This is a Functional set up going both ways of the field.

Players make two passes amongst themselves in midfield then pass it into the striker and all three supports quickly to exploit the attacking overload situation. Recovery runs by the defender (D) cannot begin until the ball has been passed into the striker.

Begin with an overload and have two strikers against one defender. Have one recovering defender to help the sole defender already at the back but who is in a 2 v 1 disadvantage. This is a good start to the session as it makes it easier to gain success for the attacking team which is ultimately what we are looking to achieve.

Time the break to get a shot in. Ten seconds maximum to score.

Working both ways alternately. This is a good conditioning session also.

Here we have a big overload in attack creating a 5 v 2 situation. The attacking team should have ample opportunity to make this a winning situation.

Working both ways for both teams to have the opportunity to have successful attacking situations.

Set the session up based on the number of players you have to work with.

You can set it up to go only one side if you have little space to work in.

Develop: Now go to a 1 v 1 situation. Pass to space for (1) to come off the defender and turn. Three players break quickly to support. Two central attacking players and one wide player support the front two. One defender makes a recovery run to help (4 v 2).

Introduce a second defender. This means it’s difficult for (1) to receive especially if the two defenders screen both sides so support players can run the ball out to start the play. It is now a 4 v 3 situation and the striker has to get free of the defenders and create space for the attacking support players.

Further Development: Introduce another defender so it is a 2 v 2 up front plus have two recovery players. This creates a 5 v 4 situation. Pass the ball into space to bring the strikers off the marking defenders to receive the ball.

Working both ways alternately. This teaches the players to be quick and decisive in their decision making when they have the chance of an overload counter attack. Obviously to attack the other way the players have to recover back and start again.

Here we have the positions of the players after the recovery runs of defenders and also the attacking support runs of the attacking midfielders. (1) Has received and turned with the ball.

You can vary the direction the defenders recover to make the situation more difficult for the attacking team for example has defenders recovering from both sides of the field for a more balanced defensive set up. Also the attacking players are breaking forward from both sides of the field.

Working on the movement of the strikers here (1) goes short to receive to feet and takes (A) with them, creating space behind for the diagonal run of (2) who goes late and fast to get away from marker (B) and try to get a shot at goal or link up with another attacking midfield player. Timing of the run is important.

Late and fast can mean (2) can receive it in front to go on to shoot at goal having escaped (B)’s marking. In too early and (2) may receive the ball with their back to goal and (B) behind having taken (B) in also so it is more likely that (2) will have to link up and work with a midfielder and not get the immediate shot off.

Here is a more balanced set up with players breaking and recovering from both sides of the field. Same set up with the two passes then a pass into a striker and the session begins.

You can vary the numbers attacking and defending wise in this session to make it work best. Keep experimenting to find the best formula to suit your needs.

CHECK IT WORKS BOTH WAYS !!!!!

Attacking from all sides of the field creating a bigger challenge to all the attacking players. A 5 v 4 is created here but again you can set it up to get out of it what you want based on degree of difficulty for the attacking or the defending players.