Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 4: Playing with Overloads & Equal Numbers

4 complete training sessions with 16 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Week 4 of pre-season deals with group tactical behaviour in attack. In the main part of training, players practise in small groups how to play out overloads in 2 vs 1, 3 vs 2 or 4 vs 3.

In the 2nd half of the week, the focus then shifts to playing with equal numbers, with particular attention to the 2 vs 2 and 3 vs 3.

In the fitness area, work is done on endurance once more this week. As before, this is built with the ball, through intensive small-sided games in small groups.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

After a short warm-up, today's training session trains both the 2 vs 1 and the 3 vs 2. The standard here should be that a goal is scored from almost every attack. If the players observe the following fundamentals of the 3 vs 2 and 2 vs 1, nothing should stand in the way of this expectation.

Coaching points for this session

2 vs 1:

  • Dribble at the defender and commit them
  • Pass into the team-mate's path at the ideal moment

3 vs 2:

  • As a rule, the central player carries the ball (as a pass to either side is possible)
  • take up positions as wide as necessary
  • if the defenders do not engage the central player in time – take the shot yourself
Drill 1

Overload Game with Change of Area

15 min
  • The start is a 4 vs 2 in one area; the team with the overload tries to keep the ball within its own ranks.
  • If the team that is outnumbered wins the ball, it tries to pass it into the other area to its own team-mates.
  • If this succeeds, two players each from the red and the blue team move across into the other area at high speed, and the overload game starts again — now the red team has the overload.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones form two areas 15 metres apart.

Equipment: 8 cones, 1 ball and bibs if required.

Players: Two teams, spread across the two areas.

Coaching points
  • After the change of area, quickly create width and depth in the area.
  • Carry out the change of area at maximum speed.
Drill 2

2 vs 1: Finishing After a One-Two and a Through Ball

20 min
  • The central midfielder passes the ball towards the striker.
  • The striker breaks away from the dummy, that is the passive opponent, and plays the ball to the right-back.
  • The right-back takes the ball forward and plays a one-two with the right midfielder, who then shows for the ball again further forward towards goal.
  • The right midfielder takes the ball in the stride at speed and dribbles towards the opposing defender in the penalty area.
  • The right midfielder and the striker, who joins the attack, play a 2 vs 1 on goal and finish.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three dummies and one goal.

Equipment: 3 dummies, 1 goal and at least 2 balls.

Players: One central midfielder at the centre circle, one striker four to five metres in front of the penalty area, one right-back on the right-hand flank in front of the halfway line, one right midfielder wide out on the wing plus one opposing defender in the penalty area.

Coaching points
  • Watch out for offside.
  • Dribble directly at the defender.
  • Get to the finish promptly.
Drill 3

3 vs 2 in a Zone with Finishing

25 min
  • Player A passes into Player B's run.
  • Player B takes the ball in the stride in an open body position and passes to Player C, who is getting free.
  • Player B pushes up to make it a 3 vs 2.
  • Players B, C and D try to get to a finish.
  • The defenders may only defend inside the zone and do not follow outside it; after winning the ball they counter-attack over the zone line.

Note: After a round the players move on — A to B, B to C, C to D and D to A. After a few minutes the attackers and the defenders are swapped.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones — four blue and two red — plus two poles mark out the playing area and the zone.

Equipment: 6 cones, 2 poles, at least 1 ball and 1 full-size goal.

Players: The attackers A, B, C and D plus two defenders.

Coaching points
  • Watch out for offside.
  • The final pass in behind the defenders must be well timed.
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
Drill 4

Overload Game 3 vs 2

20 min
  • The player outside the playing area starts the game with a pass.
  • The game is 3 vs 2 on two mini goals.
  • As soon as the ball goes out of play or a team scores a goal, the other team gets the ball and now starts the drill with the overload itself.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four large and four small cones mark out the playing area; plus four mini goals.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, 8 cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: Two teams plus one player outside the playing area who starts the game.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to make the game wide.
  • The defenders work in the space and step in at the right moment.
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

The 2nd session also deals with attacking with an overload. The 3 vs 2 remains the focus.

To start, a passing drill is carried out in which the focus is on playing the ball precisely into the team-mate's forward movement. Without causing any loss of tempo. Because when an overload situation is transferred to 11 vs 11, the attack should be finished quickly. Otherwise recovering defenders have the chance to turn the overload into a numerical disadvantage or equal numbers.

In Exercise 3 the scenario with the recovering defender is then also applied in a match-like way.

Coaching points for this session

3 vs 2:

  • As a rule, the central player carries the ball (as a pass to either side is possible)
  • take up positions as wide as necessary
  • if the defenders do not engage the central player in time – take the shot yourself
  • Play the ball into the team-mate's forward run without the team-mate losing pace
Drill 1

Star Passing Drill

15 min
  • The player with the ball plays a one-two with the support player in the middle and passes the ball on first time to the team-mate in the bottom right corner.
  • That player passes on, first time if possible, to the next corner at the top right, where the player there also plays a one-two first time with the second support player in the middle.
  • The ball is then passed on, first time if possible, to the player in the top left corner.
  • The starting position and the diagonally opposite side always play a one-two with the middle.
  • After their action the players always move on one position.

