Defensive Shape and Movement

By Chris Kouns

USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College

Setup
There will be three groups of four or five players in single file lines. Ahead of them will be cones that separate the field into three zones that are ten yards deep and about 30 yards wide. The coach will be in a zone in front of them with a ball at their feet

Execution
As the coach moves calls the color line the defenders close in a defensive stance, keeping their feet moving in choppy steps and then when they go to the next line forward the following group will repeat. This will happen until all three groups are involved in the activity at one time.

Coaching Points
Defenders body shape to the cone should be ball - body - goal (BBG)When moving forward to the next set of cones it should trigger the movement of the group behind so they move in a unit.

Setup
Same set up for players as in part 1 and 2. Coach will not have assistant with them and may dribble or pass.

Execution
Players coordinate movements based on pass or dribble and remain compact as a unit when moving.

Coaching Points
The player that is closest to the ball will stay engaged on the dribble until the dribbler is close enough to the next player to pass them on.

On the pass the closest player will assume the higher position towards the ball and the person who was on the ball will drip into shape.

Player dribble forward or rolling ball forward and looking up to hit ball is a cue for entire unit to drop.

Player dribbling backwards, turning their back to the unit or passing backwards is a cue to step.

Setup
Same set up for players as in part 1 and 2. The coach who does not have an assistant can dribble or pass the ball to space.

Execution
Players coordinate movements based on the position of the ball and remain compact as a unit when moving.

Coaching Points
The player that is closest to the ball stays engaged on the ball until the dribbler is close enough to the next player to pass them on. When they trade off the closest players will assume the higher position towards the ball and the person who was on the ball will drift into the shape.

If the player dribbles forward or is looking up to hit the ball is a cue for the entire unit to drop. If the player dribbles backward, turns their back or passes back it’s a cue to step up.

By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College