Playing into the pivot: 3-1 patterns

Setup

1. Attacking four in a 3-1: fixo (F) in the middle, alas (L and R) wide, pivot (P) high on the edge of the area.
2. Four defenders in a zone, one marking P from behind, and a goalkeeper.
3. Spare players wait at halfway and rotate in every 3 attacks.

How it runs

1. F starts each attack and plays wide to an ala.
2. P moves across to the ball side to show for the pass into feet.
3. The ala plays into P and spins round the outside for the return.
4. P holds the defender off and lays it into the ala's path, or turns if the defender is loose.
5. The far ala attacks the second post; F stays back to balance.
6. Defenders who win it counter to the halfway line to score a point.
7. Run it 6 times each side, then rotate the defenders in.

Coaching points

• P: show on the ball side, body between ball and defender, arms out for balance.
• Pass into P's far foot, away from the defender.
• Ala: pass and spin at once; the pass is the trigger to go.
• Far ala: hold the width, then arrive at the second post late and at pace.
• F: stay behind the ball. One player always guards the counter.
• If P is marked tight in front, play over or round, don't force it in.

Common mistakes

• Ala watches the pass into P instead of running.
• P turns into the defender when the lay-off is on.
• Far ala arrives too early and stands at the post.
• F joins the attack and leaves nobody to stop the counter.