Variations: Change the direction of play after 7 to 10 minutes.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones — four for the corners and two for the support positions in the middle.

Equipment: 6 cones and 2 balls.

Players: At least seven players.

Coaching points
  • Play the ball cleanly into the outside foot.
  • Every pass is accompanied by a call.
Drill 2

Transition Play with an Overload

25 min
  • While the third team — Players 7, 8 and 9 — is in the waiting position, the first team with Players 1, 2 and 3 forms the attack and the second team with Players 4, 5 and 6 the defence. Player 6 is in the waiting position.
  • Once the attack is finished, Player 6 pushes up with the ball, so that this team now forms the attack.
  • Two players of the waiting third team — 7 and 8 — now form the defence. Player 9 waits until that team gains possession of the ball.
  • This cycle repeats continuously.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two goals.

Equipment: 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Three teams of three players each.

Coaching points
  • Demand quick transitions.
  • Get to the finish promptly.
  • Make the game wide.
Drill 3

From 3 vs 1 to 3 vs 2

20 min
  • The three red attackers in the square play four passes in a 3 vs 1.
  • The receiver of the fourth pass dribbles out of the area and passes to one of the two team-mates, who show for the ball accordingly.
  • An attack is then played out in a 3 vs 2.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form a square level with the halfway line; plus one goal.

Equipment: 4 cones, 1 goal and at least 1 ball.

Players: Three attackers plus the defenders.

Coaching points
  • Play forward purposefully.
  • Get to the finish promptly.
Drill 4

Finishing with an Overload

25 min
  • The green team starts in a 2 vs 1 and tries to get to a finish as quickly as possible.
  • After every finish — whether it goes in or not — one more attacking player with a new ball and one more defending player come into the playing area, so that step by step 3 vs 2, 4 vs 3, 5 vs 4 and finally 6 vs 5 are played.
  • If the red team wins the ball or the goalkeeper makes a save, the counter-attack goes on the goal at the other end.
  • As soon as all the players are in the playing area, there are five minutes of free play. A new round then begins with a 2 vs 1.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the playing area; two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 cones and at least 5 balls.

Players: One attacking team in green and one defending team in red plus two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to make the game wide.
  • Demand many 1 vs 1 situations.

Session 3

4 drills

In the main part of this training session (Exercises 2 + 3), the focus is on the attacking 2 vs 2.

At the start, a technical warm-up works once again on dribbling and taking the ball in stride.

To finish, 8 vs 8 is played with 4 goals. With the larger teams, the training is rounded off somewhat more moderately after the intensive 2 vs 2 drills.

Coaching points for this session

2 vs 2:

  • Get a shot away quickly
  • Create free space for the player on the ball through overlapping or underlapping runs
Drill 1

Dribbling with Passing in a Square

15 min
  • The players in the inner square dribble freely in the area and pass to a free support player on the sides of the outer square.
  • The passer follows the pass and swaps positions with the player who received it.
  • The player who received the ball then dribbles into the area and swaps position with the passer from the inner square.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones mark out two squares — an inner one and an outer one.

Equipment: 8 cones and half as many balls as there are players taking part.

Players: Some of the players stand in the inner square, the others as support players along the sides of the outer square.

Coaching points
  • Have different techniques performed while dribbling.
  • Move towards the team-mate's pass.
  • Keep looking up from the ball.
Drill 2

3 vs 3 + 1 to 2 vs 2 in Behind

20 min
  • After four passes, the team in possession tries to play out of the square with a pass in behind in order to score a goal.
  • Depending on the coach's instruction, one, two or three attackers may follow up immediately; defenders may not leave the square.
  • Once the ball has been played out of the square, the two defenders at the goal area may intervene actively.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form a square on the halfway line.

Equipment: 4 cones, bibs, at least 1 ball and 1 full-size goal.

Players: Two teams of three and one neutral player, who plays with the team in possession, are in the square. Two defenders are in the penalty area.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to tempo inside the square as well.
  • The defenders wait for the attackers while on the move.
  • Get to the finish as quickly as possible.
Drill 3

Double Action: Finish and 2 vs 2

20 minDouble penalty area.

The first players of the Groups A and B dribble forward at the same time and finish at the penalty area line.

  1. Immediately after the shot both switch to defending.
  2. They play 2 vs 2 against the first players of the Groups C and D, who now attack.
  3. If no goal is scored within one minute, the action is stopped and all players leave the playing area.

The next two players of the Groups A and B then start.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Double penalty area, marked out with four cones. At both ends there is a goal with a goalkeeper.

Equipment: 2 goals, 4 cones, 8 to 12 balls.

Players: Four groups A, B, C and D as shown in the graphic. The Groups A and B have the balls.

