Nikos Kolompourdas is a UEFA ‘Pro’ Licensed coach currently with at Al Nasr FC (Dubai). Prior to Al Nasr, he worked in both Greece and Cyprus with Paok FC and Agia Napa. Nikos enjoyed an 11-year professional career in Germany (FC Koln), Greece (Paok FC, Iraklis FC) and Cyprus (Sotiris, Larnaka).

It is vital that players learn to create and exploit passing channels if they are to be effective; especially in congested and compact areas of the pitch. Players must develop an understanding of the key spaces to exploit: Between-the-lines of the opponent, away from the opponent, in-front of opponent etc. Players must also understand and rehearse the correct Positioning, Moment / Timing, Direction and Speed of movements to be most effective.

Within the following session: The warm-up phase will develop a basic understanding of various body positions (half-turned etc) to best receive passes; the session then progresses to tactical situations where players must find + exploit spaces as well as passing channels in 6v6 – 11v11 activities.

1.

Setup:

Players are organised into groups of 7/8. 5 Mannequins and mini goals / sticks are utilised.

Instructions:

WARMUP / PASSING

Emphasis on Moving Away from Opponents to Receive:

Sequence starts with Player (A) dribbling forward; Player (B) must move into the space off the shoulder of his opponent (Mannequin) to receive in a half-turned position. Immediately Player (B) is facing forward; Player (C) now pulls away from his opponent to receive. Player (C) receives and accelerates into space with the ball; Player (D) now pulls away from his opponent to receive a pass. Player (D) now dribbles at the Mannequin / feints to beat the mannequin and completes the sequence with pass into the mini-goal.

Play is continuous; gradually increase temp/speed as warmup progresses.

Coaching Points:

• Player (B): to replicate ‘Moving Between Lines’ to receive
• Player (C): replicates pulling off the shoulder of opponent to receive in space
• Player (D) replicates moving into space to receive in front of opponent
• In all situations: Emphasis on Moment, Direction, Speed of movements to receive

2.

Setup:

Players are organised into groups of 8 and setup in a 3v3+2 Targets as shown.

Instructions:

POSSESSION

Emphasis on Creating Passing Angles + Channels:

Play begins with a pass from the Coach (C) to either team; team in possession may utilise the 2 Target (T) players – this creates a 5v3 for the team in possession.

Within the playing area it is 3v3 – players must continuously move to avoid their direct opponent + to create passing options. Points are awarded for 5 consecutive passes / 3 points are awarded for moving opponents so Target Players can pass directly to each other. Example in Diagram- Player Red (8) has moved to receive; the direct opponent has moved to pressure – this creates a passing channel for Target player to pass vertically to the opposite Target player.

Play is continuous – 2min blocks

Coaching Points:

• The 3v3 centrally = 3 x 1v1 situations; this creates an environment where players must deal with a direct opponent – players must move at the right Moment / Direction + Speed in order to offer passing options
• Creating options – Moving off-the-shoulder / behind opponent / to side of opponent / in-front of opponent
• Move to create passing channels – move the opponent to create vertical passing lanes
• Quality of passing + receiving

3.

Setup:

16 Players organised in a 6v6+2 Central + 2 Target Players as shown. Two central (Green) Players are Central Midfield Players.

Instructions:

POSSESSION

Emphasis on Creating Passing Angles + Channels:

Play begins with a pass from the Coach (C) to either team. Team in possession may utilise the ONE Target (T) players and 2 Central Free players – this creates a 9v6 for the team in possession.
Players must utilise the superior numbers to circulate the ball quickly – emphasis is on finding the 2 Central Mid Players between the lines and also vertical passes to the Target players.

10 Consecutive passes or pass to advanced Target Player = 1 point.

Play is continuous – 8min

Coaching Points:

• Moment / Direction + Speed of movements in order to offer passing options or create passing lanes
• Find the Central Midfield players between the lines
• Creating options – Moving off-the-shoulder / behind opponent / to side of opponent / in-front of opponent
• Move to create passing channels – move the opponent to create vertical passing lanes.
• Quality of passing + receiving

4.

Setup:

11v11 organised as shown. Cones placed as ‘offside lines’ in central area.

Instructions:

TACTICAL GAME

Emphasis on Finding Spaces Between the Lines / Creating Passing Channels:

Play begins with a pass from either Goalkeeper. Team in possession must attempt to build / create attacks against opponent.

Players must move behind lines / between opponents, behind opponents, away from opponents in order to create passing options as well as passing corridors.

Example: Red Central Defender is possession: Central Mid (#8) has pulled in behind opponent Midfield Players and has received a vertical pass. #7 + #11 also have moved into space between-the-lines in order to create confusion for the opponent.

Play is continuous.

Coaching Points:

• Moment / Direction + Speed of movements in order to offer passing options or create passing lanes
• Look to find spaces ‘Between Lines’ – opponent will find this difficult to mark
• Creating options – Moving off-the-shoulder / behind opponent / to side of opponent / in-front of opponent
• Move to create passing channels – move the opponent to create vertical passing lanes.
• Quality of passing + receiving