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4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY POPULAR AND USED BY SUCH GREAT TEAMS AS THE $UTCH .ATIONAL AND -ANCHESTER 5NITED
)T IS A VERY EFFECTIVE AND VERSATILE ATTACKING SYSTEM BASED ON COMING DOWN THE SIDES AS WELL AS SPREADING
THE DEFENSE AND THEN PENETRATING THROUGH THE CENTER 7ITH OVERLAPPING OUTSIDE DEFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS
THE QUICKLY CONVERTS TO A OR PUTTING IMMENSE PRESSURE ON THE OPPOSING DEFENSIVE UNITS
4HE VULNERABILITY OF THE LIES IN ITS FLAT BACK DEFENSE WHICH CAN BE TORN APART BY DIAGONAL RUNS THROUGH
ITS CENTER
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4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE OUTSIDE DEFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS WHO ARE IN EXCEPTIONAL
AEROBIC SHAPE AS THEY WILL BOTH MAKE DEEP RUNS TO ATTACK AND THEN NEED TO CHASE BACK IN THE TEAMgS
TRANSITION TO DEFENSE4HE ZONAL SYSTEM REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF VERBAL AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION
PARTICULARLY WHEN DEFENDING TO ENSURE THAT OPPOSING ATTACKERS ARE CHALLENGED AND COVERED
4HIS SYSTEM RELIES ON THE OFF SIDE TRAP AND THAT IS WHERE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE ALERT TO ENSURE THEY STEP
UP JUST BEFORE THE BALL IS PLAYED IN BEHIND THEM4HIS REQUIRES ALMOST AUTOMATIC MECHANISMS
BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE TIME TO PROVIDE EACH OTHER WITH INSTRUCTIONS
7HEN ATTACKING THE OUTSIDE PLAYERS AS WELL AS THE FORWARDS ALL NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY V AND PLACE
ACCURATE CROSSES INTO THE PENALTY AREA "OTH FORWARDS AND CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE GOAL SCORING
TECHNIQUE AND CAPABILITY FOR HEADING THE BALL
)NSIDE MIDFIELDERS ARE THE STRATEGISTS WHO READ THE PLAY DECIDE WHEN TO COME BACK TO SUPPORT THE
DEFENDERS WHERE TO DISTRIBUTE THE BALL AND WHEN TO MAKE PENETRATING RUNS DOWN THE MIDDLE4HEY
REQUIRE EXCELLENT VISION AND ABILITY TO READ THE OPPOSITION
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&IRST AND FOREMOST COACHES NEED LOTS OF TIME BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS TO TRAIN THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THIS
SYSTEM %MPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON KEEPING PLAYERS IN THEIR ZONES AND ON GETTING THEM TO MAKE THE RIGHT
DECISIONS REGARDING CHALLENGING PENETRATING OPPONENTS -UCH WORK WILL BE REQUIRED TO COORDINATE THE
OFF SIDE TRAP WHICH AGAIN REQUIRES VERBAL AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION
0LAYERS WITH ABILITY TO BEAT OPPONENTS V ON THE WINGS WITH THE ABILITY TO PLAY EFFECTIVE CROSSES INTO THE
TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED
!EROBIC CONDITIONING AND SPEED TRAINING ARE A REQUIREMENT PARTICULARLY FOR THE OUTSIDE PLAYERS
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM WORKS VERY WELL WHEN ATTACKING JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER SYSTEM AN OPPONENT MIGHT PLAY )T IS
PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST OTHER ZONAL SYSTEMS OR A SYSTEM BECAUSE IT OUTNUMBERS IT IN
THE CRITICAL MIDFIELD AREA
4HE WEAKNESS OF THIS LIES IN DEFENSE PARTICULARLY AGAINST A SYSTEM WHICH CAN OUTNUMBER IT
IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD THUS PULLING OUT A CENTRAL DEFENDER CAUSING DIFFICULTY WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE FLAT BACK
ZONE ! SYSTEM CAN ALSO CAUSE DIFFICULTIES PARTICULARLY IF ITS THREE FORWARDS GET ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
FROM OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDERS
5LTIMATELY THE STRENGTH OF YOUR OWN TEAM WILL DETERMINE IF THE OPPONENT IS FORCED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT
TO THEIR SYSTEM DURING THE GAME OR IF YOU NEED TO ADJUST BECAUSE THE OPPONENTgS SYSTEM IS DOMINATING
4HIS IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE ATTACKING SYSTEM WITH RISKS ON DEFENSE
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$ -
$EFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS GENERALLY STAY ON THEIR SIDE
OF THE FIELD ZONE
$ - & $ $ CHALLENGE ATTACKERS ON THEIR SIDE COVER FOR
$ $ OVERLAP WHEN ATTACKING
*.
*.
$ - & $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

- - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING DEFEND AGAINST
OVERLAPPING DEFENDERS OR OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
$ -
- - CONTROL PLAY ATTACK AND DEFEND CENTRALLY
& & MAKE RUNS TO NEARFAR POST OR TO WINGS
$EFENDING
- 8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

$ PROVIDES SUPPORT TO $
$ MARKS CENTRAL ATTACKER
$ 8 - 8 & 8 $ SHIFTS TO MARK SECOND CENTRAL ATTACKER
*.
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$ 8 - 8 & 8 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

$ - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
$ - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
-
8 8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
- GETS READY TO MAKE OVERLAPPING RUN
- & GETS READY TO MAKE DIAGONAL RUN
$ 8
- COMES TO BALL FOR A PASS
& 8 $ SUPPORTS $ FOR A BACK PASS
$ 8 -
*.
*.
8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

8 8 & $EPENDING ON WHERE ON THE FIELD THE PLAY IS THE PLAYER
$ - 8 IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE PASSING OPTIONS
8 TO PLAYERS EITHER COMING TOWARDS THE BALL OR MAKING RUNS
$ - 8 INTO SPACE
!TTACKING
"ALL HAS BEEN PLAYED DOWN THE RIGHT WING WITH -
$ - IN POSSESSION
8
- CAN GO V AND CROSS THE BALL IN OR
$ & 8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING DEFENDER $ WHO WILL THEN CROSS
8 -
*.
*.
8& 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

$ 8 8 - COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR
- 8 & MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE - COULD ALSO PASS WIDE TO
8
$ 8 - OVERLAPPING -$ OR -$ !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR PLAYER WITH BALL
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4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY POPULAR AND USED BY SCHOOL COLLEGE AND YOUTH TEAMS WITH A SHORT PRE SEASON
)T IS A VERY EFFECTIVE AND VERSATILE ATTACKING SYSTEM BASED ON COMING DOWN THE SIDES AS WELL AS SPREADING
THE DEFENSE AND THEN PENETRATING THROUGH THE CENTER 7ITH OVERLAPPING OUTSIDE DEFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS
THE QUICKLY CONVERTS TO A OR PUTTING IMMENSE PRESSURE ON THE OPPOSING DEFENSIVE UNITS
4HE SWEEPER PROVIDES PERMANENT SECURITY AND COVER FOR THE MARKING DEFENDERS )T DOES NOT RELY ON THE
OFF SIDE TRAP AND THEREFORE IS NOT VULNERABLE WHEN THE TRAP FAILS )T DOES SHIFT PLAY MORE OFTEN INTO OWN HALF
7($05(48,5(0(176
TRANSITION TO DEFENSE 4HE SWEEPER MUST BE AN EXPERT IN V AND TACKLING WITH EXCEPTIONAL SPEED GOOD
READ OF THE PLAY AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO ORGANIZE THE DEFENDERS IN FRONT
4HE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAN MARK OR TO MARK WITHIN A ZONE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF
OPPOSING FORWARDS
)NSIDE MIDFIELDERS ARE THE STRATEGISTS WHO READ THE PLAY DECIDE WHEN TO COME BACK TO SUPPORT THE
DEFENDERS WHERE TO DISTRIBUTE THE BALL AND WHEN TO MAKE PENETRATING RUNS DOWN THE MIDDLE4HEY
REQUIRE EXCELLENT VISION AND ABILITY TO READ THE OPPOSITION
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
&IRST AND FOREMOST COACHES NEED RELATIVELY LITTLE TIME BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS TO TRAIN THE KEY ELEMENTS OF
THIS SYSTEM DUE TO THE SECURITY PROVIDED BY THE SWEEPER BASED DEFENSE %MPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON KEEPING
MIDFIELD PLAYERS IN THEIR ZONES AND ON GETTING THEM TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS REGARDING WHEN TO MAKE
OVERLAPPING RUNS4HE SAME IS TRUE FOR DEFENDERS IF PLAYING AGAINST TWO FORWARDS
TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED !EROBIC CONDITIONING AND SPEED TRAINING ARE A REQUIREMENT
PARTICULARLY FOR THE OUTSIDE PLAYERS AND THE SWEEPER
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM WORKS VERY WELL WHEN ATTACKING JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER SYSTEM AN OPPONENT MIGHT PLAY )T IS
PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST OTHER ZONAL SYSTEMS )T PROVIDES DEFENDING SECURITY AGAINST A AND
SYSTEM AND OUTNUMBERS THE IN THE CRITICAL MIDFIELD AREA
4HE WEAKNESS OF THIS LIES IN OFFENSE DUE TO FAIRLY LIMITED OPTIONS $EFENDERS TEND NOT TO OVERLAP
HOWEVER THE CENTRAL DEFENDER CAN PROVIDE AN OPTION THROUGH THE MIDDLE
4HE WEAKNESS OF THE OPPONENTgS ATTACK WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO CONVERT THIS SYSTEM INTO A
OR SWEEPER FORMATION TO GENERATE MORE OFFENSE
4HIS IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE SYSTEM PROVIDING BALANCE BETWEEN OFFENSE AND DEFENSE
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$ -
!GAINST FORWARDS $ $ $ MARK FORWARDS
- & !GAINST FORWARDS $ $ MARK IF PLAY COMES DOWN
LEFT AND $ $ MARK IF PLAY COMES DOWN RIGHT SIDE
*.
*.
$ $
- & - - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING DEFEND AGAINST
- - CONTROL PLAY ATTACK AND DEFEND CENTRALLY
$ -
$EFENDING

*.
*.
- MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

$ 8 - 8 & 8
$ - - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
8 8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
8
- COMES TO BALL FOR A PASS
$ 8 - 8
*.
*.
8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ 8 8 & $EPENDING ON WHERE ON THE FIELD THE PLAY IS THE PLAYER
$ - 8 IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE PASSING OPTIONS
$ - 8 INTO SPACE
!TTACKING
- IN POSSESSION
8
& 8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING DEFENDER $ WHO WILL THEN CROSS
$ 8 -
*.
*.
8& 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

