Creating and exploiting space in wide areas

Age: 15-Adult

Number of players: 17 (16+GK)

Difficulty: Medium/Hard

Area/Time: 2/3 Field (30-45mins.)

Drill objective (s):

1. Learn how to create space in wide areas

2. Learn how to exploit space in wide areas

Organisation:

Mark out 2/3 of a full size pitch as on diagram. Prepare min. 4 spare balls. The teams play in specific

formations. Provide tactical instructions for each team:

Attacking team:

1. 8 players

2. 3-2-3 formation.

3. The attacking team scores into the full sized goal.

4. After losing possession team defends three mini goals and tries to regain possession as soon as

possible.

5. Encourage to use wide areas. Introduce conditions (goal scored after cross/dribble/shoot from

wide area counts twice, use wide area before scoring).

Defending team:

1. 9 players (8+GK).

2. 1-4-4 formation.

3. Defend full sized goal with the goalkeeper.

4. After gaining possession score into one of the three small goals as soon as possible.

5. Zonal/mixed defending. Encourage counter-attack when in possession (set 6 passes and score

rule?).

Instructions:

Starting position of player no.8 is behind the red line (can be varied). Game starts when the ball is

played in by player no.8. Two teams compete and attempt to score.

Scoring:

The attacking team scores in the full sized goal. After gaining possession defending team attacks

three mini goals as soon as possible.

Key Coaching Points:

1. Principle of play – Create space as a team. Spread wide and long to create space on and off the

ball.

2. Horizontal movement to inside. Player in wide area should move towards the centre of the pitch

in order to create space wide.

3. Horizontal movement to outside. Player positioned centrally should move towards free space in

wide areas to receive the ball. Make sure the movement is quick and curved (player should see the

ball and face opponent).

4. Creating 1v1 situations by isolating players in wide areas. Most of the attacking players should be

positioned centrally in order to unbalance defending team and create dangerous situation in wide

areas.

5. Creating overload situations. When the ball is wide midfield player should support player in

possession by quick movement towards the ball. Prerequisite for that is to drag nearest central

defender off the ball.

6. Switching play. Transfer the ball from one side to another quickly in order to create 1v1 situation

on the wing.

7. Communication. Players should observe where their partners are and communicate both verbally

and non-verbally. Introduce verbal triggers to different patterns of play (switching play/creating 1v1

or 2v1 situations etc.)

8. End product. Take opportunity to cross or shoot. Exploit 1v1 and 2v1 situations when possible.

Progressions:

1. Add more defending players. Instruct defending team to play in 1-4-4-1/1-4-4-2 formation. Create

underload situation which often occurs when attacking in the final third.

2. Move into 11v11 game. Play in a given formation and introduce different tactics of the defending

team (man to man marking/doubling up in wide areas/midfielder dropping to defence when ball

wide)

4. Set more difficult challenges for individuals, units and team.

Diagrams:

Diagram 1 – Create space as a team. All players should use available space by spreading long and

wide.

Diagram 2 – Creating 1v1 situations by isolating players in wide areas. When the ball is in the central

zone of the pitch, players number 7 (right midfielder), 10 and 9 position themselves in front of the

penalty area, dragging opposition central defenders and left full back. This forces 1v1 situation (left

midfielder and opposition right full back) in wide area.

Diagram 3 – Switching play. When the ball is in wide area and opposite midfielder is in more

advantageous situation, attack can be switched to the other side. Long (the ball should be played low

above the ground to make it quicker) pass should be made as soon as possible giving more time and

space to receive.

Diagram 4 – Horizontal movement to inside. Player positioned in wide area should make a

movement towards the central area of the pitch in order to create space wide (dragging full back).

Ideal situation is when the space can be exploited immediately by player running into it and receiving

the ball (timing).

Diagram 5 – Horizontal movement to outside. Player positioned centrally should make a movement

towards free space in wide area of the pitch. Movement should be quick and unpredictable. Player

should face the opponent and see the ball (curved run).

Diagram 6 – Creating overload situations. When the player in wide area is in possession of the ball

possible option is to create 2v1 situation. In order to do that, opposition central defender should be

dragged off the ball (in this situation by central striker) and immediate support should be given

around the ball. This will create overload situation and enable quick combination play.

Notes:

Coach when the ball is in different positions (centrally/wide/throw-in/set-plays etc.). Manage

defending team, coach attacking team. Challenge attacking team by encouraging defenders to adapt

their tactics to the opposition. Encourage to exploit 1v1 and overload situations when possible!