Combination play #2 "Creating and Combining with Teammates"

Training Teams in the Art of the Wall Pass, Yakeover, and Overlap

Purpose:	A team that can play quickly and efficiently into open space is devastating. Combination play is the use of overlaps, takeover and wall passes to quickly work into open space creating mismatches against the opponent. A team that possesses the tools to work quickly out of small spaces into the open spaces will quickly find themselves attacking in areas that seem to be unmarked as they have created mismatches against the opponent. When a team effectively understands how to create these opportunities their chances for success increase greatly.
Equipment:	Cones, pinnies, balls.
Progression:	Unrestricted: All the players in a large grid, one ball per every two players. The players will be working on playing quickly without pressure and working on overlaps, takeovers and wall passes. Restricted: The game moves to a two v one situation in a small grid. In this game, the players are attacking the one defender and trying to use combination passes to exploit the small space and get past the defender. One goal with counters: The grids are now joined and the players play 3 v 3 in a larger grid. The concept of third person combination play can be introduced at this point. Two goals: The sessions ends with five v five to large goals with all restrictions removed, however the emphasis remains on exploiting a team thru combination passing.
Coaching Points:	Create length and width first, then show into the space Work towards the defender cutting down the angle to make the pass easier Use the overlap to create numbers up in the attack Use “hold hold” as the ball is knocked in on the overlap Be deceptive, use all surfaces of the foot, add a fake, to keep the defenders from knowing if you will play a combination pass or simply take it yourself After the pass, make a run into space If its not there, fake it, then take yourself Can you use non-verbal cues to communicate with your teammates

THE SESSION

Activity	Setup
Group passing All players in a grid One ball for every two people. Work on takeovers. Work on wall passes Work on overlaps Coach can use numbers, 1= takeover, 2=wall pass 3= overlap. Shown the right is eight players, four with balls, playing balls in and getting them back on a wall touch without pressure. Coaching Points: Focus on technique for passing and receiving, such as locking the ankle, follow through and so forth. Communicate; verbal and non verbal. Get the body warm and ready to play.

2v1 to endlines The game begins with blue dribbling in When blue dribbles in then red can defend. Make it, take it. If “D” wins then they counter attack Switch the attacking team after 10 minutes or alternate attacking and defending. A point is earned by dribbling across the endline. Coaching Points: Engage the defender Support wide, close the distance down, taking away the defensive angle on the defender Use all surfaces of feet to be deceptive

3v3 to endlines Play in 45 x 15 The game begins by dribbling in. Dribble across the lines for one point. Make it take it. Keep score Combine three fields from above to make this one Coaching Points: Use combination play to work into open space Show to the ball to create good angles Engage defenders by dribbling at him Create multiple options by playing on diagonals Use deception on takeovers, wall passes and overlaps Communicate with verbal and non verbal

4v4 or 5v5 in a 40x30 Play to large goals Just play with emphasis on the player with the ball Coaching Points Know when to attack space vs when to turn away Engage the defender Know when to beat with dribble vs when to engage then pass

Additional Coaching Points on Combination Play
	3rd attacker – create space by developing width. After a takeover (shown here) or a wall pass look for the third attacker.
	Coaching Points Attack defender (1), fake a takeover (2), beat defender. Third attacker (3), look for the unbalancing run behind the “D”
	Coaching Points if the combination play is not there: fake it. then beat the “D” 2nd Attacker: continue run find space get ball back. Read the NON VERBAL cues. is the ball on outside? Is he leaving it or taking it? Is he facing you? What is the 1st attackers foot placement; is he ready to pass? 2nd Attacker – get ball and “beat the defender”