$ 8 8 - COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR
- 8 & MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE - COULD ALSO PASS WIDE TO
$ $ 8 8
- OVERLAPPING - OR -$ !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
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4HIS SYSTEM HAS BECOME POPULAR WITH PROFESSIONAL TEAMS IN THE LATE S )T RELIES ON TWO MIDFIELD
SPECIALISTS A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER SWEEPING BEHIND THE MIDFIELD AND AN OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKING MIDFIELDER
4HE DIAMOND MIDFIELD PROVIDES ATTACKING FLEXIBILITY DOWN THE SIDES AND THROUGH THE MIDDLE4HE DEFENSE
IS STRENGTHENED BY THE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER !T THE SAME TIME IT IS A MORE PREDICTABLE SYSTEM TO DEFEND
AGAINST DUE TO THE MORE STATIC POSITIONAL PLAY OF THE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS 4HE VULNERABILITY OF THE LIES IN
ITS FLAT BACK DEFENSE WHICH CAN BE TORN APART BY DIAGONAL RUNS THROUGH ITS CENTER
7($05(48,5(0(176
4HE DIAMOND MIDFIELD REQUIRES TWO SPECIALISTS4HE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER NEEDS TO HAVE VISION AND BE A
TWO WAY PLAYER DUE TO RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND AND START TRANSITION FROM DEFENSE TO ATTACK4HE OFFENSIVE
MIDFIELDER NEEDS TO ANTICIPATE PLAY TO GET INTO POSITION TO RECEIVE THE BALL FROM THE BACK AND THEN HAVE THE
V AND PASSING SKILL TO PUT FORWARDS AND OVERLAPPING PLAYERS INTO POSITIVE ACTION4HEY NEED TO SUPPORT
FORWARDS AND WINGERS IN POSSESSION AND HAVE GOAL SCORING ABILITY
/UTSIDE DEFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS MUST BE IN EXCEPTIONAL AEROBIC SHAPE AS THEY WILL
BOTH MAKE DEEP RUNS TO ATTACK AND THEN NEED TO CHASE BACK IN THE TEAMgS TRANSITION TO DEFENSE
4HE ZONE DEFENSE REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF VERBAL AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION TO ENSURE THAT OPPOSING
ATTACKERS ARE CHALLENGED AND COVERED 4HIS SYSTEM RELIES ON THE OFF SIDE TRAP AND DEFENDERS NEED TO
ENSURE THEY STEP UP JUST BEFORE THE BALL IS PLAYED IN BEHIND THEM4HIS REQUIRES ALMOST AUTOMATIC
MECHANISMS BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE TIME TO PROVIDE EACH OTHER WITH INSTRUCTIONS 7HEN ATTACKING THE
OUTSIDE PLAYERS AS WELL AS THE FORWARDS ALL NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY V AND PLACE ACCURATE CROSSES
INTO THE PENALTY AREA
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HE KEY TO THIS SYSTEM IS TO HAVE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS OF ADEQUATE SKILL4HE COACHING CHALLENGE IS TO
DEVELOP A STRATEGY OF HOW TO DEFEND IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD WHEN OUTNUMBERED 4HE OPTIONS ARE TO REQUIRE
THE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER TO COME BACK OR A CENTRAL DEFENDER TO STEP UP 4HAT COULD LEAVE THE DEFENSE
EXPOSED IF THE OPPONENT SUCCESSFULLY OVERLAPPED YOUR OWN OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER AND THE OUTSIDE DEFENDER
NEEDED TO STEP UP AS WELL ,OTS OF TIME BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS IS REQUIRED TO GET THIS SYSTEM TUNED
%MPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON TRAINING ZONE DEFENSE AND OFF SIDE TRAP MECHANISMS
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM WORKS VERY WELL AGAINST SIMILAR DIAMOND MIDFIELDS AND PARTICULARLY AGAINST A
!GAINST A STRONG ZONAL THE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MIGHT NEED TO COLLAPSE TO A FLAT ZONE AS WELL
4HE WEAKNESS OF THIS LIES IN DEFENSE PARTICULARLY AGAINST A SYSTEM WHICH CAN OUTNUMBER IT
IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD V THUS PULLING OUT A CENTRAL DEFENDER STILL BEING OUTNUMBERED AND CAUSING DIFFICULTY
WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE FLAT BACK ZONE
! SYSTEM CAN ALSO CAUSE DIFFICULTIES PARTICULARLY IF A CENTRAL DEFENDER NEEDS TO STEP INTO MIDFIELD
CAUSING A V SITUATION AT THE BACK
4HIS IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE ATTACKING SYSTEM WITH RISKS IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD DURING TRANSITION TO DEFENSE
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$
- $EFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS GENERALLY STAY ON THEIR SIDE
OF THE FIELD ZONE
$ & $ $ CHALLENGE ATTACKERS ON THEIR SIDE COVER FOR
- - $ $ OVERLAP WHEN ATTACKING
*.
*.
$ & $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

- OVERLAPPING DEFENDERS OR OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
$
- PLAYS DEFENSIVE - IS PLAYMAKER SETTING UP ATTACKS
$EFENDING

*.
*.
$ 8 - 8 & 8 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

- 8
8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ 8
- IS PRIMARY TARGET FOR A PASS FROM DEFENDERS
$ 8 8
*.
*.

- 8
$ 8 $EPENDING ON WHERE ON THE FIELD THE PLAY IS THE PLAYER
- & 8 IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE PASSING OPTIONS
$ - 8 INTO SPACE
!TTACKING
- "ALL HAS BEEN PLAYED DOWN THE RIGHT WING TO -
$ - CAN GO V AND CROSS THE BALL IN OR
8
8 8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING DEFENDER $ WHO WILL CROSS OR
$ - & PASS IT TO - IN POSITION OR INTO RUN
*.
*.
8 8
8 & 8 - AT THIS POINT BECOMES A FORWARD IN BEHIND & &
$ )F - WERE IN POSSESSION THEN - COULD PASS THROUGH
- 8 DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & & OR - MAKING RUNS INTO
8
$ 8 - SPACE - COULD PLAY WIDE TO OVERLAPPING -$ OR
-$
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4HIS SYSTEM IS A RARELY USED VERSION OF THE POPULAR SWEEPERFLAT MIDFIELD USED BY SCHOOL COLLEGE
AND YOUTH TEAMS )T OFFERS A VERY VERSATILE ATTACKING SYSTEM BASED ON AN ATTACKING PLAYMAKING MIDFIELDER
AND ATTACKING DOWN THE SIDES THUS SPREADING THE DEFENSE AND PENETRATING THROUGH THE CENTER
)T HAS DEFENSIVE RISKS BEING VULNERABLE WHEN ATTACKED THROUGH THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD
4HE SWEEPER PROVIDES A PERMANENT SECURITY AND COVER FOR THE MARKING DEFENDERS )T DOES NOT RELY ON THE
OFF SIDE TRAP AND THEREFORE IS NOT VULNERABLE WHEN THE TRAP FAILS )T DOES SHIFT PLAY MORE OFTEN INTO OWN HALF
7($05(48,5(0(176
TRANSITION TO DEFENSE 4HE SWEEPER MUST BE AN EXPERT IN V AND TACKLING WITH EXCEPTIONAL SPEED GOOD
READ OF THE PLAY AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO ORGANIZE THE DEFENDERS IN FRONT
4HE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAN MARK OR TO MARK WITHIN A ZONE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF
OPPOSING FORWARDS4HEY NEED TO KNOW WHEN TO STEP UP TO PICK UP PENETRATING OPPOSING MIDFIELDERS
)NSIDE MIDFIELDERS ARE SPECIALISTS4HE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER NEEDS TO READ THE PLAY AND BE AVAILABLE AT
ALL TIMES TO RECEIVE THE BALL AND MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ON WHEN TO DISTRIBUTE THE BALL OR WHEN TO HOLD
AND GO V4HE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER NEEDS TO READ THE TRANSITION AND WITH THE CENTRAL DEFENDER CLOSE
DOWN OPPOSING ATTACKS THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE FIELD
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
&IRST AND FOREMOST COACHES NEED TIME BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS TO ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE DEFEN
DERS AND INSIDE MIDFIELDERS WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND THE INTELLIGENCE TO EXECUTE THIS SYSTEM
7ITH THE PLAYERS IN PLACE EMPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON TIMING AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DEFENDERS
AND MIDFIELDERS TO ENSURE AN ORGANIZED DEFENSIVE SHAPE FOR ALL SITUATIONS 4HE KEY PLAYER ON ATTACK IS
THE OFFENSIVE MIDFIELDER AND TEAMMATES NEED TO SEEK HIMHER AS THE GO TO PLAYER
TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED !EROBIC CONDITIONING AND SPEED TRAINING ARE A REQUIREMENT
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DEFEND AGAINST BY OPPONENTS DUE TO ITS ELEMENTS OF SURPRISE
)T WILL CAUSE CONFUSION THUS PUTTING THE OTHER COACH TO THE TEST )T WILL BE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST
A IN THE CRITICAL MIDFIELD AREA
4HE WEAKNESS OF THIS LIES IN DEFENDING AGAINST A WITH FLAT MIDFIELD REQUIRING THE DEFENSE
TO BE ACUTELY AWARE OF WHEN TO STEP INTO MIDFIELD WHILE ENSURING COVERAGE OF OPPOSING FORWARDS
4HE STRENGTH OF THE OPPONENTgS ATTACK WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO CONVERT THIS SYSTEM INTO A
WITH A FLAT MIDFIELD OR WITH A FLAT MIDFIELD TO WIN THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD BATTLE
4HIS IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE ATTACKING SYSTEM

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUGLDPRQGPLGILHOG
,INING 5P
$ -
$$ AND -- GENERALLY STAY ON THEIR SIDE
!GAINST FORWARDS $ $ $ MARK FORWARDS
& !GAINST FORWARDS $ $ MARK IF PLAY COMES DOWN
$ $ - LEFT AND $ $ MARK IF PLAY COMES DOWN RIGHT SIDE
*.
*.
-
&
- DEFENDS PLAY THROUGH MIDDLE - IS PLAYMAKER
$ -
$EFENDING

*.
*.
- MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

$ 8 - 8 & 8
8 - 8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
8
- IS READY TO RECEIVE PASS AS PRIMARY TARGET
$ 8
*.
*.
8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

-
$ 8 8 & $EPENDING ON WHERE ON THE FIELD THE PLAY IS THE PLAYER
$ 8 IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE PASSING OPTIONS
-
$ - 8 INTO SPACE
!TTACKING
- IN POSSESSION
8
- CAN GO V AND CROSS THE BALL IN OR PASS TO - OR
& 8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING DEFENDER $ WHO WILL THEN CROSS
$ 8
*.
*.
- 8 & 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

$ 8 - 8 8 - COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR
& MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE - COULD ALSO PASS WIDE TO
$ $ 8 8
- OVERLAPPING - OR -$ !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
6\VWHPVRI3OD\

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
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29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS AN ATTACKING MINDED SYSTEM FOR TEAMS WITH TIME AND PLAYER SKILLS TO DEVELOP THE ZONAL
SYSTEMS $EFENDERS MARK OPPOSING FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE AND PLAY THE OFF SIDE TRAP
4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS CLOSE DOWN THE MIDDLE 7HEN IN POSSESSION THE OFFERS FIVE ATTACKERS
4WO OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS BECOME WINGERS THE ATTACKING CENTRAL MIDFIELDER IS A PLAYMAKER WITH COMPLETE
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT WHICH MAKES DEFENDING THEM VERY DIFFICULT
4HIS SYSTEM CAN CREATE ODD MAN ADVANTAGES WHEN ATTACKING DOWN THE SIDES OR THROUGH THE CENTER
7($05(48,5(0(176
4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE MIDFIELDERS WHO ARE IN EXCEPTIONAL AEROBIC SHAPE AS THEY
WILL BOTH MAKE DEEP RUNS TO ATTACK AND THEN NEED TO COME BACK IN TRANSITION TO DEFENSE4HEY MUST HAVE
DEFENDING SKILLS AS WELL AS ABILITIES TO PASS AND CROSS EFFECTIVELY4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE DEFEN
DING SKILLS AND VISION FOR THE GAME AND PASSING SKILLS4HE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER MUST BE ABLE TO READ
THE PLAY RECEIVE THE BALL ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD AND HAVE EXCEPTIONAL DECISION MAKING AND PASSING SKILLS
&ORWARDS NEED TO KNOW WHEN TO MAKE WIDE DIAGONAL RUNS OR WHEN TO BREAK THROUGH THE CENTER
ACCURATE CROSSES INTO THE PENALTY AREA "OTH FORWARDS AND ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE GOAL SCORING
$EFENDERS MUST HAVE EXCELLENT V DEFENDING SKILLS AND AN ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE DECISIONS TO CHALLENGE
OPPOSING MIDFIELDERS 4HEY MUST HAVE VISION TO ESTABLISH THE OFF SIDE LINE AND MOVEMENT MUST BE
AUTOMATIC AND EXTREMELY WELL SYNCHRONIZED
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HIS IS A DIFFICULT SYSTEM TO TRAIN DUE TO THE TIMING AND AUTOMATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE OFF SIDE TRAP
)F THERE ISNgT ENOUGH TIME TO TRAIN THIS YOU MAY REVERT BACK TO THE SWEEPER SYSTEM
4EAM SPEED AND ENDURANCE ARE IMPORTANT AND PLAYERS WITH THESE QUALITIES ARE FIRST SELECTED FOR THE
OUTSIDE MIDFIELD AND THREE DEFENDER POSITIONS 0LAYERS WITH GOOD V SKILLS CAN TAKE ON THE FORWARD AND
OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD ROLES 0LAYERS WITH LESS ENDURANCE AND SPEED BUT WITH GOOD TACTICAL AND POSITIONAL
SENSE CAN BE PLACED IN THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD POSITIONS #OMMUNICATION AMONGST DEFENDERS AND FROM
DEFENDERS TO MIDFIELDERS IS KEY
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING MOST OTHER SYSTEMS DUE TO THE VERSATILITY PROVIDED BY THE CENTRAL
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER WHO CAN CREATE ODD MAN ADVANTAGES ON THE WINGS AND THROUGH THE CENTER /THER
TEAMS MAY BE FORCED TO HAVE A DEFENDER STEP UP EXPOSING THE DEFENSE OR PULLING A MIDFIELDER BACK
WEAKENING THEIR TRANSITION TO ATTACK
4HERE IS A DEFENSIVE RISK IN THIS SYSTEM CREATED BY A POTENTIALLY LARGE GAP BETWEEN CENTRAL MIDFIELD AND
CENTRAL DEFENSE IF OUTSIDE DEFENDERS ARE PULLED WIDE 4HE FLAT BACK THREE ALSO LEAVES LOTS OF ROOM FOR
OPPONENTS TO PLAY DIAGONAL THROUGH BALLS AVOID THE OFF SIDE TRAP AND OUTNUMBER THE DEFENDERS
!LSO TEAMS WITH THREE FORWARDS CAN CREATE UNDUE PRESSURE ON THE DEFENSE #OUNTERING THAT IS THE EASE
WITH WHICH YOU CAN CONVERT TO A WITH A SWEEPER OR A
4HIS SYSTEM IS FOR HIGHLY EXPERIENCED AND WELL SYNCHRONIZED TEAMS
4HIS IS MOST EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANY SYSTEM AND MOST VULNERABLE AGAINST A SYSTEM
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNPRGLILHGGLDPRQGPLGILHOGDWWDFNLQJPLGILHOGHU
,INING 5P
- $ $ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE

