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LOGINPractice: Passing to break from midfield
With limited passes before a shot must be made, players learn how to break from midfield with pace and precision
Why use it
Speed and incision are key elements in quick breaks from midfield and this activity uses fast movement to play past opponents. Accelerating across open areas of the pitch with swift and slick support play are the coaching points.
Set up
Set up an area of 35x30 yards, split into three zones: the outer zones are 15 yards and the central zone 10 yards. We are using 12 players in this session. The teams line up with two players in the home zone, two in the central zone and one in the attacking zone. You need balls, bibs, cones and two goals.
How to play
Players have four passes to score from the moment they get possession. Any more and possession is turned over. Players must stay in their zones if they are defending but when they have the ball they are free to roam.
Coaching points
In a match situation, the reality of recovery means that within five passes the opposition defenders will have time to recover and get back behind the ball, so this game revolves around a quick four passes and a shot.
1. Players must create a goalscoring chance within four passes or possession is lost
2. Players are locked into the zones but are released when their side has possession
Related Files
3. The goalkeeper spots an opportunity to get into the midfield quickly and players combine to score
4. Movement of players in possession is vital for success of the session
5. Here, the attacking team loses the ball and a break from midfield sets the opposition away
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