Half-Space Supremacy
Half-space op, wp no re gg bro
Good morning! I want to talk about how I coach players to create goal scoring chances through the half-space.
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Exercise of the Week
This is an exercise that spawned from a “ah-ha!” moment. My U17s are decent finishers but struggle to create chances.
The red players are defenders, so a FB and CB. The blue players are a CDM/6 and a CAM/8. The neutrals are wingers.
This is a great way to get the players to recognize cues to penetrate between FB and CB or play outside to the neutral and run between FB and CB to receive a bounce pass!
Everyone is Good Enough for Half-Spaces
One thing I used to go back and forth on is “this player is/isn’t good enough to learn about half-spaces.”
I accept now that half-spaces are about as fundamental as the touchline and goal lines.
Players using these references is crucial. Being able to determine which forward passing options to use is part of development, but the angle at which you receive the ball before choosing the option is important.
If you receive the ball from the half-space your field of view includes forward central passing options to players who would receive on an angle, on their back foot ideally, so that turning and going forward is easier.
Alternatively, if the half-space player receives and sees no viable forward options then the backwards passing option is also able to receive on an angle which sets them up for their next action.
Central receptions and central straight passes are killer. Receiving and playing from the half-space helps the ball player pass at an angle, as well as helps the recipient of the ball receive on an angle.
Angled passes and angled recipients are harder to defend than players who receive a square, straight pass.
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Neat Reads
Neat Reads is a segment where I share an article or podcast that interests me and relates to our weekly theme.
Truthfully, where else would I recommend you go if not the birth place of half-space conversations?
This link will explain in excruciating detail how valuable the half-space is.
My favorite quote:
“the half-space is not so close to the touchline that it can be used against the player, as is often the case with a winger. The half-space is thus the ideal intersection of “I have enough space” and “what I can’t see doesn’t matter anyway”.”
https://spielverlagerung.com/2014/09/16/the-half-spaces/
Conclusion
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See you next week!
Kindest,
Cameron