-- HAVE DEFENSIVE ROLES CLOSING DOWN THE MIDDLE
$ & - & & PUT PRESSURE ON OPPOSING DEFENDERS
-
$ - - - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING AND DEFEND
*.
*.
- & AGAINST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS

$
- IS PLAYMAKER SETTING UP ATTACKS
-
$EFENDING
- 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

8
$ PICKS UP $gS MARK
- PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR $ TAKING SWEEPERgS ROLE
$ 8 - 8 8 - WHO WAS OVERLAPPED SHIFTS TO TAKE - SPOT
*.
*.
&
$ 8 - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
- 8 - 8
- MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
$ & & & - SHIFT BALL SIDE TO COVER THREE OF FOUR
8 - 8 DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
8
- IS PRIMARY - SECONDARY TARGET FOR A PASS FROM
8 & 8 DEFENDERS - OR & ARE THE LONG BALL ALTERNATIVE
$ 8 -
*.
*.
8 8 .O INITIAL BACK PASS SUPPORT FOR $

$ 8 - & - - PASS DIAGONAL INTO RUN OF - OR & OR SWITCH
- 8 PLAY TO OPPOSITE SIDE
8 4HE PLAYER IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE
$ 8 -
PASSING OPTIONS TO PLAYERS OR INTO SPACE
!TTACKING
"ALL HAS BEEN PLAYED DOWN THE RIGHT WING TO -
- - CAN GO V AND CROSS THE BALL IN OR
8
$ PASS IT TO - IN POSITION OR INTO RUN
8
& 8 - AT THIS POINT BECOMES A FORWARD IN BEHIND & &
$
*.
*.
-
8
$ 8 & 8 )F - WERE IN POSSESSION THEN - COULD PASS THROUGH
8 8 SPACE
- 8
- 4HE KEY IS FOR - TO PLAY BEHIND FORWARDS TO PUT
OPPOSING DEFENDERS OFF BALANCE
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUPRGLILHGGLDPRQGPLGILHOGDWWDFNLQJPLGILHOGHU
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS AN ATTACKING MINDED SYSTEM FOR TEAMS WITHOUT TIME OR PLAYER SKILLS TO DEVELOP ANY OF
THE ZONAL SYSTEMS 4HE SWEEPER COVERS BEHIND DEFENDERS WHO MARK OPPOSING FORWARDS ON THEIR SIDE
MIXED ZONE OR MAN TO MAN 4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS CLOSE DOWN THE MIDDLE 7HEN IN POSSESSION THE
OFFERS FIVE ATTACKERS 4WO OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS BECOME WINGERS THE ATTACKING CENTRAL MIDFIELDER IS A
PLAYMAKER WITH COMPLETE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT WHICH MAKES DEFENDING THEM VERY DIFFICULT
7($05(48,5(0(176
DEFENDING SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO PASS AND CROSS EFFECTIVELY4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE DEFEN
DING SKILLS AS WELL AS VISION FOR THE GAME AND PASSING SKILLS4HE ATTACKING MIDFIELDER MUST BE ABLE TO READ
THE PLAY RECEIVE THE BALL ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD AND HAVE EXCEPTIONAL DECISION MAKING AND PASSING SKILLS
OPPOSING MIDFIELDERS 4HE SWEEPER IS THE ORGANIZER OF THE DEFENSIVE UNIT AND TAKES OVER MARKING
ASSIGNMENTS WHEN ONE OF THE OUTSIDE DEFENDERS HAS LEFT THEIR MARK
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HIS IS A FAIRLY EASY SYSTEM TO TRAIN A TEAM IN AND HENCE WELL SUITED FOR TEAMS WITH SHORT PRE SEASONS
0OSITIONAL ROLES ARE EASILY DEFINED AND EXPLAINED AND CAN BE PRACTICED EARLY WITH INCREASING SUCCESS
OUTSIDE MIDFIELD AND THREE DEFENDER POSITIONS PARTICULARLY THE SWEEPER 0LAYERS WITH GOOD V SKILLS
CAN TAKE ON THE FORWARD AND OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD ROLES 0LAYERS WITH LESS ENDURANCE AND SPEED BUT WITH
GOOD TACTICAL AND POSITIONAL SENSE CAN BE PLACED IN THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD POSITIONS #OMMUNICATION
AMONGST DEFENDERS AND FROM DEFENDERS TO MIDFIELDERS IS KEY
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING MOST OTHER SYSTEMS DUE TO THE VERSATILITY PROVIDED BY THE CENTRAL
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER WHO CAN CREATE ODD MAN ADVANTAGES ON THE WINGS AND THROUGH THE CENTER /THER
4HERE IS A DEFENSIVE RISK IN THIS SYSTEM CREATED BY A POTENTIALLY LARGE GAP BETWEEN CENTRAL MIDFIELD AND
CENTRAL DEFENSE IF OUTSIDE DEFENDERS ARE PULLED WIDE !LSO TEAMS WITH THREE FORWARDS CAN CREATE UNDUE
PRESSURE ON THE DEFENSE #OUNTERING THAT IS THE EASE WITH WHICH YOU CAN CONVERT TO A WITH A
SWEEPER OR A WITH A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER 9OU SIMPLY PULL BACK THE CENTRAL ATTACKING MIDFIELDER OR
SUBSTITUTE HIMHER WITH A MORE APPROPRIATELY SKILLED PLAYER
4HIS IS MOST EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANY SYSTEM AND MOST VULNERABLE AGAINST A SYSTEM
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUPRGLILHGGLDPRQGPLGILHOGDWWDFNLQJPLGILHOGHU
,INING 5P
- $ $ MARK FORWARDS ON THEIR SIDE MIXED

ZONE SWEEPER $ COVERS IN BEHIND
$ & -- HAVE DEFENSIVE ROLES CLOSING DOWN THE MIDDLE
-
$ - - & & PUT PRESSURE ON OPPOSING DEFENDERS
*.
*.
- & - - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING AND DEFEND

$
AGAINST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
- IS PLAYMAKER SETTING UP ATTACKS
- & & MAKE RUNS TO NEARFAR POST OR TO WINGS
$EFENDING

8
$ PICKS UP $gS MARK
$ 8 - 8 8 - WHO WAS OVERLAPPED SHIFTS TO TAKE - SPOT
*.
*.
&
$ 8 - 8 - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
8
- - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
8 - 8 DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
8
$ 8 -
*.
*.

$ 8 -
!TTACKING
8
8
$ & 8 - AT THIS POINT BECOMES A FORWARD IN BEHIND & &
*.
*.
-
8
8 8 SPACE
- 8
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNIODWPLGILHOGGHIHQGLQJPLGILHOGHU
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS AN ATTACKING MINDED SYSTEM WITH THE SAFETY PROVIDED BY A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER ALLOWING
INEXPERIENCED TEAMS TO DEVELOP A ZONAL MIDFIELD SYSTEM $EFENDERS MARK OPPOSING FORWARDS IN THEIR
ZONE AND PLAY THE OFF SIDE TRAP 7HEN IN POSSESSION THE OFFERS FIVE ATTACKERS
4WO OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS BECOME WINGERS ONE OF THE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MOVES UP THUS PROVIDING
VARIATION WHICH MAKES DEFENDING THEM VERY DIFFICULT
4HIS SYSTEM HAS LOTS OF FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE ANY MIDFIELDER CAN JOIN THE ATTACK
7($05(48,5(0(176
4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER WHO IS IN EXCEPTIONAL AEROBIC SHAPE
AS HESHE WILL BE SHIFTING LATERALLY THROUGHOUT THE GAME TO PROVIDE COVER FOR THE OTHER MIDFIELDERS (ESHE
MUST BE ABLE TO READ AND ANTICIPATE THE PLAY TO BE IN THE RIGHT SPOT AT THE RIGHT TIME
4HIS KEY PLAYER ALLOWS THE OTHER FOUR MIDFIELDERS TO BE LESS CONCERNED ABOUT COMING BACK AFTER LOSS OF
POSSESSION AND KEEPING ONE OF THEM UP FOR A QUICK TRANSITION4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MUST BOTH HAVE
ATTACKING SKILLS AS EITHER OF THEM CAN MAKE DEEP PENETRATING RUNS OR SET UP THE FORWARDS
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD ROLES )N ESSENCE THE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER ACTS LIKE A SWEEPER BEHIND THE MIDFIELD AND
A COACH MAY LOOK TO SOMEONE WITH SWEEPER EXPERIENCE TO FILL THIS ROLE
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING MOST OTHER SYSTEMS DUE TO THE VERSATILITY PROVIDED BY THE FLEXIBILITY
OF THE MIDFIELD /THER TEAMS WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WIN THE MIDFIELD BATTLE AND MAY ADD A FIFTH MIDFIELDER
OF THEIR OWN WHICH WILL NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM )F THE OPPONENT ADDS A THIRD FORWARD THEN THE DEFENSIVE
MIDFIELDER BECOMES AN OUTRIGHT DEFENDER
)F MORE ATTACKING IS REQUIRED THIS SYSTEM EASILY CONVERTS TO A
4HE VULNERABILITY LIES IN THE FLAT BACK THREE LEAVING ROOM FOR OPPONENTS TO PLAY DIAGONAL THROUGH BALLS
AVOID THE OFF SIDE TRAP AND OUTNUMBER THE DEFENDERS
4HIS SYSTEM IS FOR TEAMS WANTING TO DEVELOP A MORE COMPLEX STYLE OF PLAY TO CHALLENGE OPPONENTS
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNIODWPLGILHOGGHIHQGLQJPLGILHOGHU
,INING 5P
-
$ $ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE
$ - HAS A DEFENSIVE ROLE COVERING BEFIND - -
- & - AND - CONTROL CENTER OF FIELD EITHER CAN ATTACK
*.
*.

