5v3 with cover players on half a pitch: finish at the big goal and, on losing the ball, play it to two forwards against three covers
Linkalde exercise
How it works
- Who starts
- A3 with the ball in the attack zone; D1 to D3 in front of the goalkeeper; V1 to V3 on cover and F1 and F2 in front of them.
- Who takes part
- Fourteen: A1 to A5 and V1 to V3 (blues), D1 to D3 and F1 and F2 (reds) and the goalkeeper P.
- What the ball does
- A3 passes to A5, A5 to A4 and A4 shoots; the goalkeeper gives the ball to D1, who passes long to F1; F1 passes to F2, who dribbles between the covers and shoots at a mini goal.
- How to score
- One point for a goal in the big goal and two for a goal in a mini goal.
- When it ends
- With a goal, a save, the ball out or after 90 seconds of the round.
- How it restarts
- Another ball is placed at A3 and positions return to the starting ones.
- How players rotate
- Each round A1, A3 and A5 swap with covers V1, V2 and V3; at the end of the series blues and reds swap roles.
Number of players
14-14 players
Format
5v3 with covers and two mini goals
Recommended
4 × 20 min
Rest 60s · High intensity
Space
Half pitch
Space
53×68 m
Goalkeepers
1
Goal
Train the covers: while attacking with five, the three players at the back orient themselves to the opposing forward, stop him receiving, occupy the space and defend at a numerical disadvantage if the opponent gets through.
Description
Half a pitch with one big goal and a goalkeeper at the top and, at the bottom, two 3 m mini goals 14 m apart. A dashed line (label Vig) 30 m from the goal separates the attack zone from the cover zone. Thirteen players and a goalkeeper take part: in the attack zone, five blue attackers (A1 to A5) against three red defenders (D1 to D3) and the goalkeeper P; in the cover zone, three blue covers (V1 to V3) in front of the mini goals and two red forwards (F1 and F2) waiting a few metres ahead of them. A3 starts with the ball. The blues try to score in the big goal without their covers ever taking their eyes off the red forwards. If the reds win the ball or the coach calls it, the ball is played to F1 or F2 and they, passing between themselves, try to score in the mini goals against the three covers. After the play the round ends and another ball is placed at A3.
Step by step
- 1
A3 passes to A5 down the right side.
- 2
A5 passes to A4, who has offered himself in the central channel.
- 3
A4 shoots at goal; if the blues lose the ball or the coach orders it, the play continues in the bottom zone.
- 4
The goalkeeper P stops the shot and gives the ball to D1, who has won possession for the reds.
- 5
D1 sends the ball long to F1, who waits in the cover zone; the three covers close the space.
- 6
F1 passes to F2, who occupies the right side of the mini goals.
- 7
F2 dribbles between V2 and V3 to the edge of the mini goal area.
- 8
F2 shoots at the right-hand mini goal; a goal, a save or the ball out closes the round.
- 9
Rotation: A1, A3 and A5 swap with V1, V2 and V3 and the next round starts.
Rules
The covers cannot enter the attack zone and the red forwards cannot enter it until they receive the ball. The forwards can only score in the mini goals and in three passes or fewer. A goal in the big goal is worth one point; a goal in the mini goals is worth two points. Rounds of 90 seconds.
Equipment
- Balls
- Cones
- Bibs of 2 colours
- 1 goal
- 2 mini goals of 3 m
Physical focus
Recommended times by goal
- Tactical: 4 × 5' · rest 1' · High intensityOrientativo
Rotation and restart
Each round the roles change: attackers A1, A3 and A5 swap with covers V1, V2 and V3. At the end of the series, blues and reds swap roles.
Coaching points
- Covers: get between the forward and his goal and watch both the ball and the man.
- Covers: if the forward receives, do not dive in; close the shooting angle and win seconds.
- Attackers: shoot quickly but without leaving the covers outnumbered.
- Attackers: as soon as the ball is lost, the one closest to the cover line runs back to help.
- Forwards: quick passing between them to unsettle the covers.
Common mistakes
The covers move up towards the attack and leave the forwards unmarked.
How to correct: Keep the height of the cover line and follow the forward with your eyes.
The covers line up in a straight line and a single pass beats them.
How to correct: Stagger: one presses, another covers and the third closes the opposite side.
The attackers do not come back when they lose the ball.
How to correct: Drop back at once towards the cover zone and recover the supporting position.
Questions for the players
- “What is the right distance between the cover and the forward?”
- “What do you do, as an attacker, when the ball is lost?”
Levels
- A · easyNo time limit: the forwards can make as many passes as they like before shooting.
- B · standardAs described.
- C · advancedThe forwards have only four seconds to shoot and the covers start with their backs to the attack.
If you have fewer or more players
- With 10 fewer: Play 4v2 in the attack zone and 2 covers against 2 forwards, with no goalkeeper. (4v2 with covers, no goalkeeper)
- With more: Set up a second identical pitch and the groups alternate by rounds. (Two 5v3 pitches with covers)
- With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a joker for the attack.
Age
Variations
- With three forwards. A third red forward is added and 3v3 is played in the cover zone.
- With coach signal. The coach decides when the ball is passed to the forwards, even if the blues have not lost it.
Source: Gesdep (adaptado)