0 This attack vs defence exercise aims to enhance an attacking unit’s ability to exploit the space between the centre-back and full-back to create goalscoring situations. 0 Methodology The wheel symbolises the game, with each segment representing a specific aspect of it. The lightly coloured segments are included in the practice. The darkly coloured segments are emphasised. Lastly, the grey segments represent areas that are not practised.

The intention: What is practised? This 3v2 attack vs defence exercise enhances an attacking unit’s ability to exploit spaces between two defenders from the inside channel. The exercise focuses on unit-level aspects such as intelligent positioning to create opportunities for third-player combinations in the final third.

The attacking unit must employ clever and aggressive movement to pull the centre-back and full-back apart, then identify the most effective moment to attack the space that has been created. On the ball, attackers must aim to engage their opponents, drawing them out of position to open gaps in the defensive line.

The scale: For whom is this relevant? This drill revolves around the unit scale and focuses on the movement and interplay between 3 attacking players around the opposing centre-back and full-back. The unit must refine their skills and movement when starting an attack from the inside channel and moving toward the defensive line, specifically the opposing centre-back and full-back.

The attacking unit can comprise an attacking midfielder, a centre-forward and a winger who drifts inside to connect. They must make short, sharp movements to unbalance the organisation between the centre-back and full-back to create space and opportunities to finish inside the penalty area.

The practice type: How is the practice designed? The exercise is a 3v2 attack vs defence drill conducted within a narrow channel on one side of the goal, emphasizing the space to attack between the centre-back and full-back. The numerical advantage allows attackers to practice third-man combinations and simulate real-game scenarios where an attacker moves from central areas to create an overload near the penalty area.

A mannequin represents a second centre-back, serving as a reference point for attackers to time their runs in behind or in front of it, aiming to finish crosses effectively. Session plan A 3v2 scenario is contested in both areas of the central channel.

Organisation

Use half of a full-size pitch, a full-size goal and a goalkeeper.

Mark out two 20m-wide channels on either side of the goal.

Place a mannequin in line with the centre of the goal on the edge of the area as a reference point to represent a second centre-back.

Split the group into 6 attackers and 4 defenders.

Play a 3v2 in the area torwards goal.





Explanation The ball starts with 1 of the 4 attackers who plays the ball in to one of the other attackers.

The three attackers must move the ball around to create a goalscoring opportunity.

The two defenders must try to delay and prevent the attack.

The remaining players wait outside the area and rotate after each set. Key coaching points (4/4) Players on the ball can create space for a team-mate by dribbling towards a defender and engaging them. By 'fixing' the defender a teammate can be left unmarked and free to receive. (1/4) The three attackers should spread out across the width over the playing area in three channels (left, centre, right) to stretch the two defenders and open passing or penetration options. (2/4) If the defenders look to create a 'robust side' to create a 2v2 situation, attackers should exploit their numerical advantage by playing through or over the defensive shape (3/4) Off-the-ball players should use feints and deceptive movements to create and exploit space.

For example, a short movement can draw the defender out of position, opening space to receive the ball in behind them. (4/4) Players on the ball can create space for a team-mate by dribbling towards a defender and engaging them. By 'fixing' the defender a teammate can be left unmarked and free to receive. (1/4) The three attackers should spread out across the width over the playing area in three channels (left, centre, right) to stretch the two defenders and open passing or penetration options. (2/4) If the defenders look to create a 'strong side' to create a 2v2 situation, attackers should exploit their numerical advantage by playing through or over the defensive shape (3/4) Off-the-ball players should use feints and deceptive movements to create and exploit space. For example, a short movement can draw the defender out of position, opening space to receive the ball in behind them. (4/4) Players on the ball can create space for a team-mate by dribbling towards a defender and engaging them.

By 'fixing' the defender a teammate can be left unmarked and free to receive.

Roles of the coaches First coach: leads the session by explaining the exercise to the players and then observes both areas with interjections.

Second coach: monitors and coaches a group of players in one of the areas.

Third coach: observes and encourages players from behind the goal. Download session plan 3v2 Attack v. defence:



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Create and finish Breaking the defensive line 13 Feb 2024 Breaking out and scoring 13 Feb 2024 Finding spaces behind the press 27 Feb 2024 Switching play and creating overloads 09 Apr 2024 Attacking with speed 09 Apr 2024 From 5v3 to 5v5 09 Apr 2024 Exploiting the overload 23 Apr 2024 Attacking unbalanced defences 14 May 2024 Progressing to score 14 May 2024 Using the pivot player to score 04 Jun 2024 Attacking with depth or width 26 Jun 2024 Beating the defender and scoring 12 Nov 2024 Winning your individual battles 19 Nov 2024 Feinting and finishing 26 Nov 2024 Outplaying defenders in wide channels 10 Dec 2024 Breaking through the press to finish 10 Dec 2024 From 1v1 to 3v3 31 Dec 2024 Offering to receive and score 11 Feb 2025 Dribbling past the defender and scoring 11 Feb 2025 Wall passes in tight spaces 27 May 2025 Progressing through the central channel 10 Jun 2025 Speed and verticality 05 Aug 2025 Exploiting spaces between defenders 30 Sep 2025 Breaking the defensive line 13 Feb 2024 Breaking out and scoring 13 Feb 2024 Finding spaces behind the press 27 Feb 2024 Switching play and creating overloads 09 Apr 2024 Attacking with speed 09 Apr 2024 From 5v3 to 5v5 09 Apr 2024 Exploiting the overload 23 Apr 2024 Attacking unbalanced defences 14 May 2024 Progressing to score 14 May 2024 Using the pivot player to score 04 Jun 2024 Attacking with depth or width 26 Jun 2024 Beating the defender and scoring 12 Nov 2024 Winning your individual battles 19 Nov 2024 Feinting and finishing 26 Nov 2024 Outplaying defenders in wide channels 10 Dec 2024 Breaking through the press to finish 10 Dec 2024 From 1v1 to 3v3 31 Dec 2024 Offering to receive and score 11 Feb 2025 Dribbling past the defender and scoring 11 Feb 2025 Wall passes in tight spaces 27 May 2025 Progressing through the central channel 10 Jun 2025 Speed and verticality 05 Aug 2025 Exploiting spaces between defenders 30 Sep 2025 Training framework The vision of the FIFA Talent Coach Programme 13 Feb 2024 Developing the player of the future 27 Feb 2024 The long-term development process 09 Apr 2024 Scales of the game: Using different lenses to improve player development 27 Aug 2024 The vision of the FIFA Talent Coach Programme 13 Feb 2024 Developing the player of the future 27 Feb 2024 The long-term development process 09 Apr 2024 Scales of the game: Using different lenses to improve player development 27 Aug 2024 The site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

📌 3v2 Attack v. defence: Exploiting spaces between defenders (Kapunda)
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