This session includes progressive activities that emphasize the concepts of maintaining possession in various areas of the pitch and creating advantages (overloads) in certain areas in order to advance the ball up the pitch. If players merely stay in their positions, the game can turn into multiple 1v1 situations making it difficult to maintain possession and advance the play.

The overall theme is to teach players the benefits of creating overloads – the why, how, when etc. Once players understand and work on the concept it can increase their success in maintaining possession and moving the ball through various areas of the pitch; by creating numerical advantages (overloads) you can more securely progress the ball to the Attacking third to create scoring chances.

1.

Setup:

Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones 2v2 + GK; Central Zone 3v3+1 Neutral as shown.

Instructions:

USE OVERLOADS TO ADVANCE PLAY TO CREATE SCORING CHANCES 

Play starts from either Goalkeeper with a pass to either teammate in Buildup Zone; this is the cue to opponents to come to Press. At this moment it is a 3v2 situation (2 plus GK vs 2 Attackers pressing). The Neutral player or another player from the central zone now must drop into the Buildup zone to create a 4v2 overload – this should allow an opportunity to advance the ball into the Central ‘Create + Build Zone’. On reaching Central Zone this creates a 4v3; this is the cue for one of the Strikers to drop in to support thus creating a 5v3 in the Centre. Player are now free to create attacking possibilities into the Final Scoring Zone.

Alternate sides as starting point.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement
• Communication / decision-making – what pass, when?
• How to create Overloads? What are the options? – Can the Central Players receive between the lines and turn quickly to play forward into next zone
• If not possible to attack; be patient – use the man advantage to maintain possession in order to create attacking possibilities

2.

Setup:

Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones GK+3v2; Central Zone 4v4+1 Neutral as shown.

Instructions:  

PLAYING THROUGH THE THIRDS

Play starts from either Goalkeeper with a pass to any teammate Defensive Zone – this creates a 4v2 scenario against the 2 Strikers.

Touch Restrictions: Defensive Zone = 2-touch, Central Zone = 3-touch, Attacking Zone = Unrestricted.
Teams must work the ball through the Zones and attempt to reach the Final third to create chances to score. Emphasis is on quickly playing to the Strikers in the Attacking zone.

*The Midfield Player who makes the final pass into the Attacking zone must join the attack = 3v3+GK in Final third.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement in each zone
• Utilise man-advantage(s) in Defensive / Central Zones
• Movement of Strikers to create passing options
• If not possible to attack; be patient – use the man advantage to maintain possession in order to create attacking possibilities

3.

Setup:

Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones GK+3v2; Central Zone 4v4+1 Neutral as shown.

Instructions:

PLAYING THROUGH THE THIRDS

Phase 3: Introduction of Wide Channels.

During the buildup into the Central Zone; one player may pull wide into the crossing channel – in the Diagram Player (8) has moved into the channel to receive a pass from the Striker (9).  One additional player may now join the attack from the Central Zone = 4v3+GK.  Touch Restrictions as Previous: Defensive Zone = 2-touch, Central Zone = 3-touch, Attacking Zone = Unrestricted.

Teams must work the ball through the Zones and attempt to reach the Final third to create chances to score. Emphasis is on quickly playing to the Strikers in the Attacking zone.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement in each zone
• Utilise man-advantage(s) in Defensive / Central Zones
• Movement of Strikers to create passing options.
• Timing of run into wide channel to cross
• If not possible to attack; be patient – use the man advantage to maintain possession in order to create attacking possibilities

4.

Setup:

Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones GK+3v2; Central Zone 4v4+1 Neutral as shown.

Instructions:

PLAYING THROUGH THE THIRDS

Phase 2: Two Central Players join the Attack.

The Player who passes the ball into the Attacking zone must join the attack; one other player must also join- in the Diagram Player (8) has moved into the space Striker (9) has vacated.

This creates 4v3+GK in the Attacking Zone.

Touch Restrictions as Previous: Defensive Zone = 2-touch, Central Zone = 3-touch, Attacking Zone = Unrestricted.

Teams must work the ball through the Zones and attempt to reach the Final third to create chances to score. Emphasis is on quickly playing to the Strikers in the Attacking zone.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement in each zone
• Utilise man-advantage(s) in Defensive / Central Zones
• Movement of Strikers to create passing options
• Timing of run into Attacking zone to support the Strikers
• If not possible to attack; be patient – use the man advantage(s) to maintain possession in order to create attacking possibilities

5.

Setup:

Multiple groups of 5v2 or 6v2 are organised to accommodate the entire squad. One player must always move to a central position.

Instructions:

POSSESSION: FIND PASSES BETWEEN THE LINES

Warmup activity to encourage quick ball circulation with an emphasis on finding the central Player with penetrating passes. The following activities will emphasise recognising and creating overloads and this ability to find penetrating passes is a key element.

Play is continuous – change central defensive players on any error / loss of possession

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement
• Communication / decision-making – what pass, when?
• Find the passing lane to central player
• Central Player receive in sideways-on position at all times

6.

Setup:

Approx. 30×30 grid.  4 Perimeter players (Yellow), 4v4 + 1 Centrally. Perimeter Players + 1 Central (Green) player support the team in possession.

Instructions:

POSSESSION: USE OVERLOADS TO MAINTAIN POSSESSION

Team in possession can utilise the Central player and 4 Perimeter players to maintain possession. Goals are awarded for working the ball to end Players (A) + (B) – each time team works ball (A) to (B) and vice-versa = 1 point.

Team in possession must understand that they have a numerical advantage and continually move the ball while looking for penetrating passes.

Note: Perimeter player cannot pass to another perimeter player.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement
• Communication / decision-making – what pass, when?
• Find the passing lane to central player – Can the Central Player receive between the lines and turn quickly to play forward
• Central Player receive in sideways-on position at all times

7.

Setup:

Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones 2v2 + GK; Central Zone 3v3+1 Neutral as shown.

Instructions:

USE OVERLOADS TO ADVANCE PLAY TO CREATE SCORING CHANCES

Play starts from either Goalkeeper with a pass to either teammate in Buildup Zone; this is the cue to opponents to come to Press. At this moment it is a 3v2 situation (2 plus GK vs 2 Attackers pressing). The Neutral player or another player from the central zone now must drop into the Buildup zone to create a 4v2 overload – this should allow an opportunity to advance the ball into the Central ‘Create + Build Zone’. On reaching Central Zone this creates a 4v3; this is the cue for one of the Strikers to drop in to support thus creating a 5v3 in the Centre. Player are now free to create attacking possibilities into the Final Scoring Zone.

Alternate sides as starting point.

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement
• Communication / decision-making – what pass, when?
• How to create Overloads? What are the options? – Can the Central Players receive between the lines and turn quickly to play forward into next zone
• If not possible to attack; be patient – use the man advantage to maintain possession in order to create attacking possibilities