Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): 2012 Pre-Elite Formation Roles & Responsibilities

4 & 5 (defenders)

Roles & Responsibilities - Defenders 4 & 5 big & brave

When defending/loss of possession:

1. Play compact (tight approx 10 yrd between them) to not get split in the middle, playing as two center backs, not outside back. Deny forward movement or passes.

2. #4 positions & is responsible for controlling the right channel and can travel into middle to help at second defender, #5 positions & is responsible for controlling the right channel and can travel into middleto help at second defender

2. One presses the ball (depending on where ball is becomes first defender) other defender SLIDES across the field to the side where the ball is and TUCKS/DROPS to offer support to 1st defender if they get beat (shown on middle purple grid). Provide depth to one another for quick switching of the play. also look to support offer depth 7 & 11 for playing back when under pressure

3. Must be goal side and mark up the free players, be tight not allowing attacker to turn and run at you. Close down the space quick, approach sideways off and deflect/show them away from goal (especially in 1st/defensive third - field third screen).

When attacking/in possession:

1. Looks to play forward quickly around opposition to 7/11 or through (if passing channels/space allow) to 6 or 9. Do not try to take players on 1v1 from the back, too dangerous.

2. When team is in possession in attacking third(final third - Field third screen) defender should move up the field as a unit to press the ball high and not allow forward movement. 

3. Transition must be quick from defense to attacking/ Win ball quickly and look to distribute quickly. very litte time to think.

7 & 11 (outside mid)

Roles & Responsibilities - Midfield #7 & #11 - runners & Creators of width

When defending/loss of possession:

1. Must drop and tuck in to mark opposition running forward (okay to move into middle third). Positioned goal side of mark, hips facing out, dropped off just enough at angle that you can see ball and mark. Looks to compress make the field smaller for opposition

2. A lot of up & down movement/running with 7 & 11. Linking defense to forwards & forwards to defense

3. Looks to intercept (play as 2nd defender to 9) when opposition is playing out from the back.

When attacking/in possession:

1. When playing out from the back (receiving from goal) MUST OPEN UP WIDE back to side lines responsible for creating width in our shape and making the field as big as possible. Look to play in the outside channels on your side. Important you play on your side and not chase the ball!

2. Staying wide to isolate the other teams defender and look to take her on 1v1 attacking the space in and behind

3. Offering support to 6 or 9 for a switch (must be wide).

Field Thirds & Terms

Commonly used terms:

Drop - move backwards (typically towards own goal)

Open up wide - get back to side line to create width

Press - defend quick! don't let them move forward with dribble/pass. Move forward when defending

Slide - move across the field toward ball (watch out for being too tight/close to your teammate)

Tuck - drop at angle to your other supporting teammate/defender

Open up - receive back foot  so first touch is into different direction (common for #6 with switching the play).hips are open so you are seeing the whole field not flat facing the direction it just came from

Back foot - foot furthest from the ball when receiving

Drive - run at the defender, take the the player on WITH speed 1v1 to get into space behind, dribble into the space

Depth - offer support behind the player with the ball

Goalside - position yourself between your mark and your goal. preferably hips facing out

Overloads - When there are more attackers than defenders example 2v1, 3v2, 4v2 etc

Combine/combination - 1 or more passes linked together between your team

Breaking lines - movement of the ball past/behind the defender. Pass, dribble, cross, shot