Team Shape
Back Four Shifting Shape
Shift as a unit with the ball
Team Shape
Defending
Pressing
Back Four Shifting Shape is a 20-minute team shape drill for 6-18 players, suitable for Under 12 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryTeam Shape
Defending
Pressing
Match
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Defensive Organisation
Team Tactics
Duration
20 min
Players
6-18
Pitch size
Half pitch
Ability levels
Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Back Four Shifting Shape — 4v4 small-sided game · Half pitch
Step 1 of 3Attackers pass the ball across, defenders shift and adjust the line.
- 1. Attackers pass the ball across, defenders shift and adjust the line.
- 2. On a coach call the ball goes live for a 4v4 to goal.
- 3. Five shadow sequences then a live phase.
- Cones mark the area
- Mini goals at each end
- GK = goalkeepers
- Ball
- Blue v dark — score in the opposite goal
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Shift as a unit with the ball
- -Hold a compact defensive line
- -Communicate press, drop and squeeze
Setup
- 1Back four plus a keeper on a half pitch.
- 2Four attackers passing across the pitch in front of them.
- 3Cone line marking the offside reference.
Coaching instructions
- 1Attackers pass the ball across, defenders shift and adjust the line.
- 2On a coach call the ball goes live for a 4v4 to goal.
- 3Five shadow sequences then a live phase.
Coaching points
- -Ball side defender presses, others tuck in and cover
- -Line squeezes up when the ball goes backwards
- -Constant talking to keep the line straight
- -Distances between defenders no more than eight yards
Common mistakes
- -Ball watching and losing the line
- -Two defenders pressing the same player
- -Line dropping too deep too early