Supporting the Player in Possession: 3 v 1
| Required Equipment |
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x 1 per 4 Players
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x 1
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x Good Supply
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None
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| Area |
Additional Equipment |
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X = 10 Yards
Y = 10 Yards
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Non Required
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| View Session |
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| Key Factors |
Support Play
- Movement to Create Space
- Body Shape
- Supporting Position
- Communication
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Passing
- Approach
- Non-Kicking Foot
- Body Shape
- Execution
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| Starting Position |
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Players are separated into groups of 4 and each group is allocated a 10 by 10 area. 1 of the players becomes the defender while the other 3 spread out around the area to act as attackers.
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Inside each area is a 3 v 1 situation. Each of the attacking players should start in a corner. The ball begins with the man in the middle of the L shape that is created by the attackers occupying one corner each. They then pass the one of their team mates and the exercise begins. The defender must try to regain possession or force a pass out of the grid, so once the first ball is played they must pressurize the player in possession. As the attackers do have a numerical advantage they should look to retain this as much as possible. One way to achieve this is to keep the area as big as possible and do not needlessly compact it. If they do compact it then it makes it easier for the defender to pressurize the player in possession as the distance they have to cover to apply pressure is reduced. For this reason the players should stay as close to the touchlines as possible. Another good way to ensure the defender is at a disadvantage is to adopt the correct supporting angle. An easy way to assess whether the correct angle is adopted and whether that ball can passed to them is to imagine there is a piece of string between the two players. If the defender can cut this string with a part of their body then they can intercept the pass, therefore the receiving player must move. In this exercise the man in possession should always have two passing options; one to each side of them. So if both players adopt a position in the corner to the side of the ball carrier then it becomes very difficult for the defender to cut off both passes.
The three attacking players will always have to adopt one of the following roles each; the passing player, the receiving player or the relocating player.
The Passing Player
They must assess the situation around them; their team mates and the defender. If the defender is not in a position to pressure the ball they can take a little longer with it at their feet, as passing too early means the defender has less ground to cover to pressure the receiving player. Once the defender is close enough and committed then the player in possession should look to pass the ball to a team mate so that it is easily controllable and therefore maintains the advantage the attackers have. In order for this to occur the pass should be correctly weighted, passed to the receiving players’ stronger side and along the floor. Once the ball is played the passer should remain where they are as this immediately provides the receiving player with one passing option. They can add some disguise to their passes so that they cloak their true intentions from the defender.
The Receiving Player
Should have an open body shape so that they can see the whole area and in particular the ball and the defender. As they are awaiting the pass they should be on the front of their feet ready to reclaim the ball if the pass is a little wayward. Once the ball is played they must get in line and control the ball. They must then get their head up and assess the situation as they are now the passing player.
The Relocating Player
As they would have been in one corner supporting the previous ball carrier, their positioning becomes inappropriate when the ball is played. This is because the defender can cut a diagonal ball across the grid off. As there are only 3 attacking players and the area has 4 corners one corner will be vacant. This will be the corner to the side of the receiving player. They should recognise this as early as possible and the moment the ball is passed cover the distance between the two corners. Once there they should adopt an open body shape and not just face the corner and the receiving player. By making this run they ensure the new passing player has two options; themselves and the player who passed the ball to them.
All players should continually communicate their positions and inform their team mates on the defenders positioning.
The defending player swaps with the attacker who loses possession to them or knocks it out of the area.
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