Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 30: Winter Preparation

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

In the first 3 weeks of the winter preparation, the main focus was on coaching the technical basics. Players worked on receiving the ball, dribbling, heading, finishing and passing. In parallel, practices on individual tactical behaviour in the 1 vs 1 and on improving coordination were also carried out.

In the 2nd part of the winter preparation for the second half of the season, team tactics and athletics are refined.

The aim is to learn the basics of defensive behaviour and options in the build-up in a 4-4-2.

Working out solutions in the winter preparation

This week, players will learn options for the build-up in a 4-4-2. This also covers the usual opposition formations and their weaknesses, and how these can be exploited in a 4-4-2.

In possession, the 4-4-2 becomes a 2-4-4, because the wide players push up one position. This means the full-backs, the centre-backs and the two central midfielders are involved in the build-up. The two strikers and the wide midfielders try to make the pitch big and act as passing options in depth.

On the one hand, the strengths of the 4-4-2 are the doubled-up flanks. This means that overloads can be created on the wing against systems such as the 4-1-2-1-2 or the 4-3-3.

On the other hand, the even distribution of positions helps to open up the playing space quickly.

Session 1

4 drills

The first session on build-up play in a 4-4-2 will mainly be about switching play quickly in order to create overloads on the wing. Switches of play can be particularly effective against a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond, because the flanks are occupied by only “one” player. Of course, switches of play can also be used effectively against other formations. Especially when the opponent's far-side wide players tuck in a long way. What matters when switching play in a 4-4-2 is that the far-side full-back and wide midfielder push up as high as possible in order to make the best use of the space gained. The switch can be carried out, for example, by passing the ball across the back four with firm passes and 2 touches. Individual positions can also be skipped if the match situation allows. For example, the ball can be played directly from the right centre-back to the left full-back.

With quick switches, it is important that the ball is played into the team-mate's run or to their front foot wherever possible, so that the attack loses no pace. This is trained in the first 20 minutes of the session with a passing drill.

In the 3rd exercise of the session, the switch of play is then trained in a match-realistic 8 vs 8. After the players have learnt to switch play quickly in a 4-4-2, the 4th exercise trains very specifically how to use the space gained. A 3 vs 2 is played out on the wing to set up a delivery for 2 strikers.

Coaching points for this session
  • Wide midfielders: make the game deep
  • In the build-up, make the game big
  • In possession, play in a 2-4-4

Switch of play:

  • Play with 2 touches
  • Play to the front foot or into the path
  • Play past positions
  • Push up accordingly on the far side
  • Use the space gained purposefully
Drill 1

Passing in a Square - Passing into the Run

20 min
  • The red player plays the ball into the zone of the blue player, who has asked for it beforehand.
  • The blue player takes the ball on under control and plays it on to the next player — here to the yellow one.
  • The drill continues in this way.

Variations: After a few rounds, change the direction of play.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four zones are set up with 16 cones.

Equipment: 16 cones and balls.

Players: At least one player stands at each zone, at least two at the starting position.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball on with the outside foot and play it with that foot.
Drill 2

Station Training Explosive Power / Speed

25 min
  1. Jumps over mini hurdles, then a sprint through the hoops with one contact per hoop; to finish, a sprint over ten metres.
  2. In pairs, pass a medicine ball to each other in fast, low side steps — four repetitions over four metres; then a sprint start over ten metres.
  3. Six diagonal, one-legged jumps into the hoops, then a sprint start over ten metres.
  4. The players hold their partner by the hips during a sprint over about five metres; then a sprint start over ten metres follows.
  5. Shuttle run in pairs over 5, 10 and 5 metres.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Five stations with hurdles, hoops and cones; a sprint distance of ten metres is marked out at every station.

Equipment: Hurdles, hoops, cones and one medicine ball.

Players: The players work in pairs at the stations.

Coaching points
  • Start the sprints explosively at the transition.
  • The quality of the drills must not suffer despite the intensity.
Drill 3

10 vs 10 + 1 Switch of Play

25 minHalf a pitch
  • The game is played 10 vs 10.
  • One team plays on the regular goal, the other on the three mini goals.
  • One team additionally has a goalkeeper who is to be used to create a numerical advantage and to escape the pressing.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: At one end there is one goal, at the other three mini goals.

