• Author:Thomas Kettner
• Pages:92
• Practices:65
• Level:U15-Pro

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Using Space Effectively

We coaches all know the challenge of playing against a deep and compact opponent. As you move closer to the opponent's goal, time and space become more limited. If you don’t want to rely solely on long balls, crosses, and set-pieces, a controlled build-up is needed to create space through switching play and a varied attacking strategy.

To reflect this realistically in training, positional games are particularly suitable. Positional games are possession-based exercises in equal, superior, or even inferior numbers without goals. These exercises train the ability to use available space efficiently under time and space pressure and to circulate the ball within your team. The opposing team tries to reduce space and apply pressure to win back possession.

Objectives of Positional Games

Positional games train all four phases of football (own possession, transition after losing the ball, opponent's possession, and transition after winning the ball) in a game-related way.

They promote not only game intelligence and possession play but also behavior in situations of numerical superiority, equality, and inferiority. In addition, they train transitions such as counter-pressing after losing the ball and optimal space occupation after winning possession.

• Improve possession play
• Utilize numerical superiority
• Improve transition play
• Form triangles and diamonds
• Execute technical elements (passing, ball control) under pressure

For each game format, you will find recommendations on:

• Game duration
• Number of rounds
• Total duration
• Field dimensions
• Coaching points
• Variation options

About the Author

Thomas Kettner

Thomas Kettner has been a soccer coach for over 28 years. He holds the UEFA A License and works according to his motto: “A coach is crucial for motivating and inspiring the players.”

The former coach of FSV Hollenbach’s U19s (Oberliga BW) attaches great importance to getting close to the players and opening them up to acquiring tactical flexibility. One of the ways he achieves this is through game forms that are extremely challenging and motivating for the players and that can be used flexibly depending on the number of players.

Over the last 12 years, a comprehensive compendium of Training Forms and Training Units, which he has now published with the Institute for Youth Soccer.

The special thing about his concept is the system of organizing the game forms. It can be used very flexibly and adapted to the number of players on the training day.