Thu Oct 1 · 5:00–6:30 · 9v9
Teaching the 4-3-1
- 5:00Shape walk
- 5:08Team talk
- 5:13Rondo
- 5:25Attack the right
- 5:50Defend the block
- 6:10Play
The shape · we attack up the page
4 back. 3 mid. 1 striker.
No wingers. The fullbacks give the width. The 10s stay inside the width of the box.
5:00–5:08 · shape walk
Shift with the ball.
Walk the ball from the right center back to the 6, then to the right 10. Everyone slides. Freeze.
If the right back goes, who still protects the goal?
Answer · freeze here
Four stay home.
Both center backs, the 6, and the left back tucked in. Not stuck on the touchline.
5:08–5:13 · team talk
One job each.
The midfield builds the moment. The striker gets the moment.
Say it once. Then move.
5:13–5:25 · use whoever showed up
Rondo by numbers.
10 by 10 yards. Outside keeps it. Inside wins it. Whoever loses it swaps in. Go to two touches once they can keep it.
If one kid is left over, she waits on a cone with a ball. She's the next defender in, not watching.
Receiving cue · in the rondo
Far foot.
Take it on the foot farther from the passer. Your body is already half-turned to the next pass.
“Far foot. See the next one.”
5:25–5:50 · attack the right
Width from the right back.
Ball starts with the right center back, in our half. 1 to the 6. 2 to the right 10. She dribbles inside, their left back steps, 3 she slips the right back down the line.
PassRunDribbleThemBallNumbers = order
Right 10
Fix and slip.
She sells the inside dribble so their left back steps. She doesn't have to shoot.
“Drive in. Play the back.”
The 9 · she is the star
Check, then go.
She checks toward the ball so a defender follows her, then spins and runs between their center backs. If the run isn't on, she holds it up. She doesn't drop into midfield to fetch it.
“You’re the star. Check, then go.”
If their left back doesn't step
Don’t force it. Switch.
Play back to the 6 and switch to the left 10. She's already holding the far side. The 6 stays out of the box.
“Hold the pocket. Switch.”
5:50–6:10 · defend
Block in front of goal.
Their winger has it on our left, deep in our half. Everyone slides toward the ball. Show her wide. Nobody chases out to the far touchline.
Left back
Patient. Don’t dive in.
Show her down the line. Stay between her and the goal. Win it on a heavy touch, not the moment she gets the ball.
“Show her outside.”
The 6
Own the arc.
Stand at the top of our penalty arc. Don't chase the ball into the corner. The 10s slide over but stay out of the box.
“Hold the pocket.”
Center backs
Together.
Slide as a pair. One of you is always in front of the goal.
“Together.”
The 9, defending
Stay high.
Stay near halfway. When we clear it, she's who we kick it to. She doesn't drop into our box.
“You’re the outlet.”
6:10–6:30 · play
Width, or the 6.
Watch every attack for one of two things: a fullback giving the width, or the 6 linking the back line to the 10s. If both 10s end up on the ball side, freeze once and send the far 10 back. Then let them play.
“Width, or the 6. Then go.”
Shout card
What to say.
- 6
- Hold the pocket.
- 10s
- Fix and slip.
- Fullbacks
- You are the width.
- 9
- You’re the star. Check, then go.
- Center backs
- Together.
- Left back
- Show her outside.
Rotate the 6 and the 10s. Do not specialize them today.