Soccer Toolbox

1-3-4-3 System

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In the video clip below North Carolina Women’s Coach Anson Dorrance diagrams and discusses the alignment, shifts, and advantages of the 1-3-4-3 system. This is a system that is predicated on defensive pressure. If your team is unable or unwilling to apply pressure, then this system is not for you.

The 1-3-4-3 will allow you to impose your will on the other team by applying pressure in all corners of the field. The basic alignment is with 3 players up and four in a diamond shape in the middle. At the top of the diamond in the midfield will be a center half and underneath him, you will have a holding midfielder. Two flank midfielders are as wide as possible. In the back, you will have a flat 3 defenders.

Coach Dorrance discusses the defensive adjustments according to the position of the ball and also discusses how to transition to offense from this alignment.

The clip is provided by NSCAA. There are many great video on the NSCAA YouTube Channel that are sure to help you become a better soccer coach.

The YouTube video has sound, so please make sure your sound is on and that you have access to the site (Some schools block access to YouTube)

It is critical that all three lines drop to form pressure, cover balance lines of support. This allows you to apply maximum pressure while taking away their platform for initiating play. You can make them uncomfortable in an area of the field where they normally are calm and relaxed.

This system is an excellent way to develop your talent and maximize pressure on the opposition.

Offensively you have an increased number of players that are committed forward. With 3 up front, you can play direct when they are flat. You also have the opportunity for maximum width, thus creating space. Finally, the side opposite the ball offers an isolation opportunity that you can take advantage of.


Attacking in the Final Third

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To mount an effective offensive attack, teams need to be skilled at attacking in the final third. Attacking in the final third requires getting players forward and getting players around the ball. Once players are forward and around the ball, then they must be trained on attacking in the final third.

In the clip below Elmar Bolowich, former Creighton University Men’s Head Coach and current Executive Director of Armada Youth FC in Jacksonville, Fla, describes a drill that he calls Up Back and Through that is designed to help a teams attack in the final third of the field.

The clip is from World Class Coaching. You can get other great coaching tips by clicking on the link above, or by visiting the World Class Coaching YouTube Channel

The YouTube video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site (Some schools block access to YouTube)

This drill begins with a support player back with the ball. He will have a target player in the middle of the field being checked by to players. Two other attacking player are positioned on either side of flank of the target player. Each Flank player is defended by an outside back that may be positioned in the gap or in line with the flanker.

The drill begins with the support player moving the ball to the target player in the middle of the field. The target player returns the ball to the support player that has now moved forward. The support player will the play the ball forward to the flanker on his side of the field. The player on the flank must read his defender. If the outside backer is in the gap, he runs straight to receive the ball. If the backer is in line with him, he must run hard through the gap to receive the ball. Once the ball has been passed forward then all three players are attacking in the final third to score.


Tiki-Taka Soccer : Attacking Exercises

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The Tiki-Taka style of soccer emphasizes short passes and player movement. These two attacking exercises are designed to create scoring in tight spaces. In the clip Former Manchester United FC player, Alan Kirkup, demonstrates two Tiki-Taka style of play games that will train your players to recognize different options that expand their soccer IQ.

The first game stresses the quality of the passes, getting open in gaps, and playing the ball quickly. The game is played 5v5 on a short field. Players are limited to two touches, but the finish must be one touch only. The game is designed to help players get out of tight spaces and create scoring opportunities.

The second game is played 8v6 with 2 free players that play for both teams. The 2 free players can move about, while all other players must play 1v1 and remain within a box. The players have unlimited touches in this drill and the hope is to get some player open 1v1 vs the goalkeeper.

For more information about the DVD this clip came from click the link Attacking Exercises for Tiki-Taka Soccer

The YouTube video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site.


Defending Corner Kicks

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Defending corner kicks successfully can be the reason your team wins. Defending corner kicks poorly can be the reason your teams lose. Set pieces are the one predictable moment in a soccer match. Whether it be direct kicks, indirect kicks, or corner kicks set pieces generally play a critical role in the outcome of the match. They are the moments in a match when the coach can dictate the action. They are the moments that a coach should spend preparing for in practice.

In the clip below, Marcus Wood, Hardin-Simmons University Head Women’s Soccer Coach, discusses defending corner kicks. For more information about the DVD that this clip came from click the link Game Winning Strategies for Attacking and Defending Set Pieces

The YouTube video has sound so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. Some schools block access to YouTube.


Channel Game: Switching the Point of Attack

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Coaches are always scheming to create tactics to give them a numbers advantage. One of the best ways to create a numerical advantage is to switch the point of attack. Many coaches will attempt to do this in the air. In the video clip below Brian McMahon,Palm Beach Atlantic University Head Coach, demonstrates the Channel Game. This is 5v5v5 drill that he uses to switch the point of attack on the ground.

This drill is from a complete DVD on shifting the attack. For more information about the DVD click the link Switching the Point of Attack

The YouTube video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site (Many schools block access to YouTube)