Run, step, pop and support
Draw defenders out of position and then use short passing for the support player to run onto. Use this activity to get the timing right and then put into a game situation. MORE
Support
Time: 30 | Age groups: U12-U16, U17+
This class will help your players master the basic tactics and skills associated with Support, one of the Attacking Principles of Play.
Aims and outcomes
Players will understand:
- How “support” fits into the principles of play
- What is meant by support
- The different ways to support
- Skills for continuity
The team will benefit from:
- Understanding why they focus on certain skills and tactics in training
- Knowing how to attack more effectively in a game situation
What you'll need
Different class types required different resources. This table sets out what we think you'll need in each scenario, but feel free to amend it if you find something that works for you.
| Lesson plan | Slides | Presentation notes | Handout | Online course | Quiz | Activities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online class | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Offline class | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||
| Before training | Y | Y | |||||
| During training | Y | Y |
Resources
| File | Download |
|---|---|
| Lesson Plan |  |
| Slides |   |
| Presentation notes |  |
| Handout |  |
| Quiz |  |
| Certificate |  |
Activities
When you've delivered the class you'll want to embed the learning with some practical activities. We recommend trying some or all of the activities below in your coaching sessions to put the theory into practice.
Support seekers
Retrieving kicks can mean a chance to counter attack, but it carries risks. Your ball carrier is likely to be behind his team mates and therefore needs to find support so he does not become isolated. This session is about players’ options when running with the ball. MORE
Pocket support
Pocket support is a very simple style of support play. As a ball carrier moves towards contact, a support player runs in behind him and “into the pocket”. If the ball carrier cannot pass laterally, or takes contact, he can offload the ball to a player immediately behind him. MORE
VIDEO: Support games – large numbers
Develop the understanding around support lines and how they change depending on whether the attack is in a narrow channel or wider. MORE
Call the play and support
Sometimes an attacker behind the front line can spot a mismatch in the defence. If he calls it, the ball carrier should have the confidence to go for the gap and offload the ball if he’s tackle. Sometimes things happen so fast in open play that the 10 can’t call the next play. But others... MORE
Realign-support-score!
You don’t need tactics to win a match when all you have to do is get into position to score. Just use this simple activity to work on quick realignment and the tries will follow… The end player puts the ball on the corner cone The players then realign to play back the other way,... MORE
Support play adaptive games
Play games where there are 360 goal lines or multiple angles to score from, so every player in attack and defence has to be moving and communicating off-the-ball to help score or prevent scores. MORE
Late Support
A decision-making game that highlights support play and change of speed. It’s also a great exercise for improving spatial awareness and gives players’ core skills a workout, too. MORE
