WORK ON TECHNIQUE OF OVERHEAD, AS WELL AS SPEED OF RELEASE MAKE AERIAL PASS INTO SPACE BEHIND DEFENDER RECEIVE OVERHEAD ON THE MOVE, CONTROL AND EXECUTE PASS
PLAYERS
6+ PLAYERS
SPACE
HALF-FIELD
EQUIPMENT
10+ BALLS
EXPLANATION:
Start with a simulated FH in attacking midfield, inside channel. Wing forward starts close to sideline and striker (central forward starts near top of circle. [Optional: coach or passive defender (O) stands in defensive position on the 22m line. Defender is not active.]
X starts the play with a quick restart, and throwing an overhead into the advantage space in behind the defender.
Wing forward runs on to receive the ball, controls as quickly as possible and crosses to striker at top of circle for a shot on goal.
Note: If players do not have the skill/strength to throw overhead passes a significant distance, take defender out and use a line of cones to lift the ball over. The key concept here is teaching players to throw the ball into space for receiver to run onto.
COACHING POINTS:
Technical points on Overhead/Aerial:
Ball position: out in front (1-2 o’clock) so passer can see target and defenders.
Low center of gravity to start. Bent knees, drop behind the ball.
Use legs and upper body rotation as well as arms to generate power.
Follow through fully
Receiver aims to control the ball on the move to avoid stopping forward momentum and allowing the defender to recover.
EVALUATION:
Player should learn the ideal Arc of the ball (height of the aerial pass). High enough to clear the danger, but direct enough to beat the defender.
Player should be able to release the overhead quickly from the restart, to prevent defender from closing/stopping the pass.
PROGRESSION:
LTT: Work on more basic repetition: technique of lifting ball.
TTC: Bring initial starting position into the center so the angle is sharper (develop awareness of cross-field overhead). Make defender active.
TTW: Make Defender O active, put pressure on receiver to control quickly and release next pass. Add 2nd recovering defender in the middle and play out 3v2 to goal.
