Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Playing Between the Lines

Defending Half

When we (red team) are playing out of the back notice: 

The space that we created so we can use it. The 2, 3, 7, 11 are wide. Note how there width creates space in the middle of the field for the 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 9 to receive the ball into space. 

Notice the white boxes. We line up between the defense’s lines. Note the red 2, 6, 3 are between the blue 7, 9, 11 and the 8, 10. Likewise the red 8, 10 are lined between blue 8, 10 , 6. 

Attacking Half - Application

FORMATION: 

Both teams are playing a 4-3-3

Note the red (us) 2, 3, 6 playing in between the blue 9, and the 7, 8, 10, 11. Also note the red 10, 11 playing between the blue 7, 8, 2, and 4. Also note the red 7, 8 are playing between the blue 10, 11, 3, 5. We MUST always settle in between the lines. 

Finally note, the pair of white boxes extending from the top of the 18 to half field. Red has a 4v2 advantage on both sides. This is like rondo. Example: 

Say the ball is played by the red 4 to red 8. The blue 5 will step. This creates space for the red 9 to run behind the line. The blue 3’s eyes will be locked on 8 which allows the red 7 to make a back shoulder run into space behind. The red 2 moves into space created by the red 7 leaving it. Now the 8 has three options to play the ball. 

This happens because we settled and played between the lines. It can also happen with the 5 and 10.