Three zone attack

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
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This session improves your team’s attacking play through a series of small-sided games.
These take place on a pitch divided into three playing zones, allowing you to set different
conditions for the players to create goal scoring chances.
What this session is about
1.  Improving team attacking
2.  Gaining half a yard to shoot at goal.
3.  Dribbling into the final third of the pitch.
4.  Making forward runs off the ball.
What to think about
The three games look to improve the team’s variety of attacks.
  Game 1 improves the players’ ability to find half a yard and shoot from the edge of
the penalty area. It also improves other players’ reactions to attacking or defending a
rebound.
 Game 2 allows players the chance to show disguise by pretending to shoot, and then
use skill to beat a defender and dribble into the penalty area to score.
 Game 3 develops the attack as players find space to shoot or dribble. Now they pass
the ball and look to make forward runs beyond the defence to receive a return pass and shoot.
Set-up
Create a 54 yards by 30 yards playing area, divided into three 18 yards by 30 yards zones.
Have a goal at either end with goalkeepers. Divide outfield players into 5v5.
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 5

minutes
What you get your players to do
This game is played in the central zone. Players must pass quickly or use skill to gain half a
yard before shooting.
The range of shots will be from between 18 yards and 36 yards, so players will be working on
shooting from distance.
When a shot is on target, one defender and one attacker may run into the end zone to deal
with rebounds.
Players look to create space for a shot from the central zone. An attacker and defender can
enter the end zones to contest rebounds.

Development
Progress the game by placing a defender in each team’s end zone. Players can now shoot
from the central zone or dribble into the end zone to create a 1v1 with the defender.
This game will provide the attacker with the option of pretending to shoot before showing
disguise and dribbling into the end zone to score.
Players can either shoot or dribble out of the central zone for a 1v1 with the defender in the
end zone.

Game situation
Remove the defender and place a forward in each end zone. Players can now shoot from the
central zone, show disguise and dribble, or pass to the forward and make a supporting run to
receive a return pass in order to shoot.
 Passes are made to the target forward, who looks for a support player. This forward runner
receives a pass and shoots.

What to call out

  “Be clever with your movement.”
  “Find a half yard and shoot.”
  “Pass quickly to disorganise the defence.”
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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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