Play off the forwards

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
 Save to My Activities
Two teams play a five-a-side game, set up as in the bottom picture. The team in possession
can use two middle men to create an overload, keep possession of the ball, and combine to
score a goal. It also gives the middle men more opportunities to make space, keep moving
and be more creative – the keys to winning matches.
What this session is about
1.  Making passes to the centre forwards.
2.  Making forward runs to support a pass.
3.  Quick combination play to score goals.
What to think about
 Centre forwards need to take responsibility for holding the ball up and giving
midfielders the time to make supporting runs.
 When a forward pass is made, your midfielders can catch the opposing midfielders off
guard by making a quick forward run.
 The forwards can now play the ball back to the midfielders for a shot or to
dribble/pass near to the opponent’s goal.
Set-up
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

5 minutes 15 minutes 20 minutes 15 minutes 5

minutes
What you get your players to do
Place two centre forwards halfway up the pitch with their backs to the goalkeeper. Set up two
queues of players, who will be midfielders, as in the top picture.
The first midfielder makes a diagonal pass to one of the centre forwards. Immediately the
first midfielder from the other queue makes a supporting run to receive a pass from the
forward.
The midfielder now has two choices: 1) shoot at goal, 2) make a through pass to the other
forward.
The two midfielders now become the new forwards and the forwards join the back of the
queues.
Midfielders combine with centre forwards to create a goalscoring opportunity.

Development
Add two defenders to the practice, who start between the goalkeeper and centre forwards, as
in the middle picture.
Complete the same exercise as above with the first midfielder making a forward pass and
then the other midfielder making a supporting run but now the practice continues in a 3v2
overload situation.
Use the offside rule so the attackers do not have an even greater advantage.
Rotate the defenders every two to three minutes and also ensure midfielders and centre
forwards swap sides and perform their counterpart’s role as well.
Two active defenders provide opposition for the attackers in a 3v2 overload situation.

Game situation
Each team has four players in one half of the pitch and two in the opposite half.
The team with four attackers starts with the ball (in their defensive half) and tries to pass the
ball to create a shooting chance.
If the opposition defenders win the ball, they quickly pass the ball forward to an attacker
which frees one of their defenders to run into the other half as in the bottom picture.
This supporting run creates a 3v2 from which they try to score.
Swap the restriction to the other team halfway through the game. The team with most goals
wins.
After intercepting the ball, the defenders pass upfield to play off the forwards and a defender
creates a 3v2.

What to call out

SHARE THIS
SHARE

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 >
RELATED

Midfield dynamite
in Attacking, Midfield
A session aimed at getting players to create and utilise space in midfield. With quick passing
and movement, it should help open up the opposition and make goal scoring chances. MORE
 Pass to Ronaldo
in Attacking, Passing
A good final ball can create a solid scoring opportunity. The aim of this session is to get
players passing like Juventus and to create scoring chances for your own Cristiano Ronaldo
MORE
LATEST ACTIVITIES
 What can football learn from rugby?
 Listen to some great advice
 Get parents onside
 Educating the coach
 Six of the best 1v1s
 Dribble and change direction
 One-two work out
 Last training before Christmas?
 Midfield dynamite
 Making a difference
 Review your tactics
 A new player wants to join the team…
MOST POPULAR DRILLS
 Space Invaders
 9v9 Formations
 Space Wars
 What is a Rondo in soccer?
RECOMMENDED
 FUN SOCCER GAMES FOR 5 TO 8 YEAR OLDS
Don't Feed The Monkeys, Ghostbusters and other really fun stuff for kids new to soccer
MORE

BUY