Practice 2: Creating and converting

WHY USE IT

This second practice encourages players to combine quickly and create goalscoring opportunities in a relevant area of the pitch. 

There should be plenty of shooting opportunities, but now the option to play wide as well as centrally is incorporated.

Set-up

Use the same area as in practice 1 but with wide areas included. Place a full-size goal at each end.

 
Divide players into two equal teams – formation can vary based on a team’s playing style. If numbers allow, you can have one neutral player to support the in-possession team.

HOW TO play

Players are free to move anywhere. Teams look to create chances and score goals, either playing centrally or by ensuring players get into wide areas to support the play and create space. If a team scores, play resumes from their own goalkeeper, so they maintain possession.

ADAPTATIONS & progressions

You can limit players to a certain number of touches or change the size and/or shape of the area to alter the challenge.

COACHING POINTS

• Attacking team to create space on a wider pitch: height, width, depth
• In wide areas, the mindset is: ’Can I assist?’. In central areas, it remains shoot, score or assist
• Movement to receive inside the posts for easier goals when receiving the cross
• Less overbalance so decisions are tougher: can we scan before, during and as we receive the ball?