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LOGINMovement off the ball
This session looks to improve co-ordinating movement off the ball so the player in possession has lots of passing options. The aim of the players’ movement and forward runs is to disrupt the opponent’s defence and create gaps that can be exploited.
What this session is about
- Creating time and space to receive a pass.
- Decision making on whether to pass or shoot.
- Combining movement with passing to score goals.
What to think about
- A player’s movement/run off the ball should be made to create 2v1 situations or to pull defenders out of position. This will give the player in possession more time and options with their choice of action.
- The player in possession must be decisive with the choices they make in order to reap the benefits of the player movement.
- The attack and movement off the ball should be at match speed to catch opponents by surprise.
Set-up
Create a 60 yards by 40 yards playing area with a goal at one end and a goalkeeper. Use mannequins, cones or poles as static defenders.
| Warm up | Session | Development | Game Situation | Warm Down |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 20 minutes | 5 minutes |
What you get your players to do
The central player passes to a wide player, who moves towards the ball to receive it, then dribbles towards the penalty area. Immediately, a deeper midfielder or full back makes an overlapping run on the outside. The wide player must now decide whether to shoot or show disguise and play a reverse pass for the overlapping runner to shoot.
Development
Now add a third player to the attack to increase the options. The wide player dribbles inside and can shoot, play a reverse pass to the overlapping runner, or play a through pass for the third player to run on to and shoot. In this practice the overlapping player must cross the ball rather than shoot.
Related Files
Game situation
Create a 5v3 situation on a 50 yards by 30 yards playing area. As the bottom picture shows, there are three stations of players. Station 1 is for the midfielders/defenders who work on a rotation. Station 2 is for the wide players and station 3 is for the strikers. Three defenders start on the pitch with one striker. The goalkeeper throws a ball out to the wide player, who dribbles forward. Immediately, three midfielders make forward runs to join the wide player and striker to make a 5v3 situation. If the defenders win the ball, they can counter attack and try to score.
After each attack the midfielders become the new defenders and a new wide player and striker enter the pitch.
What to call out
- “Play at top speed.”
- “Run beyond the ball.”
- “Make a good decision when you have the ball.”
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