$ & & MAKE RUNS TO NEARFAR POST OR TO WINGS
-
$EFENDING
- 8 - CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

8
$ PROVIDES COVER FOR -
$ AND $ MARK FORWARDS
$ 8 8 8 - WHO WAS OVERLAPPED COVERS DEFENDERS AND GETS
- &
*.
*.
$ 8 READY FOR TRANSITION

8 8
$ - & - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
- - - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
8 8
4RANSITIONING
& GETS READY TO MAKE DIAGONAL RUN
- 8 - IS PRIMARY - SECONDARY TARGET FOR A PASS
8 8
"ACK PASS SUPPORT FROM $
$ 8 -
*.
*.
8 8 !LTERNATIVE IS LONG BALL OVER TOP OF DEFENSE INTO

& RUN OF & OR SWITCHING TO -
$ 8 -
$ & 8 4HE PLAYER IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE
8 PASSING OPTIONS TO PLAYERS OR INTO SPACE
- 8 -
!TTACKING
8
$ PASS IT TO & IN POSITION OR INTO RUN OR
8 8
$ 8 PASS IT TO - MAKING SUPPORTING RUN
&
*.
*.
-
8 - OR - CAN JOIN THE ATTACK KNOWING THAT - WILL
$ 8 - 8 & 8 PROVIDE COVER AND SUPPORT
- 8 8
-
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOGGHIHQGLQJPLGILHOGHU
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS A VERY SAFE SYSTEM DEFENSIVELY AND SUITED FOR TEAMS WITH SHORT PRE SEASONS $EFENDERS MARK
OPPOSING FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE SUPPORTED BY THE SWEEPER 7HEN IN POSSESSION THE OFFERS
ATTACKING FLEXIBILITY EMPLOYING AS MANY AS FIVE ATTACKERS
4WO OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS BECOME WINGERS ONE OF THE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MOVES UP THUS PROVIDING
VARIATION WHICH MAKES DEFENDING THEM VERY DIFFICULT
4HIS SYSTEM HAS LOTS OF FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE ANY MIDFIELDER CAN JOIN THE ATTACK
7($05(48,5(0(176
4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER WHO IS IN EXCEPTIONAL AEROBIC SHAPE
AS HESHE WILL BE SHIFTING LATERALLY THROUGHOUT THE GAME TO PROVIDE COVER FOR THE OTHER MIDFIELDERS (ESHE
MUST BE ABLE TO READ AND ANTICIPATE THE PLAY TO BE IN THE RIGHT SPOT AT THE RIGHT TIME
4HIS KEY PLAYER ALLOWS THE OTHER FOUR MIDFIELDERS TO BE LESS CONCERNED ABOUT COMING BACK AFTER LOSS OF
POSSESSION AND KEEPING ONE OF THEM UP FOR A QUICK TRANSITION4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS MUST BOTH HAVE
ATTACKING SKILLS AS EITHER OF THEM CAN MAKE DEEP PENETRATING RUNS OR SET UP THE FORWARDS
OPPOSING MIDFIELDERS 4HE SWEEPER PROVIDES SECURITY AND IS A VERY SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOR TEAMS WHO DONgT
HAVE TIME TO DEVELOP THE OFF SIDE TRAP
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD ROLES )N ESSENCE THE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER ACTS LIKE A SWEEPER BEHIND THE MIDFIELD AND
A COACH MAY LOOK TO SOMEONE WITH SWEEPER EXPERIENCE TO FILL THIS ROLE
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING MOST OTHER SYSTEMS DUE TO THE VERSATILITY PROVIDED BY THE FLEXIBILITY
OF THE MIDFIELD /THER TEAMS WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WIN THE MIDFIELD BATTLE AND MAY ADD A FIFTH MIDFIELDER
OF THEIR OWN WHICH WILL NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM )F THE OPPONENT ADDS A THIRD FORWARD THEN THE DEFENSIVE
MIDFIELDER BECOMES AN OUTRIGHT DEFENDER
)F MORE ATTACKING IS REQUIRED THIS SYSTEM EASILY CONVERTS TO A
4HIS SYSTEM IS FOR TEAMS WANTING TO DEVELOP A MORE COMPLEX STYLE OF PLAY TO CHALLENGE OPPONENTS
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOGGHIHQGLQJPLGILHOGHU
,INING 5P
-
$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE
$ $ PROVIDES COVER FOR $ $
- & - HAS A DEFENSIVE ROLE COVERING BEFIND - -
$ - - AND - CONTROL CENTER OF FIELD EITHER CAN ATTACK
*.
*.
- & - - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING AND DEFEND

$ AGAINST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
-
$EFENDING
- 8 - CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

8
$ PROVIDES COVER FOR -
$ 8 - 8 8 - WHO WAS OVERLAPPED COVERS DEFENDERS AND GETS
&
*.
*.
READY FOR TRANSITION

$ 8 - 8 &
8
- - - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
8 8
4RANSITIONING
& GETS READY TO MAKE DIAGONAL RUN
- 8 - IS PRIMARY - SECONDARY TARGET FOR A PASS
8 8
"ACK PASS SUPPORT FROM $
$ 8 -
*.
*.
8 !LTERNATIVE IS LONG BALL OVER TOP OF DEFENSE INTO

& RUN OF & OR SWITCHING TO -
$ 8
- 8 4HE PLAYER IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE
$ & 8
- 8 -
!TTACKING
8
8 PASS IT TO & IN POSITION OR INTO RUN OR
$ 8 8
& PASS IT TO - MAKING SUPPORTING RUN
*.
*.
-
$ 8 - 8 - OR - CAN JOIN THE ATTACK KNOWING THAT - WILL
$ 8 & 8 PROVIDE COVER AND SUPPORT
- 8 8
-
6\VWHPVRI3OD\

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS THE RE EMERGENCE OF THE ORIGINAL SWEEPER SYSTEM OF THE S TO S )N THIS ZONAL
VERSION IT IS COMPLEX TO IMPLEMENT AND IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE COMPETITIVE TEAMS4HE BENFIT IS THAT
THE WIDTH OF THE FIELD IS COVERED IN ALL AREAS4HE RISK IS THAT ATTACKING BECOMES TOO STATIC IF THE FORWARDS STAY
IN THEIR POSITION MAKING THEM EASY TO MARK4HE FORWARDS NEED TO CHANGE POSITIONS AND SHIFT TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE TO SET UP VS WHILE OPENING THE SIDE FOR OVERLAPPING DEFENDERSMIDFIELDERS 7HEN DEFEN
DING THIS SYSTEM ALMOST ALWAYS CONVERTS INTO A BECAUSE A DEFENDER NEEDS TO STEP UP
7($05(48,5(0(176
AEROBIC SHAPE AS THEY WILL BOTH MAKE DEEP RUNS TO ATTACK AND THEN NEED TO GET BACK IN THE TEAMgS
UP JUST BEFORE THE BALL IS PLAYED IN BEHIND THEM4HIS REQUIRES ALMOST AUTOMATIC MECHANISMS
4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDER IS THE STRATEGIST WHO READS THE PLAY AND DISTRIBUTES THE BALL REQUIRING EXCELLENT VISION
AND ABILITY TO READ THE OPPOSITION
/UTSIDE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE CAPABLE TO BE OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS AS WELL
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
SYSTEM %MPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON KEEPING PLAYERS IN THEIR ZONES ON GETTING THEM TO MAKE THE RIGHT
DECISIONS REGARDING CHALLENGING PENETRATING OPPONENTS AND ON TIMING THE OFF SIDE TRAP
TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AMONGST OUTSIDE DEFENDERSMIDFIELDERSFORWARDS
! KEY CHALLENGE IS TO AVOID STATIC POSITIONING BY TRAINING POSITIONAL SWITCHING CREATING SPACES MIDFIELD
SHIFTS AND OVERLAPS )T REQUIRES A LOT OF THINKING AND COMMUNICATION
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST SYSTEMS WITH DEFENDERS BY PROVIDING OR ATTACKERS AND AT
THE SAME TIME MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR OPPOSING DEFENDERS TO JOIN THE ATTACK
)T WILL WORK WELL AGAINST ANY A OR A
4HE WEAKNESS IS AGAINST A SYSTEM WHICH WILL OUTNUMBER IT IN MIDFIELD BY TWO PLAYERS FORCING A
CONVERSION TO BY PULLING A FORWARD BACK OR TO A PULLING A FORWARD BACK AND THE CENTRAL DEFENDER
PUSHING INTO CENTER MIDFIELD
4HE ABILITY OF YOUR PLAYERS TO STAY MENTALLY ALERT TO AVOID STATIC POSITIONING WHEN ATTACKING AND PROVIDE
DEFENSIVE COVERAGE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THIS SYSTEM IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOUR TEAM

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
,INING 5P
$ &
- OF THE FIELD ZONE
$ $ $ COVER FOR $ $ OVERLAP WHEN ATTACKING
- & AND STEP UP TO MARK OPPOSING OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
*.
*.
$ $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

--- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD WITH - PROVI
-
DING AN ADDITIONAL ATTACKING OPTION BEHIND FORWARDS
$
& - - - CAN SHIFT TO SIDE OF PLAY - - OVERLAP
& & ATTACK DOWN THEIR FLANKS & STAYS CENTRAL
$EFENDING
8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER
- $ PROVIDES SUPPORT TO $
*.
*.
$ 8 & MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

- 8 & 8 - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
$
8 & 8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ GETS READY TO GIVE AND GO WITH - OR PASS TO &
& GETS READY TO MAKE WIDE RUN
8
- - GETS BALL PASSES SUPPORTS PLAYER RECEIVING BALL
$ 8
*.
*.
8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

-
$ 8 8 & !LTERNATIVELY THE MIDFIELD CAN SHIFT TO THE SIDE OF PLAY
- 8 WITH OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS OVERLAPPING AND THE OPPOSITE
$
& 8 SIDE DEFENDER COVERING THE OPPONENTS OUTSIDE MID
$ 8
FIELDER
!TTACKING
"ALL HAS BEEN PLAYED DOWN THE RIGHT TO &
& CAN GO V AND CROSS THE BALL IN OR
$ PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING $ OR - WHO WILL THEN CROSS
& )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN
- 8 8
$ 8
*.
*.
- COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR

- 8& 8 & MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE PASS THROUGH MIDDLE TO &
$ 8 8
- 8 OR TO OVERLAPPING $ $ !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
8
$ 8 & PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR PLAYER WITH BALL

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOG
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS THE CLASSIC SYSTEM OF THE S TO S )T STILL IS ONE OF THE EASIEST SYSTEMS TO IMPLEMENT
AND VERY WELL SUITED FOR YOUTH TEAMS JUST STARTING TO PLAY FULL FIELD SOCCER 4HE BENEFIT IS THAT THE WIDTH
OF THE FIELD IS COVERED IN ALL AREAS AND PLAYERS LEARN THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF POSITIONAL AND THE BASIC SKILLS
REQUIRED IN ALL PARTS OF THE FIELD4HE RISK IS THAT ATTACKING BECOMES TOO STATIC IF THE FORWARDS STAY IN THEIR
POSITION MAKING THEM EASY MARKS BY THE OPPONENT7HEN DEFENDING THIS SYSTEM ALMOST ALWAYS CONVERTS
INTO A BECAUSE A DEFENDER NEEDS TO STEP UP
7($05(48,5(0(176
-ATURE TEAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE OUTSIDE DEFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS WHO ARE IN
EXCEPTIONAL AEROBIC SHAPE AS THEY WILL BOTH MAKE DEEP RUNS TO ATTACK AND THEN NEED TO GET BACK IN THE
TEAMgS TRANSITION TO DEFENSE
&OR YOUNGER TEAMS YOU MAY NOT WISH TO HAVE OUTSIDE DEFENDERSMIDFIELDERS OVERLAP INITIALLY
4HE SWEEPER NEEDS TO BE A PLAYER WITH SPEED AND STRONG TACKLING AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
AND DIRECT THE DEFENDERS IN FRONT AS TO WHOM TO MARK AND WHEN TO RELEASE TO SUPPORT THE MIDFIELD
/UTSIDE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE CAPABLE TO BE OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS AS WELL
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
#OACHES DO NOT NEED A LOT OF TIME TO GET THE TEAM ORGANIZED TO PLAY THIS BASIC SYSTEM MAKING IT SUITABLE
FOR TEAMS WITH SHORT PRE SEASONS AND YOUNG TEAMS !S THE SEASON PROGRESSES COMPLEXITY CAN BE GRADUALLY
ADDED 0LAYERS WITH ABILITY TO BEAT OPPONENTS V ON THE WINGS AND WITH THE ABILITY TO PLAY EFFECTIVE
CROSSES INTO THE TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AMONGST OUTSIDE DEFENDERSMIDFIELDERSFORWARDS
675$7(*<
)T WILL WORK WELL AGAINST ANY A OR A
4HE WEAKNESS IS AGAINST A SYSTEM WHICH WILL OUTNUMBER IT IN MIDFIELD BY TWO PLAYERS FORCING A
CONVERSION TO BY PULLING A FORWARD BACK OR TO A PULLING A FORWARD BACK AND THE CENTRAL DEFENDER
PUSHING INTO CENTER MIDFIELD 4HIS IS MOST LIKELY TO BE THE CASE IN MATURE AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTS

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOG
,INING 5P
&
$ -IDFIELDERS STAY ON THEIR SIDE OF THE FIELD ZONE
- $$ OR $$ MARK FORWARDS AGAINST A &7 SYSTEM
$$$ MARK AGAINST A &7 SYSTEM
$ $ - & $ SWEEPS PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR DEFENDERS
*.
*.
--- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD WITH - PROVI

DING AN ADDITIONAL ATTACKING OPTION BEHIND FORWARDS
-
$ - - - CAN SHIFT TO SIDE OF PLAY -- OVERLAP
& & & ATTACK DOWN THEIR FLANKS & STAYS CENTRAL
$EFENDING
*.
*.
$ 8 - 8 & MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

& 8 - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
$
8 & 8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ GETS READY TO GIVE AND GO WITH - OR PASS TO &
& GETS READY TO MAKE WIDE RUN
8
- - GETS BALL PASSES SUPPORTS PLAYER RECEIVING BALL
$ 8
*.
*.
8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

