Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Phase of Play- Forward Runs Without The Ball

Forward runs without the ball

Starting Point - 1 Plays to 2,3 or 4 depending on who is in space these players then look to play forward to players who have made runs off the ball to create space. Player 1 looks to support behind the ball. If the defending team win the ball back they have 5 touches between the team to score in the mini goals.

Key Factors - There are two main groups of run that you need to focus on. i.e runs to create space for others or runs to exploit space

Runs to create space for others -

Running from in front of the ball -

Inside out diagonal runs

Outside in diagonal runs

Running from behind the ball -

Over/under laps

Diagonal runs

Runs to Exploit Space -

Running from in front of the ball -

Diagonal runs across the defender

Diagonal run wrong footing the defender by checking and changing direction

Combination of diagonal/straight pass with straight/diagonal run

Running from behind the ball -

Over/under lap

Movement from behind the ball into space created by movement in front of the ball

Additional Factors

Quality and timing of the pass

Awareness of forward players runs - being able to spot a player who wants the ball and when they are trying to create space for others

Decision Making - when to pass and when to dribble to exploit space

Watching for offside - timing of runs