Teaching Angles of Support

How to develop Angles of support OFF the ball to receive using corridors

You can use this in any size of game. Every player can move anywhere they like from both teams.

Develop: 

• You can play a straight pass forward thru your own corridor if a player moves into it from another corridor.

• If you pass it forward to an existing player in the same corridor then ultimately they receive the ball facing more or less backwards.

• If you pass it straight forward to a player entering the same corridor then it is likely they are moving and facing forward as they receive the ball which is what we are essentially trying to create.

• To start play unlimited touches, then 3 touches, then 2 touches and then one touch; when it is on to do so.

• Always encouraging the players to think and act quickly.

The set up to promote angled support

Eight corridors to play in. This teaches players to position to improve their PERIPHERAL VISION. It might only be a case of a couple of yards changing position but it can be vital in terms of retaining the ball.  The CONDITION FORCES players to move and position correctly.

(10) cannot receive the pass in the same corridor so has to move into space and into an angled support position. Now (10) receives the ball side on with better PERIPHERAL VISION, forward, back and to the side. (9) then moves off the ball also to create angled support for (10) to pass. 

Choices of pass

(10) Is now in a much better position to use awareness instincts to see options. Ultimately (10) should try to position not only side on but ultimately facing forward on their first touch. Here (8) makes a good forward run forming a natural angled position off the ball to receive.

Movements off the ball

This set up also encourages wide players to make movements between zones as they use the coned lines as a guide. Using their own imagination players will begin to interchange between zones and between each other so we get rotational movements.

Rotations and combination plays

So now we have players dropping back to support and receive (getting free from markers) and moving forward to  support and receive; rotations and combinations. 

Movement from another corridor into the passing players corridor 

Good timing is essential here where the receiving player (9) times the run to accept the pass facing forward and not breaking stride in doing so therefore the timing and weight of the pass has to be perfect too.

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Passing and Support Using Seven Players

The following post if an excerpt from the Combination Movement Section in the Soccer Awareness Training Center. Soccer Awareness Training Center provides unlimited access to Wayne Harrison's Soccer Awareness systems, training sessions, drills and more. Wayne's system helps develop world class youth soccer players and teams in a systematic and imaginative manner that guarantees performance at the highest level of competition. Whether you’re a beginning coach who needs help getting started or someone who wants to add some variety to their training sessions, the Soccer Awareness Training Center offers a wide variety of drills to choose from. Join Today

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With this overload situation it is a very good opportunity to practice overlaps, 1 – 2’s, diagonal runs in front of the ball and takeovers.

If you include a keeper then this player can pass the ball into any of the four attackers and (A) and (B) can close them down as the ball travels. Try to create a 2 v 1 set up somewhere on the field of play from the 4 v 2 situation.

Players can make their plays using each other’s movement as a decoy as well as an exchange of possession of the ball.

Playing offside makes this set up more realistic.

Condition the attacking players where they can only score with two touches (or only one touch if possible).

The above set up shows a typical overlap situation. (1) Can make two decisions; to pass to (2) on the overlap or use (2)’s run to take (B) out of position and come inside with the ball creating a 2 v 1 against (A).

It is important for players to realize (in this case player 2) that they make runs to create space for themselves and also for their teammates.

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