Aberdeen FC’s Head of Academy Coaching, Gavin Levey has worked full-time in Youth football for 14 years. Gavin, an Honors Degree graduate in Sports Coaching and Development previously worked with two other Scottish Premier League Clubs before joining Aberdeen FC in 2006 as the Scottish FA Football Development Officer and Youth Academy Coach. During the time in this role, he was responsible for developing the grass roots game and coach education, whilst coaching some of the club’s most talented young footballers. Gavin holds a variety of qualifications including the Elite Youth ‘A’ License and Advanced Children’s License.

Follow Gavin on Twitter: @GavLevey

In recent years many teams have successfully utilized a lone Striker in a 1-4-2-3-1 system; however, the use of Twin Strikers in a 1-4-4-2 system can prove highly effective. In the Premier League this current season it has been exciting to watch smaller clubs like Leicester and Watford cause problems for many teams by playing with two up-front. The following session will develop the movements, timing and coordination Twin Strikers need in order to create goal-scoring opportunities.

1.

Set up:

Players work towards both goals. Players work in pairs.

Instructions:

Striker Movement Variations – 2 Way:

Players work in pairs to replicate working with a striker partner in a front-two.

Player (A) starts the sequence with a short bounce pass to (B); the next pass then goes from (A) in to the Strikers. Play finishes with an attempt on goal. Various Striker movements are rehearsed and repeated.

Coaching Points:

• Striker Movements utilised:
  • First Striker turns 1v1 against mannequin – option of 1-2 with Striker partner
  • First Striker to get across the face of the 2nd Striker
  • First Striker comes short and play back to ‘feeder’ (A or B) who can then play for 2nd Striker to run between the mannequins or across the line

2.

Set up:

Playing area split into 3 zones as shown; Goalkeepers fullsized goals are utilised. Players are organised in 2v2 in each zone plus 2 Central neutral players supporting the team in possession.

Instructions:

Striker Movement Game – 2 Way:

Play starts with a pass from the Goalkeeper each time. Team in possession must look to play to the Strikers early; Strikers work as a pair coordinating their movements to create passing options and space to receive. Various movements from Activity #1 are utilised. Strikers attempt to create a shooting opportunity each time.

Coaching Points:

• Work as a pair – constantly assess movement of striker partner
• Moment, direction, speed of movements to receive and create space for partner are crucial
• Strikers must follow any shots for potential rebounds
• Strikers must work as a defensive pair to apply pressure to Central Defenders
• Progress – allow central player to enter end zone to support

3.

Set up:

Defensive team (Yellow) setup with Goalkeeper, Back-4 and 2 Central Midfielders. Attacking team (Red) consists of ‘feeders’ (A + B), 2 Wide players, 2 Central Midfielders and 2 Strikers.

Instructions:

Phase of Play for Twin Striker Movement in a 1-4-4-2:

Play starts with Feeder (A) or (B) each time.

Options:

Play wide, Central Midfield players move to create passing channels into Strikers’ feet.
Wide player can pass inside / diagonal to first or 2nd Strikers feet.

All movements from previous activities are reinforced and practised. Attempt to finish each sequence with a shot on goal.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement to disrupt the defensive team
• Moment (timing)
• Direction and speed of movements from Strikers to receive passes or create space
• Moment, angles, distances of support players to receive bounce passes from Strikers
• Quality of finishing on goal

4.

Set up:

Yellow setup with Goalkeeper, Back-4 and 2 Central Midfielders. Red consists of neutral Fullbacks (A+B), 2 Wide players, 2 Central Midfielders and 2 Strikers.

Instructions:

Match Practice – Focus on Twin Striker Movement:

All movements from previous activities are reinforced and practised.

Focus of the game is on the Red team to create opportunities to play the ball into the Strikers; Strikers can then rehearse / repeat previously coached movements in a fully opposed game setting. Attempt to finish each sequence with a shot on goal. If Yellow win possession, they can counter the opponents’ goal.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement to disrupt the defensive team.
• Moment (timing)
• Direction and speed of movements from Strikers to receive passes or create space
• Moment, angles, distances of support players to receive bounce passes from Strikers
• Strikers must also work on the defensive responsibilities if possession is lost