VINCE GANZBERG // UNITED SOCCER COACHES DIRECTOR OF COACHING EDUCATION

Space : 30L x 25W Two lines on each end . Place a 6 , 8 and 10 in the middle of an area .

The diagram shows one of the patterns you can use . There are many other patterns that can be implemented . The idea is to shape up the middle three to provide them with ideas to penetrate in the central channel of the field .

Purpose : To simulate playing in the central channel of the middle third .

Two teams . Each team has a 6 , 8 and 10 . Blue team : 4 ( center back ), 6 , 8 , 10 and 9 . Red striped team : 4 ( center back ), 6 , 8 , 10 , 7 and 11 . The game is directional .

One team ( blue ) is attempting to start on one end and play to the other blue target . The blue target is marked by a player from the other team ( red stripe ). When the blue target player ( 9 ) receives the ball they can turn and score into one of the two central goals . Note : They can play the ball back into one of the 3 central midfielders to score as well .

The other team ( red striped ) is attempting to score in the two wide goals .

The player for the blue team is allowed to try and stop the red striped team from playing into one of the two goals . This will force that team to look to change the point of attack .

52 | Soccer Journal continued on page 54