Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Knowledge base

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Brad Osburn

Profile Summary

Name:	Brad Osburn
City:	Jeffersonville
Country:	United States of America
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

This is a quick overview of some pertinent information for parents and players. I use these concepts and nomenclature during training and it is way more effective if everyone knows what I'm talking about. The video at the end introduces rotational movement and gives a good graphic of the Phases of Attack. Some things that you might notice are different in the video from how I listed them. The first is that the video uses 5 Moments rather than the 4 that I use. Secondly the numbering system used in the video is slightly different.

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

In the same way that one can divide the field into thirds across, one can divide the field 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, Right Halfspace Channel, Central Channel, Left Halfspace 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

Now I have gotten rid of the outer most vertical channel lines dividing the wing channels from their adjacent halfspace channels, but those areas are still there. Also I divided the thirds up further into sixths. In this way we have divided the field 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 statically most goals are born!

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 4 Moments.

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

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

3. Transition - The Moment when we win the ball.

4. Transition - The Moment when we lose the ball.

Principles of Defense

In the Moment Out Poss, we want to execute a defensive plan and recover into defensive shape behind the ball. In this Moment we want to observe the Principles of Defense. 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

When in Poss

Principles of Attack

1. Depth

2. Width

3. Penetration

4. Supporting Movement

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

US 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 = Rt Outside Back

3 = Lt Outside Back

4 = Center Back

5 = Center Back

6 = Defensive Center Mid

7 = Rt Winger

8 = Center Mid

9 = Center Forward

10 = Offensive Center Mid

11 = Lt Winger

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Team Shapes

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Team Shapes

Team Shapes

Positional shape to

Compact Def shape to

Build Out shape to

Attacking shape back to

Def shape

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