positions overview

U7, 7-on-7

Mustangs Soccer

Parts of the field

Center Circle

Center Line

Penalty Area

Goal Area

Goal

Penalty Arc

Goal Line

Base Positions

• We’re playing “2-1-3” plus the Goalie– 2 Fullbacks (Defense)– 1 Midfielder– 2 Wings + 1 Forward = “3”

Base Positions

Wing

Forward

Fullback or D

MidfielderGoalie

WingFullback

or D

Offensive and Defensive Zones

Defensive Zone

Offensive and Defensive Zones

Defensive Zone Offensive Zone

Defensive Zone

Fullback / Defense

Defensive Zone

Fullback / Defense

Fullback / Defense

Defensive Zone

Fullback / Defense

Fullback / Defense

Goalie

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).

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.

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.

Offensive Zone

Wing

Offensive Zone

Wing

Wing

Offensive Zone

Wing

Wing

Forward

Offensive Zone

Wing

Wing

ForwardMidfielder

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.

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.

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.