Football: back 4

How does one create width during a match?

hi all,trying to get my u13s boys to push up together as a back 4 always 1 holds back playing the other team onside .any ideas.thanks

I coach an under 12s team and although in training we do lots of passing and shooting drills, using both feet, when it comes to a game situation (in training or on Sunday) they all go back to only kicking using their stronger foot.

What positioning should a back 4 take up when the opposition is constantly trying to play long balls over the top of our defence. Positioning before ball is played and immediate reaction positioning if our 2 centre halfs win the ball in the air

Hello fellow coaches and friends. I have been coaching for two years now. Started off incharge of a new under 10's team and we have now stepped up to 11 aside as under 12's. I wanted to ask about formations at this level, my fellow coaches who also help have been playing 433 whilst i have been away. Is this too advanced at this level?

Hi has anyone got a good warm up routine for a under 18 team before a match?

wish to change my team shape has been said best formation to understand is a 4231 shape

can u suggest warm ups before training and how long between drills thanx

i want mid and strikers to feel like they can roam anywhere to create space or opportunity. Problem is they are so set in positional play they struggle to think outside square or trust team mates will cover zones

I have a team of u11/12s and only 2 of them have played league football before. We have had several games now and they are getting better but we are running out of drills to do with them... They need to work on: passing, offside rule, possession play. I have struggled most of all because I used to coach at the Bournemouth academy where every player knows what there doing. Any suggestions on what I could do? Massively appreciated thank you!

With my U16 team, I often like to use high presses throughout matches and have scored a number of goals as a result. The problem is, often the triggers are only recognised by a few of the players, leading to a failed press. Obviously I will have to work with them on recognising press triggers, however how can I help improve the overall team shape after a press has failed? For example, say 3 players; a left midfielder, centre midfielder and centre forward in a 4-3-3 have attempted a press in the opposition's right back position. The press has failed and now the team is 3 players short and facing a counter attack.

what the best formation for 7 aside?

How do I get my team of 15 year olds to talk on the park they are great at training but can't transfer this to a game.

Hi I am a novice coach but have an excellent left midfielder who needs to learn another position- any suggestions on which position and how I go about it? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Hi,I am playing in a 4-3-3 style. Yesterday we played against a team that started 4-4-2, but when they had the ball, switched to a 4-2-4/3-3-4 playing style.What do you trainers believe is the best way to overcome/defend that?Also, what are the best passing opportunities when attacking in a 4-3-3 style and playing against a 4-4-2/3-3-4 style?Any thoughts on this?Thank you so much!

coaching points?

Disciplining for misbehaviour? 8-11 year olds, they dont really get bored because i know that sometimes that can be the cause. How or what can i apply a bit of strictness into the team.

where on the field can I play a slow player

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

I took over a under 8s team 2 years ago unfortunately soccer is not my game and I did as there was no other option other than to fold. Im a good coach in terms of developing a good team (discipline, teamwork , sportsmanship fun etc) but I think my lack of knowledge about the game is holding the team back . I have a 12 players who are about to move up to the under 10s level , they skill level ranges from timid to very skilled, I try to give each player equal time and the lower skilled players are improving (just not at the same pace as the opposition). Unfortunately the opposition we face seem to be light years ahead in terms of playing a scheme and we are often found out during games (i have used a basic zone defense to try and stop the team becoming ball magnets). I think its a mixture of me insisting all players get equal playing time and the fact I dont know enough about the game to be able to coach an effective scheme and to react to opposition schemes. They are good kids and I want to give them a taste of success (you can only say it was bad luck so many times) but cant seem to get our club to take it to the next level. The drills on sportsplan are helpful but a lot of drills are too complicated for the kids age or can simply go wrong very quickly in reality. We dont get thrashed in games but we cant seem to eke out a draws or wins (I know its not all about winning but try explaining that to the kids when they lose on a regular basis)Any suggestions