3 v. 2 Attacking Play
From the Jan. 22, 2004, issue of The Technical Area
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.


  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

Note: Parts of this session were taken from the NSCAA National Diploma Curriculum. For information on the NSCAA National Diploma Course, CLICK HERE.