Team Shape Walkthrough

Objective

• -Understand individual roles in the team formation
• -Shift as a unit in relation to the ball
• -Keep distances between the lines

Setup

1. 1Mark reference cones for each unit.
2. 2Team set up in the match formation.
3. 3Coach with a ball on the outside.

How to play

1. 1Coach moves the ball around the pitch and the team shifts accordingly.
2. 2Freeze play to check distances and body shapes.
3. 3Progress to a passive then live opposition.

Progressions

• +Add opposition attackers
• +Play a conditioned game keeping the shape

Regressions

• -Walk through at half pace
• -Work with one unit at a time

Variations

• -Defensive block work in the low third
• -High press shape from goal kicks

Common mistakes

• -Units drifting apart
• -Ball watching and losing the marker
• -Wingers staying high when the team must defend