overload soccer drills

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Possession play and switching against a low block

Used by Jurgen Klopp during a training session at Liverpool, this exercise is ideal for working on attacking combinations against a low block to effectively exploit off-the-ball runs behind the defense.

On a half-field, create a space of about 20x30m on the left side, as well as an adjacent 5x30m area, as indicated in the diagram. Then place 2 mini-goals and 4 mannequins (or constri-foot) with a cone about 35m from the goal on the right side. Then set up a 5vs4 in the large area, place 1 player in the small area, and then a final player on the opposite side at the cone level.

The exercise will proceed as follows:

The offensive players (here in blue) start with a possession game against the 4 defenders in the large area.
After making at least 3 passes, they play to their teammate in the small area. No defender can press this player.
The player will then make a through ball behind the defense to their teammate on the opposite side.
This player finishes their action on the large goal.
If the defenders regain possession, they must score as quickly as possible on one of the 2 mini-goals.
Change the 2 offensive players every 3 minutes or so.

Progression

After a few rounds, you can propose these different progressions:

A defender can press the player in the small area (only one).
Players are limited to 2 touches of the ball.
The player in the small area can participate in the possession game (which then creates a 6vs4).
Players must make at least 5 passes before playing to the player in the small area.
The game is played in the same way, but on the opposite side (remember to set up the cones before the start of the exercise).

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Scanning Using width Overload Shooting Possession

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What is overload in soccer?

Numerical advantage in soccer refers to the situation where a team has more players than its opponent in a given area of the field. Among the many strategies and tactics that teams deploy in soccer to win, creating a numerical advantage stands out as one of the most formidable weapons. Let's decode this famous numerical advantage.

Soccer, as its name suggests, is played with the feet. But it is also a sport of mind and mentality where victory is shaped. Numerical advantage can be created due to various reasons such as a counterattack, pressing, or obviously, an opponent's red card.

The advantage for a team in having a numerical advantage is that it offers an ideal opportunity to create offensive opportunities while minimizing the risks of losing the ball. This allows for increased domination of the game, which often translates into goals.

How to work on numerical advantage in soccer

To effectively exploit a numerical advantage, teams must be well-prepared and coordinated. Communication between players is essential to quickly identify situations where the team can benefit from a numerical advantage, as well as technique, or even dribbling. Coaches must also teach their players to read the game and make quick decisions to capitalize on these moments.

Training numerical advantage often involves specific exercises that simulate real game situations. Small-sided games or exercises with a team having a numerical advantage can help your squad develop an understanding of these situations to take advantage of them during matches.

General tips on numerical advantage in soccer

To maximize your chances of success, your team must be flexible to quickly adapt to changing situations. Generally, numerical advantage is short-lived because the opposing team repositions itself, so there is no time to hesitate.

Moreover, numerical advantage is not just an offensive weapon. Your team can also hope to recover the ball more quickly in case of defensive superiority. For this, always think about the balance between defense and attack to avoid reversing the trend and allowing the opposing team to gain a numerical advantage.

What exercises to work on numerical advantage in soccer?

To work on numerical advantage in training, several small-sided games with specific conditions can be interesting to implement. For example, you can decide to have 8 players play against 6 in a confined space to work on both offensive and defensive aspects. Organization and coordination will be the order of the day.

It is also important to work on specific game scenarios so that your players make quick decisions. You can very well imagine an attack-defense with an offensive numerical advantage to work on your ball recovery and create situations in front of the goal.

Numerical advantage exercises in soccer are numerous, and they allow working on 2 elements:

How to act during a phase of offensive numerical advantage? How to take advantage of this superiority?
How to react defensively when your team is at a numerical disadvantage? How to delay and buy time to allow defensive recovery?

During an offensive numerical advantage, automatisms are key. They allow better understanding of the relationships between 2, 3, or 4 players to smooth out the game in the form of forward passes. These automatisms will need to be worked on throughout the season in the form of numerical advantage exercises.

The behavior of players without the ball during a phase of numerical advantage will determine the success of the action: movement, speed, and gestures are all indicators that will allow taking advantage of the numerical advantage. It will therefore be necessary to set up training sessions focused on numerical superiority and inferiority to better understand situations in 2vs1, 3vs2, or even 4vs3.

As you will have understood, numerical advantage is a powerful tactical weapon that, when used correctly, can turn into a goal. By working on specific match situations, communication, and decision-making, your team will maximize its offensive and defensive potential to make a difference.

5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

Maintain possession in a rondo under pressure, then break out with dribbling after 10 passes to score in a mini-goal....

Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage

Possession-focused drill in 3 zones with the objective of connecting with the 9, then supporting the drive to finish in the mini-goals....

overload soccer drills

Possession play and switching against a low block

Progression

Our drills on the overload theme

Support around the attacker to create 2v1 situations

Possession game in two zones with 5v3 and 3 gates

3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing

Small-sided game in 4v4 with 4 players providing support in the defensive third

Small-sided 2v2 games in 3 "drawer" zones

Progress with our drills

What is overload in soccer?

How to work on numerical advantage in soccer

General tips on numerical advantage in soccer

What exercises to work on numerical advantage in soccer?

5v2 possession game with dribbling exit

Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage

Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

Possession game with support at the 4 corners

Rondo in 3+2 vs 3+2: managing the overload and quick transitions

Forward play with possession in 6v3

Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5

Movement off the ball, passes into space, and 1v1 duels

Dynamic small-sided game in 2v1 on 3 mini goals

Possession play and switching against a low block

4v4 possession game with 2 support players per team

Tactical drill by Diego Simeone with defensive transition to attacking Transition work

Xavi: using width in a 6v6 with 4 support players

Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

Jurgen Klopp's possession play with use of the weak side

11v11 opposition with 2v1 scenarios on the wide areas

Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player

Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support

Continuous fast attacks with a 5v3 in 2 zones

Offensive combinations in 3v2 with defensive recovery

Defensive recovery activity in 2v2

J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions

Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa

4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders

Decision Making and Shooting in 2v1 (+1) with Defensive Recovery

2v1 with shooting and defender tracking back

Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1

Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1

6v4 Possession Game with Attacking-Defensive Transition

Dynamic possession game in 4v2 with 2 balls

Quick Attacks Against a Team Defending in a Low Block (5v5)

Offensive Combinations and Numerical Advantage in 2v1

4v4 Possession Game with Central Square

Small-sided game in 5v5 by Luis Enrique (+ 1 neutral player)

Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels

Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

Double 2v1 following a passing sequence (variation)

Combination and shooting in front of the goal followed by a 2v2

Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

Small group possession in 4 zones

Direct play with a double 4v1 and a central zone

1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing

4v2 Possession Game with River Crossing

Rondo in 4v2 and pressing with a numerical disadvantage

3v3 with 4 supports and a central player

Possession play and progressive switches of play

1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

Double 2v1 following a passing combination

Tic-Tac-Toe possession game with overload

Small-sided game in numerical disadvantage

Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp

Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

Shooting under pressure in 4v2 on 4 small goals

Offensive Combinations in 2v1 on Opposite Goals

5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces

Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack

Sequence of small-sided games in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, then 3v2

Possession and quick counterattacks in a 3v2 followed by a 2v1

Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones

Offensive combination with short passing game, overlap, and shooting