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FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2 COACHING

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2
Improve the Technique of Creating Space
Improve the Technique of Creating Space
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WHAT IS A TECHNIQUE

A technique is a basic building block of football. For example the technique of creating space is the ability of
players to time their movement so that they can create and find time and space on a football pitch. The more
time and space a player has, the less pressure there is on them which results in more time for the player to
get their heads up and make good choices and decisions.

The more opportunities the player has to practice this technique in a game related practice, then the better the
player will be at mastering these basic techniques of the game, which will improve the players confidence and
the more chance they will have of improving as a player.

A technical session is unopposed so that the players can practice these techniques without the pressure of a
defender or opposition player, which allows them time to focus and have time on mastering the technique.

But, players also need to be appropriately challenged in the practice. So in this session of The Technique of
Creating Space, there are progressions that utilise the floating player, so that players have to react to find
space when the floating player changes direction with the ball, There are progressions where players have to
react to create space if one of their team create space with the ball and change direction and challenges
which ask the players to think about clever movement to create space and when to stand still if they are
already in space.

We have also included challenges. Players love the competitive element of the challenges. But that
competitive factor of the challenge will also make players hurry their passing and movement as they strive to
compete. As a result the quality of the passing will decrease as players lose composure and rush to make the
passes as quickly as they can.

This allows the coach to help the players make decisions about the right time to create space, when to pass
quickly, to pass first time and when to control and pass. As a result, the players’ performances through these
challenges will improve.

PROGRESSIONS

Look out for the progressions to The Technique of Creating Space – The Skill of Creating Space and Small
Sided Games to improve Creating Space
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1. ORGANISATION.
Suggested area size. Inside area 25 x
15 yards.
Circle areas of approximately 5 yards
in diameter as per graphic.
3 groups, with a ball each of 3 players
on the pitch in different coloured bibs.
Floating player who can play with any
group.
Adjust the size of the area to suit the
age, ability and number of players.
The practice can be adjusted for 8 - 14
players.

EQUIPMENT
Supply of footballs, cones to mark out areas and bibs.
PURPOSE
To improve the technique of Creating Space.

2. START
Initially start the practice slowly, with
only one group playing so that all the
players understand the pattern of the
practice, then progress to all 3 groups
playing at the same time.
The ball starts with one player in the
group.
Another player from the group must
look to make a run into any of the circle
areas to receive the pass.
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3. REACTION OF THIRD PLAYER

As soon as the second player has
received the pass, the third player
makes a run into a circle to find space
and receive a pass.
After passing the ball from a circle
area, the passer moves into the centre
area.
The pattern of the practice is repeated.
All 3 groups playing at the same time,
trying to pass to players who have
made runs into the circles to find
space.

4. TIMING OF RUNS AND

COMMUNICATION
The player who hasn’t been involved in
the pass or receiving the ball – the third
player should time their run so that
before the pass reaches the player
they are making their move into a circle
to receive the next pass.
This pattern of third player movement –
being one step ahead – should be
encouraged.
The third player can really help the
passer by communicating to the
passer, both verbally and with hand
gestures
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5. BOTH PLAYERS OFF THE BALL

LOOKING TO CREATE SPACE
Encourage players, the passer and the
third player to make moves into the
circles to create and find space.
Again, encourage good communication
and timing of movement.
The decision on who to pass to is down
to the passer, but the passing should
be accurate, well timed and weighted.

6. PLAYER ON THE BALL

SHIFTING DIRECTION WITH THE
BALL
Encourage the players on the ball to
sometimes run or dribble the ball and
change direction.
The other players in their group should
react to this change of direction or
movement of the ball to adjust their
movement to find space.
The receiving player should
communicate to the passer, both
verbally and with hand gestures when
and where they want the pass.
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7. USING THE FLOATING PLAYERS

Any player in any group can pass to
the floating player at any time.
The floating player must pass the ball
back to the group who passed the ball
to them.
The floating player should where
possible, turn with the ball and change
direction or pass the ball first time.
The players in the group who passed
the ball to the floating player must
adjust their movement into a circle to
take into account the floating player
turning with the ball or passing first
time.
The receiving player should
communicate to the passer, both
verbally and with hand gestures when
and where they want the pass.

8. CHANGING DIRECTION AND

CREATING SPACE WITH THE
BALL
Encourage players to create space with
the ball by using turns to change
direction with the ball.
Look out for a good reaction from other
players to adjust their movement as the
player on the ball creates space with
the ball by turning and changing
direction.
The receiving player should
communicate to the passer, both
verbally and with hand gestures when
and where they want the pass.
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9. CLEVER MOVEMENT TO
CREATE SPACE
Players should think about using clever
movement to find and create space.
For example, the white and blue team
in the graphic have used an in to out
movement to create space to receive
the ball outside of the circle area, after
initially making a run into the area.
The yellow team have used an out to
in, timed movement to create space
inside the circle area.
The receiving player should
communicate to the passer, both
verbally and with hand gestures when
and where they want the pass.

10. CREATING SPACE BY

RECEIVING AND TURNING WITH
THE BALL
Players should think about receiving
the ball and turning to create space.
The receiving player should be aware
of the space around them to be able to
turn and the position of their team
mates prior to turning with the ball.
Team mates should look to adjust and
time their runs into space as the player
is turning with the ball.
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11. CHALLENGES

The challenge is for the first team to

get a player to receive a pass in every
one of the circles.
All the players in the team must receive
a pass in one of the circles or make a
run into a circle to receive a pass
outside of the circle.
They must pass to the floating player at
least once and receive the ball back in
a circle.
They can go into a circle if another
team are in the circle.

