| Team Attack Drills |
| By: Joseph Luxbacher
Originally Published in: Soccer Steps to Success Provided by: Human Kinetics
Possess to Penetrate and Score Use markers to create a 25-yard-wide by 40-yard-long playing area, with a full-size goal centered on each end line. Organize two teams of four players each, plus goalkeepers. Use colored vests to differentiate teams. One team has the ball and begins with a kickoff from the center of the field. Each team defends a goal and can score by kicking the ball through the opponent's goal or by completing eight consecutive passes without a possession loss. The defending team can win the ball by intercepting passes or tackling the ball from opponents. Except for the method of scoring, regular soccer rules apply. Score 1 point for a goal scored and 2 points for eight consecutive passes. The team scoring more points wins the match. Be patient when organizing your attack. Try to keep possession of the ball until there is an opportunity to move forward and score. Because the defending team must apply pressure to win the ball, its players may be drawn into poor defensive positions, which will create gaps of open space within the defense that your team can exploit. These same concepts can be transferred to the full-sided (11v11) game. To Increase Difficulty for Attacking Team • Add neutral player who always plays with defending team. To Decrease Difficulty for Attacking Team • Add two neutral players who always join attacking team. Success Check • Move constantly to be available for passes. • Play firm one- or two-touch passes back to supporting teammate. • Go to goal when opportunity arises. • Finish with strike on goal. Score Your Success Member of losing team = 1 point Member of winning team = 3 points Your score ____ Team Attack Drill 2 Dribble to Score in the Attacking Third Organize two teams of six field players and a goalkeeper. Use markers to outline a rectangular field area of 75 by 50 yards with a regulation goal on each end line. Divide the field lengthwise into three equal 25- by 50-yard zones. A goalkeeper gets in position in each goal. Begin with a kickoff from the center of the field. Each team defends a goal and can score in the opponent's goal. Regular soccer rules apply except for the following restrictions: Players are restricted to three touches of the ball or fewer when within the defending zone nearest their goal. There are no touch restrictions in the middle zone, although players are permitted to dribble the ball forward into open space only; they are not permitted to take on and beat opponents on the dribble. In the front third of the field, players must dribble past an opponent before they can shoot on goal. Players are assessed 1 penalty point for each zone restriction violation and 1 penalty point for each loss of possession. A player who beats a defender on the dribble and scores is awarded 2 bonus points. Individual players keep track of their penalty points. Play for 25 minutes. To Increase Difficulty for Attacking Team • Add two neutral players who join defending team to create numbers-up advantage for defense. To Decrease Difficulty for Attacking Team • Add two neutral players who join attacking team to create numbers-up advantage for attack. Success Check • Advance ball quickly with limited touches through defending third. • Advance ball quickly through middle zone by passing or dribbling forward into open space. • Create 1v1 situations in attacking third. • Dribble to penetrate in attacking third. Score Your Success 11 or more penalty points = 1 point 6 to 10 penalty points = 3 points 0 to 5 penalty points = 5 points Your score ____ Team Attack Drill 3 Dribble Over the End Line to Score Organize two equal teams of six to eight players each. Do not use goalkeepers. Play within a 60 by 50-yard area. Each team defends an end line and can score by dribbling the ball over the opponent's end line. Regular soccer rules are in effect except for the method of scoring and the following restriction: Players may not pass the ball forward. Square or back passes are used to set up opportunities to advance the ball by dribbling. Teams score 1 point each time a player dribbles the ball over the opponent's end line. Play for 20 minutes. The team scoring more points wins. To Increase Difficulty for Attacking Team • Decrease width of field to reduce available space. To Decrease Difficulty for Attacking Team • Add three neutral players who play only with attacking team. Success Check • Position for width and depth in attack. • Pass ball quickly with limited touches. • Unbalance defense to create openings. • Dribble forward at speed when the opportunity presents itself Score Your Success Member of losing team = 1 point Member of winning team = 3 points Your score ____ |
