CREATING THE
ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
AG E P H AS E : U 1 7 +
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
LEVEL PART 3: 11v11 GAME KEY
• U17-First team • In this 11v11 game, the offside lines that the teams Ball movement
defend allow more repetition of attacks for the
in-possession side. Player movement
SESSION OBJECTIVES • The practice provides high levels of realism and without the ball
complexity when creating attacks.
• Develop players’ understanding of how to create • It links principles coached in the first two practices to Player movement
attacks effectively the context of the whole team, and allows for a greater with the ball
• Increase players’ understanding of their positioning understanding of how to create attacks.
to help create attacks
PART 1: 7v4 WAVE TRANSFER GAME Players
• This practice introduces concepts that will underpin the
principles of creating the attack in a 3-5-2. Cones
• It challenges the attacking team to recognise when
to play through or around the opposition.
Flat marker
• The practice can be used to highlight technical detail
and some positional detail.
Cones with
PART 2: 7v7 POSITION-SPECIFIC flat marker
ATTACK v DEFENCE
• This is a position-specific attack v defence practice. Goal
• It focuses on the in-possession team attempting to
create attacks, with an emphasis on the tactical element
of creating attacks. Mini-goal
• Wing-back and striker positioning will depend on the
type of pressure applied by the opposition.
Mannequin Pole
Football
AGE PHASE: U17+
7v4 WAVE TRANSFER GAME CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
FUNCTION 1 N C
• This is a principle-based game that takes place on a
pitch measuring 25m x 50m. There is a middle zone of A C
25m x 6m. The end zones are both 25m x 22m. B
• There are three teams of four outfield players, plus two
goalkeepers. Two neutral players (N), positioned on the A
sidelines, can support in the end zone where the ball is.
25 metres
• One team is in possession, one defends and one rests. B B
Diagram 1 shows Team A playing Team B, with Team C
off the pitch. A
• The team shape for the in-possession team – here,
Team A – replicates two midfielders, two strikers and A B
C
two wing-backs (the neutral players). The in-possession
team’s strikers must always start in the middle zone, as
shown.
• The in-possession team attempts to progress the N C
attack by moving the ball into the opposite end zone.
Diagram 1 shows how Team A uses the wing-backs to 50 metres
receive and slide a striker into space. B N
2
• After a team has had an attempt on goal, they become
the defending team. This is shown in Diagram 2, where
Team C is now in possession and attacking against B A C
Team A. Team B is now resting.
• If the defending team wins possession, they should
attempt to score as quickly as possible. If they score, C A
they are replaced in possession by the resting team,
with the team that just conceded becoming the
defending team.
C A
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
B A C
• Limit the neutral players to one-touch to increase
difficulty for the attacking team.
B N
AGE PHASE: U17+
7v4 WAVE TRANSFER GAME CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
COACHING DETAIL: TECHNICAL
BODY POSITION FORWARD RUNS
• Players should attempt to position themselves so that, • Forward runs from strikers is an area to emphasise
as they receive possession, they are able to break the throughout this practice, with a focus on the timing
opposition’s lines of pressure. and shape of runs.
• Challenge receiving players to be positioned so that • Strikers should be making runs after eye contact has
they are able to see three corners of the pitch. been made with the passer, when the passing player is
starting to put their head down to pass the ball.
PASS DETAIL • The shape of the run will allow the striker to stay onside
• Fast-paced passes to the back foot will allow the while being on the move.
in-possession side to play around or through.
• Passes played to a receiving player’s front foot might
suggest that the receiver needs to protect the ball and
find an alternative way to play forward.
RECEIVING SKILLS
• With their first touch, players should be able to receive
the ball and move it away from pressure.
• This touch should either be positive to play forward,
or an attempt to hide the ball from pressing players,
allowing possession to be circulated.
SCANNING
• Underpinning these technical actions should be a high
level of awareness from players of pressure they are
facing, and the movement of teammates.
• As such, constantly perceiving ‘the picture’ through
glances and shoulder-checks is crucial.
AGE PHASE: U17+
7v7 POSITION-SPECIFIC ATTACK v DEFENCE CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
FUNCTION 1
1
2
• This is a position-specific attack v defence practice,
which takes place in one half of a full-sized pitch. 2
• Four target mini-goals are placed on the halfway line, 3
as shown in the diagrams. 9
3
• The pitch is split into five vertical lanes, marked in line 8 8
5
with the width of the 18-yard box and six-yard box. 7
• The in-possession team, here attacking from right to
left, is made up of three midfielders, two wing-backs
6
and two strikers. The out-of-possession team is made 4 4
10
up of two midfielders, four defenders and a goalkeeper.
• Diagrams 1 and 2 show examples of how the possession 2
team can use the wing-backs to exploit width. 4
• Diagram 1 shows how the wing-back can beat the last
line of a narrow opposition block by running on to a
5 11
pass forward.
• Diagram 2 shows how to use the strikers’ runs to exploit
space behind, if the opposition back line has moved 2
1
across quickly as a block. 2
• The ball always starts with the in-possession team,
to allow them high repetitions of creating an attack. 2
• If the out-of-possession team manages to win
possession, they should attempt to score quickly in one
3
of the mini-goals on the halfway line. 3
9 8 8
5 7
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
6
4 4
• Award the attacking team double points for a one-
touch finish in the box, to incentivise going wide and
attempting crosses. 10
• At the end of the practice, let the players know there 4
2
are only five balls left: the defenders win if they keep
a clean sheet, the attackers win if they score twice. 5 11
It’s a draw if the attackers score one goal.
