PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK Coach Development of Possession –
Phase 1 of Session - Technique
Organisation: 40m x 20 m area. Two teams of roughly 6 players each. Goalkeepers included who can
gather and roll the ball. Minimum 3 touch game. (SOFT TOUCH – QUICK TOUCH – PASS). Pass
amongst each other, see how many passes under control
A6
D1
A1
A5
20 m
D5
D3
A3
D4
A4
A2
D6
D2
40 m
Legend:
Movement without the ball
Pass, shot
DIAGRAM 3a
Movement with the ball (RWTB)
PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK - SP – Coach on Development of Possession –
Phase 2 of Session - SKILL
Organisation: 40m x 20 m area. Two teams of roughly 6 players each. Goalkeepers included who can
gather and roll the ball. Minimum 3 touch game. (SOFT TOUCH – QUICK TOUCH – PASS). Blue team
defenders prevent reds from passing try to win ball and play back to their half, after each three passes
anothe rplayer joins to defend
1-2-3!
A6
D2
A1
4-5-6!
A5
D3
20 m
D1
A3
D5
7-8-9!
D4
A4
A2
D6
40 m
Legend:
Movement without the ball
Pass, shot
DIAGRAM 3b
Movement with the ball (RWTB)
PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK - SP – Coach one team on Development of Possession –
Phase 3 of Session - SSG
Organisation: 40m x 20 m area. Two teams of roughly 6 players each. Goalkeepers included who can
gather and roll the ball. Minimum 3 touch game. (SOFT TOUCH – QUICK TOUCH – PASS). SSG blues
vsReds, Game be un even 7 v5 or 8v4 each team has to make a number of passes before hitting the target
the goal. GK neutral.
GK
A6
D2
D1
A1
A5
20 m
D3
A3
D5
D6
D4
A4
A2
40 m
Legend:
Movement without the ball
Pass, shot
DIAGRAM 3c
Movement with the ball (RWTB)
PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK – SP – 4 goal possession game - SSG
Organisation: 40m x 40 m area. Three teams of roughly 4-6 players each, depending on numbers. 4 goals
at the side of the pitch. One team are the Attackers (D’s), the other 2 teams are defenders (A’s and B’s) and
they have to keep the ball in possession for as long as possible. The Attackers D, try and win the ball, the
moment they do they try and score in one of the 4 goals. This means that the other 2 teams as soon as they
lose the ball must transition to defending the goals. Swap Attacking teams round, after 5 minutes, count
goals for each team
D2
B5
A1
D1
A5
D3
40 m
B3
A3
B2
D5
D6
D4
A4
B1
A2
B4
40 m
Legend:
Movement without the ball
Pass, shot
DIAGRAM 2
Movement with the ball (RWTB)
Development of Possession - Key Factors
Development of Possession
Minimum 3 touch – Soft Touch – Quick Touch(es) – Pass
Breathe on the ball head up
Movement to create space as the ball is played.
Choose the best space available (To provide support and open up play)
normally forward to penetrate in space, or options to provide support.
Sometimes the movement is to the ball
Receive the ball on the half turn (open body) and if possible turn to face
the opposition.
Create a body angle and stance to give the best possible field of vision
to select passing option or RWTB
Shield the ball (Player – Player – Ball) and hold on to it if there is nothing
on forwards - RECYCLE
Quality of the pass, which type of pass, disguise of the pass
Short, short, long - vary the pass DECIDE when to PENETRATE.
Movement after the pass made by individuals to support and create
space
Movement to retain possession by groups and units if attacking option
not possible. Do not force the play forward, if there is no option.
Move opposition one way then the other wait for gaps to open up
Communication verbal and non verbal (Movement ,signs, eye contact)
Development of Possession - Key Factors
9 P’s of Possession
Perception (Awareness)
Predicting (Pre-emptive Movement)
Positioning (Movement – Where, when, why, how)
Preparing to Receive the ball
Passing to self ( Control first touch and vision)
Passing to others (Vision, accuracy, speed/weight, timing &
deception/disguise)
Protecting the ball (Movement and First Touch)
Pretending (Deception & Disguise)
Penetrating Opponents (Vision/Quality of Passes)
See Diagrams and session plan for explanations of pattern of
movements to coach