Equipment: 1 goal, 3 mini goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of ten players each; one team additionally has a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Make the game wide and deep.
  • Push up as high as possible on the flanks without standing in the cover shadow.
  • Switch play quickly — with two touches, with enough pace on the pass, by luring the opponent in, with passes into the front foot or into the path, and by playing past individual positions.
  • The centre-backs drop off far enough to be available for a pass.
  • Use the space gained on the flanks purposefully and play out the attacks at speed and with a numerical advantage.
Drill 4

3 vs 2 on the Wing

20 min30 x 10 metres on the wing
  • The game starts in the corridor with a 3 vs 2.
  • The aim of the three attackers is to deliver a cross into the penalty area from the level of the yellow cone onwards.
  • The two waiting attackers run into the penalty area with the cross and take it first time wherever possible.
  • If the two defenders win the ball, they try to dribble out of the corridor towards the halfway line.

Variations: Have the drill carried out on the other side of the pitch as well.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: On one wing a corridor of about 30 x 10 metres is marked out with cones, running from the halfway line to the goal line. On the corridor line facing the centre, a yellow cone marks the point from which crossing is allowed. The game is played on a full-size goal.

Equipment: Cones, one of them in a different colour, 1 goal, bibs in two colours, several balls.

Players: In the corridor three attackers play against two defenders. Two further attackers wait outside the corridor level with the penalty area, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
  • The defenders defend the space, but also block the route to the cross.
  • Play the attacks out to the end quickly.
  • Dribble at the opponent decisively and tie opponents up.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

In today's training session the players will learn solutions in build-up play when both their own team and the opposition play a 4-4-2. When the opponent has the ball, the 4-4-2 offers good cover across the width. The wings and the centre are also relatively well covered.

However, the half-spaces can be exploited well against a 4-4-2. For example, with a pass from the centre-back into the gap between the opposing central midfielder and the wide midfielder. Since we are playing a 4-4-2 ourselves and the half-spaces are not occupied, a player has to run into them just before the pass. Either the ball-side striker or the wide midfielder.

When playing into the half-spaces, it is important that the central midfielders hold the centre or even move away from the ball, instead of moving with the direction of the opponent's shift. This pins the opponent's two central midfielders in the centre and makes the half-space easier to play into.

If the defending team's wide midfielder holds the centre for a long time and does not open the passing lane into the half-space, the centre-back can bring the ball-side full-back into play. It is important that the full-back is at least level with the opposing midfield line, so that this line can be bypassed.

If the centre-back succeeds with the pass into the half-space to the striker or the wide midfielder, there are usually 3 options:

  • The receiver has enough space: the centre-back or another team-mate should give the call “Turn!”. The opponent's last line can now be dribbled at and the players can look to play in behind the defence,
  • The defender follows the receiver and there is no passing option: it is important that the ball is now taken in stride with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • The defender follows the receiver, who has passing options: after the forward pass, it is important that the ball-side full-back and central midfielder push up in support for a lay-off. The lay-off by the striker or wide midfielder should be played with the foot furthest from the opponent.
Coaching points for this session
  • Make the game wide and deep
  • Strikers and wide midfielders: run into the half-spaces just before a pass. In doing so, do not come towards the passer further than necessary.
  • Central midfielders: hold the centre or drop away on the far side
  • Centre-backs: play forward passes with sufficient pace. For longer distances, a low pass with the inside of the instep is a good option.
  • Full-backs: keep the game wide and play as high as possible. However, do not play in the opponent's cover shadow.
  • Ball-side full-back and central midfielder: as soon as the forward pass has been played, follow the ball for a lay-off
Drill 1

Shifting Across the Middle Zone: 4 vs 4 to 4

20 minAs shown in the graphic
  • Team A passes the ball among its own players a maximum of four times.
  • Team B shifts across in order to prevent the forward pass to Team C.
  • After the fourth pass at the latest, Team A has to play to Team C.
  • If Team B wins the ball or the ball goes out of play, the game starts again with Team A or Team C.
  • Team B always closes down the receiver without leaving its middle zone.
  • The teams A and C have a maximum of two touches.
  • After four minutes the groups change over.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the corners of a square, four more in a different colour divide it across into a middle zone and two outer zones.

