10. Defense Basics
• The fullback/Defense/D will play from one side of the
penalty arc to the opposite sideline so the zones
overlap in the middle from the goal to the center line.
• The side closest to coaches and parents is the near side
and the other side is the far side so the boys will hear
me tell them that they are near D or far D.
• The D plays from the goal line to the center line
including the penalty area (but the goalie is king of the
penalty area – let him pick up the ball if he’s there to
take it). The goalie should pick up the ball if he can.
• The D should never allow an opposing player to get
behind them (there are no off-sides calls at this level).
11. Defensive Action
• We’re going to start teaching the D that one of the two
fullbacks should attack the ball as it enters the
defensive zone and the other should stay back. The
primary goal is to slow the attack so that the forwards
and midfielder can get back to help in the defensive
zone.
• If the ball enters the defensive zone on the near
side, the near D should attack. If the ball enters the
zone on the far side, the far D should attack. The other
D should shift to the middle in or near the penalty arc
and stand guard.
• Send the ball to the sidelines and up to the wings.
12. Defensive Zone
In this case, the opponent was able to take the ball and get past our far wing. They are entering
the far defensive zone. The far D is going to attack and the near D is going to shift to center. The
midfielder is going to attack the ball and all forwards are going to drop back as quickly as
possible to help. As soon as the forwards and midfielder are engaged, the D may drop back.
17. Offensive Basics
• Spread out, get open, pass to your partners.
• Funnel the ball to the opposing goal.
• Forward and wings crowd the penalty area
and attack the ball; shoot, shoot, shoot!
• Midfielder, stop the ball from leaving the
offensive zone. Pass up to the forward or
wings.
• Midfielder is first line of defense and one of
the most active players on the field.
18. Offensive Action
• When a wing brings the ball down field, don’t run
towards the middle – your partner, the
forward, is there. Get deep into the offensive
zone and shoot on goal from the side of the
penalty area or pass to your forward.
• When the forward brings the ball down
field, watch your wings to get open and pass to
them if you need help then get in position near
the goal for the pass back or rebound from their
shot.
19. Defensive Zone
In most cases, we want our forward and wings to bring the ball straight down the field and not
angle into the middle of the field so as to not draw all the opposing players together in front of
the goal. Stay straight drawing the D out to you and shoot or pass to a possibly open partner.
Midfielder helps keep our control of the ball in the offensive zone and passes to open attackers.