UNIT-SPECIFIC

SESSION:
ATTACKERS
AG E P H AS E : U 1 7 +
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

LEVEL PART 2: 6v6 (+1) GAME KEY

• U17+ • This is a small-sided game that includes a 4v3 situation Ball movement
in the attacking half, allowing the strikers to work on
their connection and how to create chances in an Player movement
SESSION OBJECTIVES overloaded, opposed situation. without the ball
• The practice focuses more on exploiting space that the
To develop an attacking unit’s ability to create and finish opposition leaves, rather than exploring different ways Player movement
in the final third by: to create chances. with the ball
• Attackers should now be making decisions on how to
• Developing the players’ technical detail when creating combine based upon the space that the opposition
and finishing. leaves, or by dragging opponents out of position by
• Developing players’ understanding of how to work as well thought-out movements.
Players
a front three and a number 10.

PART 3: 10v8 ATTACK v DEFENCE

PART 1: UNOPPOSED POSITION- Cones
SPECIFIC FINISHING PRACTICE • This is a position-specific attack v defence practice
that increases the numbers from the second practice
Flat marker
• This unopposed finishing practice works with a midfield and focuses on executing the movements and technical
three and three attackers. actions required to score goals.
• Attackers have the opportunity to work on different • Coaches should place a high demand on players in
combinations to get into scoring positions. this practice, in order to meet the desired levels of Cones with
• There is low interference with this practice, to allow the execution. flat marker
players to explore different ways of creating chances.

Goal

Mini-goal

Mannequin Pole

Football

AGE PHASE: U17+

UNOPPOSED FINISHING PRACTICE UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

FUNCTION
• This is a position-specific, unopposed finishing practice.
The pitch is 30m x 48m and split into two 30m x 20m
end zones, plus a middle zone of 30m x 8m. Goals are
placed on either end line.
• The teams are set up as shown in the diagram, with a 4
midfield three in each end zone and the three attackers
for both teams in the middle zone. 10 8
• The middle zone acts as an offside line for the strikers,
who must make runs into their attacking end zone to
score. The midfielders always remain in the zone they
start in.
• Both teams start play at the same time, with their
respective goalkeepers. The aim for both is to progress 7

48 metres
to create a goalscoring opportunity. Strikers in the 11 9 9 7 11
middle zone are limited to one touch to encourage
quick combination play.
• Examples of combinations leading to goals for both
teams are shown here, but the players should combine
however they see fit to create shooting chances. 10 8
• This is a competitive practice between the two teams to
see who can accumulate most points. Goals are worth
one point each, although a goal scored with a one- 4
touch finish is worth three points.

DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE

• To progress, the coach can allow the number 10 from
each team to make runs into the end zone and score.
• Increase the speed of play by adding a time limit within
which the teams must shoot. 30 metres
• Alternatively, stipulate that a certain number of players
must touch the ball before the team is allowed to score.

AGE PHASE: U17+

UNOPPOSED FINISHING PRACTICE UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

COACHING DETAIL: IN POSSESSION

PASS DETAIL
• Pass detail is very important in this practice. The
weight, accuracy and timing of the pass are all vital to
combining successfully.
• Passes in combinations should be played without spin
so the receiving player can play off one touch and so
the ball comes off their foot at a predictable angle.

COMBINATION PLAY
• The attacking players are encouraged to combine within
the constraints of this practice.
• With the middle zone only allowing players to use one
touch, they have to find ways to combine in order to
enter the end zone.
• This could be through up, back and through
combinations or round-the-corner passes from one
striker to another.

FORWARD RUNS
• The strikers should be encouraged to make forward
runs, which help create space for sets when combining
with midfielders.
• These forward runs can be shaped differently – straight,
diagonal or curved, for example.

TIMING OF MOVEMENT
• The timing of movement is very important, with players
encouraged to show an understanding of when to link
and show feet, or when to run forward and get into
shooting positions.
• Anticipating when players are able to play forward will
allow the strikers to time their movements to ensure
they aren’t offside.

AGE PHASE: U17+

6v6 (+1) GAME UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

FUNCTION 1

• This is a 6v6 (+1) plus goalkeepers game with an

emphasis on combination play. The pitch is 35m x 45m, B B

with two 35m x 20m end zones either side of a 35m x A

5m middle zone. There is a goal on either end line. A A
B
• Both teams are set up with a goalkeeper, two

45 metres
defenders, a holding midfielder and three attackers. N
A neutral player (N) plays in the middle zone and acts
B B
as a number 10 for both teams.
A
• Each end zone features a 3v3 situation, with the two
defenders and holding midfielder against the opposition A B A
three strikers.
• The ball starts with one of the goalkeepers. The team
in possession must then try to progress play into the
opposition end zone before getting a shot on goal.
• All players are locked into their zones, so when the
35 metres
possession team progresses the ball into the middle
zone and beyond, the neutral player helps them create
2
a 4v3 attacking overload – as shown in Diagram 1.
• The ball can move back into the defensive half after
entering the attacking half.
• If a goal is scored, the team that just conded starts B B
with the ball and attempts to play through and score as
A
before. An example of this is shown in Diagram 2. A
A
B

45 metres
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE N
B
A B
• Develop so the neutral player can enter the attacking
end zone; if they do join in attacks like this, one of the B A
A
three attackers must then drop into the middle zone.
• Make it so that goals scored from a one-touch finish are
worth two.

