Training

content

Training of the whole team

KEY
Path of the player without the ball
Path of the player with the ball
Path of the ball (from a pass or shot)
Coach
A, B, C, D Designation of players
A1, A2 Positions of A players
 Training content 6
Training of the whole team: 1. Attacking play
1. 11 v 0 – occupying the pitch and keeping the ball
Organisation: − The team plays in its chosen formation
(4-4-2 / 4-3-3 / 3-5-2 / etc.). − The playing area is marked out in
zones covering the length and breadth of the pitch (these zones 2 1
mark the zones to be occupied by the team).
Procedure: − The ball starts with the goalkeeper and is moved
around the team (1-2 touches each); the players are constantly
on the move and they occupy the marked-out zones (as a com- 3
pact unit).
− The players can work on retaining possession in one half of the
pitch, in the central area of the pitch or in an attacking position. 4
The coach directs the team’s play, placing emphasis on
the quality of the passes, on occupation of the pitch and on the 5
6
overall movement of the team.
Variation: – The coach feeds the ball into a different zone at the
end of each action.

2. 11 v 1 – keeping the ball and scoring

Organisation: − The team plays in its chosen playing forma-
tion. − The playing area is marked out in zones covering the
length and breadth of the pitch (these zones mark the zones 6
to be occupied by the team). − The action starts from the goal- 5
keepers (the players occupying a defensive position spread out 7
wide as soon as they receive the ball). 4
Procedure: − The ball is moved around quickly (1-2 touches
each), with the players creating moves or working on simu-
lated match situations and then trying to finish on goal. − The
number of passes made before shooting on goal should be 3 1
restricted. The whole team is constantly moving, passing
on the run, running into space to receive the ball.
Variations: – A passive defence can be introduced to provide 2
opposition (cones, dummies, static players, etc.).
− Using a pitch with no zones marked out.
3. 11 v 6 (7) + goalkeepers; attempting to score
Organisation:
− The team with 11 players adopts its chosen playing system.
− The team with 6 players defends in two blocks from the
middle of the pitch.
− Normal pitch, but with a limited defensive zone.
Procedure:
− The coach feeds the ball in and always gives it to the team,
who try to score.
− If the team gains possession, they try to string together 4
passes to score a point. When the team is in possession,
the team tries to win the ball back very quickly.
Transition from attack to defence to attack
Variation:
– If the team wins the ball, they can play the ball deep to
the goalkeeper.
4. 10 v 7 (8), controlled build-up and scoring
Organisation:
− The team has numerical supremacy (10 players). The
team has fewer players (7).
− 2 neutral goalkeepers play with both teams.
− A marked-out pitch is used.
Procedure:
− The team tries to string together 10 passes in unrestricted
play before scoring in one of the 2 large goals.
− The team tries to gain possession as quickly as possible
and to score in one of the 2 large goals.
− Play is always restarted by one of the goalkeepers to the
team.
Transition from attack to defence (emphasis on retaining
possession, changing tempo, pressing, regaining lost
possession, scoring).
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Training of the team unit: 2. Defensive play
1. 0 v 11 – imaginary game
Organisation: 4
− The team plays a 4-4-2 system (or 4-3-3 / 3-5-2). 1
− The playing area is marked out in zones (these zones mark
the different zones of occupation of the team); the opposing
defence comprises either poles or static players.
Procedure:
− The team moves according to the instructions issued by 2 5 7
the coach.
e.g. the team moves as a block towards whichever pole is
indicated by the coach (poles 1, 2, 3, etc.)
Emphasis is on quick and aggressive movement; the players
have to apply the tactical instructions dictated by the coach. 3
Variations: 6
– The poles are replaced by 6 players passing the ball to each
other; the team moves as a compact block.
2. 5 (6) v 11 – defending in the opponents’ half
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
Organisation: − The team has numerical supremacy and is organised
according to its chosen playing system. − The team has 6 players + 1
goalkeeper and two extra players in the opponents’ half. – The pitch is 2
marked out in zones covering the length and breadth of the pitch (these
zones mark the different zones of occupation of the team). 5
Procedure: − The team tries to move the ball out of defensive 4
1
zone 1; 2 or 3 passes after the ball has been received from the
goalkeeper, the players play the ball deep to one of the two extra
players. − The team tries to prevent the ball from being played 6
deep and to gain possession. Once they have won the ball, the
team works the ball back and then tries to retain possession in the
central zone 2.
3
The coach directs play and corrects errors in the play.
Variations: – When a player receives the ball, he tries to score
with the help of the other player; the defenders are active in
zone 3.
3. 8 + 2 attackers defending against 10
Organisation : Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
– The team defends with 10 players (with 8 in zones 2 + 3).
– The team plays with 10 players on the whole pitch.
– The pitch is marked out into 3 zones. Unrestricted play.
Transition from defence to attack.
Procedure:
– The team attacks with the goalkeeper launching the at-
tack. In zone 1, only the 2 attackers play a defensive role.
– In zones 2 and 3, the team defends with 8 players. The
players play normally and try to score.
– When they gain possession, the players try to score quickly
with the 2 attackers who have remained in zone 1 (the 5-metre
offside zone). Play is normal in zone 1: the defenders de-
fend, and the midfielders come up to support the attackers.

