Session: AO.106 ![]()
Exercise Objectives
- To develop a teams ability to make supporting forward runs.
- To develop a teams ability to play penetrating passes.
Organisation

Diagram 1. Set-Up Arrangement
Set-Up
- Mark out an area approx. 60x45 yrds. A no play zone should be placed on one side of the field to concentrate play. An End Zone area marked by cones should also be placed at the top of the playing area for a Target Player.
- 8 Attacking Players (Blue) in 3-3-2 formation.
- 7 Defending Players (Red) in 3-3-1 formation.
- 1GK in a full size goal.
- 1 Target Player who plays in the End Zone area.
- Yellow cones are used to indicate Starting Positions.
Instructions
- Play begins from the Starting Position 1 with a Mishit through pass into Red 11 which is intercepted unopposed by Blue 2. From here the Blue team attempt to score in the full size goal and the red team attempt to defend and regain possession and pass into the Target players or dribble into the End Zone.
- We coach the Blue team on options for forward runs (as shown in the diagrams and video tutorial below)
- If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored play restarts from the Starting Position.
- After 5 minutes change the roles of the two teams.
Scoring
- 2 teams compete.
- The Blue team scores a point by scoring on the regular full size goal and the Red team scores by passing into the Target player or by dribbling into the End Zone area.
Coaching Points
- Forward runs to create space to exploit.
- Forward runs to create space for others to exploit.
- Awareness of the ball carrier, play with head up to see forward passing opportunities.
- Inside to Outside runs.
- Outside to Inside runs.
- Decisions of the ball carrier (passer) to find the most direct pass we can make.
- Blind Side runs.
- Overlapping runs.
- Checking runs with hard cuts to create space.
- Runs from behind the ball.
- Complimentary runs from the two forward players (Especially if playing with two forwards).
- Midfield supporting runs in behind the front two and also wide.
- One midfielder must stay to prevent counter attacks.
- Midfield movements to open up space for the forward players to receive short.
- Communications between the passer and receiver.
- Quality and weight of the pass.
- Exploit a team that plays with a high line (Off-side Trap).

Diagram 2. Pass behind the back line into space to run onto.

Diagram 3. Pass into a checking forwards feet (Near Forward)

Diagram 4. Pass wide for a Forward to run onto.

Diagram 5. Pass into far forward to layoff.
Progressions
- Use the Starting Positions shown below.
- Switch the 'No Play Zone' to the other side of the field to work with the left side players.
- Develop a players dribbling ability and control.

Diagram 6. Starting Position 2 - Pressure midfielder lays back to centre back.

Diagram 7. Starting Position 3 - Midfield take-over.
Variations
- Play with two gate goals instead of an End Zone area for the defending team to try pass through to score.
- Add another forward (3 high) to practice with formations requiring three front players.












