Middle Third "Supporting the Forwards "

The center fullback is in possession and finds the checking forward.

Before the ball finds the forward, the midfielders are all in support positions.

As the ball finds the forward everyone begins to move:  the right midfielder supports on an inside angle, opening up the flank for the right fullback.  The attacking midfielder turns and supports on an angle.  The holding midfielder slides into a second angle of support.  The left midfielder begins to work inside as well, opening the flank for the left fullback

The midfield shape will now look like this.  Notice both outside midfielders have worked inside and both outside fullbacks are aggressively getting forward.  The forward has four support passes to all four midfielders in this scenario.

Connecting with the right fullback is also an option but connecting with the left is unlikely.  Notice both fullbacks are still pushing forward.

With four defenders on his back, turning is unlikely for the forward, but playing the way he faces is a great option.

Shown scenario:  forward finds outside midfielder, he connects with the overlapping fullback who serves into the eighteen.

Same scenario as above: different result. 

The connecting pass with the forward is the same, as is the lay off to the right midfielder.  This time, he connects to the attacking midfielder, who plays across his body, away from pressure, to the outside left midfielder who has worked inside.  The left midfielder plays the way he faces and leads the left fullback into the attacking third.

The right fullback can either continue his run, or hold it.  Holding it to read the game is safer as he can recover to defense on a turnover.

Notice the opponent’s right fullback must step to the attacking left midfielder to limit the attack.  Connecting with the second forward, serving or finding his own shot are all great options.

Same scenario as above forward in possession with defenders behind, midfielders in good support positions and the right fullback making an aggressive run.

The right fullback is key:  the right midfielder has worked in and his defender has gone with him.  The opponent’s left fullback, respecting the fullback and his ability to create and serve must step to the flanks, leaving space behind the defender applying pressure to the forward on the ball.

As the ball is laid off to the attacking midfielder, he finds the space behind the defense for the second forward, who now has a one verses one to goal.

The midfielders support angles and the fullbacks run allow play to develop and open space for the forwards.

   The ball is with the checking forward with his back to goal.  Only one fullback is aggressively attacking.  Three players have worked into supporting angles giving options.

The right midfielder has stayed wide and is making a run down the flank.  The outside midfielder is outside, so the outside defender works inside. 

The forward again connects with the attacking midfielder who finds the outside midfielder in the flank.  Playing the way he faces, it takes two passes to get into the flank.  If pressure is not so great on the forward, turning and playing in on one pass is possible, but with high pressure, playing the way you face is nearly as quick and usually more effective.

A serve into the box, or some other combination will continue the attack

The checking forward is in possession, a bit deeper into the midfield.   The attacking midfielder has no support angle and the forward connects with the holding midfielder.

The attacking midfielder fills the space between the opponent’s midfield and defensive blocks.   A ball in here is very dangerous.

The left midfielder works inside, and left fullback makes a run outside, again they are staggered.  The attacking midfielder is now going at goal with a forward, two outside midfielders and a fullback aggressively pushing in the attack.

The right fullback, noticing the defensive gaps, drops in to balance the defense.  How far he drops depends on how the attack is going and how dangerous they can counter attack.

The checking forward receives but with space this time, and turns.  The midfielders must adjust.

The right midfielder worked inside, so the fullback is outside.  As the forward turns the fullback accelerates into the attacking third to be a passing option.  The midfielder can work inside as the fullback is outside.  The opponent’s left fullback is now under pressure to make a decision, provide cover to the attacking forward or drop into the flanks to defend the attacking fullback.

The attacking midfielder, useless behind the ball pushes forward.  The left midfielder works outside, then back in.

The backside defender decides to hold this time.

When a forward turns, its time to go.  Get forward!

Same scenario but with the outside midfielders in the flanks.

The outside midfielders, seeing the forward turns gets into the attacking third in the flanks, working wide first, then in towards the eighteen yard box.  If the ball comes when wide they can create off the dribble or serve.  If it does not come staying wide is useless turn the run inwards towards the goal.

Both outside fullbacks have worked inside to provide support and are staggered with the midfielders.  The midfielders are outside so they’ve worked inside