High School
3. 4V4 WITH 6 SMALL GOALS
» 25 x 40 yds. 3 small goals positioned on each side- must be within 2 yds to score.
( A) Demonstrate & work on movement of defense by requiring attacking to take a minimum of 3 touches and no criss-crossing of attacking players. Focus coaching points on 1st defender pressuring ball and making play predictable; 2nd defender( s)- cover position; 3rd defender- balancing central.
( B) Take off restrictions on attackers. Focus coaching points on when / how to pass on runners off ball, when / how to pass on player dribbling ball across the field, and when / where to shift zones to maintain cover and balance.
4. 9V9
Frequently, we do not have the numbers for 11 v 11 with our high school teams.
» 80 x 55 yd.
( A) Set out players in a 4-1-3 vs. 4-1-3( 4 backs, 1 midfielder, and 3 forwards). This is designed to work on our 4 backs in zonal defending against 3 forwards. This will also work on forwards recovering back when necessary.
( B) Change formation to 4-2-2 vs. 4-2-2. This will allow for midfielders joining the attack and force defenders to make tactical decisions against more combination play between midfielders and forwards.
» Focus coaching points on 1st, 2nd, 3rd defender concepts as in previous exercises, but also on how to adjust to the attacking team making runs by defenders or midfielder( s) into the front third. Emphasize the shifting of players to maintain pressure on the ball, shape, and coverage.
2026 PRE-SEASON SOCCER JOURNAL | 49