By Mike Smith
Almost every day, on soccer fields across the world, the same few words and phrases are repeated constantly. “ Wide”, “ Pass it ”, “Push Up”. Right there in that mix, “ Mark Up “ has to be included. Whether playing zone, man or a mix, effective marking is a critical step toward individual player development and team success. This lesson looks at marking from the simple aspect of being close enough to touch your opponent most of the time.
Lesson 1
Close Down
Set Up
These 3 stations allow groups of 6 to 8 players to work on 3 common marking scenarios. For the top station, set up two cones 25 to 30 yards apart. The defensive line starts by lobbing or chipping the ball up towards the attacking line. As the attacker comes in to win the ball the defender hustles in and attempts to get a hand on the attacker before or as they are receiving the ball. The attacker then passes the ball to the next defender in line and the drill begins again. The attackers and defenders may either switch lines and roles or return to their designated lines and switch at a determined time.
The middle station is similar to the top station, however the cones are 30-40 yards apart with a cone gate in the center. The defender sends the ball on the ground to the attacker who attempts to dribble through the cone gate. The defender attempts to get close enough to touch before the defender can dribble through the gate. IF the defender is successful the defender shadows or jockeys the attacker until they dribble through the gate at which time the players rotate as they did in the top drill.
The bottom station is usually fun for the players. The coach should divide the groups fairly evenly based on speed. At the coaches signal, one player from each team races around a pole 30 yds out and back across the starting line marked by cones. The first place player back gets a point. However, if the second place player can close down and touch any part of the first place player they get 2 points. The second place player must go around the pole before the touch is made. The coach determines how many rounds the drill will be.
Coaching Points
The idea with each of these stations is closing down to touching distance. For the two with the ball, the coach should stress that the defenders come in quick, slow down under control and get low in a good balanced defensive stance. For the race, the idea is for the following ( second place ) player to never quit and keep trying to close the gap and put on pressure.
Lesson 2
Designated Marks
Set Up
On a 30 yd x 30yd field, set up two 5yd cone goals on each end ( as shown). 6 player teams take on each other with the only rule being designated marks, meaning if player A is marking player B, they are the only players who can tackle the ball away from each other. This is a man marking activity so the players must stay with their designated man. Beyond this, the idea is to pass and move, find combinations to get someone open in front of one of the goals. Goals must roll into the goal on the ground to count.
Coaching Points
The idea here is for players to understand how to balance offensive supporting roles with defensive marking roles. Hustle is the big equalizer here. When in possession, players are free to roam and take chances, however they must learn as soon as possession is lost or a mistake is made, they HAVE to hustle to find and cover their mark.
Lesson 3
Half Field Man / Zone Game
Set Up
Width wise on a half field, set up two goals with poles ( as shown ). Two teams of 8 plus their keepers play a man / zone game. 4 midfield players from each team are given opponents to mark. Just like in the previous exercise, these are the only players who may tackle to ball from one another. 3 additional players from each side are designated defenders and 1 player from each side are designated strikers. Play starts ( including after goals ) with a goal kick from the keeper. The defenders and strikers are free to roam, but must recognize their positional roles anytime possession is lost.
Coaching Points
Just like in many games, high pressure man marking works because of the safety net a few zonal players provide. The coach should focus on the markers to create constant pressure on the ball. The zonal players, both defensive and striking should be aware of the other free players but the coach should focus them on taking advantage of the opportunities the pressure marking provides in the defensive, transitional and attacking phases of the game.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
