Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 7 A SIDE POSITIONAL AWARENESS (3 PARTS)
Description
- Present the 2-3-1 formation to the players and allow them to understand the roles and responsibilities of each position in terms of attacking, defending and transitional play.
- Demonstrate the requirements of attacking players "tracking back" is not just due to the obvious need to regain possession but also to allow them to retain the ball and create opportunities in attacking areas
- Use discussion points to build their understanding of the activity alongside the practical restrictions in positioning in phase 1

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
10 mins
7 A SIDE POSITIONAL AWARENESS PHASE 1
Set Up
- As before
- Move one team into a shape where they are now 3 players in the defensive third and 3 players in the attacking third. These players are now locked into these zones and cannot occupy the centre zone
- The other team is allowed to move freely between zones but should consider their shape throughout
- Defending players cannot enter the penalty area
- All goals must be scored with first finishes from inside the penalty area, but the ball can be dribbled or passed into the penalty area. If dribbled in, a player must arrive to finish first time
- Play for 5 mins, keeping track of the score
- Reverse the set ups of the teams and play another 5 mins
- 5 mins of rest and discussion
Questions
- Which way was more successful? Which team had an easier time of keeping possession?
- How did the defenders feel without a midfield to support them?
- Did the attackers get much of the ball when they were locked into the final third?

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
10 mins
7 A SIDE POSITIONAL AWARENESS PHASE 2
Set Up
- As before
- Reset players back into their original positions as during the first discussion phase (2-3-1)
- All players are now free to move into any zones
- Rules for goal scoring are the same
- Challenge the players to try and drop into midfield to collect the ball from their defenders or create space for their team to pass and dribble into
Variations
- To simplify: allow players to enter the box and shoot without the first time rule
- To challenge: Add a goal keeper and adjust the pitch dimensions (wider/shorter or longer/narrower) to create space wide or in behind the defence
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
5 mins
7 A SIDE POSITIONAL AWARENESS (2-3-1) SET UP AND DISCUSSION
6 v 6 ¦ 5 mins discussion - 10 mins (1st phase) - 5 mins rest and discussion - 10 mins (2nd phase)
Session Aims
Enable players to understand the 2-3-1 shape and the requirements of players in each role to enable defensive solidity, attacking threat and best practice during transitional phases
Set Up
- Standard UK 7 a side pitch dimensions - 55m x 36.5m
- Goal at each end (use mini goals if available)
- Divided into thirds
- Penalty area at each side - 16.5m x 9m
- Two teams of six players set up with 2 defenders in the defensive third, 3 midfielders in the centre third and a striker in the attacking third.
Activity (Discussion)