5-a-side attacking

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

1. 
   
   Set-up your outfield players in a 1-2-1 diamond formation. Make sure you select the most suitable players for each position. Defenders need to solid in the challenge as well as technically astute. The midfielders must be your fittest players, good on the ball, creative, able to pick a pass and hit the target. Strikers need to be good at holding the ball up, shielding, laying the ball off  and of course, scoring goals.
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2. 
   
   The keeper has possession and distributes the ball to the defender, making sure the ball is delivered underarm and from below the knee which should ensure that the defender can turn easily and play out from the back. When the keeper has possession of the ball, this should trigger the positioning and movement of the two midfield players and the striker. The striker should sit deep to occupy the opposition's defender. Have the two midfield players as wide and deep as possible, which should ensure that the opposition’s two midfield players are behind or level with them.
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3. 
   
   The positioning and movement explained in step two should create space in the middle third of the pitch for the defender to expose. It will also free up midfielders to receive a pass and turn in or around the attacking third of the pitch. To create space in front of your opponent, make sure your wide player is right on the shoulder of their marker. The aim here is to take the defender towards their goal and quickly push off to receive the ball. Make sure the wide player is half turned before they receive, so they can see the space they have to turn into (check your shoulders).This is called a “Go & Show”
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4. 
   
   Once the defender has passed the ball to the wide player, can they then make an over lapping run to provide a 2 v 1 overload situation. This run will distract the opposition’s midfield player and should create space for the midfielder to get a shot in. Alternatively if the midfielder passes the ball to the overlapping defender this should also create space for the him to test the goalkeeper. It is vital that the opposite wide player then moves across to cover the run of the defender in case the team lose possession and get hit with a counter attack. The striker must be alert to finish any rebounds with support from the defender that had the shot and the supporting midfield player.
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5. 
   
   An alternative to your midfield players receiving the ball from the defender would be for your striker to come and receive the ball in the mid third of the field. Again looking to utilise the “Go & Show” technique (Step 3) for creating space to turn.
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6. 
   
   The movement from step six should drag the defender out of position and leave space in behind. Once turned the striker could look to pass a through ball for one of the midfield players to run on to or they could shoot themselves. Again it is vital that the players involved in the attack are alert and follow up any rebounds.

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