Developing Support Play | Opposed / Tech / Opposed (05-S2)

Phase 2: Possession Questions

Age Group 11+

Duration 90 minutes

Players 15+

In this 3 Part, 90 minute session, we combine a 4 v 2 opposed practice with a technical attacking practice and opposed skill practice to develop supporting runs and quick combination play in and around the box.

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Free Soccer Drills

Opposed

05

Developing Support Play | Opposed Practice (05-P1)

Organisation / Set Up
In this Opposed 4 v 2 practice, possession team must keep the ball in each of the 4 areas within this 202, against 2 defending players who can press to regain in any area. If defenders win the ball, they can now play a 2 v 1 in a single 102 area to make 5 passes before moving into another square to do the same. When attacking team win the ball back, they keep possession in 4 v 2 again.
 

1005a1

 
Key Coaching Points
  • Angles and Distances of possession players to the ball in 20 x 20 and defenders press on triggers.
  • How does rotation influence defenders and passing players? Less options? Easier to regain? Increased awareness of possession team?
  • Focus on looking away from the ball to observe pressure before switching play into another box.

05P2b

 

Progressions & Constraints 1
Passing players must now rotate away from their pass at least every 3 or 4 passes. 10 Passes a goal, Defenders 5 passes a goal on regain.
Progressions & Constraints 2
Passing team must develop a 2 v 1 in a single square making 2/3 passes before switching play when pressured.

 

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TOUCHTIGHT DRILLS

TECHNICAL

05

Developing Support Play | Technical Practice (05-P4)

Organisation / Set Up
In this Technical Practice, we have 4 passing players in each of two, 102 grids and 3 attacking players unopposed positioned on the edge of the box.
 

05 P4a

 
Objective
The objective is for one passing team to make 3/4 quick passes before playing ball into feet, with 1 supporting run to combine and finish from a cross or through ball. Once the first group goes, the next 4 players repeat opposite side with similar combinations, adding an element of competition between groups.
 

05 P4b

 
Key Coaching Point | 1
  • Speed of support, and weight of set and through balls important to create opportunities.
Progressions & Constraints | 1
  • Pass comes from one box and supporting run comes from other side to develop increased movement off the ball.
 
 
Key Coaching Point | 2
  • Can you rotate after set and spin? Forward players movement off the ball important.
 
 
Progressions & Constraints | 2
  • Possibly add a single defender against 3 and increase support runners to 2; one from each area, creating 5 v 1.
 
 
Key Coaching Point | 3
  • With opposition, now players must time runs better and focus on attacking spaces quicker, with an enhanced understanding between passer and runners.
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TOUCHTIGHT SOCCER SKILLS

OPPOSED

05

Developing Support Play | Opposed (05-P5)

Set Up
In this Opposed Skill practice, we have four passing players in a single 15 by 15 yard grid and three attacking players marked by three defenders around the edge of the box. The objective is for one player to break out of the zone after 5 passes and play a ball into the attackers feet for a set, creating a 4 v 3 attacking play. If defenders win possession they can initially run the ball into the end zone, with progressions possible. Introduce an additional support runner creating 5 attacking players, we could then move a defender into a more advanced zone, with 3 v 2 and 2 v 1s shown. We could also split zones into 3 vertical areas, so defenders must press in 2 out of 3 zones, this will encourage attackers to use space made available in wide areas.