The following excerpt comes from Soccer Awareness eBook 30: Common Mistakes to Correct at 11 v 11; Identifying and Solving Common Real Game Situation Problems in the Training Environment.

This is a different way to look at the game, rather than highlighting what we need to do well, it shows what often goes wrong and how to fix it. These are many situations I have found happen in top level games. How many of these problems do YOU experience with your team?

Many of the defensive problems as you will see can EASILY be fixed just with good 1 on 1 or unit pressing. Also defensive tactical positioning is covered; as is improvements in our attacking play. A major improvement is needed though in COMMUNICATION at youth level to help fix all errors in most cases. Preview

Defensive Positioning to Fix in Defensive Team Shape

Teams should have 2 basic shapes, an attacking one and a defensive one; wide and long on offense, short and tight on defense. The differences between each should be significant in terms of spacing between players. A problem that occurs is defensive team shape is not short and tight enough and it allows opponents too much time on the ball.

Here is an illustration of defensive positioning to fix. Opponents spread out and our players are FAR TOO WIDE. They mark players not space. This pass is just an example of what we allow that we should stop.

Now, this is how it should set up. All Players tuck in and mark space. Almost inviting (C) to pass to (D) so (7) can press quickly. It may be only 5 to 10 yards of movement but it is vital so we are much more difficult to play through.

Offensive Midfield Player is too Wide

In this example, our opposite midfield player is too wide. This happens too much. We want our players defensively tight close to the ball. This also is a really common one easily fixed. Often fullback (3) does the same as shown.

Here's how it looks when our opposite midfield player tucks in. We want to try to overload the immediate area of the ball, actually condense much more than you might ever imagine. Here a 5 v 3 in our favor. (7) stops the pass to (H).

Get much more like this in Soccer Awareness eBook 30: Common Mistakes to Correct at 11 v 11; Identifying and Solving Common Real Game Situation Problems in the Training Environment.