2-03-3 3v2 Attack v. defence: Exploiting the overload - FIFA Training Centre

This attack v. defence exercise focuses on exploiting overloads when creating and finishing. The exercise simulates an attacking scenario in which a team have a numerical advantage and space to attack in behind the opposition’s defence.

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?
The objective of the exercise is to enhance the players’ ability to create and finish within a narrow focus. There are other aspects, such as securing possession and building and progressing, that do not feature in the exercise. The drill focuses on specific player actions, including making aggressive off-the-ball movement that pins defenders to take advantage of the team’s numerical superiority, specifically creating 2v1 and 1v0 scenarios. The attackers are tasked with making off-the-ball runs that give the ball carrier more options, and they must be aware of which is their team-mate’s stronger foot so that they can help them to work some space to finish when the opportunity arises. In addition, players are asked to decide between whether making an overlapping run or a run in front of the defender is the most effective way of putting them in a vulnerable position.

The scale: For whom is this relevant?
This attack v. defence exercise focuses on the player scale, with an emphasis on exploiting overloads to create goalscoring chances. The drill is particularly relevant to players who operate in the forward line in scenarios in which they find themselves with overloads in the final third and space to run into. The start of the sequence simulates a situation in which an attacking unit picks up the ball between defensive lines and drives at a vulnerable backline using fluid movements to overcome the press. Each attacker acts as a member of a typical three-player forward line in which interchanging runs and combinations at pace are important elements. The two defenders operate in a high line or mid-block and are faced with situations in which they must decide whether to press or drop.

The practice type: How is the practice designed?
The exercise involves a finishing element, featuring variable repetitions that provide an abundance of opportunities for players to practise creating and finishing. The drill includes a directional element, with the attacking team attacking one goal and the defending team focusing purely on defending. The narrow nature of the exercise area and the distance between the starting point and the goal are designed to produce a number of outcomes for the players to work on, whilst the numerical advantage helps to increase the number of goalscoring chances. The offside rule applies, which encourages the defenders to step up and forces the attackers to time their runs. The exercise is non-position-specific, with attackers able to interchange positions across the front three. However, when players find themselves in attacking roles, they are asked to act as attackers.

Session plan

Basic sequence: The 3 attackers look to create scenarios involving numerical advantages, e.g. 2v1 and 1v0 situations.

Organisation

Set up the playing area and a full-size goal like in the graphic above
Place a goalkeeper in the goal and position 1 orange player at each red cone, and 1 blue player at each yellow cone.

Explanation

The exercise starts with the central blue player in possession. They pass the ball to a team-mate positioned at a yellow cone.
Once they have played the pass, the central blue player runs in front of or behind the defender who closes down the recipient of their pass.
The blues look to create 2v1 and 1v0 scenarios and try to score.
The objective for the oranges is to defend the goal.
The offside rule applies.
After repeating the sequence 3 times, 1 blue player swaps roles with the team-mate waiting on the outside of the exercise area.
After repeating the sequence twice, 1 orange player swaps roles with the team-mate waiting on the outside of the exercise area.

Key coaching points

(1/5) The player who begins the sequence can either make a run in front of or behind the defender who closes down the recipient of their pass.

(2/5) In this instance, the player who begins the sequence makes a run between the defender and the recipient of their pass. This cross/screen movement creates both a numerical advantage around the ball and doubt in the defence.

(3/5) Good practice: Following a transition that occurs at a distance from goal and when the ball is in a wide area, players should look to unbalance the defence by making a parallel run.

(4/5) The parallel run causes the opposition to cover one side of the exercise area and, as a result, it opens up space to exploit on their weak side.

(5/5) Good practice: Following a transition that creates a 3v2 overload, the attackers (oranges) should look to occupy all three channels and shift the ball into the central channel.

Roles of coaches

First coach: leads the session and emphasises the importance of the players’ off-the-ball movement.
Second coach: observes the action and offers support and encouragement.