Football Association of Ireland

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Attacking Defending

Attacking Through The Thirds with Transition

A practice designed to help break down a defensive set up who sit deep with transition.

Key objectives

Starting Positions – width and depth in each zone, looking to play in between and behind the lines
Midfielder’s movement to receive, look to play forward, open body shape – play in the halfspaces
Quality of pass, accuracy and pace
Encourage 1 v 1’s in wide areas in Zone 3
Communication between units and patience on the ball
When players in Zone 4, encourage players to be creative in their decision making and movement
Transition to defend can we win the ball back as quickly as possible as high up as possible

Organisation

Area: Full Width of the pitch with 4 zones and 3 Gates positioned 5 metres along halfway line
10 Blues v 9 Yellows + Goalkeeper. Players to stay in their zones up until Zone 4
Zone 1: 2 Blues v 1 Yellow, Zone 2: 5 Blues v 4 Yellows, Zone 3: 3 Blues v 4 Yellows, Zone 4: 0 Blues v Yellow Goalkeeper
Blue team attack the goal whilst building up through the thirds, Yellow team attempt to stop Blue team and when in possession must score by playing the ball through one of the 3 Yellow gates. Yellow players when in attack can leave their zones.
When Blue team get into Zone 4, players can enter that zone but Blue team must be mindful of transition to defend if Yellow team gain possession.

Session details

Attacking
Defending

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Session plan

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