4v4 attack against a back four with three mini-goals in front and a lay-off from the striker

Goal

Attack with an advantage on the wing against a back four; when defending, keep the line compact and break quickly after winning the ball.

Description

Half pitch with a full-size goal and its goalkeeper. A line of four red defenders is placed in front of the box, and three mini-goals in front of it simulate the opposing midfielders. Four blue attackers (a striker, an attacking midfielder and two wingers, slightly more advanced than the red full-backs) attack the big goal. The coach passes to the striker, who lays the ball off facing play to the attacking midfielder, and from there the attack is free. The wingers look for an advantage on the wing or attack the inside space. If the reds win the ball, they break quickly and score in any of the three mini-goals.

Step by step

1. 1

   The coach passes to striker A1.

2. 2

   A1 lays off facing play to A2, the attacking midfielder.

3. 3

   Wingers A3 and A4 attack the space in front of the full-backs; the back four adjusts.

4. 4

   A2 opens the play to A3 on the wing.

5. 5

   A3 drives towards the box and A1 arrives through the middle for the rebound.

6. 6

   A3 shoots at goal.

Rules

The first pass is from the coach to the striker and the lay-off is facing play, in one touch. A goal in the big goal: one point. A red goal in a mini-goal after winning the ball: one point. The action ends with a goal, the ball going out or the coach's order.

Equipment

• Full-size goal
• 3 mini-goals
• Balls
• Bibs in two colours
• 8 cones

Physical focus

Recommended times by goal

• Tactical: 4 × 4' · rest 1'30" · High intensityOrientativo

Rotation and restart

After each series, the teams swap roles and the attackers take up the back four.

Coaching points

• Striker: lay it off quickly, facing play and in one touch.
• Attacking midfielder: receive between the lines with an open body.
• Back four: step up and drop together, leaving no gaps.
• After winning the ball, the first pass goes forward, to a mini-goal.

Common mistakes

• The lay-off arrives late and the striker ends up with his back to goal.

  How to correct: Lay off on the first touch and turn to attack the space.

• The back four opens up and leaves gaps.

  How to correct: Keep the distance between defenders and shift together.

• After winning the ball, the team stops.

  How to correct: Look for the mini-goal straight away with the first pass.

Questions for the players

• “When is it better to attack the wing and when the inside space?”
• “Back four: what decides whether you step up or drop?”

Levels

• A · easyTwo mini-goals instead of three and the back four with no pressure on the first pass.
• B · standardAs described.
• C · advancedAfter a few seconds a fifth defender comes in, and the wingers have to decide faster.

If you have fewer or more players

• With 7 fewer: 3v3 with two wingers and a back three. (3v3 + goalkeeper)
• With more: The extra players wait outside and come in when the series changes. (4v4 + goalkeeper and subs)
• With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a second striker.

Age

Variations

• Double goal from the wing. If a winger finishes, the goal counts double.
• Limited lay-off. The striker's lay-off can only be in one touch.