Overlapping Full Backs Creating Crossing Opportunities
The following training session is from Ritchie Semple. Ritche is the Director of Football for LGC Events and has been coaching soccer for 18 years with 13 years experience at delivering soccer education programs.
LGC Events organizes 'Total Football Experience' tours to the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia, Spain. LGC Football and the Pinatar Arena welcome teams of all ages and abilities to experience professional standard facilities, the warm weather and a superb choice of accommodations to suit all. Find out more at www.totalfootballexperience.com.
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The following activities teach the basics and importance of the "Overlap" Overlapping runs can help unbalance a defense to create opportunities to attack in advanced areas of the pitch. The Timing of the run is essential to avoid offside and to create a goal scoring opportunity from the cross.
Activity #1: Warm Up
Set Up :
As shown on the diagram below, an area is created approx 30 X 30. To start place for midfield players on center cones (Red players 1 – 4). Split other players in to two groups and place them at opposite ends of the marked area (Yellow players 1 – 6).
Explanation:
Yellow 1 passes the ball to Red 1, Yellow 1 continues run and overlaps behind Red 1. Red 1 receives ball and passes to Red 2 who passes to overlapping Yellow 1. Red 1 passes to Yellow 4 who continues practice. Red 1 joins the end of the other group. Run practice for 5 minutes then rotate middle players. Stretch / drink in between rotations
Coaching Points:
Timing of run
Communication
High tempo
Full back to time run, not to pass Red 1 until Red 2 has passed (offside)
Progressions:
Add another ball
Yellow players to change sides to play clockwise
Two touch
One touch
Activity #2
Set Up:
Half pitch practice – Yellow players split in to 2 groups and start either side of half way line. 6 Red players (4 midfield, 2 forwards) line up as shown in diagram.
Explanation:
Yellow 2 passes the ball to Red 4, Yellow 2 continues run and overlaps behind Red 4. Red 4 receives ball and passes to Red 3 who passes to overlapping Yellow 2.
As Red 3 plays ball to Yellow 2, Red 5 and 6 (forwards) and one midfielder from opposite side (either Red 1 or 2) make runs in to the box to meet cross from Yellow 2.
As players jog back in to starting position play is repeated down opposite side.
Coaching Points:
Timing of run
Communication
High tempo
Quality of cross
Full back to time run, not to pass cone until Red 3 has passed (offside)
Progressions:
Two touch
One touch
Activity #3:
Set Up:
Same as Activity 2 with the addition of defenders at regular intervals
Progressions:
Add 2 Center backs
Then add 1 defensive midfielder
The add 2 full backs
Additional Progressions:
If defender win ball, play wide and pass to groups on half way line
Build practice to an 11 V 11 with the session outcome OVERLAPPING FULL BACKS CREATING CROSSING OPPORTUNITIES applying to both teams.
LGC Events organizes 'Total Football Experience' tours to the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia, Spain. LGC Football and the Pinatar Arena welcome teams of all ages and abilities to experience professional standard facilities, the warm weather and a superb choice of accommodations to suit all. Find out more at www.totalfootballexperience.com.
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