The overall objective of the Soccer/Football is to score more goals than your opponent; how to reach your opponents goal can take on many forms – possession based buildup, long-ball direct to target, quick transitions on regaining possession etc etc – the choices are many!
The following activity (and progressions) emphasizes buildup / possession play through the various thirds of the pitch in order to create scoring chances.
Maintaining possession + building up in the various thirds of the pitch requires different strategies at both the individual and team level; the ability to pass, receive under pressure, support, create space, will be stressed at different levels depending on whether you are in the Defensive, Central or Attacking thirds.
Overall the following activity emphasizes efficiency with 2 or 3-touch play in the Defensive + Central areas while encouraging positive risk taking with no (touch) restrictions within the final Attacking third.
1.
Setup:
Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones GK+3v2; Central Zone 4v4+1 Neutral as shown.
Instructions:
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
2.
Setup:
Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones GK+3v2; Central Zone 4v4+1 Neutral as shown.
Instructions:
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
3.
Setup:
Playing area divided into 3 Zones: End zones GK+3v2; Central Zone 4v4+1 Neutral as shown.
Instructions:
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