-
$ 8 8 & !LTERNATIVELY THE MIDFIELD CAN SHIFT TO THE SIDE OF PLAY
- 8 WITH OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS OVERLAPPING AND THE OPPOSITE
$ & 8 SIDE DEFENDER COVERING THE OPPONENTS OUTSIDE MID
$ 8
FIELDER
!TTACKING
"ALL HAS BEEN PLAYED DOWN THE RIGHT TO &
& CAN GO V AND CROSS THE BALL IN OR
& 8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING $ OR - WHO WILL THEN CROSS
8 - 8 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN
*.
*.
$ - COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR

- & & MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE PASS THROUGH MIDDLE TO &
$ 8 8 8
- 8 OR TO OVERLAPPING $ $ !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
$ $ 8 & 8 PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR PLAYER WITH BALL

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNWKUHHIODWPLGILHOG]RQDOV\VWHP
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS A VERY RISKY ATTACKING FORMATION FOR MATURE TEAMS WITH ZONAL SYSTEM EXPERIENCE
4HE BENEFIT IS THAT THE WIDTH OF THE FIELD IS COVERED IN ALL AREAS4HE RISK IS THAT ATTACKING BECOMES TOO STATIC
IF THE FORWARDS STAY IN THEIR POSITION MAKING THEM EASY MARKS BY THE OPPONENT4HE FORWARDS NEED TO
CHANGE POSITIONS SHIFT TOWARDS THE MIDDLE TO SET UP VS WHILE OPENING THE SIDE FOR OVERLAPPING
MIDFIELDERS )T IS VULNERABLE TO BEING CAUGHT ON OPPOSING COUNTERATTACKS AND CAN BE OUTNUMBERED ON
DEFENSE IF THE MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS DO NOT TRANSITION BACK FAST ENOUGH
7($05(48,5(0(176
4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS WHO ARE IN EXCEPTIONAL
UP JUST BEFORE THE BALL IS PLAYED IN BEHIND THEM 4HIS REQUIRES ALMOST AUTOMATIC MECHANISMS
ACCURATE CROSSES INTO THE PENALTY AREA !LL FORWARDS AND OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE CROSSING
&ORWARDS MUST HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO COME BACK WITH OPPOSING OVERLAPPING DEFENDERS AS THERE IS
LITTLE SECURITY BEHIND THEM
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
SYSTEM %MPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON KEEPING PLAYERS IN THEIR ZONES ON GETTING THEM TO MAKE THE RIGHT
DECISIONS REGARDING CHALLENGING PENETRATING OPPONENTS AND ON TIMING THE OFF SIDE TRAP
TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AMONGST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERSFORWARDS
675$7(*<
)T WILL WORK EXTREMELY WELL AGAINST ANY
4HE WEAKNESS IS AGAINST ANY SYSTEM WITH FORWARDS AND A DECISION MUST BE MADE WHETHER OR NOT TO
CONVERT TO A )F THE THREE DEFENDERS CAN MANAGE THREE FORWARDS THEN THE OFFENSIVE POWER SHOULD
PRESSURE THE OPPONENTS IN THEIR HALF AND GENERATE LOTS OF SCORING OPPORTUNITIES

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNWKUHHIODWPLGILHOG]RQDOV\VWHP
,INING 5P
&
$ OF THE FIELD ZONE
- $$$ MARK FORWARDS AND STEP UP TO MARK
$ & OVERLAPPING OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
*.
*.
-- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

-
- - CAN OVERLAP
$
& & & ATTACK DOWN THEIR FLANKS & STAYS CENTRAL
-
$EFENDING
- & - AND & NEED TO COME BACK TO SUPPORT DEFENDERS
$ 8 - 8 8
$ SHIFTS TO MARK SECOND CENTRAL ATTACKER
*.
*.
&
$ 8 & COMES BACK TO MARK OVERLAPPING DEFENDER
- 8 & 8 - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
- MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
$
8 - 8 & & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ PASSES TO - OR & DOWN LINE OR -
- & GET READY TO MAKE WIDE RUN
8
- )F - GETS BALL PLAY IS DOWN LINE OR OVER TOP DEFENDERS
& 8 4HE KEY IS TO TRANSITION QUICKLY UP THE FIELD TO
$ 8
*.
*.
8 8 A RELIEVE PRESSURE
-
$ 8 8 & B OUTNUMBER THE OPPONENTS DEFENSE
- 8 /VERLAPPING MIDFIELDERS MUST BE COVERED BY ONE
$ 8
8 - & OF THE FORWARDS SEE BELOW
!TTACKING
"ALL HAS BEEN PLAYED DOWN THE RIGHT TO -
& HAS DROPPED TO SUPPORT -
$ - - CAN GO V FOR CROSS OR PLAY GIVE AND GO WITH &
8
8 8 OR PLAY BALL BACK TO & WHO NOW HAS PASSING OPTIONS
*.
*.
$ - &
8 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH -- IN POSSESSION
- & THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR
$ 8 8 8 & MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE PASS THROUGH MIDDLE TO &
8
8 & OR TO OVERLAPPING -- !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
- PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR PLAYER WITH BALL

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOG]RQDOV\VWHP
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS A RISKY ATTACKING FORMATION FOR MATURE TEAMS WITH SOME SECURITY PROVIDED BY A SWEEPER
4HE BENEFIT IS THAT THE WIDTH OF THE FIELD IS COVERED IN ALL AREAS4HE RISK IS THAT ATTACKING BECOMES TOO STATIC
IF THE FORWARDS STAY IN THEIR POSITION MAKING THEM EASY MARKS BY THE OPPONENT4HE FORWARDS NEED TO
CHANGE POSITIONS SHIFT TOWARDS THE MIDDLE TO SET UP VS WHILE OPENING THE SIDE FOR OVERLAPPING
MIDFIELDERS )T IS VULNERABLE TO BEING CAUGHT ON OPPOSING COUNTERATTACKS AND CAN BE OUTNUMBERED ON
DEFENSE IF THE MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS DO NOT TRANSITION BACK FAST ENOUGH
7($05(48,5(0(176
4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS WHO ARE IN EXCEPTIONAL
TRANSITION TO DEFENSE4HE SWEEPER REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF VERBAL AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION
PARTICULARLY WHEN DEFENDING TO ENSURE THAT OPPOSING ATTACKERS ARE CHALLENGED AND COVERED (ESHE MUST
ALSO BE IN GOOD AEROBIC SHAPE AND BE FAST TO BE ABLE TO COVER WIDTH AND DEPTH OF FIELD
ACCURATE CROSSES INTO THE PENALTY AREA !LL FORWARDS AND OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE CROSSING
&ORWARDS MUST HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO COME BACK WITH OPPOSING OVERLAPPING DEFENDERS AS THERE IS
LITTLE SECURITY BEHIND THEM
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
&IRST AND FOREMOST COACHES NEED TO HAVE AVAILABLE AN EXPERIENCED SWEEPER OR SPEND SIGNIFICANT TIME
CHOOSING AND TRAINING ONE AS WELL AS A BACK UP4HE SWEEPER ALLOWS THE OFFENSE OF THE TEAM TO PLAY TO
ITgS POTENTIAL BY ORGANIZING BEHIND OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDERS
TARGET AREA NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AMONGST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERSFORWARDS
675$7(*<
)T WILL WORK EXTREMELY WELL AGAINST ANY
4HE WEAKNESS IS AGAINST ANY SYSTEM WITH FORWARDS AND A DECISION MUST BE MADE WHETHER OR NOT TO
CONVERT TO A )F THE THREE DEFENDERS CAN MANAGE THREE FORWARDS THEN THE SWEEPER POSITION IS
DISSOLVED AND TURNS INTO A MARKING DEFENDER4HE TEAMgS OFFENSIVE POWER MUST NOW KEEP AND
PRESSURE THE OPPONENTS IN THEIR HALF AND GENERATE LOTS OF SCORING OPPORTUNITIES

)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOG]RQDOV\VWHP
,INING 5P
&
$ OF THE FIELD ZONE
- $ $ MARK FORWARDS AND STEP UP TO MARK
$ & OVERLAPPING OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
*.
*.
3WEEPER $ PROVIDES COVER FOR $$

-
-- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD
$
& - - CAN OVERLAP
- & & ATTACK DOWN THEIR FLANKS & STAYS CENTRAL
$EFENDING
- & - AND & NEED TO COME BACK TO SUPPORT DEFENDERS
$ STEPS UP AND MARKS CENTRAL ATTACKER
$ 8 - 8 8
& COMES BACK TO MARK OVERLAPPING DEFENDER
*.
*.
&
- 8 & 8 - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
& & COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
$
8 - 8
4RANSITIONING
$ PASSES TO - OR & DOWN LINE OR -
- & GET READY TO MAKE WIDE RUN
8
- )F - GETS BALL PLAY IS DOWN LINE OR OVER TOP DEFENDERS
& 8 4HE KEY IS TO TRANSITION QUICKLY UP THE FIELD TO
$ 8
*.
*.
8 8 A RELIEVE PRESSURE
-
$ 8 8 & B OUTNUMBER THE OPPONENTS DEFENSE
- 8 /VERLAPPING MIDFIELDERS MUST BE COVERED BY ONE
$ 8
8 - & OF THE FORWARDS SEE BELOW
!FTER ATTACK STARTED DEFENDERS GET BACK INTO POSITION
!TTACKING
& HAS DROPPED TO SUPPORT -
- - CAN GO V FOR CROSS OR PLAY GIVE AND GO WITH &
8
8 8 OR PLAY BALL BACK TO & WHO NOW HAS PASSING OPTIONS
*.
*.
$ - &
8 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH -- IN POSSESSION
$ - & THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR
$ 8 8 8 & MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE PASS THROUGH MIDDLE TO &
8
8 & OR TO OVERLAPPING -- !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
- PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR PLAYER WITH BALL

6\VWHPVRI3OD\
6SHFLDO 1HZ
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS A VERY DEFENSIVE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO STOP A SUPERIOR OPPONENT FROM SCORING WHILE RELYING
ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE COUNTERATTACK TO SCORE THE WINNING GOAL IN AN OTHERWISE GAME
)T IS RECOMMENDED TO ONLY USE THIS SYSTEM WITH EXPERIENCED TEAMS WHO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF
CLOSING DOWN SPACES ABSORBING PRESSURE AND COUNTERATTACKING QUICKLY
4HE CAN SHUT DOWN ANY OTHER SYSTEM AND GOOD TEAMS WILL RESPOND BY CONVERTING TO A OR EVEN
A DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH STRONGER THEY ARE AND HOW MUCH THEY NEEDWANT A WIN
7($05(48,5(0(176
4HIS SYSTEM RELIES ON THE OFF SIDE TRAP AND SIGNIFICANT TIME IS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP TIMING FOR THE DEFENSIVE
UNIT TO STEP UP AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY VISUAL AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION
7HEN ATTACKING THE OUTSIDE PLAYERS AS WELL AS THE FORWARD ALL NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY V #ENTRAL
MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE GOAL SCORING TECHNIQUE AND CAPABILITY FOR HEADING THE BALL
4HE LONE FORWARD NEEDS TO BE IN SUPERB AEROBIC SHAPE AS HESHE WILL PUT PRESSURE ON WHICHEVER OPPOSING
DEFENDER HAS THE BALL
/UTSIDE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE CAPABLE OF BEING OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS AS WELL
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HIS SYSTEM IS NOT RECOMMENDED AS THE PRIMARY SYSTEM FOR A TEAM BUT RATHER AS A SYSTEM FOR A SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCE OR GAME !S SUCH THE COACH HAS THE CHALLENGE OF TRAINING THE TEAM ON THE PRIMARY SYSTEM
AND THEN PREPARING THE TEAM FOR THIS EVENT4HIS WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FOCUSSED PRACTICES FOR ONE GAME
4HE CHALLENGE IS TO TRAIN PLAYERS TO BE ABLE TO MENTALLY SWITCH GEARS FOR ONE GAME AND THEN GET BACK TO
NORMAL FOR THE GAME AFTER $O NOT ATTEMPT THE ZONAL SYSTEM IF TYPICALLY YOU PLAY WITH A SWEEPER
)DENTIFYING THE LONE FORWARD AND THE ADDITIONAL MIDFIELDER AND GETTING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR
NEW ROLES IS KEY 'ETTING TEAM COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO BE REHEARSED IN PRACTICE
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEMgS PURPOSE IS TO STOP A SUPERIOR TEAM FROM SCORING !T BEST IT CONVERTS INTO A WHEN
ATTACKING
/PPONENTS MAY PUSH DEFENDERS FORWARD TO OVERCOME THE TIGHT MIDFIELD MARKING WHICH ACTUALLY PLAYS
INTO YOUR STRATEGY OF QUICK COUNTERATTACKS
-OST LIKELY THIS WILL TURN INTO A CHESS MATCH BETWEEN COACHES AND THE COACHgS ABILITY TO READ GAME
SITUATIONS AND MAKE QUICK TACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE TESTED
)F THE OPPONENT ISNgT AS SUPERIOR AS ANTICIPATED A SWITCH TO A AT THE HALF SHOULD BE IN THE GAME PLAN
6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 6SHFLDODQG1HZ3DJH
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
,INING 5P
-
$ $EFENDERSMIDFIELDERS STAY ON THEIR SIDE ZONE
- $ $ CHALLENGE ATTACKERS ON THEIR SIDE COVER FOR
$ $ OVERLAP WHEN ATTACKING
$
- & $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE
*.
*.
$ --- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

