The following presentation is from the New Problems to Fix Section in the Soccer Awareness Training Center. This is a different way to look at the game, rather than highlighting what we need to do well, these presentations show 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? Get 14 more Problems to Fix presentations like this and more than 500 drills, training sessions, videos and more in the Soccer Awareness Training Center. Find Out More

Positioning At The Back When Losing The Ball

Both wing backs attacking. We lose the ball, the most vulnerable place for us is now the wide area as shown. We mark “goal-side” and leave the wide area open.

We Are Exposed With a 1 v 1 Wide

If (J) is fast we are in big trouble now as he attacks defender (4) in a 1 v 1. He could run inside to goal or into a crossing position. Next we show how we can prevent this before it happens.

What Should Happen

This is what should happen; (4) moves channel side of (J) and with depth to fill the space and prevent the pass. (6) drops in to cover or (5) if closer can do it. This may delay the forward momentum of (A) and allow recovery runs.

Here (5) adds cover to (4) if needed, and (6) drops back to cover (K)s run. If (A) passes to (J)’s feet then (4) has time to close (J) down and control the situation with (J) with their back to goal. Other players will try to recover back.

Get 14 more Problems to Fix presentations like this and more than 500 drills, training sessions, videos and more in the Soccer Awareness Training Center. Whether you’re a beginning coach who needs help getting started or someone who wants to add some variety to their training sessions, the Soccer Awareness Training Center offers a wide variety of drills to choose from.  Find Out More