Building Through Central Areas Of The Pitch

SoccerSpecific

This series of Activities with progressions / regressions develops an understanding of maintaining possession to build attacks from central areas of the pitch.

Player movements to create space + passing lanes, correct angles of support are vital if teams are to be successful in this congested area. The following activities will develop an understanding and improve the communication between players in a realistic game-like environment.

Activity #1:

Set up:

A 7v6 is organised as shown.

Team (A) consists of 2 Central Defenders, 2 Central Midfielders, 2 Strikers

Team (B) consists of 2 Central Defenders, 2 Central Midfielders, 1 Striker

Diagram A
Diagram A

Instructions:

TACTICAL GAME – BUILDUPS CENTRALLY:

Play starts with a pass from GK to Team (A) each time. Team (A) must use their numerical advantage to buildup and create goalscoring opportunities. If Team (B) wins possession, they can immediately score in their opponent’s goal.

Time: 1 x 15 minutes (with stoppages for coaching points)

Coaching Points:

  • Maintain a high tempo – circulate the ball quickly to take advantage of the man advantage
  • Look to play forward quickly – no long passing sequences
  • Movement / Communication of Central Midfield pair is vital to create space / time to receive ball
  • Strikers: timing + coordination of movements

Regression: (if needed)

Set up:

A 7v5 is organised centrally.

Team (A) consists of 2 Central Defenders, 2 Central Midfielders, 2 Strikers

Team (B) consists of 2 Central Defenders, 1 Central Midfielders, 1 Striker

Diagram B
Diagram B

Instructions:

TACTICAL GAME – BUILDUPS CENTRALLY:

Play starts with a pass from GK to Team (A) each time. Team (A) must use their numerical advantage to buildup and create goalscoring opportunities. If Team (B) wins possession, they can immediately score in their opponent’s goal.

Coaching Points:

  • Maintain a high tempo – circulate the ball quickly to take advantage of the numerical advantage
  • Look to play forward quickly – no long passing sequences
  • Movement / Communication between the Central Midfield pair to get free of opponent

Progression:

Set up:

FULLBACKS ADDED TO BOTH TEAMS

Funnel shaped pitch to encourage central play.

Team (A) consists of Back-4, 2 Central Midfielders, 2 Strikers

Team (B) consists of Back-4, 2 Central Midfielders, 1 Striker

**May be necessary to remove a central midfield player from Team-B depending on level of players

Buildups Centrally.c

Instructions:

TACTICAL GAME – BUILDUPS CENTRALLY:

Play starts with a pass from GK to Team (A) each time. Team (A) must use their numerical advantage to buildup and create goalscoring opportunities. If Team (B) wins possession they can immediately score in their opponent’s goal.

Time: 1 x 12 minutes (with stoppages for coaching points)

Coaching Points:

  • Maintain a high tempo – circulate the ball quickly to take advantage of the numerical advantage
  • Look to play forward quickly – no long passing sequences
  • Central Defender dribble forward into space to commit opponents