Midfield players are essential components of any attack! Encouraging players to attack from midfield areas can result in an increased success rate in scoring goals. Players can make runs from central areas, wide areas, etc – the options depend on many factors within the game at any given moment.
This series of activities / session develop an understanding of creating opportunities to pass forward and then break forward at pace from Midfield areas; primarily from central areas of the pitch.
The transitions from Midfield should be at pace so that the opponent (defenders) cannot get organized / delay the attack; by breaking from Midfield at pace it allows the attacking team to create numbers-up advantages.
1.
Setup:
A 5v5 is organised in the central grid; 1v1 created 25 yards from goal as shown.
Instructions:
Play begins with a pass from the Coach to the attacking team (Black). Attacking team must attempt to maintain possession through quick ball circulation and movement. At the earliest opportunity they must pass forward to the Striker.
Immediately on passing the ball forward 1 or 2 players from the central grid must sprint forward to support the attack – this creates a 2v1 or 3v1 to goal.
Progression: 1 Defender may track back from central grid.
After each attack play starts from Coach again.
Coaching Points:
Look for early opportunity to play forward
If not possible to play forward – be patient and keep possession
Strikers movement: must always be searching for a passing channel
2.
Setup:
A 5v5 is organised in the central grid; 1v1 created 25 yards from goal as shown.
Instructions:
In the Diagram: Player (10) has made a successful pass to the Striker. Players (8) + (10) now break forward to support the attack creating a 3v1+GK to goal. Trams are encouraged to score in less than 8 seconds = no long passing sequences!
Transition / Attack / Attempt on goal must be performed quickly without delay.
Coaching Points:
- Look for early opportunity to play forward
- If not possible to play forward – be patient and keep possession
- Strikers movement: must always be searching for a passing channel
3.
Setup:
Reduce the size of central grid.
A 3v3 is organised in the central grid; 3v3 created 25 yards from goal as shown (Striker + 2 Wide Players vs. 3 Defenders).
Instructions:
Play starts with a pass from Coach to the Attacking team (Black in Diagram).
Attacking team must attempt to maintain possession and look as early as possible to find a passing option in front – to Striker or Wide players.
Striker / Wide Players must constantly be on the move to create passing options and to disrupt their opponent/defenders.
After the pass in front; one of the players from the central grid can break forward to join the attack = 4v3+GK.
Attempt to score in less than 8 seconds!
Coaching Points:
- Look for early opportunity to play forward
- If not possible to play forward – be patient and keep possession
- Strikers / Wide Players movement: must always be searching for a passing channel
- Transition to support must be at speed
- Attack / Transition / Score in less than 8 sec!
4.
Setup:
A 6v4 with Recovery Defender(s) is organised as shown. Recovering Players (A) + (B) are positioned at cones approx. 15yds behind the central attacking players.
Instructions:
Play starts with a pass from Coach to the Attacking team (Black in Diagram). After the ball is passed from the Coach; one of the Recovering Players (A or B) sprints to get back into a central midfield position – this creates a 6v5+GK advantage for the attacking team.
Attacking team is encouraged to attack quickly attack BEFORE the player Recovers! This means they will have an advantage of 6v4+GK.
Coaching Points:
- Look for early opportunity to play forward
- If not possible to create a scoring chance immediately – be patient and keep possession in the 6v5+GK format
- Attacking Players movement: must always be searching for a passing channel, space to attack etc.
- Transition to support must be at speed
- Attack / Transition / Score in less than 8 sec if possible!