Central striker: creating space + insertions

Equipment
  • 2 goals
  • Balls
  • Markers
  • 6 vests (5 red, 1 yellow)
Preparation
  • Playing area: 40x40 meters / 44x44 yd
  • Players: 11 + 2 goalkeepers
  • Duration: 20 minutes
  • Series: 2 series of 8 minutes with 2 minutes of active recovery inbetween
Central striker: creating space + insertions

Summary

Small-sided Game to improve central striker's movements in losing the marker and midfielders placements' timing

Organization

Create a field of 40x40 meters using the markers and place two goals on opposite sides. Divide the pitch into three zones: two penalty areas for 2 vs 1 situations (two defenders vs a striker) and a central zone with five midfielders (two per team plus a neutral player). The goalkeepers defend the goals.

Description

  • Players have to face several power play or outnumbered situations. The game starts from a goalkeeper
  • Defenders play 2 vs 1 against the striker, trying to pass the ball to the midfielders
  • The midfielders play 3 vs 2 in the central zone trying to pass the ball to the striker. The neutral player plays with the team with ball possession
  • If players succeed in passing the ball to the striker, one midfielder can enter the other zone playing a 2 vs 2 trying to score
  • Central striker has to try to shoot at goal
  • Defenders try to anticipate the striker
  • If striker and midfielder lose the ball, the midfielder has to exit the box
  • If defenders regain the ball, they pass it to the midfielders and the game starts again

 

 

Coaching Points

  • Encourage the central striker to lose the marker moving to depth or encountering showing for the pass
  • Advise the central striker to perform a layoff pass
  • Keep the defenders focused
  • Defenders have to learn to collaborate
  • Consider players roles when dividing them into the zones
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