4. 11 v 11 – transition from defence to attack

Organisation:
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3
− The team defends using the playing system specified by the
coach (4-4-2 / 4-3-3, etc.). − The team attacks using a differ-
ent formation. − The pitch is marked out into 3 zones.
Procedure:
− The team organises its defence according to which zone it
is in: − In zone 1, the aim is to break up the opponents’ play.
− In zone 2, the aim is to prevent the opponents from getting
over the halfway line. − In zone 3, the aim is not to concede a
goal. − In zone 2, the team cannot play a long ball forward.
− When the team wins the ball, play continues with no restric-
tions or according to the instructions issued by the coach.
The aim is to open up play, occupy the different zones and
to try to get the ball upfield.
 Training content 6
Training of the team unit: 3. 11 v 11 games
1. 11 v 11 – with the flanks free
Organisation: − 2 teams of 11 on a marked out pitch with the
flank areas free. − The teams adopt a specific playing formation
(4-4-2 / 4-3-3 / etc.).
Procedure: − Normal play in the central area of the pitch.
− One player may enter the marked-out areas on the flanks by
running onto the ball there; he is allowed a maximum of three
touches and then he comes back into play again (control, pass,
cross). − Players in the game are also restricted to 2-3 touches
only. − A goal from normal play scores 1 point; a goal scored
from a cross is worth 2 points.
Variations: − After the ball has been played out to the flank
for an attacker, a defender may also enter the zone (to produce
a 1 v 1 situation). − The exercise can also be performed with
2 attackers on the flanks (producing a 2 v 1 situation).

2. 11 v 11 in the central zone

Organisation: − The team plays 4-4-2 and the team
4-3-3. − Play takes place in the marked-out area. – Off-sides are
indicated.
Procedure: − The goalkeeper always plays the ball to his team
in the central zone. – The team in possession of the ball is al-
lowed 2 touches each and tries to enter the opponents’ defen-
sive zone (by passing or dribbling) by crossing the line. – Once
they have gained access to the defensive zone, play continues
normally. – A goal scored counts only when the whole team
(apart from the goalkeeper) have crossed the halfway line. If the
other team win the ball, they play it back to their goalkeeper be-
fore launching an attack. Transition from attack to defence
/ defence to attack.
Variation: − After winning the ball, the opposition can start their
attack immediately and try to score (without going backwars or
passing back to the goalkeeper).
3. 11 v 11 in the opponents’ half
Organisation: − The team plays 4-4-2 and attacks the large
goal. – The team plays 4-4-3 (or in another formation) and
defends, but they can counter-attack. Play takes place within
the marked-out area.
Procedure: − Play always starts with the goalkeeper of the team
that is attacking the large goal. − The team tries to work out
ways of scoring. − If the team gains possession, its players
can score a goal in one of the small gates (by passing along the
ground or running with the ball). A 2nd goal can then be scored
when the player runs through the gate with the ball at his feet
and scores in the large goal (1 on 1 with the goalkeeper).
Variation: − When a player is running on goal on his own,
a player may come back to challenge him.

4. 11 v 11 – try-out match
Organisation:
− A normal match played on the whole pitch.
− Each team plays in the formation decided by the coach.
− Duration: 3 x 15’ / 3 x 20’ / (or whatever the coach decides).
Procedure:
− Unrestricted play or with specific instructions.
− Example: For 15’, the team plays 4-4-2; the team de-
fends its half of the field, playing 3-5-2 and plays a counter-
attacking game. The team then plays 4-3-3 for 15’.
− For the last 15’, the coach decides that the team is lead-
ing 2-1 and is defending this score while the team tries to
equalise.
The coach can either direct play or allow the teams to play
freely. He can adjust his team’s playing systems and correct any
tactical errors.