4 v 4: To Break Clear
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| x at Least 1 | At least 1 set | x Good Supply | x 1 |
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X = Half a Pitch Y = Width of Pitch |
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None |
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4 v 4 situation in the middle of the field. Goalkeeper begins in a realistic position for where the ball is. |
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Within the area a 4 v 4 situation is present. That means there is no numerical advantage for the attackers so it is important that they spread and stretch the play as much as they can and ensure that they do not needlessly compact the area. If they do compact it then it makes it easier for the defenders 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 defenders are 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 either of the defenders can cut this string with a part of their body then they can intercept the pass, therefore the receiving player must move.
The player in possession must asses the situation around them; their team mates and the defenders. If the defenders are 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(s) is/are 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. They can add some disguise to their passes so that they cloak their true intentions from the defender.
The player receiving the ball should have an open body shape so that they can see the whole area and in particular the ball and the defender. They should have also created themselves some space before the ball is played. This could have occurred through them moving into space that already existed to receive the ball or through them creating their own space by threatening the back of the defender and exploding back into the space in front of them. They should be on the front of their feet and 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 player in possession.
Once the desired number of passes has been completed the ball can be passed into the area between the 4 v 4 situation and the goal for a team mate to run onto. The ball should be played into the path of the attacker and not to close to the goalkeeper that they can come out and get it. However it should be far enough out in front of the runner so that they can break onto it and assess the situation ahead of them before taking a touch. Their first touch should move them into the best position to take advantage of the situation they are in. This touch should be goal-ward and out of their feet so they can cover the ground as quickly as they possibly. Once the ball is under control the player should ask the following questions:
- Where is the goalkeeper / Defenders / Team mates?
- What type of finish? (chip, lob, low, power etc)
- When is the best time to shoot? (early, late)
Once the player has managed to decide on the best course of action they then must be able to successfully execute it and as a result score. There is no way to predict which line of action will be best until the situation develops. The coach must then decide whether it was poor technique or poor decision making that resulted in the opportunity being missed, then coach appropriately.
Once the attempt is taken they return to the 4 v 4 situation and play begins again.
To progress one defender should be allowed to track the runner and apply pressure to them from behind as they move towards the goal.
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