12. KEY COACHING 13. PROGRESSIONS

Head up, spatial awareness of where Progress to the skill of creating space
the space is.
Timing of movement to create space.
Try and make the movement early, be
one step ahead.
Look at the ball when making the move
to create space.
To get in space where the passer can
see them and where there is a clear
passing channel.
Clever movement – in to out, or out to
in.
Create space with the ball, by turning
and changing the direction.
The receiving player should
communicate to the passer, both
verbally and with hand gestures when
and where they want the pass.
Quality and decision of passing.

On the next 4 pages there is an FA level 2 Coaching Session Planner Template. Please feel free to print
it out and use. You will need to complete the details relevant to your session and needs.
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Coaching Session Planner

Candidate Date Produced

Coach
Coach Educator Time Available

Information on Players
No. of Player Age Ability Level
Medical Info.
Particular Needs

Information on Facilities and Resources

Location . Session Date
Facility Needs Goals, safe and suitable playing area. Toilets
Equipment Balls, bibs, cones, Poles for goals
Needs

Health & Safety Check Players for injury and for personal health and safety. Suitable footwear, clothing,
shin pads, jewellery, Complete pitch check and ensure first aid kit and mobile telephone
are on site.
Risk assessment carried out prior to session start.

Action Plan, Give good demonstrations and intervene as appropriate. Ask questions of players. Use
Points from Guide and Discovery style of coaching with players. Progress the practice to the players
previous needs
Sessions:

Session Plan
Session Aim To improve the technique of creating space

Timings
Warm Up Gradual increase of warm up activities with the ball. Looking to 10 minutes
Activities increase the pace and intensity of the players movement to game
intensity prior to the session. Looking to increase heart rate and
blood flow. Also looking to tune the players in mentally to the
upcoming session. Stretching of the main football muscle groups

Cool Down Gradual decrease of physical activity – run to jog to walk. Gentle 10 minutes
Activities stretching of the main muscle groups. Gravity led exercises to rid
the body of lactic acid.
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Session Plan
Session Improve the Technique of Creating Space Timings
Title
Key  Head up, spatial awareness of where the space is
Technical  Timing of movement to create space.
Aspects/  Try and make the movement early, be one step ahead
Factors  Look at the ball when making the move to create space
 To get in space where the passer can see them and where there is a clear
passing channel
 Clever movement – in to out, or out to in
 Create space with the ball, by turning and changing the direction
 The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally and
with hand gestures when and where they want the pass

Session 25 -30
Content minutes.

ORGANISATION

 Suggested area size. Inside area 25 x 15 yards.

 Circle areas of approximately 5 yards in diameter as per graphic
 3 groups, with a ball each of 3 players on the pitch in different coloured
bibs
 Floating player who can play with any group
 Adjust the size of the area to suit the age, ability and number of players.
 The practice can be adjusted for 8 - 14 players

PROGRESSIONS

 Introduce challenges
 Progress to the skill of creating space
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LTPD 4-Corner Model Outcomes

When planning your session you will need to consider what outcomes you are trying to achieve in relation to
the 4-corner model. You should aspire to identify outcomes for all 4-corners for each of your sessions.

Technical Psychological
 Passing
 Receiving  Imagination
 Ball control  Decision making
 First time passing  Confidence
 Decisions  Self Belief
 Spatial awareness

Physical Social
 Running  Decision making
 Turning  Fair play
 Balance  Communication
 Agility  Team work
 Changes of pace and direction

Development of the Session

Some players are struggling to Make the area bigger to give the players more space and time.
cope with the session, how would Slow down the practice to walking pace, and then increase the
you adapt it to make it more pace, as the players get better. Spend more time on the
achievable for them. technique with the players.

Some players are finding the Progress to two footballs quicker.

session to easy, how would you Make the area smaller
adapt it to make it more Introduce the challenges sooner
demanding for them.

Identify what sessions you would Short Passing

ideally have coached prior to this
session

Identify what the session content Forward runs / forward passing

might be for the next session.
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Coaching Session Self Evaluation

Candidate Coach Session date

Were the Size and pitch appropriate for the age group. All equipment ready and
arrangements and organised
organisation of the
session appropriate?
Was the health and Risk assessment carried out prior to session start, no issues.
safety of the
environment and
session maintained?
Did the session content Discussed with the players and let them come up with the answers,
deliver the outcomes of which they did very well?
the 4-corner model?
Did the session content Pretty much. They can all master the technique of creating space. They
meet the player’s need to focus on support movement and decision making
needs and
expectations?
Was your coaching I gave good clear instructions and used the EDI formula when coaching.
style and I also asked players questions on their performance and used Guide and
communication Discovery to help players find out their own solutions to problems
appropriate to the
players?
Did the player’s There were improvements as individuals and as a group. Although one
performance improve or two players need a bit more individual help
as expected?
What feedback have I had pretty positive feedback from the players and the parents watching.
you had from other I also asked a Level 2 qualified coach on their views and they were very
people involved in the positive about the session
session?
If you were to coach I would have spent more time initially getting the pattern of the practice
this session again, right, so that players understood what they were doing better. I could
what might you have stepped in and shown them this
change?

The aim of the next Forward runs / forward passing

session might be:

Personal Action Plan:

Particular points that you think you should address at the next/future sessions:

Progressed quicker to the challenges, which the players really enjoyed. Observe more and
coached sometimes from good practice when players had done well, rather than from coach from
mistakes.
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PERSONAL NOTES:
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