing & receiving decisions taken by players.
• Movement & support positions around player in possession.
• Combined & individual play in flank & central positions.
• Precision in & around the penalty area.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
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