Soccer Problem

"The most difficult thing is not to teach a fullback to participate in attacking-because he likes that-but to find someone else who is covering up."1
Rinus Michels

Midfielders do not cover the sweepers forward runs. Sweepers that will not come forward to add to the teams buildup and attack.

Objective. Create a situation where the midfielders must assume responsibility to cover the sweeper when he goes forward. Create a situation where the sweeper can choose a moment to come forward.

Organization. Basic field with a 3 yard wide goal located 3 yards off of the field.

Rules. 3v3, each team has a sweeper/keeper. The S/K must stay in the area between his goal and the field. The S/K can enter the field when he is in possession giving his team a 3v2 advantage. When a team loses possession the opponents can score a goal by making a pass (or two) before the defenders reestablish the S/K. Example: Orange is in possession and is playing 3v2 on the field. They lose possession and blue makes a pass before any orange player is back off of the field and in the S/K role. Blue gets a point and keeps the ball. This game allows both teams to play 3v2 without using a neutral player.

TIC. When should the S/K come out and when should he stay and play the ball out? How can his team mates play to put the defenders in the worst possible positions? (See example, one up, one back, S/K comes out behind the up player. It's a plan.) On the loss of possession who should cover back? How can two defenders work together against three attackers? Real soccer problems that require real solutions.

Wing play game.

Counter attacking game.

Front and back.

Midfield game.

Numbers up game.

Sweeper keeper game.

Free form games