Many teams opt to play with two Strikers or a Striker & Number-10; the key for success in either of these set-ups is to have the players working well together! The area outside the penalty box is often congested giving limited time for Forewords to receive the ball, pass, dribble etc.  For this reason it is essential that Forwards practice and rehearse the movements to become efficient on gameday!

These activities / session emphasize Forwards / Strikers working as a pair.  First, players are coached the various movement options and through repetition and progression the players rehearse the co-ordination and communication necessary to score more goals. The session progresses to include direct opponents (Defenders) and finishes with an 8v8 / 9v9 game.

The emphasis remains – work as a PAIR to create scoring opportunities!

1.

Setup:

6-8 Players arranged in working pairs. Players positioned at corners with first working Pair centrally (#9 + #10 in Diagram).

Instructions:

The two Central players are ‘Forwards’ who will partner and play together throughout the session in various formats. This warmup / passing activity is to rehearse and review the various movements needed to be successful.

Example:

1. Coming short to open pass channel for deeper Forward
2. Direct ball to Deeper Forward and support player spinning to give passing option
3. Pass to player coming short / turn and combine with Deeper Forward

**The combinations are many

In the Diagram: The ball has went short to #10 who has played back to #6; #6 now passes firmly to the deep Forward #9 / #10 spins into space to receive a 1-touch pass from #9. The ball is passed to a Perimeter player / Central Players re-set and repeat.

Change central Players after 2 min

Coaching Points:

• Communication – verbal / non-verbal between the pair
• Body angles to open pass channels / receive / layoff
• Moment / Timing and direction of movements
• Speed of movements – right speed at right moment

2.

Setup:

6-8 Players arranged in working pairs. Players positioned at corners with first working Pair centrally (#9 + #10 in Diagram).

Instructions:

Example 2:

1. #10 has pulled off to the side to create a passing angle
2. This opens a pass channel direct to #9
3. #6 passes firmly to #9 / #10 moves underneath to support and receive layoff from #9
4. #9 makes a curved run to receive a through-ball into space from #10
5. **Ball is passed to Perimeter / Re-set and repeat

Coaching Points:

• Communication – verbal / non-verbal between the pair
• Body angles to open pass channels / receive / layoff
• Moment / Timing and direction of movements
• Speed of movements – right speed at right moment

3.

Setup:

6-8 Players arranged in working pairs. Servers positioned as shown. Mannequins placed to replicate Central Defenders.

Instructions:

Forwards now work together to create + rehearse game-like movements; timing and coordination of movements can be rehearsed without the full pressure of opponents.

Example:

In Diagram #9 has moved to block the Central Defender; this gives #10 a split second to drop underneath to receive a pass from (S1); #10 must receive in a hal-turned position in order to immediately turn towards goal – he can now make decisions to pass / dribble etc

Coaching Points:

• Communication – verbal / non-verbal between the pair
• Body angles to open pass channels / receive / layoff
• Moment / Timing and direction of movements
• Speed of movements – right speed at right moment

4.

Setup:

6-8 Players arranged in working pairs. Servers positioned as shown. Mannequins placed to replicate Central Defenders.

Instructions:

Forwards now work together to create + rehearse game-like movements;

Example 2:

#9 + #10 are set up on the same line / #9 moves quickly towards (S3): (S3) makes a firm pass to the left side of #9 / #9 dummies the ball to allow the pass to travel to #10 who is checking off the Defender. #9 now spins quickly to get a quick 1-touch pass from #10 between the Mannequins.

Coaching Points:

• Communication – verbal / non-verbal between the pair
• Body angles to open pass channels / receive / layoff
• Moment / Timing and direction of movements
• Speed of movements – right speed at right moment

5.

Setup:

6-8 Players arranged in working pairs. Servers positioned as shown. Central Defenders added.

Instructions:

Forwards now work together to create scoring chances vs 2 Central Defenders.

All previous rehearsed / practiced movements + sequences can now be performed until the full pressure of opponents.

**Rotate Central Defenders + Strikers after 3-4 repetitions to avoid fatigue

Coaching Points:

• Communication – verbal / non-verbal between the pair
• Body angles to open pass channels / receive / layoff
• Moment / Timing and direction of movements
• Speed of movements – right speed at right moment

6.

Setup:

8v8 – 9v9 Game organised as follows: Central Zone 3v3 or 4v4 / End Zones- Two Forwards vs Two C. Defenders + GK.

Instructions:

Game setting – Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in opponents goal.
Emphasis is placed on the Forwards movement in the (shaded) end zone.

One of the Forwards can drop into the Central zone to create a 5v4 overload for the attacking team.
One Midfield Player can also break forward into the Attacking zone to create a 3v2 situation.

Coaching Points:

• Communication – verbal / non-verbal between the pair
• Body angles to open pass channels / receive / layoff
• Moment / Timing and direction of movements
• Speed of movements – right speed at right moment
• Combination play
• Scoring + finishing with quality