Equipment: 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Three teams of four players each in their own bib colour; each team occupies one zone.

Coaching points
  • Play the passes with enough firmness.
  • Show for the ball in the gaps.
Drill 2

Coordination and Acceleration II

20 min
  • The players carry out coordination and speed exercises at the three hurdles.
  • They then sprint to the finishing line.

Possible exercises at the hurdles:

  • Short steps forwards.
  • Short steps backwards.
  • Two steps forwards, one step back.
  • Short steps sideways.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four sets of three hurdles each; a finishing line is marked ten metres behind them.

Equipment: 12 hurdles.

Players: Four groups of equal size, each behind one set of hurdles.

Coaching points
  • Work on the balls of the feet.
  • Use the hands properly in the movement.
  • Sprint all the way through to the line.
Drill 3

Build-Up Play through the Back Four

30 minThree quarters of the pitch
  • The team in the build-up tries to play one of the two strikers through the three passing gates.
  • If that succeeds, the passer pushes up into the attacking zone for a 3 vs 2.
  • The defending team tries to prevent the build-up.
  • If it manages to win the ball, it can counter quickly and purposefully.
  • The drill always starts with the goalkeeper of the yellow team.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three quarters of the pitch; in the middle there are three pole goals. At the ends there are two goals.

Equipment: 2 goals, poles for three goals and several balls.

Players: Eight players against seven players; in addition goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Play the passes in behind with enough pace.
  • Follow up at speed after the pass in behind.
  • Move the ball quickly — with pace on the pass and two touches.
  • Get out of the cover shadow of the opponents.
  • Make the game wide and deep.
Drill 4

4 vs 4 + 4 Support Players

25 minDouble penalty area
  • In a double penalty area, two teams play a free game of 4 vs 4 on two goals with goalkeepers.
  • In their respective attacking half the teams have four support players.
  • The support players are positioned on the touchlines and on the goal line of the playing area and must play first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two goals, six cones to mark out the playing area and the outer zones as well as two cones near the halfway line, which mark the halves.

Equipment: 2 goals, 8 cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: Two teams of four players each, one goalkeeper each as well as four support players per attacking half.

Note: If eight outside players are assigned and split between the two teams, this can lead to long periods of standing around. Six outside players are better, with the ones on the sides playing for both teams. The roles are changed regularly.

Coaching points
  • Do not block the passing lanes to the support players.
  • Use the numerical advantage cleverly.
  • Get free to become available for a pass or open up the passing lanes to the support players.

Session 3

4 drills

In the last session of the training week, the players get to know the options in build-up play for a 4-4-2 against a 4-3-3. In the 4-3-3 the two centre-backs are pressed from the outside by the two wide forwards, which blocks the direct passing lane to the full-backs.

Preparing an attack through the centre is difficult because the team is outnumbered there. With one holding midfielder and 2 number eights, the middle of the pitch is very compact in the 4-3-3. The target players should therefore be the full-backs or the wide midfielders.

The full-backs can be brought into play, for example, by playing through a third player. To do this, the centre-back plays to one of the two central midfielders. This player passes the ball on to the “free” full-back, first time if possible. Alternatively, the centre-back can take the ball past the wide forward towards the centre in order to open up the passing lane to the full-back. This requires a good 1st touch from the centre-back. Alternatively, the dribbling path can also be opened up with a pass feint to the outside.

The wide midfielders can be brought into play with a diagonal lofted ball against the direction of the shift. However, if the opposing wide forwards put the centre-backs under very heavy pressure, the lofted ball becomes difficult to play. Especially when the left centre-back is left-footed and the right centre-back is right-footed. This forces the two centre-backs onto their “weaker” foot. One remedy is to have the two centre-backs swap positions. If the lofted ball to the wide midfielder comes off, the full-back should push up in support to create a 2 vs 1 on the wing.