35 metres

AGE PHASE: U17+

6v6 (+1) GAME UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

COACHING DETAIL: COACHING DETAIL:

IN POSSESSION MANAGING THE OPPOSITION
PASS DETAIL COMPACT DEFENDING
• Pass detail is important throughout this practice. The • The defending team should be encouraged to defend to
weight, accuracy and timing of pass are all vital to protect the middle of the pitch.
combining successfully. • Players should be encouraged to close spaces between
• Passes in combinations should be played without spin each other. This will challenge the in-possession team to
so the receiving player can play off one touch and so find ways to break through central areas.
the ball comes off their foot at a predictable angle.

FORWARD RUNS
• The three attackers should be encouraged to make
forward runs to stretch the opposing back line.
• Completing these runs will also allow for slide passes
behind the back line if defenders fail to track runners.
• Players should be coached on how to change the shape
of their run in order to stay onside.

DISGUISED PASSING
• When attempting to combine, attackers should be
encouraged to play disguised passes to outwit the
opposition defenders, who will be unable to anticipate
passes and so allow the receiver more time on the ball.
• Shaping their body to play one way and playing a pass
in the opposite direction with a change of body shape
at the last moment will allow this to occur.

COMPOSED FINISHING
• When the attackers get a chance in front of goal, they
should remain calm. This will allow them to make good
decisions on what type of finish to use depending on
where the goalkeeper and defenders are.
• This should allow the strikers to concentrate on their
technique and not snatch at opportunities.

AGE PHASE: U17+

10v8 ATTACK v DEFENCE UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

FUNCTION 1
1 2

• This is a position-specific attack v defence practice that

takes place on one half of a full-sized pitch and is split 2
11
3 7
into five vertical lanes. These are marked in line with the 8
width of the 18-yard box and 6-yard box.
3
• Two gates are placed on the halfway line, in the two 6
8
wide channels (1 and 5). Two target goals are placed on 6
the halfway line in the central channel (3). 9 C
• The in-possession team – here attacking from right to 10
5
left – is made up of a back four, three central midfielders
4
and three attackers. The defending team – playing 5
left to right – is made up of a back four and midfield
four. Players should start in the positions as shown in 7
4 4
Diagram 1, with the attacking team spread over all five 2
channels and the defending team in a more compact
shape across the three inner channels. 5
11
3
• The ball starts with the coach (C), who serves into
either centre-back on the possession team to start the
game. The possession team should attempt to build 2
1 2
through the pitch before scoring past the goalkeeper.
• If the out-of-possession team manages to win
possession, they should attempt to score quickly in 2 3
either of the target goals or dribble through one of the 7
gates in the wide areas.
3 10 11 8
6 6

DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE 9

4 8 C
• To give the attacking team a different challenge, the
coach can alter the shape of the defending team to
5 5
five defenders and three midfielders – this is shown in 7
Diagram 2.
4 4
2

5 3
11

AGE PHASE: U17+

10v8 ATTACK v DEFENCE UNIT-SPECIFIC SESSION: ATTACKERS

COACHING DETAIL: COACHING DETAIL:

IN POSSESSION MANAGING THE OPPOSITION
PASS DETAIL COMPACT DEFENDING
• Pass detail is important throughout this practice. The • The defending team should be encouraged to defend to
weight, accuracy and timing of pass are all vital to protect the middle of the pitch.
combining successfully. • Players should be encouraged to close spaces between
• Passes in combinations should be played without spin each other. This will challenge the in-possession team to
so the receiving player can play off one touch and so find ways to break through central areas.
the ball comes off their foot at a predictable angle.

OPPOSITE MOVEMENTS
• The attackers should be encouraged to make opposite
movements. When one attacker moves to link play,
the other attacker(s) should look to make movements
behind.
• Such movements should confuse defenders and pull
them out of position. This will allow a pass to feet or
a ball into the space left by a defender following the
striker going to link play.

DISGUISED PASSING
• When attempting to combine, attackers should be
encouraged to play disguised passes to outwit the
opposition defenders, who will be unable to anticipate
passes and so allow the receiver more time on the ball.
• Shaping their body to play one way and playing a pass
in the opposite direction with a change of body shape
at the last moment will allow this to occur.

NARROWING TO COMBINE
• When the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch, the
far-side winger should play narrower in order to create
opportunities to combine with the striker and number
10. These movements will narrow the opposing defence,
which should create space for the full-back to advance.

AGE PHASE: U17+