06 Sep 2016

Coach forward passing for forward runs

Keeping possession of the ball is all well and good, but at some point players have to look to be positive, to hurt the opposition. To achieve this, they will have to look to play forward. This will require accurate, well timed and weighted forward passing and runners to make well timed and positive forward runs. This technical practice is designed to improve forward passing for forward runs.

FREE E BOOK – COACH FORWARD RUNS FOR FORWARD PASSES

ORGANISATION

• Suggested areas: 40 x 20 yards inside area: 15 x 5 yards shaded target areas at both ends: 40 x 5 yard wide area both sides: 10 yard central area – adjust the size of the area to suit the age, numbers and the ability of the players
• Two target players in both target areas – like sweeper GK’s
• 2 teams of 4 players on the pitch in different coloured bibs – Total 10 players.
• The practice can be adjusted for 8 – 14 players

EQUIPMENT

• Supply of footballs, cones / flat discs to mark out areas and bibs.

START

• Initially start the practice with only one team playing.
• To start do this slowly – walking, so all the players understand the pattern of the practice and their changing roles within it – as the players improve their understanding of the pattern of the practice, encourage them to increase the speed and intensity of play.
• The ball always starts with a target player / outfield GK. Every time the ball is with the target player/ outfield GK , the teams must organise themselves quickly so that 3 of the players are in the defensive area nearest the target player with the ball and one of the team is in the attacking area, furthest away from the target player with the ball.
• The three players nearest the target player / outfield GK spread out, create space and look to receive the ball from the target player / outfield GK – like they are playing out from the back
• In this example the ball is passed from the target player / outfield GK to one of the players in the defensive area who passes forward to a forward runner in a wide area – a switch to a forward running fullback

FORWARD SUPPORTING RUNS

• In this example, the ball is passed from the fullback forward to the attacker in the attacking half of the pitch.
• The attacker then sets the ball back for a forward running supporting player.

PASS TO TARGET PLAYER AND RE ORGANISE

• The ball is passed into the opposite end target player / outfield GK and now three players’ move into the half of the pitch nearest the target player and the fourth player reacts to be the forward player in the attacking half of the pitch.

DEVELOP PLAY FROM THE TARGET PLAYER

• The ball is quickly passed from the target player and the 3 players in the defensive half of the pitch combine to pass to a forward running player in a wide area.

To see how the practice develops and evolves, download the:

FREE E BOOK – COACH FORWARD RUNS FOR FORWARD PASSES