Key Information

Phase – Youth Development Phase

Theme – Playing Through Midfield Third

Title – Coach players in wide areas, to recognize the optimal time to Run With The Ball (RWTB) to break defensive line and create good attacking opportunities.

5 W’s –   Who – Wide Players, FB’s, Wide midfielders & Wingers

Where – Wide areas all over the pitch

When – In Possession

What – RWTB effectively

Why – To exploit space created by quick switches of play

Principles – Support, Movement, Penetration, Spread Out & Improvisation

Exercise One

Principles – Support, Movement, Penetration, Spread Out & Improvisation

Set Up – 4 x 10×10 yds squares set up at least 10 yds apart.

#’s – 5-7 players in each square. Adjust size accordingly

Organization – Players dribble inside small squares. On the shout of ‘go’ all players in the square move clockwise to the next square. Dribbling resumes in the new box. Frequent rests as this is tough physically. Use the rests to ask questions.

Key Points –

1.Good dribbling inside small squares

2.Speed of movement between boxes.

3.Questions – Was it easy to RWTB? What did you need to be aware of? Touches big or small? Why?

Progressions –

Alter direction – Counterclockwise & finally diagonal – What changes with diagonal? How did you deal with that?

Exercise Two

Principles – Support, Movement, Penetration, Spread Out & Improvisation

Set Up – 4 x 10×10 yds squares set up at least 10 yds apart.

#’s – 4v1, 5v1, 6v1, works with odd numbers

Organization – 2 Opposite squares work together with 1 ball. 1 defender in each box, who must stay in the box. Attackers look to make 3 passes. On making 3 passes, the player on the ball can decide to RWTB to the opposite box. No through balls, 1st touch must be taken inside the box. Change defenders regularly.

Key Points –

1.What is the best point to break out to opposite box? Is it always on the 3rd pass? Why not?

2.Space in front, Who is that likely to be?

3.Movement to create space in front?

4.First touch or no touch turn

5.Weight & accuracy of pass,

Exercise Three

Principles – Support, Movement, Penetration, Spread Out & Improvisation

Set Up – 25 x25 yd pitch with gates at either end.

#’s – 3v3, 4v4 works with neutral

Organization – SSG with gates. RWTB Through the gates to score 3 points, keep ball for 10 passes to get 1 point.

Key Points –

1.Standards

2.Maximize space

3.Reinforce key points from exercise 2

4.Movement to create space in wide areas? Overlaps, out to in runs/lateral movements

Things to consider – Coach what you see related to the topic. Use freezes to coach when the opportunity to RWTB is turned down.

Exercise Four

Principles – Support, Movement, Penetration, Spread Out & Improvisation

Set Up – 25 x25 yd pitch with goal & gate at either end.

#’s – 3v3, 4v4 works with neutral

Organization – SSG with gates & goal. RWTB Through the gates to score 3 points, pass into goal to get 1 point.

Key Points –

1.Standards

2.Reinforce key points from exercise 3

3.Decision making in possession

4.Disguised passes to free up space to score in gate

Things to consider – – Can you manage the opposition to stop the goal, thereby creating opportunities to RWTB to score 3 points

Exercise Five

Principles – Support, Movement, Penetration, Spread Out & Improvisation

Set Up – 35×25 yd Pitch

#’s – 4v4 or 5v5. Can be more players, but must increase overall space to accommodate. Suitable topic to include target players either side of goal.

Organization – Game

Key Points –

1.Reinforce key points from previous exercises

2.Coach What you see (Related to the topic)

3.Leave the last 10 mins for complete free play with little or no interruption