Role of Third Attacker "Unbalance the Defense"

Purpose:

The role of the third attacker, any player who is more than one pass away from the ball, is to separate the defense by spreading the field and by making dangerous off the ball runs into space behind the defense.  A team that understands the movement of the game when away from the ball will be able to create dangerous situations by being in position before a pass is made and therefore being able to create quality opportunities quickly with devastating consequence

Equipment:

Cones, pinnies, balls.

Progression:

Unrestricted:
Warm up with a simple possession game to emphasize length, width and depth. Use two neutrals to make possession simpler. The better teams can play two touch. Continually focus on stretching the defense

Restricted:
The game is the same game as before but begins with 2v2 as a reminder of how the second attacker plays. It progresses to 3v2 with lots of success for the attackers thru quick play and off the ball runs and moves on to 3v3 which becomes more challenging

One goal with counters:
The game moves to a big goal with counters and plays 3v2 and progress to 3v3 with the emphasis on the unbalancing run and getting behind the defense.

Two goals:
The session ends with 3v3 to big goals and progresses to 6v6. The emphasis remains on the unbalancing runs.

Coaching Points:

• Look to establish length and width (stretch the field)
• Look to support the ball in a good position
• Use non verbal and verbal communication.
• Establish and good rhythm and learn how your team moves
• Understand that your run may only pull a defender away from a teammate, it does not necessitate that you receive the ball.
• Learn to be hyper-aware on the field for the time that is most vulnerable
  

Activity

Setup

6v6 +2N possession

• Play in a 50x 40
• 1 pt for 8 passes. Start slow to get warm and progress

Coaching Points:

• Look to establish length and width
• Support on good angles, check in seams
• Pass and run forward, move off the ball

2v2, 3v2, and 3v3 to lines

• Play to lines in a 30 x 15
• Red play ball in to blue.
• Blue receive and attack Red.
• If blue wins-make it take it. New blue attacks new red
• If Red wins, turn away and play back to red
• Attacker who lost ball is now defender
• If ball goes out attacker is loser so he defends
• vs. new red who dribbles out with ball.
• Attacker must beat with dribble.
• Progress to 3v2 (attackers will have great success)
• Progress to 3v3 (game should even out)
  

Coaching Points:

• 1st attacker: Commit the defender. Beat him or connet. "commit and connect"
• 2nd attacker: get wide, create shape
• Open hips, have back to the line
• Take ball across body, into space
• Attack on diagonals.
• Pass and run forward
• When appropriate, turn away from pressure

3v2 and 3v3 to goal and counter goals

• Play in a 30 x 15
• Same game as above except the ball always starts with red playing into blue.
• Three blues come out versus two defenders and play three v two to goal.
• Red plays to counter attack goals
• Progress to 3 v 3
  

Coaching Points:

• First attacker engage defender
• Second attacker get wide
• Once a pass is made, look to get behind the D and in for the score.
• Can you use combinations to beat the team?
• Can you be deceptive and time the run correctly?
• Can you use non verbal communication?
  
  

3v3 – 6v6 with large goals

• Play in a 40x 30
• Balls always start with the keepers.
• Start with 3v3 progress to 6v6
• Play to big goals.

Coaching Points

• Look to use combinations to beat the defenders
• Make a penetrating run behind the defense
• Can you use width to spread apart the D?
• Can you communicate non-verbally to beat a defender?
• Use length width and depth
• Play the way you face
• Check to the balls in seams
• Support on good angles
• Pass and run forward