1-3-2-1: Patterns of Play at 7 v 7

The following drill is part of Soccer Awareness New eBook: Tactical Thoughts on the Development of the New 4 v 4, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 Game Sizes. 

This eBook shows how these different size games can be taught and also shows different systems of play that might be useful to you. Run with them as you may and of course come up with your own solutions too as that is what coaching is all about. I have introduced the use of RONDOS to initially aid the development of players for the game situation.

The idea I am trying to cultivate is to find a pattern of development that goes from 4 v 4 to 7 v 7 all the way through 9 v 9 to 11 v 11 that educates the players VERY EARLY on how to ultimately play the 11 v 11, a common thread running right through the book.  Click Here to Preview The Book

This book can also be found as part of the Elite Soccer Awareness Training Center Plan. 

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Taking simple tactical ideas created on the training field to the game situation. We teach certain movements in training; players take ownership of them in the game situation.

The following presentation is designed to simplify the potential Patterns of Play of players at 7 v 7. We show 3 different systems of play. Eventually we will show several movements but we need to build up to these slowly and with patience.

Patterns of Play are designed to be practiced to help players identify common situations in the game itself. When these situations occur the players involved will think about the movements within a pattern of play (that they practiced in training) and will re-enact them in the game. Our goal is to make this an unconscious decision where the players don’t even have to think about it; they just do it naturally / instinctively. 

Players in our Defensive 3-2-1 Shadow Phase of Play

Using Cones as reference points for team shape defensively then team shape offensively. This is the team shape start position of a 3-2-1.

The Initial Attacking Shadow Phase of Play

Zone 14 is the area between the opponents back players and their midfield. 
 

The Full Attacking System of Play

This is the attacking team shape now a 1-2-2-1. 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.
 

Slightly Safer Way to Play

This is the attacking team shape now a 2-3-1. The attacking team shape We push one wingback / FB forward only and keep safe at the back should the opponents win the ball and counter attack.

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Team and Unit Patterns of Play

The previous diagrams show simple and distinctive patterns of play for the team to follow; from a basic defending shape; to a basic attacking shape. The Third diagram shows a more advanced pattern of play for the attacking phase.

Next diagram we have a very simple “unit” pattern of play involving our 2 wide players working together and creating space for each other on one side of the field. (3) knows when (10) cuts inside that is the “cue” for (3) to overlap; call it a “condition” if you like. Likewise with (2) and (8) on the other side. This encourages / conditions our Fullbacks (2) and (3) to attack. This is a “two player rotation.”

This is the attacking team shape now a 2-3-1. The attacking team shape We push one wingback / FB forward (3) on only and keep safe at the back should the opponents win the ball and counter attack.

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Get more like this including Small Sided 4 v 4 Attacking Games, Patterns of Play at 7 v 7, Team Shape Development in 9 v 9 and lots more in Soccer Awareness eBook: Tactical Thoughts on the Development of the New 4 v 4, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 Game Sizes. 

Patterns of Play: Building from the Back in an 8 v 8

Please watch your games and ask yourself:

1. How many times does your team try to build out of the back?
2. How many times do they play Boot-Ball from back to front?

8 v 8 is at the younger ages; and not wanting to baffle them with science too early; we will choose far fewer ways to build out from the back than we do at 11 v 11.

But we will establish patterns of play they can learn to do that are very simple; but also very effective when done correctly; and we will change the boot ball mentality many clubs follow; and teach the game correctly without fear of failure. 

Mistakes will occur when we build from the back because we are taking risks, but that's okay, players will learn from them.

Yes, it's much safer to boot it long to the fast striker to run and score but that teaches exactly nothing for the long term development of our players; plus all that the midfielders and defenders get out of are stiff necks from watching the ball go over their heads from back to front.

The striker gets all the glory but it means nothing; and as they get older; long term the one who suffers the most is ultimately the striker who learnt absolutely nothing but "running fast or dribbling in a straight line."

As the players get older, defenders are faster, stronger and more cleaver. The fast dynamic striker is no more. So let's teach the game correctly now; for everyone to succeed. I want EVERY player to learn, improve and succeed. That includes the striker as much as anyone. Good strikers are worth their weight in gold but they have to be trained correctly like everyone else.

