Soccer – Tactics, Basics and Practice Units

Theory and tactics in soccer

Zone defence, man marking, back four, shadow cover, counter play and much more. We concern ourselves – in part jointly with international coaches – with developing explanations and practice methods.

This chapter deals with the basic knowledge, tactical and well as theoretical, for soccer coaches who desire to broaden their expertise. Some topics are loaded with animated graphics. The often rather dry training in theory and tactics thereby gets more dynamics and will be perceived by you as being more interesting, - at least we hope so.

System Of Play - Basics of the 4-2-3-1

System Of Play - Basics of the 4-2-3-1

The 4-2-3-1 is probably one of the most widely used formations in professional soccer. This system is, for example, played by Borussia Dortmund, one of the 2013 Champions League finalists....

Foundations of the 4-4-2 (Diamond Midfield)

System Of Play

We arrive here at a further formation in the 4-4-2 configuration, the game with the -Midfield Diamond-. Those talking about 4-4-2 (correct: 1-4-4-2), often reducing the system to the “Flat Four”. Whereby 4-4-2 not only means our playing ...

Soccer Tactics: Types of Pressing

Soccer Tactics - Types of Pressing

Pros and Cons of Midfield Pressing, High Pressure and Low Pressure. The field can be divided into three zones. If Pressing is applied in the opponent’s half or close to the opponent’s goal, it is called High-Pressure or Forechecking ...

Pressing in Soccer

Pressing in soccer

Ralf Peter will be contributing a series of articles to explain "Pressing in Soccer". He has been the juvenile coach at the German Soccer Association. The national teams under his care have already been European- and World Cup winners ...

Soccer Tactics: Crossing In Front Of Goal

Soccer Tactics - Crossing

The fundamentals and video drills to learn crossing in front of goal - Crossing across the penalty area in front of goal is a simple tactical method of confusing defenders and to get into space ...

Soccer Tactics: Overlapping

Soccer Tactics - Overlapping

Overlaps are one of the most well-known moves and are seen in every game, especially professional games. At the end of this article you'll find four video tutorials that will help you get started with overlaps ...

Counterattack Game - Drill Forms

Soccer tactic

Counterattack game is a tactical maneuver to score the goal as soon as the player acquires the ball. This requires a good set of attack actions. The times are long gone when the ....

Shadow Games

Soccer tactic

Make your team aware of the theory of the „Cover Shadow“. How often during a soccer game does one hear the desperate call “make that pass!”? However, often there is a good reason why it does not happen, why it cannot be done ...

Basics of the Back Four – Practice Examples

Basics of the Back Four

The introduction of the back four (ball-oriented defence). The entire team moves in direction of the ball, not only the back four defenders, whereby the goalkeeper gets particular importance ...

Back Four - Structured Exercises - Shifting

Soccer tactic

This collection of exercises allows you to teach game formations on the field, without giving a complete theoretical introduction. For teams with a basic understanding of the back four ...

The Foundations of the 4-4-2

Soccer Coach Tactic

The 4-4-2 is the most played formation in today's soccer, at least in terms of performance. In general soccer, the 4-4-2 in much less common in practical use as too many people are afraid of the back-four and coaches and players alike feel ...

Soccer - The Right Game Tactics

Soccer Coach Tactic

How to find the right tactic? Which tactic is the right one? In soccer, there is no easy answer to this question. This article will cover which factors a coach should take into account, in order to find the right tactics ...

Space Allocation Using Small-Field Soccer

Space Allocation Tactic

An important reason why there is demand again and again for tactics instruction on a small field is the irresistible orientation to the ball among the young ...