The following drill is part of Soccer Awareness New eBook: Tactical Thoughts on the Development of the New 4 v 4, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 Game Sizes.

This eBook shows how these different size games can be taught and also shows different systems of play that might be useful to you. Run with them as you may and of course come up with your own solutions too as that is what coaching is all about. I have introduced the use of RONDOS to initially aid the development of players for the game situation.

The idea I am trying to cultivate is to find a pattern of development that goes from 4 v 4 to 7 v 7 all the way through 9 v 9 to 11 v 11 that educates the players VERY EARLY on how to ultimately play the 11 v 11, a common thread running right through the book. Click Here to Preview The Book

This book can also be found as part of the Elite Soccer Awareness Training Center Plan.

Taking simple tactical ideas created on the training field to the game situation. We teach certain movements in training; players take ownership of them in the game situation.

The following presentation is designed to simplify the potential Patterns of Play of players at 7 v 7. We show 3 different systems of play. Eventually we will show several movements but we need to build up to these slowly and with patience.

Patterns of Play are designed to be practiced to help players identify common situations in the game itself. When these situations occur the players involved will think about the movements within a pattern of play (that they practiced in training) and will re-enact them in the game. Our goal is to make this an unconscious decision where the players don’t even have to think about it; they just do it naturally / instinctively.

Players in our Defensive 3-2-1 Shadow Phase of Play

Using Cones as reference points for team shape defensively then team shape offensively. This is the team shape start position of a 3-2-1.

The Initial Attacking Shadow Phase of Play

Zone 14 is the area between the opponents back players and their midfield.

The Full Attacking System of Play

This is the attacking team shape now a 1-2-2-1. The attacking team shape we change to when we are chasing a game; perhaps losing 1-0 and wanting to be more positive in attack. So this now would be the start position.

Slightly Safer Way to Play

This is the attacking team shape now a 2-3-1. The attacking team shape We push one wingback / FB forward only and keep safe at the back should the opponents win the ball and counter attack.

Team and Unit Patterns of Play

The previous diagrams show simple and distinctive patterns of play for the team to follow; from a basic defending shape; to a basic attacking shape. The Third diagram shows a more advanced pattern of play for the attacking phase.

Next diagram we have a very simple “unit” pattern of play involving our 2 wide players working together and creating space for each other on one side of the field. (3) knows when (10) cuts inside that is the “cue” for (3) to overlap; call it a “condition” if you like. Likewise with (2) and (8) on the other side. This encourages / conditions our Fullbacks (2) and (3) to attack. This is a “two player rotation.”

This is the attacking team shape now a 2-3-1. The attacking team shape We push one wingback / FB forward (3) on only and keep safe at the back should the opponents win the ball and counter attack.

Get more like this including Small Sided 4 v 4 Attacking Games, Patterns of Play at 7 v 7, Team Shape Development in 9 v 9 and lots more in Soccer Awareness eBook: Tactical Thoughts on the Development of the New 4 v 4, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 Game Sizes.

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