Attacking
Half-Space Attacking Patterns: Overload Rotation
Attack through the half-spaces
Attacking
Passing
Team Shape
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Half-Space Attacking Patterns: Overload Rotation is a 20-minute attacking drill for 8-18 players, suitable for Under 12 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, full goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryAttacking
Passing
Team Shape
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Overload
Possession
Numbers Up
Duration
20 min
Players
8-18
Pitch size
Half pitch
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Half-Space Attacking Patterns: Overload Rotation — Finishing set-up — serve, receive, shoot · Half pitch
Step 1 of 5Attacks must go through a half-space channel before a shot.
- 1. Attacks must go through a half-space channel before a shot.
- 2. Defenders clear beyond halfway to score.
- 3. Twelve attacks then swap roles.
- 4. One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
- 5. Rotation: Swap roles.
- Cones mark the area
- Full goal
- GK = goalkeeper
- S = server
- Ball
- Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
- Shooter becomes the next server
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Attack through the half-spaces
- -Combine between the lines
- -Create a shot inside the box
Setup
- 1Half pitch split into five vertical channels with cones.
- 2Attacking unit of six against four defenders and a keeper.
- 3Balls at the halfway starting position.
Coaching instructions
- 1Attacks must go through a half-space channel before a shot.
- 2Defenders clear beyond halfway to score.
- 3Twelve attacks then swap roles.
- 4One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
Coaching points
- -Occupy the half-space on the back foot of the defender
- -Wide player holds width to open the channel
- -Combine quickly once inside the pocket
- -Use the free player to break the first line
- -Defending team stays compact and delays
Common mistakes
- -Everyone in the central channel
- -No width to stretch the block
- -Slow ball speed into the half-space