AGE PHASE: U17+
7v7 POSITION SPECIFIC ATTACK v DEFENCE CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
COACHING DETAIL: LOCK THE DOOR
IN POSSESSION • To be successful in attacking and have sustained
pressure in the opposition half, it is important that the
WING-BACK POSITIONING team’s rest-defending structure is coached.
• The wing-backs in the team should attempt to play as • When the ball is in a crossing position, midfielders
high as possible throughout the practice. How high will should be encouraged to ‘lock the door’.
depend on the pressure on the ball. • They should get tight to opponents or position
• In Diagram 1, the wing-back can stay high and be a themselves to pick up clearances.
threat on the last line due to lack of pressure on the ball. • This will allow them to retain possession and create
• In Diagram 2, there is pressure on the ball-carrier, another attack.
meaning the wing-back has to play slightly deeper to • When the ball is regained from a clearance, support
receive the ball on their back foot. players should be encouraged to reset their positions
quickly to regain structure.
STRIKER MOVEMENTS
• Striker movements are vital to success in this practice.
• In Diagram 1, the striker staying between the full-back COACHING DETAIL:
and centre-back pins the full-back, creating more space MANAGING THE OPPOSITION
for the wing-back.
• In Diagram 2, as the wing-back is being pressed, the COMPACT BLOCK PROTECTING THE MIDDLE
space for a corner run has opened. Quickly exploiting • The out-of-possession team should be encouraged to
this space allows for crossing opportunities. defend in a compact shape and protect the middle of
• Strikers can also recognise when to drop between lines the pitch.
to receive, depending on pressure on the ball and where • This should limit opportunities the attacking team has
the attacking midfielder (#7) is positioned. to play through the lines, forcing them into wider areas,
and allow defenders to work on defending crosses.
CROSSING POSITIONS
• As the ball is worked wide and there are opportunities
to cross, players should be attempting to hit zones:
front post, middle of goal, back post and penalty spot.
• Attacking players need to identify which zones to hit,
depending on the number of players who can make the
box and the positioning of the opposition.
• These roles can vary. In Diagram 1, #9 runs to the back
post space as #10 can hit the front/middle space.
• In Diagram 2, #9 runs to the front/middle, to open
space for the wing-back (#2) to hit the back post.
AGE PHASE: U17+
11v11 GAME CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
FUNCTION 11
• This is an 11v11 game played on a full-sized pitch. 7
• The teams are set up in a 3-5-2 formation (playing 3
2
left to right, and the coached team) and 4-2-3-1 10
(right to left). 8 8
5
• Two offside lines are marked as shown in the diagram.
The first offside line is the halfway line, for the team 6 10 7
playing 3-5-2 to defend. The second offside line, 30m
9
from the goal, is for 4-2-3-1 team to defend. 4 6
• The different offside lines should allow the 3-5-2 team 4
9
to be more attacking throughout the practice.
• The 4-2-3-1 team will often drop to their offside line, 11
3
allowing the 3-5-2 team to progress up the pitch 5
quicker when in possession.
• Having the offside line as the halfway line will help the 2
3-5-2 team work on rest-defending principles.
• Otherwise, standard football rules apply.
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
• Alter the formation of the 4-2-3-1 team to provide the
3-5-2 team with a different challenge.
AGE PHASE: U17+
11v11 GAME CREATING THE ATTACK IN A 3-5-2
COACHING DETAIL: LOCK THE DOOR
IN POSSESSION • To have sustained pressure in the opposition half,
it is important that rest-defending structure is coached.
PINNING THE BACK LINE • When the ball is in a crossing position, midfielders
• Throughout the practice, the importance of pinning the should be encouraged to ‘lock the door’.
opposition back line should be emphasised. • They should get tight to opponents or position
• Having the wing-backs and strikers attempting to themselves to pick up clearances.
occupy spaces on the back line will allow their team • This will allow their team to retain possession and
to create attacks by opening spaces between the lines, create another attack.
or create space behind when opposition players press. • When the ball is regained from a clearance, support
players should be encouraged to reset their positions
POSITIONING BETWEEN LINES quickly to regain structure.
• The attacking midfielder (#7) should attempt to play
between the lines as much as possible. This will disrupt
the opposition’s structure. COACHING DETAIL:
• If defenders jump out of the defensive line to get close MANAGING THE OPPOSITION
to this player, it will leave space behind for the strikers
and wing-backs to exploit. PRESS OR PROTECT
• If the midfielders drop deeper to cover the space for • The out-of-possession team should be encouraged to
the attacking midfielder, this will allow the attacking defend in a variety of ways.
team’s deeper midfielders or centre-backs to advance • Having players press high will place pressure on the
with the ball, creating numerical superiority. ball-carrier and possibly leave space behind to exploit.
• When the defensive team sits in a protective block,
CHANGING THE TEMPO this can create opportunities to work between the
• To be successful in attack, the in-possession team needs lines, testing the in-possession team’s ability to control
to change the tempo of play when they have broken the possession and decision-making of when to attack.
opponent’s press.
• When a player is forward-facing after breaking the
opposition line, they must increase the speed of ball
movement, to exploit the space and prevent the
opposition regaining structure.
• Understanding when to do this is vital to creating
the attack.
AGE PHASE: U17+
