Line timing

With backs and forwards becoming mixed together in the second and third phase of a play, timing onto the ball is more difficult. Use this session with the whole team to work on your lines of running, passing and ways to put pace onto the ball.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 5-7
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Mixing backs and forwards in an attacking phase means the timings of runs and passes will be different. Backs have to accept that some forwards might not give and take a pass as quickly. Therefore, they might have to delay their runs. It is also possible to miss players, either in front or behind. The missed player should be running towards the pass if possible, to hold the defenders. Finally, try to put a player or two behind the front line of attackers, to provide some options for pace into the line.

set-up

1. Move the ball quickly to players in better positions to attack.
2. Don’t run until the inside man moves.
3. Attack hard to hold defenders.

What you get your players to do

Put at least five attackers in a lateral line, mixing backs with forwards. Have the players pass the ball along the line to the last player, who runs forward to score at the end of the box. In the meantime, have a defender run along the line to see if he can catch “man and ball”. Swap roles. Now, realign the attackers so they have at least one metre of depth and repeat. Keep adjusting the depths. Players can choose whether to run forward or stay static.