ANIMATION 3
One of the methods to progress to advanced level. The zone in the box is where the other flank player os allowed to finish. The neutral number 9 only helps to outnumber, whenever he recieves the ball he must send back to the team in possession. If he recieves the ball in the finishing zone, he should pass it to the wing player waiting in the zone and finish it. Then TRANSITION.
GO WIDER
In this drill the players on the flanks will have to move wider. They are triggered after 5 passes in the middle to move to the flanks. The one who recieves the ball will have to run wide being covered by the opponent who is trying to block his cross. The other flank player will go wide, then cut into the middle to recieve the ball and finish.
START
Transfer play to the flanks:
In this drill, you could introduce to the players several tips. The focus here is on transfering the play to the flank. Could be used for wingers or full backs who play wide and exploit that space. As well, center backs or center midfielders to possess the ball for several passes and help the build up. All that could be under medium pressure as a start, or no pressure at all.
The attacking team build, they possess the ball for 5 consecutive passes, the 5th pass triggers both wing players to move wide and recieve a pass in the opponent’s field. The winger who recieved the ball exploits the spac3 runs with the ball to a line where he passes to the other winger. He in turn passes to the outside player. Now TRANSITION begins.
ANIMATION 4
Another example, 3 zones before the box. 2 goals at the sides for the full back to defend, one goal at the forwards side so when full back successfully intercept the ball, they shoot at. And one goal at the other side for the forwards to finish. When ballis sent to the middle zone, center back and the 4 forwards move in. The 2 fullbacks move to the side sone to protect their side goals. In few seconds the forwards have to send the ball to the side goal. If the defender succeeds in finishing the ball, he takes and shoot it at the other end goal. However, if not, a ball is sent to the middle zone with the forwards this time moving forward through the depth to finsih.
ANIMATION 3
In this drill, the defenders have the role to stop forwards from passing into the box. This drill is important to help defendeds decide on cuting passing lanes, mainly when outnumbered. The physical aspect of the drill is demonstrated with the defenders having to run to the side tees before defending the box.
ANIMATION 2
In this drill, the defenders have one pre assigned forward. Once the forward moves in, the defender starts. Each player has a pole to turn around before the ball is sent to the forward. The defenders role is to send the forward wide and block their attempt to shoot or cross. Whether failed or succeeded, both players move inside and a cross sent by the coach. Other 2 players start the new wave. Now the cross is 2v2, then 3v3. Then a ball is sent again when all the players are in the box with given seconds by the coach for the forwards to finish uploading more pressure on the players.
ANIMATION 1
Defenders in the modern game have more roles. We are watching the likes of Van Dijk breaking into the opponents’ areas outnumbering and using the spaces ahead. And whenever needed, becoming a striker! However, defenders still have to master their own roles before progressing into more offensive and assistive roles. In the following drills, some examples might help in that.
In this drill, full backs work to send the attacking players wide. While the centre backs press and mark the forwards in the middle. If the full back successfully takes the ball, he must run the finish line before sending the ball back to the coach at his side. If not, when the wave is finished, the center backs help in build up, then they send the ball to the full back whom the ball was at his side, and run to the finish line under pressure before passing the ball to the coach. Transition starts again in few seconds. Defenders recover back to their positions and game starts again targeting the other side.
ADVANCED
Here, a physical component is added with 2 strikers in the front. Make sure a midfielder joins the striker when in the box. In this drill, transition is more frequent and competitiveness is higher.
MOVE FORWARD.
This is another drill forcing midfielders to always think of forward solutions. They build up in their half with 2 mates under pressure of 2 opponents, they should transfer the ball forward in set time of seconds. When the play os moved forward, a 3rd mate joins. They have to get the ball through the gate to their forward in the final zone. When successfully done, 2 other mates move there to possess with their 9 mate. Set some seconds before sending the ball back through the gate to the mate in the previous zone who should pass back to his late mate to build up again. If the defensive team win the ball, they can counter attack, or send the ball back to build up and start their turn.
INTRODUCTION
In the following drills, midfielders are educated to move the play forward while possessing the ball.
In this introductory drill, the team with the ball have the role of possessing the ball, transfer the play to the player in the box, then move back to the far cone and do again. The team in defense apply medium to low pressure in the beginners’ level, high pressure as they progress. However, if the team in defensive role win the ball, they must counter attack to the other side.