Description:

Small Sided Game - Develop wide play

Purpose:

To create attacking opportunities in wide areas in a SSG

Organization:

*Pitch area 60 x 40 meters marked out with cones *Cones on 20 meter mark are to indicate offside area2 x full size goals. *2 x teams of 6 v 6. *Supply of balls around pitch. Bibs *Team formations GK - 2 defenders - 1 midfield - 1 forward. Teams set up in 2 - 1 - 2 formation. Coach only one team - Reds. Game starts with a weak shot from the opposition into the goalkeeper. Both teams defenders and forwards follow the ball in for rebounds. Red defenders pull wide for option to receive ball from G.K. Forwards move to push defenders deep and wide, make pitch as big as possible. G.K distributes to free defender. Defender looks to pass ball into forward. Forward pulls wide and sets supporting M/F player, who passes to overlapping wide defender. Other forward looks to make good run for cross. Defenders and G.K to be aware of defensive responsibly and mark when their team is attacking.

Key:

*Start point - weak shot into G.K or when team have possession in defensive areas *Opposition forwards and defenders follow up for rebounds *Defenders pull wide to receive the ball *Forwards push defenders deep and wide - make pitch big *G.K rolls ball to free defender *Midfield player checks to ball to create space for pass to forwards *Forward make run to wide area *Accurate pass into wide forward *Midfield supports forward - good angle and distance *Create an attacking overload in wide areas *Defender makes overlapping third man run for pass from M/F *Good cross and runs into the box *G.K and defenders make sure they are organised defensively in case of counter attack *Look for positive outcome to attack

Progressions:

*Encourage the goalkeeper to pass to a midfield option if it is on and play wide from there. *Goalkeeper can also throw to forwards, for a set back to midfield and then wide or direct to wide player *Use both sides of the pitch *Wide player can also play into forward and get a return pass

Additional Notes:

Encourage both teams to adopt a 2 - 1 - 2 formation. Take a good coaching position where you are able to see all the players. Use a structured start point to paint pictures for the players, give them different options. There is more than one way to develop play in wide areas, let the players also use their imagination. Make sure the goalkeeper and defenders are aware of their responsibility and communicate and mark attackers when their team is on the offensive. Only coach one team, but make sure the other team play realistically. Coach and effect all the players in the team. After structuring the game to make coaching points, let the players have free play and coach what you see - concentrating on the specific coaching topic and key factors for this game