Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Goal Kicks - Line of 4 Defenders (Style Formations)

Detailed Pockets of Space (10 mins)

Goal-kick set up with a (Defensive Line of 4):

* Pockets of Space we seek to generate with this Goal-Kick set up.

* It works by tempting/forcing the opposing team to move/shift to a specific space so we can exploit the gaps between their lines (in a poor/slow/unsynchronized transition) OR their Weakside OR isolate 1 v 1 matchups between our player and their papa. 

With Final Objective: to get the ball to the Desired Space to Penetrate via:

 - Through Ball (Vertical / Diagonal)

 - Combination / or Dribble

 - Long Ball by teammate (purposeful - pass or flick ex. 9 flicking 7/11)

 - Long Ball by opponents poor/failed clearance (flick/rebound)

 - Winning second ball to a quick through ball or dribble. 

Zone Overview (10 mins)

Goal-kick set up with a (Defensive Line of 4):

Decision Making Considerations:

* Pockets of space we are trying to create.

 - can you visualize yourself building up play from those pockets of space?

* Strengths and Weaknesses of the Opposing team. 

 - consider the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition to guide the decisions making.

 - can we identify the PAPA in each line - and look to guide our attack through there?  

 - consider our own strength and weaknesses. Technical mastery will dictate tactics success.

* Transitioning and Being in Advantageous/Ready Positions.

 - Many times we will have the opportunity to punish a team with poor positioning/transitional play but (can't/won't) because at least 1 player is not occupying the advantageous position he needs to be at. This is an issue of failing too: Read the Game, Lack of Focus, Lack of Positional Role within the Structure of the Formation System.

 - Consider transitional speeds of the opposition and ours. Strengths vs Weaknesses.

 - Can you identify the weakness (or weaknesses) in their transition and play through there? (same in throw-ins)

*Given our Positioning:

 - Can you vizualize the pockets of space? (*next slide - high light them)

 - Don't forget - Space = Time - the more space you can create for yourself and your team the more time you have for quality decision making. BUT: Space with Proper Angles = Quality Time. & Quality Time allows you to Play at Adequate Balance Speed of Play - (Compose but with a sense of Urgency).

Scenerios: 

1. Consider how the defensive line is set up (6 v 5) or (5 v 5) - is it organized or not? 

2. Consider how the forward line is set up - (Diamond 4) or (U 4)?  organized or not?

3. *** Consider: 

- when do you go short (zone C)? 

- when do you go mid-range (zone B)? 

- When do you pass to the (Battle Zone)? 

- when do you go long (zone A)? 

GK Build Up - Long (20 mins)

Goal Kick Build Up Playinf Long:

- #'s represent the positions

- Shaded White Zones represent target areas runs specific to player's position

****** the formation on the build up is a (2 - 3 - 4 - 1)

Spacing is the following: 2 (compact) - 3 (Properly Spaced) - 3 (7/11 Wide while 10 / 8 Compact) - 1 (alone in the 40 yard line in opponents half) - Remember, there is no offsides on goalkicks

Important:

- We want to win the 1st and 2nd ball if possible.

- BUT the 2nd BALL is the most important one!

- When we go long (or any 50/50 - it carries risks) - remember you always have Red Zones (corner kick spaces) to release opposition pressure.

- If WE DO lose 1st and or 2nd ball (6 second defense rule becomes LAW)

In this tactical application, I Divided the Build up formation into 4 lines.

* Line 1 Includes: # 1, # 5 and # 4

* Line 2 Includes: # 2, # 6 and # 6

* Line 3 Includes: # 11, # 10, # 8, and # 7

* Line 4 Includes: # 9

Target Zones we are trying to take advenatage is Purple Zone A and Purple Zone B.

How? A lot of it will depend on how the opposition reacts to our movements.

Keys:

- Accurate Distribution with exact spin, and pace on ball.

- Location of Distribution must be dictated by the area within Purple Zone A & B with more Space.

- If we have Identified their weakest Defender in their line, we should have our most talented player in

1 v 1 air duel and excellent technical touch on him. This will increase our success in such match up to retain possesion

- Play and EXPECT Errors, Mistakes and Poor 1st Touches and be ready to apply full team oriented defense while applying the 6 second defense rule.

- If possible to hit Line 4 (this option is prefered)

- Anyone in Line 3 can Flick ball towards the space behind the oppositions defense for the rest in Line 3 to chase (#9 must not play Flick because he is offside - but this can cause confusion in our favor - #9 gets involved as soon as an opponents defender passes you).

- IDEA: if played to Purple Zone B. Players in Line 3 can always Do a 1 Touch Reset Pass to any Player in Line 2. Line 2 Players then would play weak side options or any advantagious penetrative (vertical) options. Worst case scenerio, clear ball to RED ZONES.

- So Line 2 and Line 1 Players must always be ready to support every 50/50 long ball.

*** Example: Goalkick goes to #11. #11 1st touch resets to #10. #10 then plays #7, on the weakside, an advantagious penetrative pass that allows us to go on a fast offensive break.

KEY:

- Technique of Long Ball and Reception / 1st Touch Skills are key

- Teammates not involved with the ball must have laser like focus to react to any 2nd ball. Either to provide supporting (reset) passing options to establish posession, penetrative options, or ready to preassure and recover the ball as a unit

- Strong physical air game, ability to hold the ball (if necessary)

- Play forward every opportunity with Proper (positive) Passing

- Overload zones and direct play through there when ever possible (example: 2 v 1s / 3 v 1's / 4 v 2's)

- If we cant play fast through the overloading zones: play the 1 v 1's were the space is greatest.

- Play Redzones if risk of turnover increases

- The Goal here is to get to the attacking 1/3 with: Speed, composure and numerical overloads