Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Keeping Shape/positional responsibilities (Start Time: 2018-04-24 11:55:00)

Physical and Imaginary Lines on the Field (5 mins)

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.

Zones (10 mins)

Zones

The field 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 14/17 and the halfspaces of Zones 13/16 and 15/18 (shaded area). It is from here that statistically most goals are scored (17/16/18) / created (14/13/15)! 17/16/18 is also called the Greedy Box. Chaos can ensue and if not careful own goals can be scored just as easily as goals for your team.

Principles of Def (20 mins)

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 aka the teter totter approach

4. Compactness when being attcked

5. Communication!!!!!!!!!!

Numbering System (20 mins)

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 1-4-4-2.

1 = GK

2 = Right Back

3 = Left Back

4 = Def Center Back

5 = Att Center Back

6 = Defensive Center Mid

7 = Right Winger

8 = Att Center Mid

9 = Center/primary Forward/Striker

10= Second Forward/Striker

11 = Left Winger