Transition Between Lines - NASL Drills - Best source for soccer coaches in the world

This is Part 1 in a two-part series.
Part 2 (below) will address transitioning from the the midfield to the forwards.

Transition from the Goalkeeper to through the Backs to the Midfield

Warm Up Activity - Passing and moving - Evolving into possession Organization - 2 teams of 8 (7+GK) - 60x44 grid to start (Figure 1) Coaching Points - Body shape - First touch - Preparing the ball - GK distribution - Timing of runs	Figure 1: 7v7 + GKs Possession without direction

Maine Theme 1 Activity - End Zone Possession Game - Chip ball into GK hands for point Organization - 7v7 to GKs in end zones - Create 1/3s of field (Figure 2) Coaching Points - Distribution by GKs - Possess vs. penetrate - Utilize/create space	Figure 2: 7v7 + GKs to end zones Field is divided in thirds

Main Theme 2 Activity - 8v8 to big goal and 2 counter goals Organization - 60-70 long X 65-70 wide - Field divided into 1/3s - Defending forwards must drop behind line when GK has the ball (Figure 3) Coaching Points - Defining when space is available for penetration - Early looks forward	Figure 3: 1-3-3-1 vs. 1-3-3-1 Transition from GK to backs

Main Theme 3 Activity - 8v8 to big goal and 2 counter goals Organization - Organize specific numbers in each area - Work with GK to backs & backs into midfield (Figure 4) Coaching Points - Determining where space is by numbers in each area	Figure 4: Circles -- 1-3-3-1 Focus on transitioning ball from backs to midfield Squares -- 1-3-2-2 Focus on defending and attacking in transition

Game Activity - 8v8 to 2 big goals Organization - Allow teams to organize their own formations Coaching Points - Coach teams in decisions on how to best transition from one line to the next with an emphasis on GK to backs to midfield

Taken from the NSCAA's newsletter "The Technical Area" - March 17, 2004

Coaching Corner:
Transition Between Lines (Part 2 of 2)

By Lang Wedemeyer, Regional Technical Director

This is Part 2 in a two-part series. Part 1 dealt with transitioning from the goalkeeper through the backs to the midfield.
Part 2 addresses transitioning from the the midfield to the forwards.
Transition from the Midfielders to the Forwards

Warm Up
Activity
- Tactical Back to Pressure

Organization
- Groups of 3 or 4 with functional passing

Coaching Points
- Creating space and timing of runs
- Penetrating passes

Main Theme 1
Activity
- 3v2 + 1 transition game

Organization
- Two cone goals 25-30 yards apart
- Offense has three attackers vs. two defenders and a goalkeeper
- Upon possession, team must play back to GK before attack (Figure 1)

Coaching Points
- Timing of runs
- Tactical options for penetration
- Isolation

Figure 1: - 3v2 transition game to small goals

Main Theme 2
Activity
- Offense vs. Defense

Organization
- Half field divided into three zones 6+2 vs. 4+4 to big goal
- Attack can score on big goal or two small goals on flanks
- Defense scores by distributing to target in center circle (Figure 2)

Coaching Points
- Possess for penetration
- Decisions
- Timing of runs
- Creativity

Figure 2: - Circles are attacking goal and work to transition ball from backs to mids to forwards
- Squares are defending big goal. They score by working the ball out to the target in center circle.
- Two squares in cones goals must stay on line and defend that goal only.

Main Theme 3

Activity
- Offense vs. Defense

Organization
- Half field: Offense attacks big goal, defense has target outlet
- Flank goals are now gates for uncontested cross (Figure 3)

Coaching Points
- Penetration on flanks
- Box organization

Figure 3: Zones define who can move freely (circles)
- Squares still score by hitting target and they must stay in their zones

Game
Activity
- Putting it all together
- 8v8 with three zones

Organization
- Three-quarter field with three zones
- Allow teams to discern own formations (Figure 4)

Coaching Points
- Connecting lines for transition and penetration

Figure 4: Go full field or 3/4 field for 8v8 with three zones.
- Restrict movements to create successful offensive transition between lines
- Vary environment to get desired transition = numbers in each zone, movement restrictions, etc.