Connecting Midfielders to Forwards

Posted on November 30, 2009 by soccersource360

Connecting Midfielders to Forwards
Many teams observed over the past week failed to combine their forwards with midfielders in attack. The problem can be seen in from two different perspectives. Forwards often turn and attack in numbers down situations without looking to combine with midfield players. On many occasions midfield players do not support the forwards once the ball has been played up the field. Players need to understand that the team attacks as one unit.

Suggestions:

Show your team the number of forwards your team plays with in comparison to the number of defenders your team uses. Point out that the opposition is similar in the deploying players.
Instruct your forwards to not force the play into number down situations.
Instruct the midfield unit to transition quickly into the attack once a forward has the ball.
Show midfield players that one or more can go in advance of the ball once the forward has turned and has their head up.
Make sure at least one midfield player stays negative of the ball. (keep balance)
Recognize the difference in connecting the midfield unit in different parts of the field.
Follow the animated progression below.

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4v0 Connection Group of four players pass the ball in diamond shape. After a few passes one player drifts out of the diamond about 20 yards away. A pass is then made to this player and the remaining three players connect as quickly as possible to reform the diamond.
4v1 Connection Same as above but an opponent is added.
4v2 Connect to a target (directional) Eight players are divided into a group of five and three. The group of five puts four players in one 7 by 5 yard grid and one player in the 7 by 5 yard grid located 15 yards apart. The group of three places two players in the grid with the four opponents and the ball an one player in the other grid. 4v2 is played until a pass can be made into the team mate in the other grid. Three of the four players on the team that made the pass move to connect with their team mate with the ball, while one opponent makes a recovery run. The activity resumes and is played in the opposite direction
6v6 Connecting into the attacking third 4v4 is played in the middle third with a 2v2 + Gk placed in the attacking third. Once a pass is made into the attacking third, three attackers look to connect and support the ball. All four defenders can recover.
6v6 Connecting into the middle third Same as above but from the defensive third to the middle third with the goal of the forward to combine with a midfield player in the middle third.
11v11 Has your session had an impact on the players.