Playing against a compact opponent can make it difficult to penetrate and create scoring chances.
Does your opponent maintain a high defensive line? Do they press high and look for off-sides? Can you draw out your opponent with good ball possession?

At certain moments of the game there will be opportunities to attack the space behind the opponent; players must therefore learn to recognize these moments and take advantage to create scoring chances.

The following session aims to develop the understanding and ability to get behind the opponents defensive line; possession zone games are utilized to replicate game-like scenarios. The final activity (11v11) emphasizes team building-up against a compact opponent + maintaining possession to await the moments to penetrate.

Best of luck!

Penetrating the Opponents’ Defensive Line

1. PASSING SEQUENCE: FINAL PASS IN SPACE

Setup:

Squad split into Right / Left sided Players as shown.  Mini-Goals used for scoring.

Instructions:

Movement – A-B-C-D: D passin mini-goal and then return to starting point A. Passing sequence: A-D-B-A-C-B-D in Space.

First pass from (A) tho (D) checking to receive / (D) one-touch pass to (B) / (A) is moving to support and receive a layoff from (B) / (D) clears out of the space to create a passing lane to (C), (A) passes vertically to (C) / (C) lays off to supporting (B) / (B) pass in space for (D) to finish in mini-goal.

Sequence is repeated with next pass from position (A).

Continuous: 4 min

Increased tempo: 4 min

Coaching Points:

• Angles of movement to receive and support
• Timing of movements
• Distance of support
• Quality of pass – Moment, Direction, Speed
• *Must be passed in space so player can attack the ball.
• Timing of run into space is crucial – must arrive onto the pass!
• *Warmup activity = gradually increase tempo

2. POSSESSION: FINAL PASS IN SPACE

Setup:

Squad split into Right / Left sided Players as shown. 5v5 in each playing area. End-zones (shaded) for scoring with final pass.

Instructions:

Teams compete for possession of the ball. Goals are scored for 10 consecutive passes / 3 goals awarded for player receiving from a through-ball pass into the end zone (shaded area).

Emphasis is on players making penetrating, well-timed forward runs into space.

Coaching Points:

• Angles of movement to receive and support
• Quick ball circulation and movement: 1 and 2-touch play
• Quality of pass – Moment, Direction, Speed
• *Final ball must be passed in space so player can attack the ball.
• Timing of run into space is crucial – must arrive onto the pass!
• Encourage runs from wide areas / central areas
• Draw the opponent out with good possession and look for moments to penetrate.

3. TACTICAL GAME: FINAL PASS / RUNS INTO SPACE

Setup:

10v10 in central area. Mini-goals positioned at edge of central area, Goalkeepers and full-sized goals as shown.

Instructions:

10v10 takes place in the central area – teams compete for possession of the ball. Teams can score in either mini-goal (1 goal); 3 goals awarded for passing a ball into the space behind the opponents line; any successful pass into the space = 1v1 situation with Goalkeeper.

Central area is compact which creates opportunities for runs behind the opponent line.

6 min games x 2

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement: 1 and 2-touch play
• Quality of pass – Moment, Direction, Speed
• *Final ball must be passed in space so player can attack the ball / line used as ‘offside’ line
• Timing of run into space is crucial – must arrive onto the pass!
• Encourage runs from wide areas / central areas
• Draw the opponent to the ball with good possession and look for moments to penetrate.

4. TACTICAL GAME: FINDING SPACE BEHIND OPPONENT

Setup:

11v11 organised. Team (A) Black team starts with ball each time – they are the buildup team vs RED defensive team.

Instructions:

Play starts with pass from Goalkeeper (A). Buildup team (Black) is working to maintain possession against a compact opponent who holds a relatively high defensive line.

BLACK team must maintain good possession to await moments to make forward penetrating runs into space.  Normal football rules apply.

Change roles after – allow both teams to be Buildup / Defensive team.

2x8min

Coaching Points:

• Quick ball circulation and movement: 1 and 2-touch play
• Quality of pass – Moment, Direction, Speed
• *Final ball must be passed in space so player can attack the ball / line used as ‘offside’ line
• Timing of run into space is crucial – must arrive onto the pass!
• Encourage runs from wide areas / central areas
• Draw the opponent to the ball with good possession and look for moments to penetrate.
• Counter-Press on any loss of possession in opponents half – can create moments to score.