- -- BECOME WINGERS WHEN PLAY IS ON THEIR SIDE
$ & STAYS CENTRAL
-
$EFENDING
$ 8 - 8 8
*.
*.
& - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

$ 8 - 8 8
- - COVERS ON THE RIGHT AND IS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSITION
$
8 -8 - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
& COVERS CENTRAL DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ GETS READY TO GIVE AND GO WITH - OR PASS TO -
& GETS READY FOR CROSS
8 - GETS BALL PASSES SUPPORTS PLAYER RECEIVING BALL
- 8
$ 8 $ SUPPORTS $ FOR A BACK PASS
*.
*.
- 88 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ 8 - 8 & - GETS READY TO MAKE A RUN FOR THE FAR POST
8
$ - 8
$ 8 -
!TTACKING
8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING $ WHO WILL THEN CROSS
-8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH -- IN POSSESSION
8
*.
*.
$ 8& 8 THEN THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO &

-
$ 8 - 8 OR - MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE PAST THEIR MARKERS
- 8 !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR
$ $ 8 - 8 PLAYER WITH BALL
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOG
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS A VERY DEFENSIVE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO STOP A SUPERIOR OPPONENT FROM SCORING WHILE RELYING
ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE COUNTERATTACK TO SCORE THE WINNING GOAL IN AN OTHERWISE GAME
)T IS RECOMMENDED TO ONLY USE THIS SYSTEM WITH EXPERIENCED TEAMS WHO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF
CLOSING DOWN SPACES ABSORBING PRESSURE AND COUNTERATTACKING QUICKLY
4HE CAN SHUT DOWN ANY OTHER SYSTEM AND GOOD TEAMS WILL RESPOND BY CONVERTING TO A OR EVEN
A DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH STRONGER THEY ARE AND HOW MUCH THEY NEEDWANT A WIN
7($05(48,5(0(176
4HE SWEEPER NEEDS TO BE A PLAYER WITH SPEED AND STRONG TACKLING AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
AND DIRECT THE DEFENDERS IN FRONT AS TO WHOM TO MARK AND WHEN TO RELEASE TO SUPPORT THE MIDFIELD
7HEN ATTACKING THE OUTSIDE PLAYERS AS WELL AS THE FORWARD ALL NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY V #ENTRAL
MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE GOAL SCORING TECHNIQUE AND CAPABILITY FOR HEADING THE BALL
4HE LONE FORWARD NEEDS TO BE IN SUPERB AEROBIC SHAPE AS HESHE WILL PUT PRESSURE ON WHICHEVER OPPOSING
DEFENDER HAS THE BALL
/UTSIDE DEFENDERS NEED TO BE CAPABLE OF BEING OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS AS WELL
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HIS SYSTEM IS NOT RECOMMENDED AS THE PRIMARY SYSTEM FOR A TEAM BUT RATHER AS A SYSTEM FOR A SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCE OR GAME !S SUCH THE COACH HAS THE CHALLENGE OF TRAINING THE TEAM ON THE PRIMARY SYSTEM
AND THEN PREPARING THE TEAM FOR THIS EVENT4HIS WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FOCUSSED PRACTICES FOR ONE GAME
4HE CHALLENGE IS TO TRAIN PLAYERS TO BE ABLE TO MENTALLY SWITCH GEARS FOR ONE GAME AND THEN GET BACK TO
NORMAL FOR THE GAME AFTER
)DENTIFYING THE LONE FORWARD AND THE ADDITIONAL MIDFIELDER AND GETTING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR
NEW ROLES IS KEY 'ETTING TEAM COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO BE REHEARSED IN
PRACTICE
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEMgS PURPOSE IS TO STOP A SUPERIOR TEAM FROM SCORING !T BEST IT CONVERTS INTO A WHEN
ATTACKING
/PPONENTS MAY PUSH DEFENDERS FORWARD TO OVERCOME THE TIGHT MIDFIELD MARKING WHICH ACTUALLY PLAYS
INTO YOUR STRATEGY OF QUICK COUNTERATTACKS
-OST LIKELY THIS WILL TURN INTO A CHESS MATCH BETWEEN COACHES AND THE COACHgS ABILITY TO READ GAME
SITUATIONS AND MAKE QUICK TACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE TESTED
)F THE OPPONENT ISNgT AS SUPERIOR AS ANTICIPATED A SWITCH TO A AT THE HALF SHOULD BE IN THE GAME PLAN
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
VZHHSHUIODWPLGILHOG
,INING 5P
-
$ -IDFIELDERS STAY ON THEIR SIDE OF THE FIELD ZONE
- $$ OR $$ MARK FORWARDS AGAINST A &7 SYSTEM
$$$ MARK AGAINST A &7 SYSTEM
$ $ - & $ SWEEPS PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR DEFENDERS
*.
*.
--- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

- -- BECOME WINGERS WHEN PLAY IS ON THEIR SIDE
$ & STAYS CENTRAL
-
$EFENDING
$ 8 - 8 8
*.
*.
& - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

$ 8 - 8 8
- - COVERS ON THE RIGHT AND IS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSITION
$
8 -8 - MARKS OUTSIDE MIDFIELDER
& COVERS CENTRAL DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ GETS READY TO GIVE AND GO WITH - OR PASS TO -
& GETS READY FOR CROSS
- GETS BALL PASSES SUPPORTS PLAYER RECEIVING BALL
- 8
$ 8 8 $ SUPPORTS $ FOR A BACK PASS
*.
*.
- 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ 8 - 8 & - GETS READY TO MAKE A RUN FOR THE FAR POST
- 8 8
$ -8
$ 8
!TTACKING
- PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING $ WHO WILL THEN CROSS
8 - 8 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH -- IN POSSESSION
*.
*.
$ THEN THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO &

- & 8 OR - MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE
$ 8 8 8
- 8 !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE PASSING OPTIONS FOR
$ $ 8 - 8 PLAYER WITH BALL
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNIRXU]RQDOV\VWHP
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE MANY EMERGING VARIATIONS OF THE BASIC SYSTEMS USED BY TODAYgS PRO TEAMS
)T IS A VERY EFFECTIVE AND VERSATILE ATTACKING SYSTEM BASED ON FOUR ATTACKERS 7ITH OVERLAPPING OUTSIDE
DEFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS IT CONVERTS TO A OR PUTTING IMMENSE PRESSURE ON
THE OPPOSING DEFENSIVE UNITS WHO MUST BE EXTREMELY ALERT AND IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION
4HE VULNERABILITY OF THE LIES IN ITgS FLAT BACK DEFENSE WHICH CAN BE TORN APART BY DIAGONAL RUNS
THROUGH ITS CENTER4RANSITION TO DEFENDING IS EASILY FORGOTTEN WITH THE MINDSET ON ATTACKING
7($05(48,5(0(176
4EAMS EMPLOYING THIS SYSTEM MUST HAVE MIDFIELDERS WHO HAVE ATTACKING SKILLS EQUAL TO FORWARDS
/UTSIDE DEFENDERS MUST BE IN EXCEPTIONAL AEROBIC SHAPE AS THEY WILL BOTH MAKE DEEP RUNS TO ATTACK AND
THEN NEED TO CHASE BACK IN THE TEAMgS TRANSITION TO DEFENSE4HE ZONAL SYSTEM REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF
VERBAL AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION TO ENSURE THAT OPPOSING ATTACKERS ARE CHALLENGED AND COVERED
4HE INSIDE MIDFIELDERS ARE DEFENSIVE AND STRATEGY SPECIALISTS AND NEED TO BE DISCIPLINED IN POSITIONAL PLAY
UP JUST BEFORE THE BALL IS PLAYED IN BEHIND THEM4HIS REQUIRES ALMOST AUTOMATIC MECHANISMS BECAUSE
THERE IS LITTLE TIME TO PROVIDE EACH OTHER WITH INSTRUCTIONS
7HEN ATTACKING THE OFFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS AND THE FORWARD NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY V AND PLACE
ACCURATE CROSSES INTO THE PENALTY AREA "OTH FORWARDS AND MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE GOAL SCORING SKILLS
!FTER LOSS OF POSSESSION IN THE OPPONENTgS HALF THE ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS AS TO
WHOM TO CHALLENGE 3HOULD THEY PRESSURE DEFENDERS OR DROP BACK TO COVER MIDFIELDERS
! KEY TEAM REQUIREMENT IS TO HAVE PLAYERS THAT CAN THINK SOVE PROBLEMS IMPROVISE AND MAKE DECISIONS
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
SYSTEM %MPHASIS NEEDS TO BE ON KEEPING PLAYERS IN THEIR ZONES AND ON GETTING THEM TO MAKE THE RIGHT
DECISIONS REGARDING CHALLENGING PENETRATING OPPONENTS -UCH WORK WILL BE REQUIRED TO COORDINATE THE
OFF SIDE TRAP WHICH AGAIN REQUIRES VERBAL AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION
-IDFIELDERS WITH THE ABILITY TO ATTACK AND DEFEND NEED TO BE RECRUITED OR DEVELOPED4ACTICAL TRAINING TO
ENSURE THE OFFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS TRANSITION OPTIMALLY WILL BE THE FOCUS OF EVERY PRACTICE SESSION
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING AND CHALLENGING OPPONENTSg DEFENSES /PPONENTS WILL FIND IT
DIFFICULT TO RESPOND TO FOUR ATTACKERS BEING UNPREDICTABLE IN THEIR RUNS AND POSITIONS
4HE WEAKNESS OF THE LIES IN TRANSITIONING TO DEFENSE BECAUSE WHILE PROVIDING ATTACKING VARIABILITY
MIDFIELDERS MIGHT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO GET INTO DEFENSIVE POSITION /N THE OTHER HAND THE TWO CENTRAL MID
FIELDERS AND FOUR DEFENDERS SHOULD PROVIDE SOME SECURITY
! SYSTEM CAN OUTNUMBER IT IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD THUS PULLING OUT A CENTRAL DEFENDER CAUSING DIFFICULTY
WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE FLAT BACK ZONE ! SYSTEM CAN ALSO CAUSE DIFFICULTIES PARTICULARLY IF ITS THREE
FORWARDS GET ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDERS
)F STRUGGLING DEFENSIVELY IN MIDFIELD CONVERSION TO A IS LIKELY THE BEST TACTICAL RESPONSE
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFNIRXU]RQDOV\VWHP
,INING 5P
$ - $EFENDERS AND MIDFIELDERS GENERALLY STAY ON THEIR SIDE
OF THE FIELD ZONE
$ - $ $ CHALLENGE ATTACKERS COVER FOR $ $
- & $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE
*.
*.
$ - - - ARE OUTSIDE FORWARDS WHEN IN POSSESSION

DEFEND AGAINST OVERLAPPING DEFENDERS OR MIDFIELDERS
- IS PLAYMAKER AS WELL AS SECOND CENTRE FORWARD
$ -
- - CONTROL PLAY MOSTLY DEFEND CENTRALLY
& IS TARGET PLAYER SUPPORTED ON WINGS BY - -
$EFENDING

*.
*.
$ 8 - 8 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8
$ - - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
8 - 8 & - COVER REMAINING THREE DEFENDERS
4RANSITIONING
$ - & GET READY TO MAKE DIAGONAL THROUGH RUNS
8 - COMES TO BALL FOR A PASS
- 8
$ 8 - $ SUPPORTS $ FOR A BACK PASS
*.
*.

