U14 Practice Week 3: Getting defenders into the attack
Technical Warm-up (15 minutes)
1.
Pairs with one ball, moving around field serving long balls.
2.
Threes going to goal, covering near & far post runs for a cross. Player A passes the ball to Player B, who dribbles toward the center of the goal, creating space for Player A to overlap into the flank. Player B serves the ball to Player A, who crosses it to player B
(who has run near post) and Player C
(who has run far post). Player B and C try to finish (no defenders).
Small-sided Activity (15 minutes)
Same activity as the second warm-up activity – just add one defender in the 18 yard box for 3 v 1 situation. This is a more realistic scenario for the three attackers as they try to score. Next, add another defender and counter-attack goals (two small goals) so it becomes 3 v 2.
Expanded Small-sided Activity (15 minutes)
6 v 6 – getting outside backs into the attack.
In a half-field, place channels outside the 18 yard box. Only the outside fullbacks are allowed into the channel. The other players (4 v 4) are inside the 18. The server (A) plays the ball into one of the two outside backs (B) to begin the game. Instruct the defending back
(C) to let Player B turn before pressuring the player. The attacking back (B) will then play
1v1 against the defending outside back (C).
The attacker's job is to beat his opponent, then move quickly down the flank, serving the ball into his teammates, who "frame the box" or cover the goal area in scoring positions
(near post, far post, penalty spot).
Kate Samsot Spring 2012

Small-sided game (15 minutes)
Scrimmage to two full-sized goals with goalkeepers.
KEY POINTS FOR CROSSING:
• Body mechanics.
• Body shape and balance.
• Eye on the ball.
• Angle of approach.
• Preparation touch before crossing.
• Quality of cross – weight of cross, speed of cross.
• Tactical application to the game – choice of cross to create goal scoring opportunity.
KEY POINTS FOR DEFENSIVE TRANSITION INTO ATTACK:

Quickly get into attacking portion of field.

Good timing of runs.

Precise passes and 1 and 2 touch passing.
Kate Samsot Spring 2012