1. When to Play Forward:
Opportunities to make a forward pass
Opportunities to beat a player in a 1v1
Opportunities to score
Opportunities to start a attack
When we have created space on one area of the pitch
When we in being pressured in our area of the pitch
When we receive the ball and we have space in front of us
When we can run with the ball/dribble
When we see an opportunity to use combinations
When we can start a counter attack
When the opposing team aren’t putting pressure on
When we are not being tightly marked
When not to Play Forward:
When we cannot pass forwards
When we cannot beat a player 1v1 or a number of defenders
When we have to shield the ball
When we receive the ball with our back to goal
When there is limited space on one side of the pitch
When we are being pressured by the opposing team
When we receive the ball and see no space in front of us
When we wish to change the point of the attack
When the opposing team are putting high pressure on us
When we cannot run with the ball/dribble
When the players in forward positions cannot be found
When we are being tightly marked

2. 3 2 When & When not to play forward 1
2 – When & When not to play forwards
1 ball – blues vs. yellows + red as neutral players (rotate teams)
Can use outside players to help keep possession. Blues are working laterally to score. Yellows are working horizontally to score. (But can pass to outside players to keep ball.)
Score a point for every time you get it one of the neutral players you are aiming for.
Rotate teams to allow an equal opportunity
Add competition – who can keep the ball for the longest amount of passes? 1 2
1 - Developing When & When not to play forwards
Separate groups into 3 teams
Red’s & blues on perimeter; can move along their side of the box, receive and play to any other available colour inside the circle (below waist height)
Yellows –Have to try and receive the ball and recognise when they can play through the circle and when they can’t.
Rotate teams around to allow equal opportunities
Add competition – who can get the most passes in 45 seconds? (whilst trying to recognise when & when not to play forward
(Through the Thirds) Game
Yellows vs. Reds (playing in central area – blues two GK’s
2v1/1v2 in the defending & attacking areas with a 2v2 in the middle.
Players can play forward into their attacking area & them or their team mate can support the attacking player.
Recognise when & where to play forwards 3
3 - When & When not to play forward Skill
1 ball per blue – blues vs. yellows & red as neutral players (rotate teams)
The blue players have to try & receive the ball & recognise when & when not to play forwards.
Defenders have to try and win the ball from the blues if they do; they receive a point & have to try and protect the ball for as long as they can.
Rotate players after they have played.
Add competition who can go through the game without giving the ball away?

3. Challenges + Coaching to help your players
Challenges relating to theme
Other Challenges relating to individual
1. Try to have shoulders facing forwards before you receive the ball
Try to communicate with a player before receiving the ball
1b. Try to play a pass only when the receiver has communicated
2. Try to sneak a look before you receive the ball
2b. Try to communicate once you are ready to receive the ball
When you can try to play forwards with your first touch
2b. When you can’t play forwards try to play back with your first touch
3. Recognise when to play forwards
3b. Recognise when to play back
3. Try to play to the players feet
3b. Recognise before playing the pass if the receiver can play forwards or not
4. Try to let the ball run across body when playing forwards
4b. Try to receive the ball on your back foot when playing forwards
4. Recognise when to move forwards after making a pass
4b. Recognise when support behind the ball after making a pass
4c. Try & support the player on the ball so they can play forwards
5. Try to receive the ball on your front foot when playing back
5b. After playing back try create an opportunity to play forwards
5. Try to turn away from pressure if we cant play forwards
Recognise when you need to turn away from pressure to play back
6b. Recognise when & what you can do to try and play forwards
6. Recognise when to change the point of the attack