by Hylton Dayes
NSCAA Academy Staff
Teaching players how to effectively attack when there is a numbers up situation (3 v. 2) using combinations and tactical cues.
Attacking Objectives
* Numerical superiority means to go with speed at defenders
* Player with ball attacks first defender and plays him/her out of the game
* Becomes 2 v. 1 with last defender
Tactical Cues
* Can first attacker find third attacker with long pass?
* If pressured, can first attacker combine with second attacker to eliminate first defender
Second Attacker
(i) Does first attacker need support – where?
(ii) Where can I best position myself to exploit 2 v. 1 advantage?
(iii) Can I support third attacker if played to him/her?
Third Attacker
(i) Can third attacker get behind the defense?
(ii) When does third attacker make check run and come back for support?
Exercise I
Warmup - two groups of six players in 20 x 30 yd. grids, passing and moving, creating short and long support, width and depth.
Exercise II
Possession – 3 v. 2 in 20 x 30 yd. grid (define roles of first, second and third attackers, encourage combinations).
Note: Third X plays off on the side until X wins the ball. |
Note: Third Y plays off on the side until Y wins the ball. |
Exercise III
Directional - 3 v. 3 to small goals (30x20 grid). One defender becomes GK to create 3 v. 2 situations.

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Note:
- GK stays on the goal line and cannot use hands
- when ball changes possession, the ball is played back to the GK and defending team puts one player in goal
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