Compact Block: Three Vertical Zones
A 6v6 match on a pitch split into three vertical zones. When defending, all outfield players must be in the ball's zone and one adjacent zone; a goal conceded while breaking the rule counts double.
- Age
- U15–Senior
- Players
- 14–18
- Duration
- 24 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 50 × 45 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Tactical: Defensive organisation, Pressing
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:CompactnessShiftingCoverPressing
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Compactness means the team defends narrow and close to the ball. The vertical zones make it visible: if a defender is two zones away, the team is stretched. Players learn to shift together towards the ball and leave the far side, which is the least dangerous.
Objective
Defend narrow and compact, shifting together towards the ball.
Organisation
- Pitch of 50 × 45 m, divided into three vertical zones of 15 m. Two goals and goalkeepers.
- Two teams of five outfield players.
How it works
- Normal game.
- When defending, no outfield player may be more than one zone away from the ball.
- A goal conceded while a defender breaks the rule counts double.
- 3 × 7 minutes.
Coaching points
- Shift as the ball travels, not after.
- Nearest player presses; the others close the inside passes.
- Leave the far side: the ball takes time to get there and you can shift again.
Progressions
- Also limit the depth: the team must stay within 25 m from front to back.
Regressions
- Coach calls 'shift' during the first minutes.
Variations
- Play with a target player for each team on the end line.
Key principles
- Narrow and close to the ball.
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