Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Attack vs Defence: Exploting the overload

Session Overview (30 mins)

Setup: Using just under half of a pitch, with the big goal down one end, and two mini goals down the other. 6 defenders + GK vs 6 attackers.

- It's important attacking players realise you rarely attack in an overload, so the numbers are matched up (excluding gk).

- The attacking team are underloaded in the central midfield area, hopefully meaning they craft attacks from out wide where they should have a 2v1 overload.

Instructions: Coach will serve the ball out for the white team who will attempt to score into the big goal. Blue team try to win the ball back and score into one of the two mini goals.

Coaching Points:

- Ask attacking team to recognise where they have an advantage on the field (shaded areas).

- Challenge the front 3 to play within the fullbacks in an attempt to allow the wide player more time.

- If one of the blue CM drifts out wide to assist defending a wide area, does the attacking CM recognise he might now have a 1v1 match up centerally?

- How can the two wide players (2+7, 3+11) combine against the opposing fullback?

- What type of deliveries into the box can we work?

- Who can attack the box when we are in a crossing position?

Counter Topic:

- Can the defending team find a central midfield player if they win the ball where they should have an overload?

- Speak to the back 4 about shuffling across and prioritising who they mark.

- Encourage back 4 to instruct the midfield 2 in how they want them to help them defend.

Background: I'm working with the attacking team who will be looking at the 1-3-4-3 formation, and stressing the importance of using the wide players as an overload.