Dribble to Shoot Centrally
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| x Good Supply | x 2 sets | x Good Supply | x 1 |
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Width of 6 yard box by 35 yards. Offside line laid down 12 yards out |  |
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Dribbling
Shooting
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Players are separated into 3 groups of 3. One group of 3 become the midfielders and take up their positions in the cone section outside the main area, they should have the ball. The remaining players adopt positions within the main area. One team are the defenders and the others are the attackers, thus a 3 v 3 situation is created. |
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The midfielders pass the ball between themselves until an attacker from within the area shows for the pass. While the ball is being passed between the midfielders the attackers should look to create space for themselves and their colleagues to receive the ball. In order to do this they should spread out as high and wide as possible (staying onside) by ‘threatening the back of their defender’ or by ‘checking out’. These movements then create space in front of the attacker to move into.
They can also cross over and exploit the space vacated by the other attacker.
Another way the attackers can interact to create space is for one to push further up the area, taking their defender with them. The other attacker then begins closer to the servers in the passing channel to the higher attacker. Once the closer attacker moves to the side the passing channel becomes open and the ball can be easily played higher up the pitch.
Once the space is created they can clearly call for the ball and move back into the space they now have available to receive the ball.
When the ball is played in the attacker should get it under control as quickly as possible. Where possible they should receive the ball on the half turn, so that they can see as much of the area as possible (including team mates and defenders). The positioning of the defender determines how quickly they turn. If they can turn or spin they should do so. To complete this movement they should take the ball on their back foot. If the defender is too close to turn on their first touch they should take the ball with their front foot as this no longer invites a challenge and also places the body between the ball and defender, thus protecting the ball.
It is this first touch and movement that then determines what the other attackers should do. If the ball carrier can not turn then at least one of the attackers should support behind the ball to receive a pass. If turned then the attackers can move into a supporting position ahead of the ball and also look to drag the defenders (especially the supporting defender) away, so that a 1 v 1 situation can be created.
Once in a 1 v 1situation the attacker should adopt a positive attitude and ‘get at’ the defender. They should look to disguise their intentions and off balance the defenders, to gain some space. Once space is gained they then have to make a decision on their next course of action. They should either accelerate away from the defender to exploit the space and get themselves into a better position for an end product or finish with an end product immediately (a pass or a shot). As this is session is dribble to shoot they should be encouraged to shoot when the chance presents itself. They do not need to have beaten the defender completely as a quick attempt taken with just half a yard of space may catch the goalkeeper unsighted and unset. When the opportunity to shoot does present itself the attacker should ask themselves the following questions:
- Can I shoot? Yes, then Can I score or test the goalkeeper? Yes – Then Shoot
- Can I shoot? No, can I move the ball so that I can? No - Pass
- Can I move ball? No, then Can I give it to a team mate who can? Yes – Pass
- Can I pass? No, then the team mates should be in better positions
When they do shoot, the shooting player should look to get their shots on target and they should also look to keep the ball low as that makes it harder for the goalkeeper to save. Another factor that can increase the chance of a second scoring opportunity, if saved, is to shoot across the goalkeeper into the far post region. This is because if the goalkeeper does save the ball they may deflect or parry it out into the paths of the oncoming attacker. Therefore, the team mates of those players shooting should also be aware of the possibility of a secondary scoring opportunities arising and look to gamble on that by following up the shot.
Although this session is dribble to shoot there is also the need to realism to remain. If there is a better option than forcing a shot that option should be taken. An additional consideration for the attackers is to consider where they will end up after beating the defender, will they still be on their favoured foot and will there still remain a shooting angle. If they consider these factors before beating the defender it will allow them to make better decisions once the defender is beaten.
Midfielders, defenders and attackers alternate at the coaches request.
This is an example of one of the many soccer coaching sessions that are contained within the site. This coaching session is taken from the Functional Practice section. These types of coaching session are conducted within a designated area of the pitch to increase the realism of the session and positional knowledge of the players involved.
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