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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4-3-3 ATTACKING GUIDE - WEEK THREE

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12 WEEK PROGRAMME:
ATTACKING IN A 4-3-3

Following on from Week Two:

'THE PLAYMAKER'

-------------------------------------->

We focused on the DM playing out to the wide attackers RW and LW and attacking.

WEEK THREE: WINGBACK SUPPORT x2 per week for 90mins

With the same set up from week TWO 

This time we now introduce the wingback's supporting runs. Here the DM passes out wide to either the RW or LW.

This is the trigger for the supporting WINGBACK to offer an overlap and try to create a 2v1 with the oppositions fullback. 

Below a typical setup for the drill in action with opposed defending.

Again the drill starts with the Playmaker 'DM' receiving the ball and looking for a FREE wide attacker. Here for the purpose of the drill the opposition FBs are defending 50% to encourage to success. 

The DM feeds the wide attacker with the ball.

With the WB's sitting in the RM/LM position, begin their supporting run 'guided with a coned gate' 

                  

With the wide attacker now with the ball, if space is available then the priority will be to exploit it! But if not, squaring up the oppositions FB with the WB overlapping creating a 2v1.
The RW/LW either plays to the WB or uses the WB as a dummy and exploits the space opened up.
If the WB is played in, with the following players making the type of runs below, the WB has multiple options available to pick/exploit etc 
CM - Front Post
CF - slightly off center or in front 
LW - Back post

Then reset and rotate flanks.

The following passing squence can be used to help introduce the session and for everyone to rotate positions to help understanding etc
1 - passes to 2
3 - runs through gate as 1 is passing to 2
2 - then passes to 3 on the overlap
3 - then crosses it in for 4 to finish

everyone rotates to the next station, ie 1 would now join the back of 3, 3 would now replace 2, 2 would join the back of 4, and 4 would join the back of 1 etc

(Also rotate the drill by using opposite flank)

Once the players are performing this comfortably 

(Follow this session onto)

WEEK FOUR

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4-3-3 LAYOUT

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In 10-11 months of coaching and trying to learn the now favorite formation everyone is trying to use the 4-3-3

This is my take on it, and tho there's loads of variations on setting it out and playing it. Heres how i like to implement it...

FOR ME THE KEY TO THE 4-3-3 IS THE NUMBER FIVE!

- This is the blueprint of the formation

However formations rarely stay strict, and work best being fluid and merging into others depending on where the ball is.
For this reason i think the main focus should be on developing player understanding, roles for certain positions during transitions.

- This is a typical layout used during transitional plays

- For me the KEY is superiority in numbers to dominate all thirds of the pitch and the key number is FIVE.
I like to have FIVE players in the middle, to achieve this.













  - When attacking the formation turns into a 2-5-3
and again the key number FIVE players in midfield. Acting as a net to contain the pressure, pick up lose balls, ready to initiate attacks, retain possession and recycle plays.

- WB's both push up! creating FIVE but also help plug the gaps on the flanks for any potential out balls from the opposition. But also give the team WIDTH and when either the wide attackers cut in field, to progress and offer overlaps or occupy the opposition fullbacks attention.

- CB's sit slightly back, FOR ME this is unusual BUT with the CBs marking the opposing strikers, sitting slightly further back. Gives the midfield more time on the ball and less likely to be attacked/tackled from behind. And gives slightly extra confidence, stability and security.

- When defending the formation turns into a 4-5-1
again the main theme of FIVE players in the middle, to dominate the 'engine room, heart beat of the game' if you will

- Wide attackers drop back to plug gaps and give stability and compactness, making it difficult for opposing players to break down or through

Key points:
- Making the pitch as small, and narrow
- Pressuring at key points, i.e. their strikers and midfielders. But getting back into position when their defenders have it. (Unless your chasing the game)

- Make the opposition FORCE it, make them TAKE RISKS.











Summary:

- Always having FIVE players in the middle third, to dominate the game.
- Midfielders stay roughly within width lines of the 18 yard box. To dominate and control the game.
Leaving the WBs and Wide Attackers to control the flanks
- WBs as soon as the ball is out of the defensive third turn into RM's and LM's
- Wide Attackers drop back as soon as an attack fails and plug the gaps and regain the FIVE in midfield

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4-3-3 ATTACKING GUIDE - WEEK TWO

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12 WEEK PROGRAMME: 

ATTACKING IN A 4-3-3

So in WEEK ONE: Midfield Possession
------------------------------------------------->

Here we focused on passing, moving and support running. Creating Triangles and angles to pass and to keep and maintain possession.

