We struggle when building through the phases. We’ve managed to understand how to play out, through CB’s, FB’s and CM combinations. Sometimes we’re even able tosnwtich out to opposite full back through midfield 🔥 but we really struggle with how to build play through the middle third and into the final third, and keep the ball here. We get to the half way line on build up play, and it always results in someone trying over hit a through ball that isn’t even on. How can we retain possssion in middle and final thirds, be patient with the ball.
April 09
3 Likes by Leon Jackson
Hi Adam McGowan a common problem for sure. Can you let me know a few details about your set up, formation you play, age group and strengths of your group etc. Woukd be happy to provide some advice on what has worked for us previously. Some quick wins could be the following depending on your set up.
1. Ensure you have one or two forwards stretching the back line when you have decent possession in the middle third. You need opposition defences being stretched and dropping deep to track runners.
2. This will create space for one or two atta king players to find space between opposition defences and midfields to get on the ball.
3. Focus on sessions that encourage midfielders and defenders to find these options for forward passes, gaining confidence with direct passes in behind and awareness to see space for that pass into the pockets of space in between.
The magic pass is key and the more you encourage this in sessions the better they will get no doubt about it. I’ll have a look for some sessions that might help here as well. 👌
April 12
We play a 4231. Our CF is getting really good at understanding how to stretch play, and her hold up play is on fire 🔥but she’s also getting frustrated with always making runs and the others not seeing them. We have pacey wingers and full backs. CB’s are getting much better at understanding how to build and control play. Sometimes we revert to the past and try and force the long ball down the wings and expect our wingers to ale 50 yard sprints chasing a ball down. I’ve explained how I’d much prefer our full backs using short 10-15 yard darts either side of the 18 yard box when attacking. Age range we have players from 16 - 40 (!) the squad have definitely had that lightbulb moment where they’re actually keeping the ball, and executing patterns. We won 3 on the bounce, lost a narrow game 2-1 against 2nd in the table and recently got thumped 6-0 by top of table. Always expected things to go slightly wrong, progress is never perfect and they’re all saying they’ve never had training drills like the ones I deliver. I focus more what we do when he have possession vs defending, retaining possession is a great form of defending 👍