Soccer Field Position Teaching Maps
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If you coach the Under 6, Under 8, or Under 10 year old age groups you have probably found yourself trying to explain to your kids what position they are going to play for a game, and where they are supposed to play. Likewise, if you have a child on the field you want them to have a basic understanding of what their role is in each game.
Usually what you end up with is a mass of kids running like a solid mass up and down the field.
I made these two diagrams for my U8 team last week and I have seen great improvement in just two practices and in the first game since implementation. Especially with my son who thought that a forward ran all over the field like a midfielder!
We labeled the defenders the “Red Zone”. The arrows represent the space on the field that the defenders will normally occupy during a game.
The Midfielders are the “Blue Zone” and the arrows likewise show were midfielders will shift for a game.
The Forwards are the “Green Zone” and this shows ideally where we want them positioned to take advantage of scoring opportunities.
You would be amazed how quickly our kids identified a position, and part of the field with a color.
(Keep in mind that the positions move horizontally and vertically on the field, too many arrows would be too confusing)
I sent each kid home with a copy to put on their refrigerator.
We saw overnight improvement in spacing and creation of scoring opportunities.
We had triple the scoring opportunities in this weeks game and we won 5-1.
Regardless of whether you are a parent or a coach, your child can learn from these diagrams, even though they are very simple.
Please leave me a comment below and let me know how your results are!
Here they are: (click to view or right click to download)
[easyazon-image-link asin="B0026OJ8LU" alt="Kwik Goal Soccer Magnetic Board" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512K5QIrUHL._SL160_.jpg" align="left" width="160" height="160"]
[easyazon-image-link asin="B0000ASMZK" alt="Kwik Goal The Finisher Training Net" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61jx5JTcxcL._SL160_.jpg" align="right" width="160" height="160"]
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Leave a Comment
April 25, 2010 at 7:30 pm
I can’t wait to use this at my kids practice this week. Thanks!
Joe
February 16, 2012 at 8:56 am
I plan to use these at my next practice and will provide you an update as the season progresses.
May 21, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Awesome Maps!!! Thank you! I showed the maps to my 9yr old Daughter and she instantly understood!
August 17, 2012 at 7:12 am
When will anyone get that the players in the back (near the goalie) are not defenders! THEY ARE CALLED “BACKS”. the game is separated by offense and defense by possession, once a team is with out a ball – EVERYONE IS A DEFENDER, for everyone defends the goal and puts something into it.
sometimes forwards don’t go all the way back, this is so there is an effective counter attack and is purely strategy. however, they can and have. BACKS move up to, normally for supporting the attack, but they may and have move up to score
whats the issue? calling a player ‘defense’ will give them the thought that “this is all I am to do”. “this is all my position is good for”. bad attitude, wrong idea!
September 18, 2012 at 10:12 am
Thanks! Definitely gonna try this with my U8 girls. Was about to make one up myself and then I saw yours.