Directing opposition attacks as a method of active ball-winning
BY BERND STÖBER German FA (DFB) Youth Coach.
Philosophy
Active ball-winning as a principle of the DFB football philosophy
Remaining active every second of the game, even when the opposition has the ball, is part of the playing strategy for our youth teams. The players' actions remain forward-looking and "attack-orientated" at all times. The only difference when the opposition has the ball is that the attacking objective is initially not the opponents' goal, but rapid retrieval of possession.
Principle
After the opponent plays the pass - either to the wing or to the midfield - the midfielders press tightly. The recipient of the pass is therefore put under pressure and attacked.
Training
Organisation
The basic formation involves eight players on a three-quarter length pitch, attacking a goal with a goalkeeper. We do not use any central defenders, since they are not directly involved in this important tactical exercise.
The (simulated) opposition team, meanwhile, also has eight players, but their target consists of three small goals behind the halfway line. The opponents must dribble through the two wider goals, or pass the ball through the middle goal.
Variations
If the next opponent is expected to play with two strikers, we do not use them in this training exercise (see diagram). However, if three strikers are anticipated, we remove one attacking midfielder and the central striker.
