This is a very simple way to show how the team movement works. The system changes as we advance.
Players can interchange positions as we develop the play.
We offer great dynamics and fluidity to the players to allow them to express themselves on the field.
With this we can show the discipline also involved when we lose the ball and recover back.
Teams will develop their style of play within these frameworks, it will never be as picture perfect as this due to the nature of the game. It is more a guide. We teach this from U11 to U18.
How we do it per team will be determined by the level of play.

The players in our system of play

This is the defending team shape (defending start position) of a 1-4-2-3-1. The positioning of the wing fullbacks defensively is somewhat alien to most set ups in other formations and you have to explain and show in detail to your players how this works and why.

Attacking set up

This is the attacking team shape (attacking “start position”) now essentially a 1-3-3-1-3.

Zone 14 is the area between the opponents back three or four and their midfield.. (6) recovers into the best space centrally that is possible hence I show two positions here as a guide.

We look to exploit Zone 14 between opponents defensive line and their midfield. NB It doesn’t have to be (6) who starts play off every time but for ease of explanation this is how its shown.

Attacking set up showing why Zone 14 is so important

Zone 14 is between the opponents defensive line and midfield line. Sort of no mans land if you like. We must exploit it. Here we show (maybe exaggerated) 3 players in this zone.

We look to exploit Zone 14 between opponents defensive line and their midfield. The question for defenders? Do defenders push out to mark, do midfield players drop back to track? This may cause confusion if done quickly enough.

Inverted runs by wide attackers (7) and (11)

This is the attacking team shape now possibly a 1-2-3-2-3 depending on the moment. This can also be 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.

Center backs (4) and (5) who initially went touchline wide not tuck inside to form a solid back three with (6) to guard against a counter attack should we lose the ball.

Positioning between opponent’s defenders

Popularly called “Half Spaces” now. Three front players position between opponents and in the spaces as show. (11) Start position must be wide drawing defender (D) wide.

Inverted runs by wing backs (2) and (3)

This is the attacking team shape now possibly a 2-3-2-3 depending on the moment. This can also be 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.

Designed to fool opponents who don’t expect “wing backs” to take up these positions.

Changing of team shape if we lose the ball from this attacking set up

Let’s say we passed the ball forward and lost it on the edge of the opponents penalty area. Immediately both fullbacks tuck inside to offer to fill central spaces and overload the area. (7) presses INSIDE towards (9) and (10).

Leave opponents in wide positions alone and mark the spaces inside. If (A) gets the ball to (B) or (C) by some chance then (2) and (3) have time to adjust and press “as the ball is travelling”. Call it the 6 Second Rule, we try to regain the ball in 6 seconds.

Forcing the ball inside to our strength in numbers

Even in a wide position, based on the pressing player (7) showing the ball inside (blocks the pass to (B); both wing fullbacks tuck inside because the ball is being forced into the central areas.

Take Note: The Ball is in their left touchline area, our right. As a “team” we do not want to be wider than the far post of each goal. This is much more than you likely expect but we are closing all spaces down. This condensing as a team must be IMMEDIATE and FAST.

Forcing the ball wide and adjustment of defenders

(7) Cannot get positioned quickly enough to force the ball inside so forces wide and this means some adjustment behind him or her for the right wing fullback and the right centre back especially.

Take Note: The Ball is in the their left touchline area, our right. As a “team” we do not want to be wider than the far post of each goal. This is much more than you likely expect but we are closing all spaces down. This condensing as a team must be IMMEDIATE and FAST.

Interchange and rotation

Movements up front have been effected creating a diamond of support for striker 9 who becomes 10 and so on. These movements will be described in much more detail later.

Freedom of movement for what is essentially a front 6 players attacking. Moving in 2s where players are close so can rotate within the immediate time and space.

Potential interchange movements

Great rotation between players should cause a lot of confusion in the opponents defending set up. We can establish some set routines initially using a situation to set it off (6 gets the ball to feet with time for example). Like a set play in open play to teach the players simply.

Freedom of movement for what is essentially a front 6 players attacking.

A Preferred Phase Five when losing the ball: A Full Team Press

We may press up from the back too leaving opponents offside; should they get a chance of a counter attack. Defenders must decide in a split second which course of action they take.

Defensive team recovery

Defending and recovering from a 1-3-3-1-3 to a 1-5-4-1 or 1-4-2-3-1 (depending on number (6)’s position).

We cant press high and stop the delivery forward so we drop off and get compact.

Movements off the ball into and around the box

(7) attacks far post first them switches to attack the near post. (9) attacking far post at first then switches to attack the near post. (8) positions behind (7) and (9) centrally for the pull back, (10) positions on the edge of the box, (11) for anything hit too long from (2).

Attacking Movements to get in and around the box for the cross

End Product; attacking 4 areas; the near post, the far post and in behind and beyond. 2nd ball clearance (10) is in position and (3) may also shadow around the box.

Crossing into or around the 2nd Six Yard Box

(2) Out of picture delivers the cross. Players are arriving as LATE as possible and as FAST as possible. Four options for (2) and two players shadowing the box.

Crossing into or around the 2nd Six Yard Box

(2) Out of picture delivers the cross. (7) and (9) don’t necessarily need to cross-over they can both take defenders AWAY from the crossing area and then cut back.

Three player rotation on the edge of the 2nd Six yard box

(2) Out of picture delivers the cross. The three players have rotated positions trying to free up space for each other. Everyone else are in ideal positions for attacking; second ball clearance; and defending the counter attack

Near post player (7) clearing the SPACE for the Far Post player (9)

Here defender (C) follows (7) and leaves the near post space open for (9) to attack it. This is what we are trying to achieve with the 3 player rotation as someone somewhere may get free. (2) has to pick out the best option or just drive it into the box.

Near Post Player getting FREE for a shot on goal

(2) Out of picture delivers the cross. In closer detail here: (7) getting free dropping off into space in the 2nd six yard box to get a one touch shot on goal

Clearing the Near Post SPACE for the far post player (9)

Leaving out most other defenders to make it clearer how (7) taking defender (C) out of the Near Post SPACE releases (9) making the run from the far post. You hope players man mark for this particular move. (9) gets a run on defender (B).