EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FOR GRASSROOTS SOCCER COACHES
ATTACKING 4
Creative in the final third
“Look at the player you are passing to” • “Good first touch” • “Look up before you shoot” • “Move at the right times”
Set up a 40 x 20 yards area with a goal at either end. With seven players play a 4v3 small-sided game with no goalkeepers, which allows the team with the overload to be creative with the man advantage.
Having no goalkeepers means players can set up team mates for a shot at goal – Here overlapping runs should be encouraged so players can do it in matches.
Creative play is always difficult to coach because you want players to do the unexpected so allow the session to run for 5 or 6 minutes to give them a chance to experiment.
You can add players or make the area bigger to suit what it is you are trying to coach – a bigger area will make it more difficult for the defenders as they have more space to protect.
Finish the session with an 8v8 game with no keepers and watch to see if the players are still making the runs you want to see.
We used seven players for the session – 8v8 in the game.
in Attacking, Ball Control and Footwork
When players are through on goal, they must decide whether to shoot or take it around the keeper. To be able to make this decision players must practise both methods so they have the techniques required when the situation arises in matches. MORE
in Attacking, Formations
Good players can understand and play in a lot of different positions and formations. This session gives players a chance to see how overloads and changing numbers work in different positions. MORE
