Week 48

Outcomes

• ✓Players can name the four roles in a 4v4 team and their basic responsibilities.
• ✓Players can provide width and depth as a four-player unit.
• ✓Players can adjust their position based on whether the team is in or out of possession.
• ✓Players can make decisions appropriate to their position in the 4v4 shape.

Equipment

• 16 cones
• 8 bibs
• 8 balls
• 4 small goals
• 1 full-size goal

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Groups of four, one ball per group, 20×20 yd grid.

   How to run it: 4v0: groups create a shape that covers the whole grid. Each player has a zone. Pass around the shape, staying in their zone. After two minutes, one player becomes a 'roamer' who links zones.

   • ›Zones give the team coverage — no two players in the same area.
   • ›Roamer: move to the zone that needs a link, not the ball.
   • ›Spacing between players is the foundation of the shape.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Half-pitch. Two groups of four in 4v0 patterns, one ball each. Coach names roles: two wide, one deep, one advanced.

   How to run it: Groups pass in their shape and follow coach's instruction: 'Wide players switch.' 'Deep player drives forward.' 'Advanced player drops.' Each command changes the shape — players react quickly.

   • ›Fluid shape: roles can change — stay aware.
   • ›Wide players: hug the touchline when the team has the ball.
   • ›Deep player: you are the base — always available.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 4v2 on a 30×20 yd grid. Four attackers in their shape, two defenders. Attackers earn a point for every ten consecutive passes while maintaining shape.

   How to run it: Defenders try to break the shape by pressing. Attackers must move to maintain their positional shape while keeping the ball. Rotate defenders every three minutes.

   • ›Shape first, then pass — move into position before calling for the ball.
   • ›If your zone is covered, move to create a new angle.
   • ›The shape stretches the defence and creates the passing lanes.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4, 35×25 yd, four wide corner goals (one at each corner). Each team scores in the two goals at the opponent's end.

   How to run it: The wide corner goals force teams to use width and shape to find scoring angles. Normal possession rules. Coach freezes play once to ask: 'What shape should you be in to score here?'

   • ›Wide goals mean you need wide players — maintain width.
   • ›Don't all drift central — the scoring positions are wide.
   • ›Defending: cover both wide goals, not just the central space.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 4v4 plus keepers, 40×30 yd, two full goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach nominates roles for each team at the start: two forwards, one midfielder, one defender. Roles are flexible but players should return to their position when the ball is in their half.

   • ›Positions are starting points — not cages.
   • ›When your team attacks, your whole team shifts forward together.
   • ›When your team defends, your whole team shifts back together.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players seated in their positional groups.

   How to run it: Light stretching by position. Coach asks each positional group: 'What was your most important job today?' Forward: score and press. Midfielder: connect. Defender: cover.

   • ›Knowing your role helps the team — even at 4v4.
   • ›Roles become more important as the game gets bigger.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can adapt their positional understanding from 4v4 to a larger format.
• ✓Players can support the ball from their position when the team is in possession.
• ✓Players can recognise when to hold position and when to make a run in a larger game.
• ✓Players can communicate positional assignments to team-mates during live play.

Equipment

• 16 cones
• 10 bibs
• 8 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Two groups of five. Each group in a 25×20 yd grid. One ball per group.

   How to run it: 5v0 shape drill: five players fill the grid with no two players within five yards of each other. Pass in sequence around the shape. Coach calls 'Forward!' — all five shift toward one end as a unit.

   • ›Five players need more space than four — use the full grid.
   • ›When shifting forward, maintain relative shape.
   • ›Pass into the direction of movement — play forward.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: 5v2 rondo, 25×20 yd. Five outside players keep the ball against two defenders.

   How to run it: Rondo with a positional discipline: each of the five must stay in their zone. If a player leaves their zone to collect the ball, they become a defender. The two defenders swap with the last player to move out of their zone.

   • ›Stay in your zone and call for the ball — don't chase it.
   • ›Zonal discipline is harder than it looks — commit to it.
   • ›Move within your zone, not across the whole pitch.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 7v7 (+keepers) on a 50×35 yd pitch in 2-3-1 shape each team. Walk-through roles at low pace first, then increase to 75% intensity.

   How to run it: Teams start with a walk-through of their positions: 'This is where the two defenders stand. The three midfielders spread across here. The forward is the tip.' Then play 7v7 with a shape reminder after each goal.

   • ›Bigger team, bigger pitch — more space to fill and more to cover.
   • ›Midfield is the engine — they need to be everywhere.
   • ›Two defenders: one presses, one covers. Sound familiar?

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 6v6 (+keepers) on full pitch. Divide the pitch into three horizontal thirds. Each player has a primary third (defenders in back, midfielders in middle, forward in front).

   How to run it: Players earn a 'third bonus' if they score after making a run from their primary third into the attacking third. Normal goals score one; third-bonus goals score two.

   • ›Positions are starting points — runs from deep are dangerous.
   • ›Midfielder: your run from deep is hardest for defenders to track.
   • ›Forward: hold the defensive line while midfielders run beyond you.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 7v7 including keepers, full pitch, two full goals.

   How to run it: Free match, natural positions. Coach makes one positional intervention per half — pauses play once to correct a positional issue and asks the player to identify the better position themselves.

   • ›Guided discovery: let the player find the right answer.
   • ›Shape improves through repetition over weeks — don't expect perfection today.
   • ›Praise positional intelligence as enthusiastically as goals.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players in positional groups (defenders, midfielders, forward).

   How to run it: Group stretches. Each group names one thing their position must do in possession and one thing out of possession. Coach consolidates: defenders cover, midfielders connect, forwards press and finish.

   • ›Every position has attacking and defending duties.
   • ›Understanding your role makes you a better team-mate.