A A CREATING SPACE IN THE MIDFIELD
The Moment that Possession Changes  The  Turnover
How to create space or deny space
Key:
Playing at the  Turnover  the steal and the strike
X Attacking Y Defending
Structure/Organisation
" On a pitch 60y x 40y
" Three zones coned off as indicated.
" Three Ys and three Xs in each zone and two goalkeepers.
" The ball must be played through the midfield zone.
" Touches should not be restricted.
" One midfield player can break into the attacking zone.
Objectives:
X
X X
" To force a turnover in the tighter mid-field zone.
Y
" To create a goal-scoring opportunity as quickly as possible.
Y Y
" To utilise the imbalance of the opposition if possession is regained in
the defensive zone. Play forward quickly and mid-field players create
depth and angles to allow the momentum of the attack to continue
X X
forward. Then support front players and create a counter attack on
Y X
opposing goal.
Y Y
Opportunities:
" To coach and develop the attitude to striking out from a defensive
x
position.
x
x
" To emphasize the importance of finishing each attack with a strike
Y
on goal, thereby minimising the risk of being hit while unbalanced.
Y
Y
" Develop movement around the box to allow for penetration and
striking at goal.
Secondary coaching possibilities:
To coach mid-field players angles of meeting up and creating depth in the mid-
field. Possibly running away opponents.
Strikes at goal can be timed from turnover but this takes away the possibility of
a secondary counter-strike.
Y Y
Play Through Mid-Field
X3 X3 Y
Structure/Organisation:
Y Y
On pitch 70y x 50y
10 vs 10 including goalkeepers
Y
Y X2
Objectives:
X2 X2 Y
Top encourage passing through mid-field, X1s must play to X2s when in
possession and not play long direct to X3 when the ball is with X2s. One X1
can overload the middle zone to create 4 vs 3. X2s then look to attack the X1
X1 Y Y
goals linking with X3s. Two X2s can overload the attacking zone to create 4 vs
4. No Ys can play outside their designated zone.
X1 X1
Key Factors:
" Create space
" Support the player in possession
" Look to play through defenders