CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

CREATING SPACE

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction   Cross over runs  The Overlap   Creating Space 1 and 2    Creating Space 3    Creating Space 4    Creating Space 5    Creating Space 6    Creating Space 7

CREATING SPACE 1

This is one of the key areas for coaches in terms of understanding TEAM PLAY.

This is particularly true when dealing with young players who need to learn the concept of movement off the ball.

Generally young footballers tend to want to be on the ball whenever possible – but there comes a time when they must appreciate what is right for the team – as well as their own game appreciation.

So in the first practice players are simply asked to work on control, movement, and offering angles of support to colleagues

It is simply 4 against 2 in an area 15m x 25m

X1 starts in possession, then at the signal all players in the area become mobile moving around the area.

The X's try to keep possession as long as possible, D's try to intercept or win the ball by tackling.

NB: Players in possession should work looking for angles and coaches should stress this in the initial start of the practice.

Also, coaches should look for a good first touch on the ball, accurate passing and players moving around the area looking to create space away from the defenders.

CREATING SPACE 2

In the previous practice the coach has to consider:

(a) Are the players getting the best out of the exercise and
(b) What should he/she do if they are not.

1. If the team in possession cannot get the continuity into their play then the coach could remove ONE defender and make it 4 against 1, and then re-introduce the second defender when necessary.
   
   
2. The coach can conversely make it more difficult for the team in possession be insisting that they plan two touch football i.e. they can play the ball first time to a colleague, OR they can control the ball with the first touch, but then must pass it with the second.  Playing two touch should increase the movement of the players around the area as the attackers realise the urgency to get into position, and also because the defenders expect they may have a better chance of winning the ball.
   
   
3. The coach can, if the players improve, decrease the size of the area to 20m x 10m, this will mean shorter, sharper passing, with the first touch on the ball being crucial as defenders will often be closer.  Players will have to move around the area quicker and often will have to play the ball off first time.
   
   
4. To encourage the two defenders, the coach can have one or two waiting on the outside of the area ready to come on if the coach feels the two chasing around in the area are starting to show some fatigue.