Position by position: Center Backs

[Pete StuartParticipant]

I’m working on developing a set of concise, easy-to-understand guidelines for each of the positions in our formation. I want to spend a week focusing on each position during practice. I’m not talking a lengthy, in-depth philosophy. I’m looking for bullet points that I can emphasize during practice and then shout out during games and scrimmages for reminders. For example, “Ethan, protect the box!” or “Robbie, support the attack!”

For reference, I coach a U9 boys team, 8v8, and we generally play 2-3-2, but I’m basically teaching it like the back 2/3 of a Barça-like 4-3-3. You could think of it more like a 4-3-0.

Love to hear your feedback, additions, corrections, criticisms, etc.

This week: center backs.

1. Protect the penalty box
2. Provide defensive cover
3. Communicate and give advice
4. Provide attacking support (outlet, pressure relief)
5. Act as starting point of attack

[Rene GonzalezParticipant]

Peter, interested in your progress on this; my u8 girls will be transition to 8v8 next fall and have already been thinking about next steps: right now the are playing 4v4 in a 1-2-1.

I think your summary above is a good start for cbs; one area that may merit further emphasis I think is how important they are in shifting the line of attack.  Your #4&#5 are correct, but I have been struggling for a metaphor to explain how central they are to changing to line of attack. . . so much comes through them that at younger ages I am actually making sure that players I think will be cms get some time there.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 8 months ago by  Rene Gonzalez.

[Pete StuartParticipant]

Rene, good luck with your girls. The transition will be tough at first but I’m sure you’ll guide them through smoothly.

I agree regarding shifting the line of attack. Just today we were working on playing back, across and then up. They want to try to force it up the line. Once I stopped the play and put the CBs in the right spots, it seemed to click and they were able to find the space and come across.

However, they did get the ball picked off most times and were a bit discouraged. I simply praised the attempt, pointed out the problem, and off we go again. Ugh, it’s hard, but so worth it when you see that it clicks for them.

[frank starsinicSpectator]

You may want to refer to this:

http://prezi.com/iyh3n-gb8mzl/roles-responsibilities-in-a-4-3-3-system-of-play/

[Pete StuartParticipant]

This looks really good Frank. Thanks.

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