Role of First Attacker "Commit & Connect"

Training players how to attack with the ball

Purpose: The role of the first attacker is to maintain possession and attack space.
The player in possession of the ball is considered the first attacker. The key
to success in the attack is understanding what to do immediately when you
come to possess the ball. This session will teach the players when and how
to attack space and when to turn away from pressure to maintain
possession; the key to success when on the ball.
Equipment: Cones, pinnies, balls.
Progression: Unrestricted:
Dribbling in pairs in a large grid. The players alternate working on the
attacking moves with a defender giving pressure but not trying to with the
ball. Switch intermittently between defender and attackers.

Restricted:
The game becomes one v one to lines in teams. This is a fast moving game
which is the building block for training the role of the first second and third
attackers.

One goal with counters:

Play four v four in a slightly larger grid with an emphasis on the attack.
One team is playing to a counter goal, with the team playing to the large
goal being the team to focused on first attacker principles. Rotate teams
continually

Two goals:
This is a game with two large goals and the rules encouraging attacking
with the ball and understanding when and how to attack the defender
Coaching Should I attack space or play away from pressure?
Points: Can I make the defender engage?
Can I beat the defender or should I pass to a teammate?
Look to attack space
Look to maintain possession
Attack the front foot of the defender as he steps
Attack the heel of the front foot
Once you beat him, get behind him
It is all right to use your body
Look to be aggressive when in middle and attacking third
Look to be careful when in defensive third.
Use two speeds, slow down then accelerate past him
THE SESSION

Activity Setup

Players in pairs

Play in a 50x40 grid

Players pair up in the grid
One player is the attacker, on the
defender
Defender is 100% but passive in
trying to win

Coaching Points:

Engage the defender

Attack space
Maintain possession
Make a move and beat the defender

1 v 1 to lines in a 30 x 10

Red play ball in to blue

Blue receive and attack Red
If blue wins-make it take it. New blue
attacks new red
If Red wins, turn away and play back
to red
Attacker who lost ball is now defender
If ball goes out attacker is loser so he
defends
vs. new red who dribbles out with bal.
Attacker must beat with dribble

Coaching Points:

Learn to attack in tight spaces

Take on a defender, make a move,
beat him and keep him behind you
Attack the front foot of defender
Use your body to keep him behind
you
When you win, spin out to keep
possession

*Side note for defenders.

Make predicted curved, runs sideway on
1v1 in the center circle

Make two teams

One player from each in the middle
Ball starts on the outside
Teammate play to player in the middle
who must turn, face and beat the
opponent, then they play out and the
other dribbles in
The defender is in until he wins, then
he can play out or beat the new
defender and get out

Coaching Points: same as above

4v4 or 5v5 in a 40x30

Play to large goals

Just play with emphasis on the player
with the ball

Coaching Points

Know when to attack space vs when

to turn away
Engage the defender
Know when to beat with dribble vs
when to engage then pass