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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