Then introducing the DM 'Playmaker' to drop into the pocket to create space to create attacks.

Week TWO will be carrying on from here...

12 WEEK PROGRAMME: 

ATTACKING IN A 4-3-3

WEEK TWO: THE PLAYMAKER x2 per week for 90mins

Set up with roughly a Penalty area width grid and length from the halfway line with 6 players in the grid.

Now following on from week one, and the DM dropping back into the pocket for space, here were following on but now also including 3 more players (LW, RW and CF)

The drill starts unopposed with the DM dropping back to receive the ball from the coach

Once the the DM has the ball this is the TRIGGER for the attacking TRIO to incorporate two points of the attacking formula, LENGTH AND WIDTH 

The wingers pull out to the touch lines (marked by the red cones) giving the team - WIDTH

And the CF pulls high giving the team - LENGTH

COACHING POINTS:
DM:
- Checking shoulder before moving and when receiving the ball
- Receiving the ball on their back foot and on the half turn
- Pass to wide players ideally are drilled or low and to feet (show how effective high and low balls are)
ie A high ball can take longer and more touches to control and slows up an attack! Where as a well placed pass to feet requires less touches and a faster attack
- Also work on passing to the infront of ie into SPACE for the winger to run onto
LW+RW:
- Pull out to touchlines with body shape always open/facing the ball as soon as the DM receives the ball
CF:
- Goes long taking CBs with them giving space for midfield players

CM's x2:

- Also push up to help create space for the DM and also to occupy the oppositions center midfielders (if they were to play a typical 4-4-2 line up.

The DM 'Playmaker' now has x3 attacking options LW, RW or CF

And acting as like an american quaterback if you will, looks to find whoever is FREE.

As this is unopposed and no defenders are involved yet, if the attacking trio (LW, RW and CF) have all been followed/tracked and are marked. 

The DM brings the ball forward into midfield (inside the grid) and keeps the ball with a 3 v 2.

Progress the drill into using defenders, and attacking on goal once the players have the understanding/following of the session.

Here the LW has pulled wide and not been followed by his marker, giving the DM 'The Playmaker' the option to find him.

Again if the defenders are marking the attacking trio (LW, RW and CF) the DM brings the ball forward in a 3v2 with the wingers coming narrower to either create a bigger overload or to come in and then back out to try and lose their marker for the DM to drop back into the 'Pocket' to find them.

TAKE HOME POINTS:

- As soon the team get the ball they look to attack, and thus MAKE the pitch as big as possible with 'width and length'

- The DM drops back into the 'pocket/space' between defence and midfield

- CM's push up to help create space and occupy oppositions midfield

Once the players are performing this well

(follow this session onto)

WEEK THREE

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4-3-3 ATTACKING GUIDE - WEEK ONE

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12 WEEK PROGRAMME: 

ATTACKING IN A 4-3-3

WEEK ONE: MIDFIELD POSSESSION x2 per week for 90mins

Set up with roughly a 10x10 grid with 3 players in a grid.

Now the idea is all 3 players must keep the grid as BIG as possible, and whenever a player has the ball they MUST have an option to their right and left before releasing a pass.

COACHING POINTS:

- Players always facing the ball

- On the balls on their feet ready to pass, receive or to make a support run

- Checking shoulder on calling and receiving the ball

- Crisp on the floor passing, 1/2 touch

- Once fundamentals are established increase/push the tempo

Once all coaching points are being shown and demonstrated progress to now adding a defender, and repeating the drill but with pressure. Explaining following the points learnt, there playing in a triangle. And therefore nearly impossible for a defender to win the ball off them if they stick to keeping the GRID BIG, support runs giving the ball player options on their left and right (if your wondering why not in front - in theory the defender will be closing head on)

(Aim for x-amount of successful consecutive passes then change the defender over)

Next progression - Increase the Grid to roughly 15 x 15 and add a second defender!

(Again aim for x-amount of successful passes then change the defenders)

Now for the FINAL progression:

Make the grid WIDER like below, with added extra players RESTRICTED to just within the new zones.

As before we have a 3v2 in the middle but wall passes can now also be played with the extra players creating a 5v4.

Also introduce 'The Pocket' also known as the 'SAFE AREA' only the attacking team 'REDS' can use this and ONLY one player at a time.

This will form the building block for the Defensive Midfielder - 'The Playmaker'  

Encourage the DM to regularly drop into the Pocket to receive and play passes and then return back into the grid.

Once the players are performing this well

(follow this session onto)

WEEK TWO

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