Pitch Dimensions

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Above - We have the typical pitch dimensions laid out by the FA.

Below - We have typical positions and typical runs made during a game.

However as players can play any number of roles/positions etc AND football is a multi directional sport. These runs are only a guide!!

These are guidelines if you are a coach/player to work too. For example full backs are turning more into wing backs, and thus will do more running!
HOWEVER tho they will do more running, it will be a completely different type of running compared to your defenders or even your strikers.

If we talk briefly about strikers.
Here i've put 30 yards. Now if we talk about running in a sprinting sense and talk about 100 meter sprinters and Usain Bolt. If he were to run a 100 meter race.
Over 0-30 yards he will typically spend that distance with his head down, arms pumping propelling his body forward. Only after this distance will he start to raise his body and shoulders back head back, knees high stride long etc
The point being 0-30 yards Usian Bolt is NEVER at top speed. Only accelerating!
Now if we take the striker, 0-30 would be accelerating and training for this position would require a completely different programme compared to say your full back / wing back. WHO WOULD be reaching top speed over 80-90 yards!

SO your strikers will need to be trained/conditioned to be able to cover 30 yards explosively within only a few seconds. And therefore need to work and improve on their anaerobic systems.
Your full backs/ wing backs will need to be trained/conditioned to increase not only there anaerobic capacity to cover 20-30 yards but also there aerobic capacity to be able to cope with running 80-90 yards for 90 minutes.

Tho both are doing the same thing, 'running'. BOTH would need completely different workout programmes.

I'm going to try and put together workout programmes for players positions to follow or coaches to use. Tho these will all be designed for your serious athlete as spending time once a week implementing it is not really gonna do anything but waste your time.

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Finishing Combo

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This is one of many possible attacking combos when playing a 4-3-3 during a transition phase of a game.

Here i've gone for the (oranges) winning the ball back from defence when in a 4-5-1 set up and played into midfield which has triggered the following events....

The CM plays the ball to the CF who shields the ball waiting for support from midfield, then plays the ball to the second supporting CM who plays it to the back foot of the LW who has pulled in field.

When at the same time the opposite winger has darted in field on the blind spot of the furthest CB and links up with a through ball from the LW - takes a touch into the area and passes/strokes the ball into the far corner. 

Now below is a set up that can be used to achieve this attacking play. 

x 5 cones, and 5 attackers and 1 GK are needed (probably 15+ years age wise)

The breakdown of the session is:

The session is aimed to re-create the transition to attack from defence. So in defence i like my 4-3-3 to drop into a 4-5-1 formation.

With the wingers dropping back to become LM and RM's retrospectively. The 5th midfielder (not shown) would be your typical DM.

Now with defending the key to narrow the pitch or squeeze the space the opposition has to play in, this is shown with the starting positions. (Narrow and infield) 

When the drill begins it can either be triggered from an interception or a pass into the CM.

Whichever this is the trigger for the attacking phase to begin.

Length and Width are needed as the team now has possession.

The length is created by the CF who runs forward past his cone and backing into the x2 CBs marking him.

CF:

- Strength to back into the defenders

- Strength and knowledge to receive the ball but also shield the ball

- Receive the ball on their FRONT foot

As the CM plays the ball into the CF, support is needed ASAP which is provided by the second CM who actively pushes forward to support and become a passing option.

CM:

- Speed to push forward intelligently 

- Lose marker to be free for CF to pass too

- Take as few touches to play in LW

As soon as the drill begins, and the first CM has control on the ball, the wingers or wide attackers need to supply the second point of the attacking principle (Length and WIDTH).

They pull out wide/around the cones to stretch the opposition (a stretched back four is a weak back four) 

At this point the second CM should be receiving the ball, now as the CF will have two CBs marking him, a winger needs to cut inside and increase the numbers to effect play.

In the first picture the CF has backed more into the CB on the right! So the LW needs to read this and pull inside (either with a disguised run or with a burst of pace or with help from an overlapping WB)

Either way it needs to be the winger with the Free CB side to come infield. 

As the LW pulls inside and will be closed down by the free CB the CM must play the ball to his back foot (as to his front foot, increases the chance of the player needing to take extra touches to either control/set himself up for the through ball and with this added time is wasted, increasing the chances of the defence getting organised). 

Ideally the LW will be able to play a one touch pass play a through ball across the defence to the UNSEEN/ BLIND SIDE run of the RW 

RW runs works, with the CF occupying the furthest CB and with the defence will/should of naturally drifted across to where the threat/ball is to the left side. Opening up a vulnerable gap to be exploited between the oppositions CB and LB. And with either a fast winger ready to exploit it or with a WB pushing up creating a 2v1 with the oppositions FB to help. A 1v1 goal scoring chance is created.

Progressions/ Variations:

- Let the play dictate the runs, ie the CF decides which side to receive the ball etc

(and let the players workout for themselves which winger needs to cut inside)

- Work both sides (5 on the left then 5 on the right etc)

- Add defenders

- Restrict passes to either 2-3 passes

- Restrict touches to either 2-3 touches

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Finishing in corners

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A friend of mine over saw a international coaching session, when he witnessed the following...

A group of players were taking shots at the goal before the session started, after about 20 or so shots and only about 4-5 resulting in a goal the coach of the session intervened....
He took the place of one of the players and asked a fellow player to pass him the ball. After controlling it, he simply passed the ball into the opposite corner adjacent to the goalkeepers starting position.
'One shot, One goal' - He calmly said
'You don't need to break the net every time you shoot! Shooting can be as simple as passing the ball into the net, Make every shot count!'


After hearing this story, i thought he is bang on. So i threw together the following drill/exercise

The coach plays a pass into a player, who controls it and dribbles/ plays himself into the area. Then adjusts his/hers body position and passes into their chosen corner.

To help with the key focus of 'passing/finishing in corners' Place two players in the corners. The idea the players wont drill it at the players but will more naturally pass it into them! Once they get into the habit, remove the players from the goals if needs be.

After a player shoots, they simple rotate with either player on the posts. Or work it, 10 shots then swap over etc

Progressions:

- Set yourself with one foot and pass/shoot with the other

- Left Corner use left foot Right Corner right foot etc

- Increase speed and intensity to match game conditions ie - One touch into box, one touch to finish

- Try to add abit of bend with the pass instead of straight on

- After success add a GK

Coaching Points:

- Players on their toes, and on the half turn

- Eyes up to pick spot

- Adjust body position for chosen spot 'ie shoulders square on to whichever corner'

- Standing foot placement 'Standing Toe pointing to where they want the ball to go' etc

- Good contact with inside of foot 'not laces' key focus is passing/finishing in corners 

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Circle Drill / Rondo

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Originally called the "Rondo" drill, but has many names

The Drill is normally used either as a warm up/ fun game / cool down. But actually is a very effective and highly important drill thats used by alot of professional clubs.

The set up consists of 7-8 players on the outside forming a circle, with 2 players on the inside. The 'white' players attempt to pass the ball round and across the circle as much as possible without the defenders 'red' intercepting/deflecting or winning the ball.

- The purpose of the drill is to better the white players ability to receive and pass the ball under pressure, and then to progress to as few touches as possible ideally leading to one touch.
- Teach defenders how to press intelligently
- Improved fitness

Try to encourage competitiveness with the outside players:
- How many consecutive passes
- How long in possession
- How many successful passes 'split' the defenders

Variations:
- Outside player swaps with a defender if his/her pass is intercepted/deflected etc
- 1 point for each successful pass 2 points for each defence splitting pass
- Ban passes to adjacent team mates etc

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