Tactics / Build-up
Long ball, then the second ball
A planned long pass to the striker, with midfielders already close enough to win the loose ball that follows.
Why it works
A long ball is a 50-50, but the next ball, the "second ball", goes to whoever is nearest. If our midfield has pushed up first, that is us.
What players do
- Before the long ball, the midfielders move up close behind the striker.
- The striker attacks the ball and tries to lay it off, not to win it outright.
- Wingers come in a little, so a loose ball sideways is still ours.
- Use it as a plan, not a panic: only when their press has closed the short options.
Common mistakes
- Kicking long with the midfield still deep, so they win every second ball.
- The striker trying to win everything in the air.
- Going long every time, even when a short pass was on.
With young players
Not for young players as a main plan. Playing out teaches far more. In 9v9 and below, keep it as plan B.
Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.
Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.
What it asks of each player
The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.
- GKGoalkeeper
- Aim at the striker, or the channel beside them, not just for distance.
- Kick it high enough to clear their midfield.
Position guide: Goalkeeper
- DEFDefenders
- Push up behind the ball so the team stays close together.
- Push up to halfway with the ball.
- Win any loose ball facing forward.
Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back
- MIDMidfielders
- Get close to the striker before the ball lands. Win the loose ball.
- Be five metres from the striker before the ball lands.
- Win the loose ball, then play it forward quickly.
Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder
- ATT
Practices that train it
Start with the first, and build up to the game.
game · 20 min · Everyone
The game
Finish every session with a real game, in the format your players play on match days.
transition · 15 min · 9 to 14, plus 2 goalkeepers
Attack, then defend: waves
Two attack one. When the attack ends, the one defender and a new partner attack the other way against the players who just attacked. Nobody rests for long, and everyone switches quickly between attacking and defending.
game · 15 min · 8 to 12 (4v4 to 6v6)
End-zone game
Score by dribbling into the end zone, or by receiving a pass in it. Encourages running with the ball and forward passes.