Setting Conditions to Establish Themes of Play Using Corridors and Zones as a Guide for 9 v 9
This doesn’t not mean at all in the game it is wrong to play a forward pass in a straight line to a player; as this happens often in the game; but it does get the players to “think” about supporting each other at angles OFF the ball to be in a better position to potentially receive it offering a greater peripheral vision to see the field.
Condition One:
Players CANNOT pass the ball forward in the same corridors so no one receives the ball facing backwards
All forward passes have to be at angles.
All support in front of the ball has to be at angles to the ball.
This encourages players to get side-on or facing forward when receiving the ball
Players CAN pass to the side or backwards in a straight line.
Condition Two: Timing of the pass and the run are vital in this.
Players CAN pass forward in the same corridor but ONLY if a player runs into it from a DIFFERENT corridor as the ball arrives so they are facing forward as they receive it and running onto it.
Now players can interchange to create space for each other which should pose problems for marking opponents.
Just by setting this condition players HAVE to move to receive the ball if the pass is in a straight line going forward.
Playing in 5 Corridors and 3 Zones using the 3-3-1-1 for attacking and defending team shape
You can use this method of teaching with any system you like.
We divide the field up into Corridors and Zones to help players understand the major differences in spacing between attacking and defending team shape. We call them Corridors Widthwise and Zones Lengthwise. Below are some parameters to work off in my opinion.
We first discuss the use of the Corridors.
Team Attacking Shape: Based on the 5 corridors width-wise we want all 5 corridors to have players in them. Based length–wise we want a maximum of 2 of 3 zones filled; with the exception of the keeper.
Team Defending Shape: Based on the 5 corridors width-wise we want a maximum of 3 corridors filled with players preferably 2.5 if possible.
Based length-wise we want a maximum of 2 of 3 zones filled preferably the whole team is condensed into 1.5 zones or at most half a field.
Playing in 5 Corridors using the 3-3-1-1
Using Corridors is a great way to work out individual and collective field positioning as a team both offensively and defensively and it also gives players real a “focal point” to work off.
We use “Corridors” width wise and then introduce “Zones” lengthwise later.
These “focal points of reference” I believe are a great way to really teach players to understand the differences between attacking and defending team shapes both widthwise and lengthwise.
Particularly in defensive set ups (in my opinion); it shows players how to mark in zones and how much tighter it should be than they will likely imagine and especially shows those players furthest from the ball defensively how important zonal marking is.
Example, the balls is on our left with the other team and our right back is marking the opponents opposite side winger far too wide, by having designated lines this becomes much clearer to understand.
Set a Condition to Establish a Theme
Playing in 5 Corridors to help define the positioning of players. Now the players CANNOT pass the ball forward in the same corridors so no one receives the ball facing backwards. Every pass forward is at an angle. But players can pass to the side or backwards in a straight line. Here (6) cannot pass the ball directly to (10).
Condition 1 to force an angled passing theme
Now the players CANNOT pass the ball forward in the same corridor so no one receives the ball facing backwards. So players begin to position at angles to each other to receive the ball and try to get at least side on to have a greater peripheral vision of the field. Here (10) moves to be able to receive the ball.
Condition 2 to allow a straight pass
New Condition: you can pass forward in the same corridor if a player runs into it as the ball arrives so they are facing forward as they receive it and running.
Condition Two: Creates / almost forces players to rotate and interchange positions
Now players can interchange to create space for each other which should pose problems for marking opponents. Just by setting this condition players HAVE to move to receive the ball. (2) and (3) tuck in to be solid defensively.
Could also pass to (9) if he or she have gotten free.
Can develop 2, 3 and 4 player rotations from this one idea / condition.