COACHING SESSION: SHAPING THE 3-5-2 PLAYING SYSTEM
 

1) Game always starts with a throw-out from the keeper. Here, the defenders work the ball forward.

2) The midfielders continue to pass forward.

3) One now runs at the defence and plays it to his right.

4) The left side defender is drawn over and the Reds play it out to the supporting wide player in space.

5/ He runs at goal and shoots into the far corner of the net. The game restarts with the 3 yellow defenders joining the 5 midfielders and they now attack the opposite goal.

LEFT-CLICK image to start animation & REMOVE MOUSE CURSOR from image to return to original image. For an explanation of the various symbols, CLICK HERE. For Flash version -

 
Organisation:

- 8v3 + 2 Goalkeepers. The possession team of 8 includes 3 defenders & 5 midfielders playing against 3 defenders.
- Pitch of around 3/4 length.
 
Variations:
- Add two strikers to play in front of the 3 defenders and two strikers to the defending team who will try to defend the initial throw out by the keeper.
- Vary pitch size.
- Add zones to limit player movements and introduce two-touch play.
- See 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 variations.
 
Tips:
- The large numerical superiority allows pre-determined moves to be carried out. Here, we see how by playing through the middle, space can be created on the wings. The attacking team must always concentrate on using the space which is often available behind the two wing-backs.
- Each attack should end in a shot at goal. When the attack is finished (shot, save, goal-kick, loss of possession...), the game turns around allowing end to end attacking play.
 

For the Flash version of this goal - For our other coaching sessions, visit our archive.