& 8
$ 8 8 $EPENDING ON WHERE ON THE FIELD THE PLAY IS THE PLAYER
- - 8 IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE PASSING OPTIONS
$ - 8 INTO SPACE
!TTACKING
$ - IN POSSESSION
8
$ 8 PASS IT TO OVERLAPPING DEFENDER $ WHO WILL THEN CROSS
8 -
*.
*.
8 &8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

$ 8 -8 - COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR
- 8 - MAKING RUNS INTO SPACE - COULD ALSO PASS WIDE TO
8
$ 8 - OVERLAPPING -$ OR -$ !GAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
IODWEDFN]RQDOV\VWHP
29(59,(:
4HIS SYSTEM IS A SLIGHT VARIATION OF THE SYSTEM EMPLOYED BY ADVANCED TEAMS
$EFENDERS MARK OPPOSING FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE AND PLAY THE OFF SIDE TRAP
4HE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS CLOSE DOWN THE MIDDLE 7HEN IN POSSESSION THIS SYSTEM OFFERS FIVE ATTACKERS
4WO OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS BECOME WINGERS THE ATTACKING CENTRAL MIDFIELDER IS A THIRD FORWARD
7($05(48,5(0(176
DEFENDING SKILLS AS WELL AS ABILITIES TO PASS AND CROSS EFFECTIVELY4HE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS MUST HAVE VISION
FOR THE GAME AND PASSING SKILLS4HE ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS MUST BE ABLE TO BECOME FORWARDS AND HAVE
EXCEPTIONAL DECISION MAKING SKILLS TO KNOW WHEN AND WHERE TO ATTACK AND TRANSITION TO DEFENSE
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD ROLES 0LAYERS WITH LESS ENDURANCE AND SPEED BUT WITH GOOD TACTICAL AND POSITIONAL
SENSE CAN BE PLACED IN THE CENTRAL MIDFIELD POSITIONS #OMMUNICATION AMONGST DEFENDERS AND FROM
DEFENDERS TO MIDFIELDERS IS KEY
675$7(*<
4HIS SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING MOST OTHER SYSTEMS DUE TO THE VERSATILITY PROVIDED BY THE
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS WHO CAN CREATE ODD MAN ADVANTAGES ON THE WINGS AND THROUGH THE CENTER /THER
4HERE IS A DEFENSIVE RISK IN THIS SYSTEM WHEN LOSING THE BALL IN THE OPPONENTgS END AND THE ATTACKING MID
FIELDERS REACTING TOO SLOW OR POSITIONALLY WRONG 4HE FLAT BACK THREE ALSO LEAVES LOTS OF ROOM FOR
OPPONENTS TO PLAY DIAGONAL THROUGH BALLS AVOID THE OFF SIDE TRAP AND OUTNUMBER THE DEFENDERS
!LSO TEAMS WITH THREE FORWARDS CAN CREATE UNDUE PRESSURE ON THE DEFENSE #OUNTERING THAT IS THE EASE
WITH WHICH YOU CAN CONVERT TO A WITH A SWEEPER OR A
4HIS SYSTEM IS FOR HIGHLY EXPERIENCED AND WELL SYNCHRONIZED TEAMS
4HE IS MOST EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANY SYSTEM AND MOST VULNERABLE AGAINST A SYSTEM
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
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- $ $ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE

$ - - HAVE A DEFENSIVE ROLE CLOSING DOWN MIDDLE
& - BECOMES THIRD ATTACKER IN ANY POSITION
-
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8
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$ 8 - 8 & 8 - WHO WAS OVERLAPPED SHIFTS TO TAKE - SPOT
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29(59,(:
)NDOOR AND SMALL SIDED GAMES TYPICALLY PLAY V WITH FIELD PLAYERS AND A GOALKEEPER
&OR TEAMS WHO PLAY V OUTDOORS IT IS RECOMMENDED TO KEEP THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF DEFENSE MIDFIELD
AND FORWARDS INTACT IN ORDER TO TRAIN THE CONCEPTS AND PLAYERS AND TO PROVIDE A CONNECTION BETWEEN
DEFENSE AND ATTACKERS
7ITH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ALWAYS PLAY SMALL SIDED AND DONgT UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS OF MIDFIELD YET
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO PLAY A SYSTEM DEFENDERS AND FORWARDS
7($05(48,5(0(176
&OR TEAMS WHO TYPICALLY PLAY V AND ARE PLAYING INDOORS THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP
SPEED ENDURANCE FAST PLAY AND BALL SKILLS 3MALL SIDED GAMES REQUIRE FIVE PLAYERS ON THE FIELD WHO
NEED TO KNOW HOW TO ACT AS DEFENDERS MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS THUS TRAINING A COMPLETE SET OF
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL AND MENTAL SOCCER SKILLS (OWEVER IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NOT ALL GOOD SMALL SIDED
PLAYERS MAKE GOOD FULL FIELD PLAYERS
&OR YOUNG TEAMS WHO ARE JUST STARTING SOCCER THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT BECAUSE THE POINT IS TO DEVELOP
KIDS INTO SOCCER PLAYERS
)N GENERAL YOU WANT THE MOST SKILLED AND FIT PLAYERS IN THE MIDFIELD POSITION THE BEST V ATTACKERS
IDEALLY WITH SPEED AS FORWARDS AND FAST TACKLING PLAYERS ON DEFENSE
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HIS IS A FAIRLY EASY SYSTEM TO TRAIN A TEAM IN AND HENCE WELL SUITED FOR TEAMS WITH SHORT PRE SEASONS
0OSITIONAL ROLES ARE EASILY DEFINED AND EXPLAINED AND CAN BE PRACTICED EARLY WITH INCREASING SUCCESS
4EAM SPEED AND ENDURANCE ARE IMPORTANT AND PHYSICAL TRAINING MUST BE A COMPONENT OF PRACTICES
EITHER ON THEIR OWN OR BUILT INTO THE DRILLS
0LAYERS WITH GOOD V SKILLS CAN TAKE ON THE FORWARD AND MIDFIELD ROLES
#OMMUNICATION AMONGST ALL PLAYERS IS CRITICAL AND MUST ALSO BE STRESSED DURING PRACTICES
4HE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WILL BE TO TRAIN THE FORWARDS ON MARKING OPPOSING DEFENDERS
675$7(*<
4HIS IS THE MOST BASIC AND COMMON SMALL SIDED SYSTEM AND QUITE OFTEN ENDS UP IN A V GAME WITH
THE OTHER TEAM PLAYING THE SAME SYSTEM !TTACKING VARIABILITY AND SUCCESS IS CREATED BY DEFENDERS
PICKING THE RIGHT MOMENTS TO OVERLAP OR PENETRATE THROUGH THE CENTER JOINING THE ATTACK
7HEN PLAYING AGAINST THE OTHER POPULAR SYSTEM A THE DECISION OF KEEPING THE OR MATCHING
THE NEEDS TO BE MADE FIRST )F KEEPING THE AND DEFENDERS ARE STRONG THEN THE NON MARKING
DEFENDER NEEDS TO STEP UP AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE OTHER TEAMgS SECOND MIDFIELDER
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)250$7,216 675$7(*<
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$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE AND OVERLAP

$ - HAS ATTACKING AND DEFENDING ROLE
& & & MAKE DIAGONAL RUNS AND COVER OVERLAPPING
- DEFENDERS
*.
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& NEEDS TO COME BACK WITH OVERLAPPING AND
8 8 8 PENETRATING DEFENDER
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$ 8
&
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&
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8 -
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8
POSTS
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8 8 PICK UP OPPOSING FORWARD ON A QUICK TRANSITION
$
8 BY THE OTHER TEAM
$
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
29(59,(:
)NDOOR AND SMALL SIDED GAMES TYPICALLY PLAY V WITH FIELD PLAYERS AND A GOALKEEPER
&OR TEAMS WHO PLAY V OUTDOORS IT IS RECOMMENDED TO KEEP THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF DEFENSE MIDFIELD
AND FORWARDS INTACT IN ORDER TO TRAIN THE CONCEPTS AND PLAYERS AND TO PROVIDE A CONNECTION BETWEEN
DEFENSE AND ATTACKERS
7ITH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ALWAYS PLAY SMALL SIDED AND DONgT UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS OF MIDFIELD YET
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO PLAY A SYSTEM DEFENDERS AND FORWARDS
7($05(48,5(0(176
&OR TEAMS WHO TYPICALLY PLAY V AND ARE PLAYING INDOORS THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP
SPEED ENDURANCE FAST PLAY AND BALL SKILLS 3MALL SIDED GAMES REQUIRE FIVE PLAYERS ON THE FIELD WHO
NEED TO KNOW HOW TO ACT AS DEFENDERS MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS THUS TRAINING A COMPLETE SET OF
PHYSICAL TECHNICAL AND MENTAL SOCCER SKILLS (OWEVER IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NOT ALL GOOD SMALL SIDED
PLAYERS MAKE GOOD FULL FIELD PLAYERS
4HE LONE FORWARD IS MORE OF A TARGET PLAYER WHO NEEDS SUPERIOR BALL RECEIVING SKILLS HAS THE ABILITY TO
HOLD THE BALL UNTIL SUPPORT ARRIVES AND PLAY AN ACCURATE PASS
&OR YOUNG TEAMS WHO ARE JUST STARTING SOCCER THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT BECAUSE THE POINT IS TO DEVELOP
KIDS INTO SOCCER PLAYERS
)N GENERAL YOU WANT THE MOST SKILLED AND FIT PLAYERS IN THE MIDFIELD POSITION THE BEST V ATTACKERS
IDEALLY WITH SPEED AS FORWARD AND FAST TACKLING PLAYERS ON DEFENSE
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HIS IS A MORE COMPLEX SYSTEM TO TRAIN DUE TO REQUIRING AT LEAST ONE OF THE MIDFIELDERS TO JOIN THE ATTACK
$EFENDERS ARE REQUIRED TO OVERLAP FREQUENTLY AT THE SAME TIME4RANSITIONING TO DEFENSE MIGHT BE A
CHALLENGE4HE ATTACK IS VERY VERSATILE AND WHEN TRAINED PROPERLY SHOULD CHALLENGE THE OPPONENT
0LAYERS WITH GOOD V SKILLS CAN TAKE ON THE FORWARD AND MIDFIELD ROLES
#OMMUNICATION AMONGST ALL PLAYERS IS CRITICAL AND MUST ALSO BE STRESSED DURING PRACTICES
4HE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WILL BE TO TRAIN THE FORWARDS ON MARKING OPPOSING DEFENDERS
675$7(*<
4HIS IS THE LESS COMMON SMALL SIDED SYSTEM AND USED BY EXPERIENCED OR PROFESSIONAL INDOOR TEAMS
7HEN PLAYING AGAINST THE OTHER POPULAR SYSTEM A THIS SYSTEM OFFERS AN ADVANTAGE IN MIDFIELD
AND VERSATILITY IN THE ATTACK )F THE OTHER TEAM CONVERTS AND MATCHES THE THERE WILL BE V
SITUATIONS EVERYWHERE )F THE OTHER TEAM STAYS THEN THIS COULD CONFUSE THEM AND KEEP THEM OFF
BALANCE
4HE ONLY CAUTION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MIDFIELDERS COMMUNIUCATE SUCH THAT ONE OF THEM
CHALLENGES THE OPPOSING MIDFIELDER WHEN DEFENDING AND THE OTHER ONE PICKS UP AN OVERLAPPING
DEFENDER
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
,INING 5P
$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE AND OVERLAP

$ - - HAVE ATTACKING AND DEFENDING ROLE
- & IS A TARGET PLAYER STAYING IN FRONT BALL SIDE OF
& OPPOSING DEFENDERS
*.
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$ -
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- OR - CHALLENGES MIDFIELDER DEPENDING ON SIDE
OF OPPONENTgS ATTACK4HE OTHER MIDFIELDER PICKS
UP OVERLAPPING DEFENDER ON THEIR SIDE
8 8 8 $ AND $ MARK FORWARDS
&
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$ 8
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8 - IS READY FOR A THROUGH BALL INTO CENTER
8
- 8 &
*.
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$ PASSING OPTIONS TO PLAYERS OR INTO SPACE
8 - 8
$
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'IVE AND GO HAS PUT $ DOWN THE SIDE
$ CROSSES BALL
& & AND- TIME RUNS BEHIND DEFENDERS TO NEARFAR
8
POSTS
*.
*.
8 - - - GETS READY FOR REBOUNDS AND TO COVER FOR $ AND

