Gafferbook
Patterns of play ยท U9 to U11

7v7 2-3-1: rotate and release

A simple rotation for 7v7: the wide midfielder comes inside, the defender behind them runs down the line. Young players learn that moving changes the picture.

U9 to U11Ages
6 to 8 plus a keeperPlayers
Two thirds of a 7v7 pitchArea
15 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Keeper, two defenders, three midfielders and a striker.
  • Start unopposed, then add two defenders.

Equipment: Goal, cones, balls

How it works

  1. Keeper rolls to a defender.
  2. Wide midfielder comes inside for the ball; the defender on that side runs down the line.
  3. Wide midfielder plays them in; cross or cut-back for the striker.

Coaching points

  • Come inside to show for it.
  • When your teammate comes in, you go out.
  • Cross early along the ground.

Formations this drill suits

2-3-1 (7v7) drills3-2-1 (7v7) drills2-1-2-1 (7v7) drills3-1-2 (7v7) drills

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Coach calls when to run

Make it harder

  • Live defenders, play to a finish

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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4-4-2 wide 2v1: full-back and wide midfielder

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4-2-3-1: finding the number 10 between the lines

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