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LOGINPractice: Clever in the final third
Encourage players to run at defenders and beat them to set up chances for themselves or team-mates
WHY USE IT
Working through the thirds, attackers need good ball skills to either link up with their team-mates or move past defenders to create opportunities. Special players thrive in this area and coaching your players to move and combine will help your team take advantage.
SET UP
Use half your normal pitch, with a 15-yard, six-zone grid 10 yards from goal. You can set up back-to-back areas using 14 players, but we’ve used seven players here.
HOW TO PLAY
In the grid there are two attackers against three defenders, with a server and a goalkeeper at opposite ends. The two forwards should stay in adjacent grids so they can link up with close passing or make dummy runs to fool defenders. If an attacker plays the ball back to the server and drops out of the grid, the server becomes a surging midfielder who can drive into the penalty area and try to get past defenders at speed. If the defenders win the ball they can try to get it into the server’s zone to score.
Coaching points
A lot of attacking coaching points are happening: the link-up play in the penalty area, plus individual skills and a surging drive from the server. Encourage players to find the best way to score.
1. Server starts play with a pass into one of the attackers in the grid
2. Attackers should try to stay in adjacent squares so they can link up more easily
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3. If an attacker passes back to the server, they can exit the grid and allow the server to drive into an attacking position
4. Server uses their skill to get past a defender and shoot while other defenders are busy marking their team-mate
5. Staying in adjacent grids, the attackers play a neat one-two to set up a chance to score a goal
6. The back line of the six-zone grid is the offside line
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