Underload 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 42 x 32 yards area.
2. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat 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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Slow, sideways build-up
• -Entering with no support
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early