Soccer Positional Grid

​Introduction to the Soccer Positional Grid

The positional grid acts as a roadmap on the field.

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

What is the positional grid?​

Roadmaps constrain you to the parts you can drive, but you often have many choices to get to your destination.

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Roadmap:

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​​It's not just about your team's movement

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​It's also about how the movement of the ball manipulates defenders out of position

Depending on where the ball is located, players are responsible to fill a specific a location in the positional grid. The end result is that a team shape or structure will develop in possession, resulting in a positional soccer style of play

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3 attacking zones

Multiple Choice

Which area has the least number of options when in possession?

• Area 1

• Area 2

• Area 3

​Because of the constraint of the sideline and the distance from goal, players in this area will have the fewest options available.​

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Low Option Area

Because of the reduced number of options, defending teams will seldom sacrifice extra players to outnumber teams in this area.

​In this sequence, only one player shifts wide to pressure the ​attacker.​

Low Option Area

To take advantage of this, teams will often outnumber the opposition in this area.

This is primarily accomplished by overlapping wingers.​

Low Option Area

Multiple Choice

Which area are the most chances (XG) created?

• Area 1

• Area 2

• Area 3

​What's available in Area 3?

​Area 3

​Pep Guardiola refers to this area as "Most chances created." As you are watching the video on the next slide, notice how much time players have on the ball in Area 3. One-touch play isn't just nice to look at, it's all you really have to do.

Open Ended

What do you think Area 2 is called?

The Half-Space

​You've probably heard the phrase "half-space" used by pundits and coaches. This is where playmakers often target their possession.

The half-space is generally the area outside of the "D" and the width of the 18-yard box.

​​Field-Marking

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The half-space is not a restricted lane, but the area outside of the center back and inside the wingback (outside defender) of a back-four.

​​Defensive positioning

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​Some teams will implement a back line of three defenders; sacrificing space on the flanks in order to protect the half-spaces.

Defending

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This can leave the flanks vulnerable to quick counter attacks due to the number of players pushed forward.

​Counter-Attack

This can also leave space up the middle.

​Midfield Superiority

Any time a player is able to possess the ball in these half spaces, it becomes difficult to decide which player should pressure the ball, often leaving defenses out of shape.​

Difficult Choices

Half-Spaces behind defenders

The tendency for defenders to hesitate as to who is responsible for balls played into this area makes this a good target for passes into space.