Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U10 Girls Team Sheet

Formation

Our formation this season will be the 2-4-1. As you can see we have 2 defenders, 4 midfielders and 1 forward. It's pretty different to the 3-3-1 we played in the Fall, but there are easy ways to make it similar too.

The first thing to notice is the 'split' in midfield. the 2 centre mids need to be on an angle in order to create more depth and better passing options. It is also important that the outside mids stay wide in order to create space. These 2 girls should support the 2 defenders both on defence (by dropping back to make a tackle, allowing the defenders to stay in position) and on attack (by being in a good position to receive a pass from the defenders).

Defenders

Defenders:

Movement: Attack

It is the defenders who are going to start the attacking play for our team. When the goalkeeper has the ball, both players split to the corners of the box. (One midfielder will drop into the space between them)

Defenders distribute the ball to the Outside Midfielders (wingers), or they can choose to pass the ball to the central midfielders if they are open. The decision has to be done quickly. Losing the ball will most likely result on a scoring opportunity for the other team.

The defenders push the team up the field and help give support to the midfielders. As the ball moves up the field, they push up.

Movement: Defense

When defending, the two defenders should be close to one another - between 5 and 8 yards apart

The defenders move accordingly to where the ball is on the field. Defenders 'shift' together.

Remember: Cover and Drop. If one defender goes to cover the ball, the other defender has to drop. A center midfielder should also drop in the help. The outside mid on the opposite side to the ball can join the defense while covering the player closest to them.

Midfielders

Center Midfielders

Movement: Attack

The central midfielders are the "The Brain" of the team. They help connect and create plays both in the attacking and defensive end.

The central midfielders are always looking to receive the ball from the goalkeeper, defenders and outside wingers.

The central midfielders control the middle of the field and work closely together. One midfielder becomes the "attacking midfielder" while the other becomes the "defensive midfielder."

If one midfielder goes forward with the soccer ball, the other stays back a little bit more so that if we lose the ball, the midfield is not open.

The midfielders need to help feed the soccer ball to our forward.

If we can go to goal, do it! Take players on, shoot!

Movement: Defense

Midfield players have to get compact and help pressure the ball. Slow down the attacking play as much as possible.

Remember: One player goes, the other stays. Having 4 midfielders gives us a numerical advantage, most teams will play a 3-3-1, we have to capitalize on the extra body in the middle.

Team Defending

In this picture, the opposing outside mid has the ball and is dribbling down our left side. The attacking center midfielder and our left outside midfielder are pressuring the ball. The forward remains high, on the halfway line (or in line with their defenders if they are deeper in their half) in order to stay onside and be an outlet should be clear the ball. The defensive center mid is covering the defenders who have shifted together to the left side of the box and the right outside mid has dropped back to support and cover the opposite outside mid.