A system to identify geographical areas on the pitch, support players with the ‘where’ of team & player tasks, and provide more specific structure for formations & positions
- The zone system:
- Allows coaches and players to identify areas on the pitch in a common, shared language
- Gives structure and rules for attacking and defending
- Allows players to identify areas of opportunity and risk
- The system is:
- 5 lanes vertically across the field with:
- 2 wide lanes (left and right)
- 2 half spaces
- 1 central lane
- 4 blocks horizontally up the field
- Block A (attacking goal)
- Block B and C (middle of the field)
- Block D (defending goal)
- 5 lanes vertically across the field with:
The zone system can be used to define specific team tasks. For example:
Attacking
Field players
- Must have a minimum of one player in each Lane across the field, except when the ball enters Block A
- The closest centre back to the ball must be at least half a block back from the 6/8/2/5 if they have the ball
- When the ball can go into the penalty box, try to get 4 players in the box, 2 players in the shot box and 1 player on the goalkeeper (4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
- The goalkeeper must be no more than 1 block from their centre backs
Defending
Field players
- Team must be 1 block from most forward attacker to deepest defender
- The whole team must be 3 lanes around the ball from each other
- When the ball can go into the penalty box, get even or more numbers than the opposition in the box
Goalkeeper
- The goalkeeper must be no more than 1 block from their centre backs