#97 Offensive advantage - FIFA Training Centre

This session begins with a pass-and-move exercise to warm up. Next, players find themselves in an exercise where four attackers try to score against a defender and goalkeeper. To end the session, players partake in a 6v6 match where long-range shots are encouraged.

Warm-up: Passing and movement

Organisation

Split your group into two – half work inside the area, half spread themselves around the outside
Players in the middle find a free outside player and approach them to receive a pass in the air or on the ground
They return the ball to a different outside player, then go to find another one. Explain to the players that by passing the ball to different players in the area, they're utilising all the space and surface; as opposed to one space being worn out
Vary the types of serve to challenge the players on the inside. Explain that if a player is to generate new skills, they must practice new ways of touching a ball. Otherwise, if a player uses the same skill (or foot) all the time, we are wasting our potential
Make a completion, first player to complete a pass to each of the players on the outside wins. This promotes the message of not using the same resources more than once, enabling that resource (the player) to recover and regenerate their confidence and improve their awareness of others around them
Swap the inside players with the outside players

Ways to make the exercise easier

Make the area smaller, decreasing the physical challenge
Allow players to catch the ball first and then return it

Ways to make the exercise harder

Increase the size of the area
Serves can vary or be random so the receiving player has to decide quickly how they will control and return it

Great questions to ask the children

Can you show me your best techniques to return the ball?
How can you let the outside player know when you are ready to receive the ball? By moving in different directions, standing in unused areas of the pitch, you will be able to communicate why using these spaces is good for the other players and spaces
Is it possible to play it back using one touch – what affects this decision?

Safety tips

Outside players should only pass the ball once they have been called by the receiving player

Skill development: Shooting

Organisation

4v1 in each half, plus goalkeepers
4v1 in the attacking half to start with, for close‑range shooting opportunities and early success
Then 4v1 in the defending half and long‑range shooting from own half
The one player in each half acts as a defender when his or her team is not in possession or a lone attacker when his or her team is in possession
Encourage creative ways from the attacking player and rebounds.
The four defenders can combine with their lone attacker to set up shots

Ways to make the exercise easier

Start with no goalkeepers

Ways to make the exercise harder

Require one-touch finishes in the attacking half

Great questions to ask the children

What technique should you use for long‑distance shooting?
Can you create space as a team of four to work a shooting opportunity?
If you are defending, can you be brave and try to block shots?

Safety tips

Players should stay in their own halves and concentrate at all times

Game application: Small sided game with long range shooting

Organisation

Up to 6v6 normal game with goalkeepers
Create a middle area: all players can only shoot from this area
Try to have a wide pitch, to encourage different types of shots
Players can also score from a rebound if the goalkeeper makes a save
Rotate goalkeepers and make sure there are spare balls in the goals if you have them

Ways to make the exercise easier