Attack from the flanks

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

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When players take the ball wide and change attacking angles, defences are pulled out of
shape. This can leave space behind defenders that can be exploited.
What this session is about
1.  Spreading play wide.
2.  Making use of time and space out wide.
3.  Support.
4.  Changing the angle of attack.
What to think about
Players should consider:
  An early cross or advancing to the touchline.
  Whether to cut inside or go outside if facing a defending player.
  An accurate cross to the far or near post.
  When crossing the ball, should it be struck hard and low or high and dipping?
  Their crossing technique. Do they use the instep, side-foot, chip, etc.?
Set-up
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 20 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Set up an area 30 yards long by 15 yards wide, with a goal at each end.
Use one team of four players and one team of three plus a neutral player (N) who plays for
the team in possession, as shown in the top picture.
Play begins with you or an assistant serving the ball to the team of four. That team plays 5v3
using the neutral player.
The defending team must organise itself by closing down any space in a fairly confined area.
If possession changes hands, the neutral player helps with the other team’s attack.
To progress, add two 10-yard-wide channels as shown in the middle picture.
One player from the attacking team is allowed in either channel and can take as many touches
as needed in that area before passing, cutting inside or crossing the ball.
No defenders are allowed in the channels and, with a wider area to defend, stopping the
attackers should become more difficult for them.
Rotate the neutral player and teams regularly.
 In an overload game, a neutral player helps the team in possession.

Development
You can progress the session by adding the following restrictions:
  Wingers can only keep the ball in the channel for a count of five.
  Wide players can only take two touches.
   Allow one defender to go into the channel to pressure the ball, as in the bottom
picture.
The team in possession can use the wide channels to stretch the opposition defence.

Game situation
Use the same size area to play a five-a-side game. There are no overloads and no neutral
players.
The wide channels have no restrictions on them now so anyone can go in them.
Play normal rules, which include throw-ins and corners, but award extra points if players use
the channels to create a goal.
The team of three has possession so it is now 4v4. However, a defender may enter the wide
channel to challenge for the ball.

What to call out

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About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
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