Training Session Plan for 13-17 year olds

Attacking Central Areas – Session 06: Mastering the Half-Spaces and Third-Man Combinations – A Training Session Plan for 13-17 Year Olds

Attacking Central Areas – Session 06: Mastering the Half-Spaces and Third-Man Combinations – A Training Session Plan for 13-17 Year Olds

Introduction: Developing Intelligent Attackers

Welcome to the sixth installment of our comprehensive series on Attacking Central Areas, specifically designed for the crucial developmental stage of 13-17 year olds. This age group represents a pivotal window where players transition from understanding basic tactics to executing sophisticated offensive patterns. Session 06 focuses on two of the most critical concepts in modern football: dominating the half-spaces and executing third-man combinations. For players aged 13-17, mastering these concepts accelerates their football intelligence and prepares them for higher levels of competition. This session plan provides coaches with a structured, progressive, and engaging training regimen that moves beyond fundamental passing to teach the nuanced art of breaking down organized defenses through intelligent movement and combination play.

This complete training package includes detailed coaching points, organizational diagrams, and age-appropriate progressions. Drawing from the player development philosophies in the UEFA B License Coaching Manual PDF and the advanced tactical frameworks of the UEFA Pro License Course PDF, this session is carefully calibrated for adolescent learners. By implementing Session 06, you will equip your players with the cognitive and technical tools to recognize and exploit spaces that less sophisticated teams cannot see, fundamentally enhancing their effectiveness in Attacking Central Areas.

Section 1: Session Overview & Philosophical Foundation

1.1 Session Meta-Data

• Theme: Attacking Central Areas – Half-Space Occupation & Third-Man Combinations
• Age Group: 13-17 Years Old
• Duration: 90 Minutes
• Player Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Focus: Technical/Tactical
• Main Objectives:
  1. To understand the value of receiving in the half-spaces.
  2. To introduce and practice third-man combination play.
  3. To improve decision-making and passing quality in tight central areas.

1.2 The “Why” Behind Session 06

For players aged 13-17, moving beyond basic “pass and move” is essential. This session addresses key Principles of Play, particularly Penetration and Support, as detailed in the Principles of Play Attacking PDF. The half-space (the corridor between the wide channel and the central lane) is the most dangerous area on the pitch for a player to receive the ball, as it allows them to face the goal with multiple options. The third-man concept teaches players that the most effective pass is not always to the player making the run, but to the player who can then service the runner. This develops unselfishness, spatial awareness, and sophisticated problem-solving.

Section 2: The Session Blueprint – A Progressive Model

This session follows a structured progression from technical repetition to tactical application in a game-realistic environment.

Part 1: Warm-Up (15 Minutes) – Dynamic Activation with a Purpose

Activity: Position-Specific Passing & Movement

• Objective: To physically and mentally prepare players for the session’s themes while reinforcing technical passing.
• Setup: Divide players into groups based on their primary positions (e.g., defenders, midfielders, attackers). Set up multiple stations with cones.
• Instructions:
  • Central Midfielders: Practice receiving on the back foot and playing line-breaking passes through gates.
  • Attacking Players: Practice checking into the half-space, receiving, and playing a one-touch pass to a supporting player.
  • Incorporate dynamic stretches and movements from the Warm-Up Exercises with Ball PDF.
• Coaching Points: Quality of pass, body shape to receive, communication, and movement after the pass.

Part 2: Technical Practice (20 Minutes) – The Third-Man Combination

Activity: The Third-Man Gate Game

• Objective: To engrain the pattern and timing of the third-man combination.
• Setup: Create a 20×15 yard grid. Set up two “gates” of cones on either end. Form groups of 3 players (A, B, C).
• Instructions:
  1. Player A passes to Player B.
  2. As the pass is made, Player C makes a curved run towards one of the gates.
  3. Player B sets the ball back for Player A (the “third man”).
  4. Player A plays a first-time pass through the gate for Player C to run onto.
  5. Players rotate positions.
• Progressions:
  • Add passive defending.
  • Limit to two touches for Players A and B.
• Coaching Points: Timing of the run, quality of the set-back pass, and weight of the final through ball.

