Individual Attacking

The following training session comes from Ian Mulliner, Technical Director of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association and a presenter at the 2015 Soccer Champions Coaches' Clinic. Registration for the 2016 Soccer Champions Coaches' Clinic is now open.

Purpose: To improve the technical ability of the player in possession of the ball specifically dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting.

Warm-Up

In a 20W x 30L grid, each player has a ball. Players work on the following moves as determined by the coach:

  • Inside and Outside of the foot
  • 1-2 Roll Touch (inside, inside toe roll across the body)
  • Touch Circle Drag (laces laces with the same foot then draw a circle around the ball with the same foot)
  •  Touch Behind and Take (drag the ball back with the sole of the foot, touch it behind the standing leg with the inside of the same foot, take the ball away with the opposite foot)

Incorporate all 4 moves together. Play 10 x 1 minute rounds with a 30 second rest between rounds.

Variation: After the moves have been performed pass to a player who is ready to receive.

Individual Attacking

Coaching Points: Correct surface of the ball and surface of the foot. Head up, eye contact, accuracy of the pass and pace of the pass. Receiving with correct foot and correct surface.

Activity 1

In a 20W x 30L grid with a goal at each end, play 2 Attackers (Target Team) versus 1 Defender to goal. Offside rule is in effect. Play until the defending team has scored 3 goals or for 4 minutes of play with a 1 minute rest in between rounds. Play 3 rounds.

Individual Attacking

Coaching Points: Speed of attack by the player with the ball, surface selection to run with the ball, distance of the ball from the player in possession. Use of moves to beat the defender. Passing accuracy, pace and weight. Receiving - first touch, direction and distance. Shooting accuracy and mentality. 

Techniques: Dribbling, Passing, Receiving and Shooting

Tactics: Penetration - How? Dribbling, Passing or Shooting

Activity 2

In a 50L x 60W half field with a regular goal at one end and 3 counter goals, at the halfway line play 5 Attackers (Target Team) versus 4 Defenders (3 Field + GK). The 4 defenders score in any way of the 3 counter goals. The target team scores in the regular goal. Play 2 rounds of 8 minutes with a 2 minute rest between rounds.

Individual Attacking

Coaching Points: Who is involved? What is the breakdown? Where on the field is it happening? When in the game is it occurring? Why are you trying to fix it?

Techniques: Dibbling, Passing, Receiving and Shooting

Tactics: Penetration - How? Dribble, Pass, Shot

Activity 3

In a 50W x 70L field, play 7v7 game to 2 regulation goals:

  • Target teams play a 1-3-3
  • Opponent plays a 1-4-1-1
Individual Attacking

Coaching Points: Who is involved? What is the breakdown? Where on the field is it happening? When in the game is it occurring? Why are you trying to fix it?

Techniques: Dibbling, Passing, Receiving and Shooting

Tactics: Penetration - How? Dribble, Pass, Shot / Speed of play and execution

Register today for the 2016 Soccer Champions Coaches' Clinic at Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, CT, March 3-5.

Get more training activities like this from past Soccer Champions Coaches' Clinics.