Mass Youth Soccer Academy - Wall Pass/Overlap
Coaching Points: Players need to be able to "play with" or "link with" other players, by using verbal and non-verbal communication. With combination plays (wall pass, overlap, and takeover) players must read each others non-verbal cues to predict what a team mate is looking to do next. In the case of the wall pass, the first attacker runs at the opponent at speed, the second attacker sees this, and creates an angle (2nd attacker who is open sets up level to or slightly ahead of the imaginary defender) for the wall pass. 1st attacker passes with the outside of the foot (ankle locked, big toe pointed in towards other foot, little toe pointed towards ground) to the 2nd attacker, then runs beyond defender. 2nd. attacker returns the ball to 1st attacker (behind opponent) if the opponent hasn’t recovered quickly enough with the run, or 2nd attacker keeps the ball if the defender has recovered quickly.
The overlap is performed by the first attacker bringing the ball inside to create space in the wide area, the 2nd attacker runs around the 1st attacker into the created space. 1st attacker holds the ball until 2nd attacker is ready to get to a forward diagonal ball before a recovering defender. If the 2nd defender has run into that space, the 1st attacker can continue on inside with the ball.
The take over is often used to create space in wide areas, and in the middle of the field (should not be done in front of one’s own goal). 1st attacker realizes that there isn’t much space or chance for forward progress, and he/she doesn’t have passing options, so dribbles at speed towards the 2nd. attacker who is 5-15 yards away. 2nd. Attacker reads this, and runs towards the shoulder of the 1st attacker which is closest to the ball (should be the opposite side to where the defender is). 2nd attacker will try to take the ball, however the first attacker will be the one to make the decision. 1st attacker will feel/see where the defender is going, and will take the ball, if he/she feels the defender is going for the take over, or will leave the ball (do not pass it to team mate, as it’ll end up being a tackle) if he/she feels the defender believes the 1st attacker is going to keep it. Whichever attacker ends up with the ball, they should immediately try to speed-dribble in the direction of the goal, rather than just continuing across the field.
1) Combination warm-up. Each pair of players in a grid the size of a basketball court complete twelve Wall Passes six as the 1st Attacker (ball) and six as the 2nd Attacker (wall). Players stretch, switch partners and complete twelve overlaps, six as 1st attacker and six as 2nd attacker. Players stretch, switch partners again and complete twelve takeovers, six as 1st Attacker and six as 2nd Attacker. (10 minutes)
2) 2v1 to a line. In a 12X17 yard grid two teams of five stand on two opposite end lines. attackers combine with a wall pass, over lapping run or take-over to beat the single defender to the opposite line. The defender passes the ball to the attackers from the opposite line, and must approach the attackers. If the defender intercepts the ball they can counter-attack to opposite end line for a point. The next service comes from the other end line, and the team that was defending last time now attacks 2v1 (14 minutes) (1 minute water)
3) 2v1+1 to goal. In a 12X17 grid add two 3 yard goals on each 12-yard side. The attacking team must set up an over-lap, take-over or wall pass before scoring. The defending team must have one player in the goal and one on the field. The goalkeeper must stay in the goal until the attacking team loses the ball! (14 minutes) (1 minute water break)
4) Four goal game. In a grid 20X30 yards with four goals measuring three feet across in each corner two teams of three attack two goals and defend two goals. The attacking team must combine with a wall pass, take-over or over-lap before they go to goal. They get two points for the combination play and one point for the goal. Add a "plus" player who always plays for the attacking team if they can’t keep possession long enough to create a combination. (20 minutes)
5) Review combination play…ask players to teach you the tactical coaching points to insure the complete understanding in the group.
