Overload Final Third Entry

Objective

• -Break into the final third with purpose
• -Combine between midfield and attack
• -Finish the attack with a shot on goal

Setup

1. 1A pitch split into a build-up zone and a final third in a 48 x 38 yards area.
2. 2Split the group so the attacking side always has one spare player, and park the spare bibs on the halfway cone.
3. 3Balls with the build-up team, keeper in goal.

How to play

1. 1The attacking team builds up in the first zone with limited defenders.
2. 2Entry into the final third releases two supporting runners.
3. 3The attack must finish inside ten seconds of entry.
4. 4The spare player joins whichever side has the ball, so the attack always works with a plus-one.
5. 5A goal or completed end action counts double if the spare player touched the ball in the build-up.

Progressions

• +Remove the overload for the last two rounds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Give the attack two spare players
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Rotate the spare player every 90 seconds
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Slow, sideways build-up
• -Entering with no support
• -Spare player standing still instead of offering an angle