Distribution from the Keeper and Playing from the Back

Perhaps use cones instead of actual players to practice in a shadow play to make it work initially and to gain confidence (better still use Mannequins). Or, if we are beyond needing to do shadow plays we can start with an overload for us to train to pass out from the back so we have initial success. As we improve we can make it an 8 v 8 and an actual game situation. Here we start with an 8 v 5. We are not saying these will work all the time. Sometimes we will get them wrong. Sometimes the opponents will work out what we are doing and stop us. And sometimes it will work great.

Developing Play from the Back in an 8 v 8 through the Centerbacks / Wingbacks

Now (4) breaks wide to receive the ball and escape being marked in the middle. The same can happen with (5) breaking out to the right also with (6) who stays central.

We must ALWAYS try first of all to play out from the back. The ABSOLUTE last resort is for the keeper to kick it long. This is Great preparation for playing the 11 v 11 and developing the game from the back. Players must spread touchline wide both sides to offer up the largest spaces to play in as they can. Keeper has 3 choices here and the ball must be passed on the ground for ease of reception.

Distribution from the Keeper thru Wide Midfielders/ Strikers

They push 3 up we get out through our wide strikers. Have opponents make different choices to force the keeper to make relevant decisions in training. Here we would NOT try to develop play through the back three players as each one is marked. Therefore we go to the next line of attack to get out.

Rotation of Wide Players to get Free

Here is a simple rotation between (3) and (4) which opens up a passing lane for (3). Opponent (D) follows our (4). If (D) stays then we don't pass to (3) but rather try something else. Introducing 2 player rotations like this is important as we can eventually make this happen all over the field of play. The sooner they learn this the sooner it is embedded in their soccer DNA.

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This 54 page eBook combines striker training with small-sided games into eight full training sessions, each with coaching points, multiple progressions and developments.

Striker movement is one of the greatest and most difficult ARTS to master. The situation is constantly changing and the striker is constantly moving to create space for him or herself but also for teammates.

Small-sided games are important in the development of younger players through increased touches with the ball and more experience with basic tactical challenges.

Get it Now

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Rotation of Wide Players to get Free

Here a simple rotation between (3) and (4) opens up a passing lane for (3). Opponent (D) stays in the space (3) runs in to, so perhaps (4) can get free? Introducing 2 player rotations like this is important as we can eventually make this happen all over the field of play. The sooner they learn this the sooner it is embedded in their soccer DNA.

Distribution from the Keeper through a Central Midfielder Rotation

They push 3 up we get out through a rotation with (6) and (10). Have opponents make different choices to force the keeper to make relevant decisions in training. (6) Sprints forward and takes his or her marker with them, in this case (B). This opens up space where (6) originally was for (10) to drop in unopposed to be free to start the play. In this if we do it quickly enough (10)’s marker may not see it in time and (10) will get free.

Inverted Runs Inside by Wide Midfielders/Strikers

They push 3 up we get out through our wide strikers. Have opponents make different choices to force the keeper to make relevant decisions in training. Here we would NOT try to develop play through the back three players as each one is marked. Therefore we go to the next line of attack to get out. Build up to 8 v 8.

Patterns of Play: 3-3-1 at 8 v 8

Taking simple tactical ideas created on the training field to the game situation. Coaches teach certain movements in training; players take ownership of them in the game situation.

How to Break Down Player Movements:

• The following presentation is designed to simplify all the potential Patterns of Play of young players at 8 v 8.
• This is done by showing a two player rotation per slide.
• Eventually we will show several movements but coaches need to build up to these slowly and with patience.

A Team Pattern of Play:

• Patterns of Play are designed to be practiced to help players identify common situations in the game itself.
• When these situations occur the players involved will think about the movements within a pattern of play (that they practiced in training) and will re-enact them in the game.
• Our goal is to make this an unconscious decision where the players don’t even have to think about it; they just do it naturally / instinctively. 

Patterns of Play: 3-3-1 at 8 v 8