Team Shape

Shadow Play Shape Work

Rehearse the team's attacking shape

Team Shape

Passing

Attacking

Shadow Play Shape Work is a 18-minute team shape drill for 8-20 players, suitable for Under 11 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.

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Team Shape

Passing

Attacking

Skill Practice

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

18 min

Players

8-20

Pitch size

Full or three-quarter pitch

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Shadow Play Shape Work — Marked area · Full or three-quarter pitch

Step 1 of 3Team moves the ball through the thirds unopposed following set patterns.

1. Team moves the ball through the thirds unopposed following set patterns.
2. Coach freezes play to check positions.
3. Build up to walk, jog then match pace.

Cones mark the area
Dashed lines = zones / thirds
Ball
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Rehearse the team's attacking shape
-Understand individual roles in possession
-Move the ball with the shape intact

Setup

1Mark the shape's key positions with cones on the pitch.
2Team lines up in the chosen formation.
3Mannequins or poles as passive opponents.

Coaching instructions

1Team moves the ball through the thirds unopposed following set patterns.
2Coach freezes play to check positions.
3Build up to walk, jog then match pace.

Coaching points

-Hold the width and depth of the shape
-Every player has an angle to the ball
-Rotate only when covered

Common mistakes

-Drifting out of position
-Players in the same line
-Ball speed too slow

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch