#10 Creating chances in the final third - FIFA Training Centre

Once a team progress play into the opposition’s half, it can be quite challenging to create goalscoring chances, as the defending team tend to become more compact. This exercise focuses on retaining possession in the attacking half to create clear goalscoring opportunities.

Explanation

Organisation

Divide the court into quarters.
Zone 1 is unoccupied until the opposition regain possession and attack.
Create a 2v2 scenario in both zones 3 and 4.

Explanation

Play starts with the attacking team’s goalkeeper, who passes the ball to a

team-mate in zone 3.
When the ball is played into zone 4, any of the attacking players in zone 3 can enter zone 4.
If possession is turned over or the ball is lost after a shot or save, the defending team become the attacking team, but they cannot shoot until the goalkeeper is in position as play moves into the opposition’s half.

Variations

The goalkeeper can be incorporated into the attack to create an overload (fly goalkeeper).

Coaching points

In-possession players should seek to displace opposition players through their off-the-ball movement.
Constantly create space off the ball to create passing lanes and greater control when in possession.
Force 1v1 scenarios in which defenders can be taken out of the game.
Use the pivot to help to progress play into the next zone.
Being patient in possession helps to create scenarios in which the pivot can be more effective.
Emphasise attacking the far post and overlapping wing play to allow play to be switched quickly after the ball has been played into the pivot.
Take risks by playing penetrative passes, particularly when the reward for success is high, and the penalty for failure is low.
The fly goalkeeper must remain engaged to ensure that they are prepared for an attacking overload