Attack and defend various areas

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Defending, Practice plans

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Four quickfire attacks teach the central players to constantly adjust their positions to defend
and attack different situations.
What this session is about
1.  Reacting to attack and defend in various parts of the pitch.
2.  Accurate crossing.
3.  Staying onside.
What to think about
● Each attack gives the individual players and team different problems to solve on technique
and movement to defend and attack.
● Can the wide players lay the ball off with the correct weight so that crossers can make a first
time pass.
● Do the defenders quickly get out to the poles after each attack?
● Do the attackers follow or are they caught offside?
Set-up
Half pitch.
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15-20 minutes 10-15 minutes 10-15 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Two players are nominated as attackers, two as defenders. The other four players are used as
crossers/dribblers with the coach working as a passer on ball 3.
Ball 1 – the deep central player dribbles to make a 3v2 situation.
Ball 2 – the deep wide player passes to the near player and makes an overlap run to cross
from the right.
Ball 3 – the coach passes to the crosser who must create space to make an inswinging or
outswinging cross from the left.
Ball 4 – the crosser from ball two is now on the inside cone. The passer has retrieved a new
ball and now plays a one – two in order to cross.
Rotate the players after each round.
The starting player combines to attack 3v2.

Development
Introduce awareness of the offside law by making the defenders run out to the two poles after
each ball is played. The attackers will need to follow them if they are to stay onside.
An overlap creates a crossing opportunity from the right.

Game situation
Play a small-sided game with dedicated wide players that can set up teammates to cross with
overlaps and one-twos.
 The wide player on the left must create space to cross. Finally, player 4 crosses from the
right.

What to call out

● “React to the next ball”
● “Get your shots off early”
● “React to the next ball”
● “Get your shots off early”
● “Defend well, be strong”
● “Defend well, be strong”
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About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
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