U9/10 Game Objectives 12 things to achieve

Formation 1-2-3-1 +2 Wide GK CD CD W W CM S

Why this formation? Has a player in every zone in Defenders, midfielders and strikers Forces our team to play through the team and not direct Wide players make good soccer shapes in diamonds and triangles with central players Is adaptable to 3 players in every zone Gives good opportunities to switch the field of play Stretches opponents with our width Forces our Goalkeeper to play out of the back increasing technical development and tactical awareness Gives realistic central midfield options Will allow players to develop multi positional awareness and n opportunity to develop specific positional techniques

Defensive third objective 1 W CD CM GK To get the team comfortable in playing from a goal kick To do this the goalkeeper places the ball in the center of the Goal area (small box) The central defenders and wide players go wide and central midfielder and striker make the diamond Note: if the opponents mark up all of our player the GK is encouraged to kick to space or the field players look to change places

Defensive third objective 2 W CD CM GK Using the build out line to recognize when to switch Can we utilize the build up line and play to the opposite side of oncoming pressure Can our players recognize where the pressure is coming from and change the point of attack

Defensive third objective 3 GK CD CD CM W W S In Open play, get players comfortable in playing back to the goalkeeper GOALKEEPER MUST NOW USE THEIIR FEET Note: As the ball is going back to the keeper the central defenders are getting wide to make a diamond. The keepers next decision will be based on how the opponents react

Defensive third objective 4 W CD CM GK w That the goalkeeper knows how to make them self the additional player Note: To do this the ball must be at the goalkeepers feet either from a back pass or from a save and then the ball is placed down. The goalkeeper must have the confidence to hold the ball at their feet to create an outlet Timing and awareness is key. In the older ages this will control the speed of play. In this picture the GK holds the ball and the wide player pressures. Our wide player then drops back to receive

Shape Objective 1 Establishing Depth W CD CM GK Establishing Depth No matter where the ball is the striker should be the highest player never coming back to defend. The forward’s positioning is either level with the last defender on the opposing team or on the half way line pending on which one is closest to the opponents goal

Shape Objective 2 Establishing Width GK CD CD CM W W S Establishing Width Our wide players are key as through their positioning they give us either a passing option or create room to attack centrally. When we are in possession of the ball the wide players must be the closest players to the sideline

Shape Objective 3 Diamond Shape GK CD CD Diamond Shape W W CM S To maintain our TOTAL team shape it should expand in possession Our Shape (including GK) should move forward and back in relation to the ball Whichever way we look to play we should make diamonds

Shape Objective 4 GK CD CD W W CM S To improve our defensive team shape When we lose possession of the ball our shape must get smaller and compact. Giving the opponent no room to pass

Get the Goalkeeper to come out of the penalty area Midfield Objective 1 S W CD CM GK Get the Goalkeeper to come out of the penalty area The Goalkeeper moves up with the team (coming out of the penalty box) maintaining a distance behind the last defender appropriate for cover. The goalkeeper should look to come out and kick away when the ball is played behind the central defenders

Can we 1st keep our shape and 2nd can we recognize when to do this Midfield objective 2 GK CD CD CM W W S To have the wide players recognize when to Switch the field. Coach the central midfielder to make the diamond and(switch) using any of the 3 central players Can we 1st keep our shape and 2nd can we recognize when to do this

Advanced Objectives

Combination play 1- The Overlap GK CD CD W W CM S The Ball is with our wide player The central defender on their side runs around the outside of the ball and into the space The player on the ball passes into the run of the overlapping player The player on the ball must hold the ball up to give a cue for the defender to run The next piece is that the other central defender covers the vacated space

Combination play 2- The Overlap Decoy GK CD W W CM CD S The Ball is with our wide player The defender followed the overlapping player This gave the player on the ball space to pass or dribble centrally

To create an open player from a throw in Dead Ball 1 Ball Player To create an open player from a throw in 1. The receiving player is marked so he checks (moves quickly) to the ball

To create an open player from a throw in Dead Ball 2 Ball Player To create an open player from a throw in The receiving player is marked so he spins and runs into the space behind

To create a goal scoring opportunity from Corners Dead Ball 4 1 2 3 To create a goal scoring opportunity from Corners 1. Short pass 2. The cross to the middle 3. The corner of the box All are ready to cover their zone. The players must choose an option based on pressure

Dead Ball 3 To create an open player from a throw in The receiving player is marked so he spins and runs into the space behind The Defender follows. The midfielder checks into the space

Shape Objectives 5 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 GK Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 CD CD W Zone 4 W Zone 5 Zone 6 CM To have the players break the field up into zones and see Which ones they are responsible for Which ones they cover How the shifts up/back and across as the ball moves

Shape Objectives 5 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 GK Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 CD CD Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 W CM W The defending team has 2 options to cover the Defender stepping out to cover player 1 (Above) the central shifts to cover the wide player The other central defender covers and zone 3 is vacant To get the Team to understand how zonal defend when the ball is out wide. To do this the players must Recognize the zone they are in Shift across to cover when the player in the next zone pressures the ball Leave the farthest zone open as this is the one that is the most difficult passing option

Shape Objective 6 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 GK Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 CD W Zone 4 W Zone 5 CD Zone 6 CM CM is stepping up to cover Zone 5 CD is stepping to cover on his left other central defender pinches in the middle and wide player tucks in slightly Zone 1 is left open even with a player in it To get the Team to understand how zonal defend when the ball is central To do this the players must Recognize the zone they are in Leave the farthest zone open as this is the one that is the most difficult passing option Try to stay compact and cover the zone( Team mates) and not the opposing player in it