This advanced lead practice focuses on build up play, positioning and combinations when setup in two of the most popular formations, the 433 and the 442. With each unit starting in a separate zones, teams need to display good movement and intelligent play to break down the opposition defence. One supporting player can enter another third of the field at a time. Attackers can enter the wide channels at all times, while the defending team can only press in these zones if the attackers are in possession. A great practice to keep players thinking, combining quickly and exploiting space to create scoring opportunities! 🙌

This practice focuses on developing players ability to defend outnumbered, maintaining possession to finish and quick transitions. We split the area in half, with one half starting with a 7 v 3 game. The objective is for the attacking team to make 5 passes and connect with the floater at least once before being able to finish. If there is a finish or a transfer of possession, the players must transition to the other half where the other team now have the numerical advantage in the 7 v 3 game. Defending as a unit, drawing the defenders out to one side to exploit the space and quick reactions to transition are key points in this one! 🫡⚽️

It's time to develop players one and two touch passing combinations in this technical practice. To begin, the first player will pass to the central player who bounces the ball back and spins out the square. The player on the other end moves to receive the next pass in the square and sets the ball out the initial central player. They will take a touch and play through to the end player. Players must focus on their passing accuracy to maintain the flow and communicate when making each pass! 🤝

1 v 1 Finishing and Finishing deliveries from wide...we know your attacking players are going to love this one! We have two parts to this practice. Firstly, we have players playing a short combination before a through ball releases the striker to finish past the GK in a 1 v 1. Secondly, we have the midfielder playing a diagonal pass into the winger in the wide channel to deliver for the striker to attack. Players must focus on remaining composed when finishing and make short sharp movements to attack the delivery from wide. 🙌

It's time to develop attack v defence when in an overload situation and quick reactions to perform recovery runs and defend in 1 v 1 situations. We begin with three attackers who will enter the area triggering two defenders to defend in a 3 v 2 attack. Once the attack is complete, the two coaches will pass balls to two players to attack in the channels. The two widest players from the attack that just finished must sprint back and defend the mini goals in a 1 v 1. Once both attacks in the channel have ended, this triggers the next 3 v 2 attack in the main playing area. Speed of attack and quick reactions to transition to defend are key in this one! 🤝

This small sided game takes place in a 30 by 40-yard area and focuses on developing combinations when setup in a 341 ( 9 v 9 game format). The objective is for the team in possession to make 5 successful passes and combine with the outside floaters at least once to be able to finish the attack. Maintain a high passing quality, create and exploit space in behind and be clinical with your finishing when the chance arises! 🔥 

It's time to work on your team's pressing and shape when looking to regain possession in a 4231 setup. In this practice, one team starts in the central zone with their two midfielders allowed to press the team in possession. The objective is for the defensive team to win possession through either their midfielders winning the ball in the press or the back four making interceptions when the opposition tries to play penetrative passes through. The team who lost possession will transition quickly to become the defensive team. A great high intensity practice to develop your teams defensive principles! 🤝⚽️ 

Intelligent attacking play can lead to space being created and opportunities to find attackers in this space to finish! This functional practice looks at attackers movement specifically when in a 4231 setup. After an initial 4 v 2 possession game, attackers will pass through to the advanced fullbacks who look to combine with either the ST or CAM in the zones on the edge of the box. We will work through three different scenarios allowing players to be comfortable in a game when these different situations take place. After creating space, it's time to exploit this and be clinical with your finishing! 🔥⚽️ 

Having developed passing combinations is very important when your team find themselves under pressure in a game. Understanding where your teammates are positioned and moving to can get you out of these sticky situations and allow you to play through. This technical practice has been developed with the 341 setup (9 v 9) in mind and focuses on building these different passing combinations. Passing quality and positional awareness are key coaching points in this one! 💪🔥

It's time to work on your players overall fitness and defensive work in this high press rondo practice! Working in teams of two, players will move through the SAQ station into a 5 v 2 Rondo where they must work together at a high intensity to win possession or force a mistake from the possession team. The players will then split and sprint out to the smaller 3 v 1 Rondo's on either side and press to win possession. Defenders must work as a unit to win possession and react quickly to sprint out after possession is won! 🫡