Part 3: Skill Application (25 Minutes) – Half-Space Possession

Activity: 4-Zone Possession Game

• Objective: To encourage players to find and utilize the half-spaces under pressure.
• Setup: Divide a 40×30 yard area into four vertical zones: two wide zones, two central half-spaces.
• Instructions: Play 6v6+2 (with two neutral players). The neutral players are restricted to the half-space zones. A team scores a point by passing to a neutral player in a half-space, who must then combine with a teammate to play a forward pass into the target zone.
• Coaching Points: Scan before receiving, body shape to play forward, quick combination play. Use guided questions: “Where is the space?” “Can you play forward?”

Part 4: Final Game (30 Minutes) – Conditioned 11v11

Activity: Conditioned Match Focusing on Central Combinations

• Objective: To apply the session’s themes in a full-sized, game-realistic context.
• Setup: Full pitch, regular 11v11 rules.
• Conditions:
  1. A goal scored from a move that includes a third-man combination counts as two goals.
  2. The central midfield zone (a 30-yard wide channel through the center) is a “3-touch maximum” zone to encourage quick combination play.
• Coaching Points: Freeze play to highlight good examples of half-space occupation and third-man combinations. Encourage midfielders and attackers to check into the half-spaces. Ask, “Who is the third man here?”

Section 3: Key Coaching Points & Age-Specific Considerations

3.1 Technical & Tactical Coaching Points

• Body Shape: In the half-space, players must receive side-on to the field, giving them a panoramic view.
• Timing of Runs: The third-man run must be timed with the first pass, not after the set-back.
• Passing Weight: The final pass in a combination must be played into the path of the runner, not to their feet.

3.2 Differentiating for a 13-Year-Old vs. a 17-Year-Old

• For 13-14 Year Olds: Focus on the basic pattern. Use more unopposed repetition. Praise attempts, even if unsuccessful. Keep explanations simple and visual.
• For 15-17 Year Olds: Introduce more complex progressions. Focus on the tactical “why.” Challenge them to identify these opportunities in video analysis. Demand higher technical standards and faster execution.

This differentiated approach aligns with the long-term player development model used in elite academies, such as the Leicester City Football Club Academy PDF.

Section 4: Integrating the Session into a Broader Curriculum

Session 06 is not a standalone event. It should be part of a coherent Training Plan focused on Attacking Central Areas.

• Follow-up Sessions: Subsequent sessions could focus on combining half-space play with attacking wide areas to create central overloads, or on finishing the chances these combinations create.
• Seasonal Planning: This session fits into a broader tactical periodization model, as outlined in a professional The Training Plan. It might be delivered during a microcycle focused on offensive pattern play.

For more drill ideas and session structures, coaches can refer to comprehensive Soccer Training Programs and the UEFA B License Coaching Sessions PDF.

Conclusion: Building the Complete Modern Player

Session 06: Attacking Central Areas is more than a collection of drills; it is a step toward developing cognitively advanced and technically proficient footballers. For players aged 13-17, understanding and executing concepts like half-space occupation and third-man combinations is transformative. It elevates their game from a physical contest to a mental chess match, fostering a deeper love and understanding of football’s intricacies.

The role of the coach is to be a facilitator of this learning. By creating a structured yet adaptable environment, as championed in the UEFA A Licence: The Complete Coach’s Guide PDF, and by using guided questioning, you empower players to solve problems on the pitch themselves. This session, inspired by the detail-oriented approach of Marcelo Bielsas Football Philosophy PDF, provides the framework for that growth.

For continued development, we encourage engagement with the global coaching community through authoritative external sources like The Coaches’ Voice for tactical analysis and US Youth Soccer for age-specific best practices.

By consistently implementing sessions like this, you are not just coaching a team; you are cultivating intelligent, creative, and effective players who are prepared for the demands of modern football. You are building a team that can Attack Central Areas with purpose, precision, and power. The journey to tactical mastery continues with your next session.