Playing the Ball Wide to Attack 10/20/2010
U-15 Boys Sept 21, 2010
Warm Up: Play a simple possession game defending minimally, play with a three touch max at 50-75% effort (5 Min). Stretch (5 min). Back to simple possession up intensity to 75-100% (5 min).
Combinations on the Flanks: Play a Game to full goals with ten yard wide areas marked as shown in the illustration. Field Size: 50 long 60 wide. A player from each team plays inside the wide area and the ball must be played outside to the player in order to attack. In this first progression there is no defending in the flanks. The outside players should stay even with the ball at all time in order to be in position to receive it whenever his team picks up possession.
Progression 1: Defending in the flanks is allowed. When the ball is played into the flank a player (preferably the one who played the ball) can enter the flank for support or a combination.
Progression 2: As in the first two progressions the ball must be played wide to attack. Defending is allowed outside now an attacking player must enter the outside area and create a combination (Wall Pass, Overlap, or Take Over) in order to complete the attacking play. Defender must defend the player with the ball not position himself in order to not allow a combination. For example: Standing on the touch line to avoid a wall pass or making the overlapping run with the player entering the flank to keep a pass from being made and leaving the man with the ball alone. In a game a defender would never do this so it shouldn’t happen here. In short the player who finds himself defending on the outside should be looking to outsmart the game rather he should simply be looking to play the best defense he is capable of.
Progression 3: Eliminate restrictions and play to full goals. Encourage wide play, combinations, and creativity on the outside.
