41) Delaying attack to wait for support - FIFA Training Centre

This exercise works on managing the speed of play in the attacking phase, with a particular focus on quick attacking moves. The focus of the exercise is on a supporting attacker holding the ball up for a team-mate to join them in the final third. Support play is a key concept in beach soccer and an important skill to hone.

Basic set-up

Variation with a defender

Organisation

The exercise requires 6 outfield players and 2 goalkeepers.
Use the full pitch and both goals.
Set up two ball stations on the edge of one of the penalty areas (one on the left and one on the right).
Place a goalkeeper in each goal and a supporting attacker in the penalty area at the opposite end of the pitch to the two ball stations. Divide the remaining players between the two ball stations.

Explanation

A player at one of the ball stations plays a backpass to the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper then plays a long throw‑out towards the supporting attacker in the opposing penalty area, who holds the ball up with their back to goal. A player from the other ball station runs forward and shows for the ball, meeting the supporting attacker’s lay-off with a first‑time attempt on goal from inside the zone marked by the blue cones.
Players positioned at the ball stations on the right and left take it in turns to perform the sequence.

Variation

Add a defender into the penalty area to mark the supporting attacker.

Coaching points

The supporting attacker should hold the ball up with their back to goal and play a well‑timed lay‑off to their team‑mate.
Ask the supporting attacker to make a decoy run before receiving the ball to allow them to lose their marker and get their body between them and the ball, while waiting for their team-mate to join them in the attacking third.