Coaching points
  • Encourage 1 vs 1 situations with feints and dribbling.
  • Lose no time after the finish.
  • Insist on very quick finishes.
Drill 4

8 vs 8 to Four Cone Goals

25 min30 x 40 metres.

Both teams play against each other with an unlimited number of touches. The red team defends the two red cone goals and attacks the two blue ones, the blue team the other way round.

Progression:

  • Limit to three touches.
  • Limit to two touches.
  • One-touch play with a single touch.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: An area marked out with cones measuring 30 x 40 metres. In the middle of each of the four lines there is a cone goal — two red and two blue.

Equipment: 12 cones.

Players: Two teams of eight players each.

Coaching points
  • In defence, shift across as a unit depending on the position of the ball.
  • On winning the ball, switch quickly. If that is not possible, control the ball and move the opponents with deliberate passing until a space opens up to finish.
  • Always keep an eye on the opponents and on the goals to be defended.
  • Play passes firmly and accurately and keep the timing of the pass.
  • On losing possession, switch to defence immediately.
  • Talk to each other and organise the shape.
  • When play gets stuck, switch the play and do not commit to one goal.
  • Where possible, build up quick passing moves and look for the pass in behind.
  • In possession, change positions and do not play statically.

Session 4

4 drills

The attacking 3 vs 3 rounds off the week with the aim of teaching the fundamentals of attacking group tactics.

But before moving on to the training focus, the session starts with an exciting handball variation.

In Exercises 2 and 3 the attacking 3 vs 3 is then worked on intensively, first with dribbling goals, later with full-size goals.

Because of the high training frequency, the final part deliberately works in a large group again so that the load does not become too great.

Coaching points for this session

3 VS 3:

  • Get a shot away quickly
  • Attacking 1 vs 1 is also a possible solution
  • Demand creative solutions – crossing runs, overlapping runs, etc.
  • Use the width of the playing area
Drill 1

Crossbar Handball

15 min
  • Two teams play against each other under handball rules, but without bouncing the ball.
  • Points are scored when the ball is thrown against the opposition's crossbar.
  • If the ball lands on the ground, the opposing team gets the ball.

Handball rules:

  • A player may hold the ball in the hands for a maximum of three seconds.
  • No more than three steps may be taken with the ball in the hands; after that it has to be passed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the playing area; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 cones and 1 ball.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • After the throw against the crossbar, immediately try to win the second ball.
  • Play the passes crisply and do not throw the ball in an arc over the opponents.
  • Move the ball quickly.
  • Constantly create passing options.
Drill 2

3 vs 3 to Dribbling Goals

15 min15 x 20 metres or 20 x 20 metres
  • The game is played as a free 3 vs 3.
  • Goals only count if a player dribbles over the opposition's dribbling line — the red team over the right line, the green team over the left one.
  • If a team scores a dribbling goal, possession passes to the other team and a new 3 vs 3 starts.

Variations:

  • As a competition, until one team has scored 3, 5 or 10 goals.
  • With considerably more than six players, change the attacking team after every goal or mark out several playing areas and play in parallel.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form the dribbling goals on the left and on the right, further cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: At least six players, split into two teams of three.

Coaching points
  • Demand plenty of 1 vs 1 situations.
  • The goals are very wide, so switches of play create a lot of space.
Drill 3

Double 3 vs 3

20 min
  • In each of the two playing areas a 3 vs 3 is played towards one goal.
  • Every action starts from the feeder player, who is positioned opposite the goal.
  • The team in possession tries to finish in the 3 vs 3 on the goal with a goalkeeper.
  • If the defenders win the ball, they have to pass to the feeder player on the outside.
  • This switches the right to attack: the feeder player now plays the ball to the other team, which in turn tries to finish.
  • The playing time per round is three minutes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out two playing areas, each with one goal.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 cones and 2 balls.

Players: In each playing area two teams of three, a feeder player marked in grey opposite the goal and a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Actively encourage dribbling.
  • Use the full width when in possession.
  • The defenders are forced to press immediately.
Drill 4

6 + 6 vs 6

25 min
  • The drill starts with Z1, who plays the ball out to the red team. The game is 6 vs 6 inside the playing area plus six outside players.
  • The teams have the task of switching the ball from Z1 to Z2 — the red team — and from Z2 to Z1 — the yellow team. If this succeeds, the team gets a point and possession changes.
  • The outside players act as additional passing options for the team in possession and always play the ball first time.
  • The players inside are free in their actions, but may only play ground passes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the playing area with two end zones.

Equipment: 4 cones and 1 ball.

Players: Two teams of six outfield players each, plus six outside players and two players as Z1 and Z2 in the end zones.

Coaching points
  • The area is narrow — look for depth quickly.
  • Make sure to be available for a pass in an open body position.
  • Constantly create enough passing options.
  • Use the full size of the playing area so that the space does not become unnecessarily tight.
  • Exploit the numerical advantage created by the outside players cleverly.
  • The centre must always be occupied.
More on this topic Overloads · 2 ready-made sessions View sessions →
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