Practice 2: Beating a low block

WHY USE IT

This session develops players’ understanding of problem-solving on the pitch around breaking down a low block. It also develops understanding of how individual roles on the pitch change when playing against a low block.

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age and ability of your players, with a full-size goal at one end and two small goals at the other. Divide the pitch into thirds and split players into two equal teams.

HOW it works

The defending team sets up in a 4-4-2 formation; it is important they are narrow and compact, to try and limit the space between the units - particularly between the two banks of four.

The defending team are locked into their zones. The attacking team can move freely and are set up in a 4-3-3. Their objective is to try and score in the full-size goal. If the defenders win possession, they can attack the two mini goals.

COACHING POINTS

• The attacking team needs to show patience. Can they look after the ball and switch the play regularly to create gaps in the low block? And once those gaps have been created can they create an overload on one side and attack with speed?
• Can the attacking team stretch the pitch with height, width and depth to create gaps in the low block?
• Play needs to be quick when the attackers have picked their moment to go for goal - can they play one or two-touch passing?
• Can the attacking team find passing lanes to split defenders in behind?
• Can the attackers exploit the space between the two banks of four?
• The striker needs to position themselves between the two centre-backs, while the wingers need to be as wide as possible.