Walsall academy: playing forward

Help your players find their teammates whilst being under pressure by encouraging them to play forward and to be positive in possession.
During The FA DNA Cup at St. George's Park, coaches at Walsall academy looked to improve the ability of their players on the ball whilst under pressure from an opponent, with a session focusing on playing forward.In the video below the U10’s from Walsall take part in a practice that includes elements of; pressing, keeping possession under varying amounts of pressure and the main focus, which is about being positive and trying to play forward when possible.

This practice doesn’t need a great deal of space, but it’s important to ensure that you make the numbers and the available space appropriate for your players.

As the game settles down, the players have to quickly change from a possession focus to a pressing role. These quick transitions will help players get used to reacting quickly as the ball changes hands.

The game also demands that players open up their body when receiving the ball without the coach having to mention it. If the aim is to play forward, then you will see players naturally shape their body in an appropriate way in order to be successful. If they don’t, this is a point you might help them with during a break in play.

The coach in the video begins to progress the practice as he encourages players to drop into the middle zone to receive and turn. Learning to do this at the most effective time and in the most appropriate way may take a while, so be patient and look for signs of improvement over a longer period.

Encourage players to try things out; test their own limits and capabilities. If you’ve created a supportive environment where mistakes are tolerated, then your players may be more willing to be creative in their responses.

Most players will be able to play safe, easy passes, but it’s important to develop those capable of the unusual or the innovative.

The coach adds another progression when he gives the option for players to travel with the ball into the mid zone before playing it forward. The players now have plenty of things to consider, so this is the time to withdraw slightly and observe critically to see what decisions each player is making.