Jeremy

Try this drill which I have attached for you - it makes the players react quickly to differing situations which is, of course, what you want them to do in a game.

You could vary the numbers and distances involved to create the sort of match situations you want them to cope with!

I hope this helps

Simon

Join the attack: 2v1 - 3v2 - 5v4

Description:

• With a group of nine, tell two of them they are attackers - for now. The rest will be in defence.
• Allocate your defenders within the grid, one defender at defenders cone 1, two defenders at defenders cone 2, and three defenders at defenders cone 3. Tell the defenders that they can move side to side, but not forward and back.
• Also - tell the players on defenders cones 1 and 2, that they will join the attack when they have finished their defensive duties. So after the first 2 v 1, the 1 defender joins the attack to make the next attack 3 v 2, when this attack is over - the two defenders join the attack to make the last attack 5 v 4.
• Have your demonstration group quickly complete a walk through, then a run through. Now get the other groups working.
• Don't forget to give the last four defenders a chance in attack.

Coaching Points:

You may choose to focus on one or more of the following coaching points, or you might have some of your own!

• Ball carrier carries the ball in both hands.
• Support runners hold their depth coming onto the ball at pace.
• Ball carriers change their foot speed and direction of running to draw defenders away from where their pass is going.
• Support runner's work to draw defenders away from their running line. Communication between ball carrier and support runners is efficient, effective, encouraging, and timely.
• Defenders work together to track and put attackers under pressure.
• Attackers are creative in attack - employing switches, skip passes etc.
• Passes are weighted correctly in terms of speed, distance and direction.
• Ball receiver's hands are out.
• Passes are where to receivers will be as opposed to where they are now.
• Attackers may employ overs and unders to move defenders away from they wish to attack.
• Encourage your players, the next pass is the most important!