24 Nov 2015

Coaching midfield combination play with strikers

This is a rotating game designed to help midfield players combine with their strikers in the attacking third. The midfield have to work together for an agreed number of passes, before they can break out and look to combine with and support their forward and try and score. If the opposition win it, they can immediately break out and counter attack by playing through their midfield.

Organisation

Two relevant sized goals to the age group with GK’s
Coach with supply of footballs – they are the server who restarts the game when the ball has gone dead.
Coned off midfield area, size to suit the age, number and ability of the players. Ends of the area to be approximately 20 – 30 yards from the goal.
Play 3 v 3 – or agreed number of players in this area.
Attacker and defender at both ends
Spare midfield players positioned outside of the midfield area

Structure

Coach serves the ball to one of the teams. They become the attacking team
They must complete agreed number of passes in the area, before breaking out and looking to combine to support their attacker to try and score. Opposition midfield can also break out and try and defend the attack.
Reset after the attack
After the attack, the spare midfield players on the side of the area, go into the midfield area to make it 3 v 3.
The attacker and defender become the spare players on the side of the area.
The midfield players who broke out to attack and defend become the attacker and defender.

New game

When the coach is happy that all the players have reset themselves, they serve a ball to the team that didn’t attack and the game continues
Opposition win the ball in the midfield area.
If the opposition win the ball in the midfield area, they can either put the ball out of play and the coach restarts. Or, immediately look to counter attack and break out to join their striker – they don’t have to make 3 passes.

If the defender wins the ball

If the defender wins the ball, they can either put the ball out of play and the coach restarts the game. Or, look to pass into their midfield in the area, who can immediately look to counter attack and break out to join their striker – they don’t have to make 3 passes.

If the GK saves

If the GK saves the ball, they can either put the ball out of play and the coach restarts. Or, immediately look to distribute to their midfield players who can immediately counter attack and break out to join their striker – they don’t have to make 3 passes.

Coaching tips

Good passing, support and combination play in midfield
Movement from striker to create space – pull the defender out of position or movement to receive a pass from their midfield
Strikers can turn, beat the defender and finish, they don’t have to always combine with their strikers. It is up to the strikers to make the best decisions about what they do.
Timed break out movement from the midfield to break out and support their striker.
Accurate, composed finish and follow up for rebounds.
Good communication between players.
Good communication from players to get re organised
Defenders to try and defend well and recognise that if they win the ball, can they be positive and try and quickly create a counter attack for their team?

Progressions and challenges

Play with two end defenders and attackers
Make the midfield area bigger or smaller – if wider, will create break out and cross opportunities.
Play 2 v 2 or 4 v 4 in the midfield area.
Play games over a period of time – 10 minutes and see what team can score the most goals

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