Teaching Defensive Shape and Attacking Shape Using Spatial Markers

Italian442

This simple exercise is a great way to teach defensive shape (defensive organization) using the yellow cones & attacking she (attacking organization) using the orange cones.  The coach can call out attack or defend while the team takes the correct shape.  After a number of repetitions remove the cones and practice again.  This exercise can easily be used as lead up to shadow play.  I first saw Arrigo Sacchi use cones as spatial cues while teaching the famous Italian 4-4-2 Zonal Defending & Counter Attacking.

Using the techniques of grinding, cueing and spatial cues is all part of the “Cognitive Soccer Instructors Course and Certification” at http://www.soccersmarttraining.com