Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): SHAPE - 1st Team

PRINCIPALS

We are looking to create overloads of bodies in the area where the ball is. This means we can exploit the opposition by crowding them out when we are out of possession and capitalising on the extra man when we are in possession.

The optimum position of the pitch is to create an overload of 2 v 1 against their full backs, so we will lokok to work these opportunities as often as we can.

Defensive left

3 Goes to engage the ball high up the pitch

5 and 6 slide over to cover space behind 3

2 covers back post, but it 5 leaves centre area to sweep in behind 3, then 2 gets narrower and defends penalty spot

7 presses high and shows full back touch line (and tracks his run if the opposition full back advances)

8 (the cdm on the left) fits into the point of a triangle with the 2 centre backs to pick up lose ball

4 stays in touch with 8 but protects the centre of the pitch and must be aware of late runs from the oppositions midfield

11 tucks in as a 3rd cm

10 positions himself at top of the zone as the out ball

9 must be on this side of the pitch so that if 3 or 7 recover the ball, 9 is in a good position to be the out ball down the line. Hold up play. 

Attacking right

1 Anticipates the ball over the top as a sweeper keeper

2 Looks to over lap and join a front attacking 5

6, 5, and 3 become a back 3 (with 6 effectively filling the right back slot)

If they leave 1 up front, 3 can step in to the space in front of 5 and 6. 

11 looks to attack the space inside the full back, creating an overload with 2. Can they get on the ball in the box and get shots away?

4 & 8 squeeze up behind the play, offering a backwards passing option and stifling any break outs.- look to regain the ball and recylce possession

7 looks to attack the back post with a late run (from behind the play)

10 positions himself at edge of the box

9 takes the CB's into the box, attacking the front post area

Attacking central

When the ball is high up the pitch in central areas, we look to create a 2-4-1-3 formation, 

the front 4 set up like this

10 is the quarterback pulling the strings behind 3 runners with good movement. 

9,7 and 11 have freedom to rotate and switch pulling the opposition defence around, but if the move breaks down you assume to defensive responsibilities of the the area of the pitch you find yourself in.

2 and 3 are ready to make the overlap run if play looks like it is moving to their side and if the space is there.