8 8 PICK UP OPPOSING FORWARD ON A QUICK TRANSITION
$
8 BY THE OTHER TEAM
$
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
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29(59,(:
-ANY YOUTH LEAGUES PLAY V WITH FIELD PLAYERS AND A GOALKEEPER
4HIS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF A ZONAL SYSTEM AT A TIME WHEN COMPETITION
OUGHT NOT TO BE THE PRIORITY OF THE GAME OR THE LEAGUE !T THE SAME TIME IT IS A BIT OF AN AWKWARD SITUATION
AND CAN PRESENT DIFFICULTIES DEPENDING ON AGE GROUP AND SIZE OF FIELD IE YEAR OLDS PLAYING THIS SYSTEM
ON A FIELD YEAR OLDS ACROSS FIELD WILL FIND THIS A GOOD SITUATION WITH MANY TOUCHES ON THE BALL
AND FREQUENT TRANSITIONS
7($05(48,5(0(176
4HIS IS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SPECIALIZE IN POSITIONS &AST AND UNAFRAID DEFENDERS WITH TACKLING INSTINCTS
WILL EMERGE
-IDFIELDERS WITH BALL SKILLS ARE NEEDED WITH THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO OVERLAP
4HEY MUST HAVE THE STAMINA TO MAKE THOSE RUNS AND THEN COME BACK WHEN TRANSITIONING TO DEFENSE
4HEY ALSO NEED THE ABILITY TO CROSS PASS AND SHOOT
&ORWARDS IDEALLY HAVE SPEED GOOD V SKILLS THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE THE BALL CREATE SPACE AND SET UP
FOR A SHOT4HEY NEED TO BE HUNGRY WITH A DRIVE FOR GOAL
4HIS IS AN IDEAL WAY TO TRAIN THE ZONAL SYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
0ATIENCE IS REQUIRED TO TEACH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ZONAL SYSTEMS WITH ALL ITS SHIFTS COVERING OVERLAPS
AND TIMING4IME IS ALSO REQUIRED TO FIND AND IMPROVE OR TO DEVELOP PLAYERS WITH NATURAL ABILITIES FOR
CERTAIN POSITIONS ! COACH CANNOT EXPECT THE MENTAL AND DECISION MAKING ABILITIES FROM PLAYERS HESHE
SEES FROM PROFESSIONALS 0RACTICES NEED TO BE GEARED TO DEVELOP THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF SKILL AND TACTICS
! COACH MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH THE ZONAL CONCEPT BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO COACH
4EAM SPEED AND ENDURANCE ARE IMPORTANT AND PHYSICAL TRAINING MUST BE A COMPONENT OF PRACTICES
675$7(*<
!GAINST A TEAM PLAYING A THIS SYSTEM BECOMES VERY MUCH A BATTLE OF MANY V SITUATIONS4O GAIN
THE UPPER HAND GIVE AND GO PASSING IS ESSENTIAL TO ISOLATE THE OPPONENT4HE VULNERABILITY LIES IN
DEFENSE BECAUSE THERE IS NO COVERAGE
7HEN PLAYING AGAINST THE THE ADVANTAGE SHOULD LIE IN MIDFIELD AND EITHER FORCE AN OPPOSING
DEFENDER TO STEP UP OR A FORWARD TO COME BACK )N THE LATTER CASE A DEFENDER MAY CHOOSE TO PUSH UP
TO CONTINUE OUTNUMBERING THE OPPONENT IN MIDFIELD
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
\RXWKJDPHV]RQDOWUDLQLQJ
,INING 5P
$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE

$ - - - - CONTROL MIDFIELD IN THEIR ZONE
& - AND - CAN OVERLAP WHEN ATTACKING
& & MAKE DIAGONAL RUNS AND COVER OVERLAPPING
*.
*.
-
& DEFENDERS
$
-
$EFENDING
- - - CHALLENGE MIDFIELDER IN POSSESSION
8 $ AND $ MARK FORWARDS
- & & TRY TO STAY UP TO KEEP OPPOSING
8 8 8 DEFENDERS FROM ATTACKING )F THEY DO & & COME
&
*.
*.
$ -
BACK TO MARK THEM
$ 8 - 8 & 8
4RANSITIONING
- HAS BALL AND LOOKS TO PASS WIDE RIGHT
8 - GOES FOR OVERLAPPING RUN DOWN THE RIGHT
- & IS ALSO READY FOR PASS DOWN THE SIDE
8 & 8
*.
*.
$ -
& 8 4HE PLAYER IN POSSESSION SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST TWO
$ 8
-
!TTACKING
- WENT FOR OVERLAP
- CROSSES BALL OR LOOKS FOR SUPPORT FROM -
- & & AND & TIME RUNS BEHIND DEFENDERS TO NEARFAR
8 8
$ 8 POSTS
*.
*.
8 - GETS READY FOR REBOUNDS

- 8 &
$ 8
8
-
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
\RXWKJDPHV]RQDORUVZHHSHUWUDLQLQJ
29(59,(:
-ANY YOUTH LEAGUES PLAY V WITH FIELD PLAYERS AND A GOALKEEPER
4HIS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF A ZONAL OR SWEEPER SYSTEM AT A TIME WHEN
COMPETITION OUGHT NOT TO BE THE PRIORITY OF THE GAME OR THE LEAGUE !T THE SAME TIME IT IS A BIT OF AN
AWKWARD SITUATION AND CAN PRESENT DIFFICULTIES DEPENDING ON AGE GROUP AND SIZE OF FIELD IE YEAR OLDS
PLAYING THIS SYSTEM ON A FIELD YEAR OLDS ACROSS FIELD WILL FIND THIS A GOOD SITUATION WITH MANY
TOUCHES ON THE BALL AND FREQUENT TRANSITIONS
7($05(48,5(0(176
4HIS IS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SPECIALIZE IN POSITIONS &AST AND UNAFRAID DEFENDERS WITH TACKLING INSTINCTS
WILL EMERGE !LSO A NATURAL SWEEPER MAY EMERGE $EFENDERS WITH ENDURANCE SPEED AND PASSING ABILITY
ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE OVERLAPPING RUNS
-IDFIELDERS WITH BALL SKILLS PASSING ABILITY AND VISION ARE REQUIRED
&ORWARDS IDEALLY HAVE SPEED GOOD V SKILLS THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE THE BALL CREATE SPACE AND SET UP
FOR A SHOT4HEY NEED TO BE HUNGRY WITH A DRIVE FOR GOAL
4HIS IS AN IDEAL WAY TO TRAIN THE ZONAL SYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE
&2$&+,1*5(48,5(0(176
4HE FIRST DECISION THE COACH NEEDS TO MAKE IS WHETHER OR NOT THE SWEEPER SYSTEM SHOULD BE USED4HAT
WILL DEPEND ON THE GENERAL DEFENSIVE STRENGTH OF AVAILABLE PLAYERS )F THEY ARE WEAK CONSIDER A SWEEPER )N
THAT CASE THE MIDFIELDERS NEED TO HAVE ENDURANCE AND BE TRAINED TO READ POSITIONAL PLAY AS THEY WILL NEED
TO SHIFT &ORWARDS ALSO NEED TO BE SKILLED AS THEY WILL GET LITTLE SUPPORT ONCE THE TEAM ATTACKS
0ATIENCE IS REQUIRED TO TEACH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ZONAL SYSTEMS WITH ALL ITS SHIFTS COVERING OVERLAPS
AND TIMING4IME IS ALSO REQUIRED TO FIND AND IMPROVE OR TO DEVELOP PLAYERS WITH NATURAL ABILITIES FOR
CERTAIN POSITIONS ! COACH CANNOT EXPECT THE MENTAL AND DECISION MAKING ABILITIES FROM PLAYERS HESHE
SEES FROM PROFESSIONALS 0RACTICES NEED TO BE GEARED TO DEVELOP THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF SKILL AND TACTICS
! COACH MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH THE ZONAL CONCEPT BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO COACH

675$7(*<
!GAINST A TEAM PLAYING A THIS SYSTEM BECOMES VERY MUCH A BATTLE OF MANY V SITUATIONS4O GAIN
THE UPPER HAND GIVE AND GO PASSING IS ESSENTIAL TO ISOLATE THE OPPONENT4HE STRENGTH LIES IN
DEFENSE DUE TO THE EXTRA DEFENDER
7HEN PLAYING AGAINST THE THE MIDFIELD IS VULNERABLE AND NEEDS TO BE EXTREMELY SKILLED AND
AGILE TO COVER THREE OPPONENTS )F THAT IS A CHALLENGE WHEN THE OPPONENT IS ATTACKING THERE ARE TWO
OPTIONS !GAINST A STRONG OPPONENT PULL BACK A FORWARD AND ESSENTIALLY PLAY WHEN DEFENDING
!GAINST AN EQUIVALENT OR WEAKER OPPONENT PUSH UP A DEFENDER AND PLAY WHEN DEFENDING
)250$7,216 675$7(*<
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$
$$ MARK AND $ SWEEPS
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$ 8 8 DEFENDERS MARK FORWARDS
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& 8
*.
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$ 8
$
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- & & AND & TIME RUNS BEHIND DEFENDERS TO NEARFAR
8 8
$ 8 POSTS
*.
*.
8 - GETS READY FOR REBOUNDS

- 8 &
$ 8
8
$

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6\VWHPVRI3OD\  

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- 8 8  $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

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8 8  $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

8& 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

- 8 8  $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

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8& 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

$ &  $  $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

- 8 8  $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

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4HIS    IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE ATTACKING SYSTEM

- 8 8  $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

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- 8  $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

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)F MORE ATTACKING IS REQUIRED THIS SYSTEM EASILY CONVERTS TO A   

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- COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR

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6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV  3DJH

 - - - CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD WITH - PROVI

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6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV  3DJH

 - - CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV  3DJH

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV  3DJH

 3WEEPER $ PROVIDES COVER FOR $$

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- 88  $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ 8& 8 THEN THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO &

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6\VWHPVRI3OD\

6RZHVHWRXWWRGH¿QHWKHPRVWFRPPRQV\VWHPVRISOD\IRUIXOO¿HOGVRFFHUYDQGVPDOOVLGHGVRFFHU

$ - & $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

- 8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

$ 8 - 8 & 8 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

8& 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

- 8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

- MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

8& 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

$ & $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

- 8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

$ 8 - 8 & 8 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

4HIS IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE ATTACKING SYSTEM

- 8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

- MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

- 8 & 8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

- $ $ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE

- & AGAINST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS

- 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

8 8 .O INITIAL BACK PASS SUPPORT FOR $

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- & - - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING AND DEFEND

- 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

8 8 .O INITIAL BACK PASS SUPPORT FOR $

)F MORE ATTACKING IS REQUIRED THIS SYSTEM EASILY CONVERTS TO A

- & AGAINST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS

- 8 - CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

$ 8 READY FOR TRANSITION

8 8 !LTERNATIVE IS LONG BALL OVER TOP OF DEFENSE INTO

)F MORE ATTACKING IS REQUIRED THIS SYSTEM EASILY CONVERTS TO A

- & - - ARE WINGERS WHEN ATTACKING AND DEFEND

- 8 - CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

READY FOR TRANSITION

8 !LTERNATIVE IS LONG BALL OVER TOP OF DEFENSE INTO

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$ $ $ MARK CENTRAL ATTACKERS IF PLAY IS IN MIDDLE

$ 8 & MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

- COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 3DJH

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 3DJH

--- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD WITH - PROVI

$ 8 - 8 & MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ - COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO & OR

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 3DJH

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 3DJH

-- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 3DJH

6\VWHPVRI3OD\DQG6WUDWHJLHV 3DJH

3WEEPER $ PROVIDES COVER FOR $$

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$ --- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

& - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

- 88 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ 8& 8 THEN THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO &

--- CONTROL CENTRAL MIDFIELD

& - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

- 8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO - $ OR DEEP TO RIGHT

$ THEN THEY COULD PASS THROUGH DEFENDERS DIAGONALLY TO &

$ - - - ARE OUTSIDE FORWARDS WHEN IN POSSESSION

- 8 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

$ 8 - 8 - MARKS OVERLAPPING DEFENDER

8 $ HAS OPTION OF PASSING TO $ - OR DEEP TO RIGHT

8 &8 )F BALL WERE IN CENTER OF FIELD WITH - IN POSSESSION THEN

- $ $ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE

- & AGAINST OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS

- 8 $ CHALLENGES OVERLAPPING MIDFIELDER

$ 8 - - PICK UP CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS

8 8 .O INITIAL BACK PASS SUPPORT FOR $

$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE AND OVERLAP

8 - & - GETS READY FOR REBOUNDS AND TO COVER FOR $ AND

$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE AND OVERLAP

8 - - - GETS READY FOR REBOUNDS AND TO COVER FOR $ AND

$ $ MARK FORWARDS IN THEIR ZONE

8 - GETS READY FOR REBOUNDS