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LOGINPractice 1: Combination play to break lines
Develops combination play, forcing players to adapt to inside/outside roles and introduces tempo variation
WHY USE IT
This practice develops combination play, forcing players to adapt to inside/outside roles and introduces tempo variation.
Set-up
Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of players. The area should be divided in half. One half has two attackers and two defenders in the middle, with two neutral players on the outside. The other half has one attacker and one defender, both resting to start with.
HOW TO play
Playing in a slow tempo, the attacking players aim to switch play in the other half of the pitch. After four passes, they can switch play. When the ball is switched across, one attacker and one defender move across as well to create a 2v2(+2) in the other half and the practice continues.
When the coach shouts ‘fast tempo’, the players can switch play as quickly as they want, with no minimum passes. Rotate roles every few minutes.
ADAPTATIONS & progressions
You can increase the minimum number of passes for the slow tempo section. If players are finding it too hard, remove a defender – they can be a central neutral player. You can also stipulate that the switch has to be received by an attacker on the run while switching sides, rather than the ball going to the attacker already in the other half. This will encourage more third-man runs off the ball and playing into space.
COACHING POINTS
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Scan before receiving
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Body shape for switches and disguise
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Third-man run must adjust instantly to tempo
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Playing in a slow tempo, the attacking players aim to switch play to the other half of the pitch, which they can do after four passes
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When the ball is switched across, one attacker and one defender must move across too
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When the coach shouts ’fast tempo’, players can switch play as quickly as they want
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