11-14 Attacking

Transition to attack

Suitable for 7+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Transition between attack and defence quickly
2. Communication
3. Finishing

Session set up –

This game is usually played on half a pitch (but depends on number). Have 1 goal with a goalkeeper. This game is attack vs defense. The attacking team is trying to score and the defending team are trying to win the ball, once the defenders have won the ball, they should try to pass and progress the ball past the half way line.
Encourage the defenders to use the goalkeeper in build up play. Tell your defenders to imagine they are all connected by a line of string. This is to encourage defensive shape and to keep a similar offside line.
Encourage your attackers to create patterns of play (e.g. certain players make certaing runs). Encourage attackers to be unpredictable.

Overloaded 3v3

Suitable for 8+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Maximise overloads
2. Move to create space

Session set up –

This is a 3v3 with 2 end zones that only 1 player can be in either side uncontested. These players are part of the attacking team to cause an overload.
Progress to allow the end zone players to come out of the zone and join in on the pitch. This is only once they receive the ball though.
Make sure to rotate all end zone players.

Dribbling, make your move

Suitable for 4+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Work on moving the ball as an individual
2. Transitioning

Session set up –

Create a small rectangular pitch and have a 2v2. At opposite ends of the pitch there will be 2 end zones where both the teams must start. Both teams will try to stop the ball in the oppositions end zone for a point. One team starts with the ball, if the defending team wins the ball, they become the attacking team.
Encourage players to drive at defenders causing 1v1 situations. You can progress the game by making the pitch smaller for close control dribbling.

Finishing, set and shoot

Suitable for 10+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Learning when to combine with teammates to score
2. Positioning to receive a setback
3. Decision making in attacking phase

Session set up –

Set up an appropriate-sized pitch with a halfway line and a goal at each side of the pitch. Use 12 players: a 4v4 game with goalkeepers and 4 ‘setters’. Place 2 ‘setters’ on the goal-line at each end, one on either side of the goal. Adjust the number of outfield players and ‘setters’ based on your group size. For larger groups, set up multiple areas.
The objective is to combine with teammates to play the ball to a ‘setter’, receive it back, and then score. ‘Setters’ must return the ball to the attacking team, but they can pass to any player, not just the one who passed to them. If the defending team wins the ball, they attack the opposite goal and work with the ‘setters’ at that end. If a shot is saved or goes out behind the goal, the keeper passes to the defending team to start their attack.
If the players master the game or need an additional challenge, introduce wide players who operate over the touchline and cannot be tackled. These players can make bounce passes to teammates and also pass to the ‘setters’.

Passing/counter attacking

Suitable for 10+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Creating space
2. Pass with accuracy
3. Counterattack spaces in behind

Session set up –

Set up a 65×20-yard area divided into four zones with a goal at each end. Adjust the size based on available space. Use 15 players:2 goalkeepers, 3 attackers, and 4 counter-attackers (one waiting in zone four). 2 additional teams of 3 attackers each wait off the pitch with a ball.
The goal is to score as quickly as possible for both attacking and counter- attacking sides. The game begins with the goalkeeper distributing the ball to an attacking player in zone one. The attacking team moves to zone two, playing 3v1 against a counter-attacker to reach the safe zone (zone three), where only attackers are allowed. From the safe zone, the attackers progress to zone four to try and score against two outfield opponents. If they score, the next attacking team starts. If they lose possession, the counter-attackers spring into action, with an extra player joining to create an overload and launch an attack. Teams waiting for their turn should discuss tactics and observe others.
To increase difficulty, remove the safe zone or add a timer to encourage faster play.

Accurate crosses into the box

Suitable for 10+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Runs into the box
2. Accurate crosses into the box
3. Develops patterns of play

Session set up –

Use half a full-size pitch and split your teams into their positions, have wingers (rw, lw) on both touchlines with a centre midfielder (cm) right in the centre of the pitch. Have a goalkeeper (Gk) and 2 centre backs (cb) on the edge of the box. Then either side of the centre circle have 2 lines of attackers and midfielders with both lines having a football.
One of the lines plays a ball into the cm and then the cm lays the ball back to the player in the other line. The ball then gets sprayed to either wing. The winger then takes the ball down the line and crosses the ball into the box. The cm, the other winger and the 2 players from the line will run into the box creating a 4v2 in the box for when the ball is crossed. The attackers and midfielders will try and score while the centre backs will try to clear the ball. Encourage players to curve their runs in the box so it’s harder for the defender to judge the run. Encourage one attacker to stay on the edge of the box to pick up any loose balls.