Role of First Attacker "Commit & Connect"

Purpose:

The role of the first attacker is to maintain possession and attack space.  The player in possession of the ball is considered the first attacker. The key to success in the attack is understanding what to do immediately when you come to possess the ball.  This session will teach the players when and how to attack space and when to turn away from pressure to maintain possession; the key to success when on the ball.

Equipment:

Cones, pinnies, balls.

Progression:

Unrestricted:
Dribbling in pairs in a large grid. The players alternate working on the attacking moves with a defender giving pressure but not trying to with the ball. Switch intermittently between defender and attackers.

Restricted:
The game becomes one v one to lines in teams. This is a fast moving game which is the building block for training the role of the first second and third attackers.

One goal with counters:
Play four v four in a slightly larger grid with an emphasis on the attack. One team is playing to a counter goal, with the team playing to the large goal being the team to focused on first attacker principles. Rotate teams continually

Two goals:
This is a game with two large goals and the rules encouraging attacking with the ball and understanding when and how to attack the defender

Coaching Points:

• Should I attack space or play away from pressure?
• Can I make the defender engage?
• Can I beat the defender or should I pass to a teammate?
• Look to attack space
• Look to maintain possession
• Attack the front foot of the defender as he steps
• Attack the heel of the front foot
• Once you beat him, get behind him
• It is all right to use your body
• Look to be aggressive when in middle and attacking third
• Look to be careful when in defensive third.
• Use two speeds, slow down then accelerate past him
  

Activity

Setup

Players in pairs

• Play in a 50x40 grid
• Players pair up in the grid
• One player is the attacker, on the defender
• Defender is 100% but passive in trying to win

Coaching Points:

• Engage the defender
• Attack space
• Maintain possession
• Make a move and beat the defender

1 v 1 to lines in a 30 x 10

• Red play ball in to blue 
• Blue receive and attack Red
• If blue wins-make it take it. New blue attacks new red
• If Red wins, turn away and play back to red
• Attacker who lost ball is now defender
• If ball goes out attacker is loser so he defends
• vs. new red who dribbles out with bal.
• Attacker must beat with dribble

Coaching Points:

• Learn to attack in tight spaces
• Take on a defender, make a move, beat him and keep him behind you
• Attack the front foot of defender
• Use your body to keep him behind you
• When you win, spin out to keep possession

*Side note for defenders.
Make predicted curved, runs sideway on

1v1 in the center circle

• Make two teams
• One player from each in the middle
• Ball starts on the outside
• Teammate play to player in the middle who must turn, face and beat the opponent, then they play out and the other dribbles in
• The defender is in until he wins, then he can play out or beat the new defender and get out

Coaching Points: same as above

4v4 or 5v5 in a 40x30

• Play to large goals
• Just play with emphasis on the player with the ball

Coaching Points

• Know when to attack space vs when to turn away
• Engage the defender
• Know when to beat with dribble vs when to engage then pass