In partnershIp wIth MIDDLESBRouGh Aitor TRANSITION TO ATTACK Karanka what do I get the players to do? Transition Overload exercise to attack We begin with a 4v2 overload warm-up in a 1 overview: narrowed penalty box extended down the pitch. Two red defenders must organise to repel the This session threat of the four yellow attackers. If they win the examines players’ ball back the practice restarts. We progress this by ability to attack telling the deep midfielder to recover after the first quickly and create pass, with the main attack being a 3v2(1) . overloads from an In the warm-up, organised team four attacking yellows attempt to shape. find a way past the It’s a modern trend 2 two defenders within the game and offers our team a clear route to goal, with players taking on and mastering defined roles as part of a tight and efficient unit. In the first attacking game, red defenders begin unopposed in the zone. When yellows turn over possession, they must play sideways or backwards 3 In the first progression, quick and direct forward passes can now be played, with the two red KEY Ball defenders allowed to recover in movement Player attempting to foil the attacking movement Dribble break made by four yellows Optional pass/ run SET-UP AREA Attacking game 1 begin the attacking before then going To progress, yellows Up to a full pitch We set up with a goal move. forward, in order to can now make any EquIpMENT on the 18-yard line, Should yellows turn keep opponents from pass, including a quick Balls, cones, goals with the pitch coned over possession they immediately pressing ball forward (3). And in NuMBER oF Players across 10 yards into cannot immediately the ball (2). the final progression, Up to 9v9 the bottom half. This counter-attack - we When a pass breaks only one red can SESSIoN TIME small area represents want them to think the coned line, both defend behind the coned line, against as Overload exercise a ‘safe zone’, where about switching, defenders can move 10mins, two unopposed making a square back to defend, though many as five attackers. Game 1 20mins, defenders sit. They pass or even playing four attackers can Game 2 20mins pass the ball out to the ball backwards, move into the space. 6 APRIL 2014 www.elitesoccercoaching.net In partnershIp wIth TRANSITION TO ATTACK Aitor Karanka 4 MIDDLESBRouGh Spaniard Aitor Karanka enjoyed an impressive playing career, which included winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000. He also played for Athletic Bilbao and Colorado Rapids, and appeared for the Spanish national In the second attacking game, team. yellow defenders cannot drop back behind the defensive line, It was as assistant to meaning the red player goes Jose Mourinho at Real through 1v1 with the keeper in 2010 that the 40-year- old’s reputation as an innovative coach really developed, and leaving the post in 2013 he accepted the offer to become 5 Middlesbrough’s first ever overseas manager. With the club mid- table in the Sky Bet Championship and going through something of a transitional period, Karanka is looking to express more of his Spanish influence as the club aim for a In the progression, greater concerted promotion numbers of players are allowed push next term. to drop back beyond the defensive line – here, it’s 4v2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble Optional pass/ run “This session Attacking game 2 which we can play what are the key organisation, players examines Next we play 9v9, through-balls and things to look out being able to break the full pitch, with zones create 1v1 situations for? lines when regaining, players’ at both ends, which against the keeper (4). Technically, we want and movement in the ability to act as offside lines. To progress, we can to see players running sense of how, when Attackers can have allow more attackers with the ball, playing and where we can get attack quickly two players running and defenders beyond with their heads to where we need to be and create beyond this line who that line, such as 4v2s up, a good quality of on the pitch. will be unopposed if or 4v3s (5). pass and movement overloads a pass can be played and accomplished from an through. Defending decision making. organised players cannot drop Tactically, the session deeper than this line, relies on good team shape.” allowing space into 7 APRIL 2014 www.elitesoccercoaching.net.