By Mike Smith
Several years ago I had a high school player who was obsessed with formations. She just had to know what shape we were in, and would usually then argue the 4-3-3 was the answer for everything. I was trying to teach the group to not ALWAYS play so directly and even keep a bit of possession and as the lesson progressed, she proclaimed, “ I’ve got it, it’s a 1-8-1!” . I doubt the 1-8-1 formation will ever catch on as an ideal game shape, however in training, this exercise is great to teach possession, indirect build up from mid field, pushing up, getting numbers to the ball, timing and individual defending and finishing.
Lesson 1
3 v 6 on a Central Goal
Set-Up
Set up a 30 x 30 yd grid and place two flags in the center for a goal. Designate a wide side and place 5yd wide cone goals on the wide side and top and bottom sides as well ( as shown ). The keeper is in the flag goal, and must cover both sides as a goal can be scored from any side. 3 defenders assist the keeper against 6 attackers. All players start on the outside of the grid and enter on the pass of a neutral. This is a 50 / 50 ball and once the entry pass is made, the neutral assists the team who is in possession of the ball. IF the defending team gets the ball, they may score by passing it from the grid through any of the 3 outside cone goals. IF the attacking team gets the ball, they score by getting the ball past the keeper and through the flag goal. The top of the flags are the top of the goal. IF the keeper makes a save, they should play the ball back out to the defending team.
Coaching Points
The goal here is for the attacking team to not release the ball until they have created a good shot, which for me is a player 1 v 1 with the keeper or open net with time and space to make an accurate attempt. For the defending team the focus is on knowing where the outlets are, even under pressure, and trying to avoid simply giving the ball right back to the team with numbers.
Lesson 2
Full Field Restricted / 1-8-1 vs 4-4-2
Set-Up
On a full field, place a line of cones across the field at the top of the arc. Place another line of cones across the field just past the top of the center circle ( as shown ). To start, 8 attackers and 4 defenders will be restricted to this box. The attacking team will keep a “sweeper” back out of the cone box and a lone striker up top outside of the cone box. The defending team will keep 4 defenders outside of the cone box in their defensive end and 2 strikers outside of the cone box on their attacking end. Play starts with a free pass from the sweeper into the 8 v 4. The goal for the attacking team is to possess the ball until they can spring their lone attacker into a 1 v 1 with the keeper. All restarts are game condition, and one attacking player may come up out of the box to serve in corners for the attacking team.
Coaching Points
Play should be pretty predictable in this first progression. The coach should focus the attacking team on not making turnovers or playing into pressure. The ball should only be released for a shot and should only be turned over on a goal, corner, goal kick or throw in.
3rd Progression
Once the attacking team has gotten the idea of moving 8 players together to control possession, remove the restrictions of the defending team. They may play anywhere, in any formation. The attacking team may run players in and out of the cone box, but may still only have one up and one back at any given time, i.e., if the sweeper wins a ball and wants to dribble into the box to take space, a player must come out of the box and become the sweeper. Likewise, if the striker wants to check down into the box to receive a pass, a player from the box must make an attacking run. The teachable moments for multiple styles, systems and situations are endless.
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.
