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Small-sided game: Middle-third combinations
Develop awareness and understanding of middle-third combination play
Why use it
This three-part session develops players’ awareness and understanding of middle-third combination play, putting them into a game-realistic setting.
Set up
Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Mark out a halfway line and a final third zone at one end. At this end, place a goal. Divide players into two teams. The attacking team needs three central midfielders (one 6 and two 8s), two wingers/wing-backs and two strikers. The defending team needs a back four and central midfielder.
How to play
The ball always starts with the attacking #6. The #6 and two #8s start in the first half against one defender (#6). If #7 or #11 drop in then the two full-backs (#2 and #5) can follow. They look to advance the ball into the #9 or #10 and once either has touched the ball the attacking team can score. If the defending team win the ball they must play a pass into the #6 over the halfway line to score.
Progressions/adaptations
Progress into a full-size game.
Coaching points
Encourage attacking players to play one or two-touch where possible.
2.Once the team has advanced the ball into the #9 or #10, the attacking team can score
3. If the defending team win the ball, they must play a pass to the #6 over the halfway line to score
Steve Greenwood
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