Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Positional Awareness

Pro-Club: Newtown AFC

Brett McBride

Profile Summary

Name:	Brett McBride
City:	Newtown
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

This is a quick overview of some information for players. I use these terms / references during training and it is more effective if everyone knows what I'm talking about.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Physical and Imaginary Lines on the Field

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Physical and Imaginary Lines on the Field

Lines on the Field

A = Touch line aka sideline

B = Goal line

C = Penalty Area aka The 18 (Shaded area where C is located)

D = Goal Box aka The 6 (Shaded area where D is located)

E = Halfway line

F = Restraining Arcs

Thirds

The green lines are imaginary lines that divide the field across from Touch line to Touch line, into thirds. The third that has the goal in it that we are defending is called the Defensive Third. The third on the other side with the goal that we are trying to score in is called the Attacking or Offensive Third. The third in between the Def and Attacking Thirds is called the Middle Third.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Vertical Channels

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Vertical Channels

Vertical Channels

The football pitch can be divided into 5 vertical channels running from goal line to goal line. With our goal behind us and facing the opponents goal, from right to left, the vertical channels are: Right Wing Channel, Inside Right Channel, Central Channel, Inside Left Channel, and Left Wing Channel. These run the length of the field.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Zones

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Zones

Zones

The football pitch can also be divided into 18 zones by dividing the width into three and the length into 6.

We have divided the pitch into nearly equal size pieces and numbered them.

These are referred to as Zones and they are simply a way to break down the field.

Of importance are Zone 14 and the halfspaces of Zones 13 and 15 (shaded area). It is from here that statistically most goals are scored / created!

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Principles of Def

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Principles of Def

Moments of the Game

So far the break down of the game has been limited to the physical aspects of the field. Now we can break down all of the action during a game into 3 Moments.

1. The Moment when we have possession of the ball - In Possession

2. The Moment when the other team has possession of the ball - Out of Possession

3. The moment of transition when neither team has the ball or more often just after one team loses the ball and the other team gains possession but neither team is in their appropriate Def or Attacking shapes - Transition

Principles of Defense

When out of posesssion we want to execute a defensive plan and recover into defensive shape behind the ball. To help us defend effectively we should observe the defensive principles These principles make up the defensive half of the Principles of Play. These principles apply no matter what system of play the team is using.

Principles of Defense

1. Pressure

2. Cover

3. Balance

4. Compactness

5. Communication

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Principles of Attack

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Principles of Attack

Principles and Phases of Attack

In Possession

Principles of Attack

1. Depth

2. Width

3. Penetration

4. Movement and Support

5. Creativity and Imagination

Phases of Attack

1. Build Up/Out

2. Consolidation

3. Incision

4. Finish

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Numbering System

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Numbering System

Tactical Numbering System

The Tactical Numbering System is a way to describe positional roles within a certain system of play by assigning numbers to positions previously known by many regional names. Many coaches and commentators use these and I will too where I think they are useful. I understand the positional roles best when used to describe a system of play formed up as a 1-4-3-3.

1 = GK

2 = Right Back

3 = Left Back

4 = Center Back

5 = Center Back

6 = Defensive Center Mid

7 = Right Winger

8 = Center Mid

9 = Center Forward / Striker

10 = Offensive Center Mid

11 = Left Winger