Coaching points for this session
  • Bring the full-back into play via the third player or with a lofted ball, if the full-back has enough space to control the ball.
  • Play lofted balls against the direction of the shift where possible
  • Successful lofted ball to the wide midfielder: full-back pushes up to make a 2 vs 1
  • Centre-back: the wide forward closes down from outside at very high speed. Boldly take the ball forward
Drill 1

Playing Through the Third Player to 4 Square Goals

20 min
  • The game is played 7 vs 7 with four square zones inside the playing area.
  • A team receives a point when a team-mate is played into a square and this player then plays a third team-mate first time.

Variations:

  • Eight successful passes also give a point.
  • If the teams have difficulty scoring points, let them play 6 vs 6 with two overload players.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: 16 cones form four squares inside the playing area.

Equipment: 16 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of equal size.

Coaching points
  • Make the game big.
  • Constantly create three passing options: left, right and in the centre.
  • Demand that the players coach each other.
  • Play the ball out of the pressure.
Drill 2

Building Up Play from the Back Four

25 min
  • Team Blue has possession at the start.
  • An attack counts as completed when a pole goal has been played through or the halfway line has been dribbled across.
  • Team Red defends at the specified height and counters at the full-size goal after winning the ball.

Note: The way the goals are set up provokes the desired playing solutions. The pass through the pole goal corresponds to the long pass from the centre-back to the attacking player showing for the ball between the lines. Alternatively the full-back is played free and takes the pass across the halfway line in a dribble.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four poles form two goals ten metres behind the halfway line; at the other end there is a full-size goal.

Equipment: 1 goal, 4 poles and several balls.

Players: The team building up in blue plays in a shape derived from the 4-4-2, the defending team in red in a shape derived from the 4-2-3-1. Plus one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Dribble forward in order to commit the opponent, but do not do so in a rushed way.
  • The holding midfielder shows for the ball against the direction of the shift.
  • Show for the ball in the gaps.
  • Move out of the centre-back's dribbling path when the centre-back dribbles forward.
Drill 3

Lofted Ball with Cross and Finish

25 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A plays a lofted ball to Player B in the square.
  • Player B controls the ball in the square and sprints towards the pole.
  • In front of the pole Player B performs a step-over.
  • Then Player B crosses the ball into the penalty area to Player C or D, who make crossing runs in front of it.
  • After that the same sequence runs mirrored down the other side.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Twelve cones mark the starting points and the squares, two poles stand on the way to the penalty area.

Equipment: 12 cones, 2 poles, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Groups of four with Players A, B, C and D; in addition one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Bring the ball down to the ground quickly.
  • Take the ball in the direction of play.
  • Pick up speed immediately.
  • Place the pole further towards the centre, so that the dribble comes in on a vertical line.
  • When performing the step-over, shift the centre of gravity sufficiently and go past the pole with a change of pace.
Drill 4

Build-Up Play in 6 vs 6 with a Focus on the Number 6

30 minHalf a pitch
  • The game is 6 vs 6 with one goalkeeper.
  • At the start of the game, after the ball has gone out of play and after goals, the goalkeeper of Team Yellow always has the ball.
  • Team Yellow has the aim of dribbling through the dribbling gates or of scoring in one of the mini goals.
  • Team Green tries to win the ball and to score in the full-size goal. In doing so, it forces play out wide and defends in a midfield press.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four poles form the dribbling gates, plus two mini goals and one full-size goal.

Equipment: 4 poles, 2 mini goals, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six and one goalkeeper. Team Yellow plays with two centre-backs, two full-backs and two holding midfielders, Team Green with two strikers, two wingers and two holding midfielders.

Coaching points
  • Make the game deep and wide.
  • Demand varied solutions from the holding midfielders in the build-up: the holding midfielder nearest the ball goes, the one furthest from the ball comes.
  • Show for the ball against the direction of the shift.
  • Drop between the two centre-backs or between a centre-back and a full-back and try to dribble or pass past the first line with an overload.
  • Play past a line and use a lay-off — staggered depth.
Your training. Your web app.

Get the complete training plans in the web app

  • All 52 weeks, up to three sessions per week
  • More than 3,000 drills – many of them animated
  • Build your own training plans & share them with your team
Start for free

No subscription, no credit card. Sign up in 1 minute.