Section 7: A Dynamic Teaching Model - 5 v 5

This series, Coaching Fundamentals, is designed to introduce volunteer and youth coaches to the basics of coaching soccer. 

Introduction

For younger players, the 11 v. 11 soccer game can be complicated and confusing. Younger players need to learn the concepts of spacing and positional play and cannot kick the ball very far. The result is often a massing of players around the ball, providing them little opportunity to practice their skills and execute tactical choices.

To solve this problem, to some degree, coaches have reduced the number of players on the field. For players ages 5 to 7, the NSCAA recommends 3 v. 3 with small goals and no goalkeeper. This format simplifies the environment for these young players and gives them the opportunity to get plenty of touches on the ball.

As players develop and advance beyond the introductory stage, the NSCAA recommends 5 v. 5 as an excellent environment for playing and learning in the game. The 5 v. 5 format involves four outfield players and a goalkeeper, although some countries play 4 v. 4 without a goalkeeper. The NSCAA preference is 5 v. 5 because of the satisfaction players receive from shooting at a goal with a goalkeeper rather than at an empty net.

The ideas presented in this segment are being universally incorporated into youth soccer around the world and are the basis for much of our teaching at the younger levels. The NSCAA firmly endorses small-sided games for training players of all ages, but particularly at the youth level, where players need a simple environment to learn the game and execute the skills. The 5 v. 5 format also is a great training tool for coaches to teach the game and a good way for coaches to be introduced to team training.

Rationale

The NSCAA recommends 5 v. 5 for a variety of reasons:

• It is the smallest number of players that still allows for three passing directions: forward, sideways and backward. This is important because soccer is a three-directional game.
• It is the smallest number of players that gives us positional play: goalkeeper, backs, midfielders and forwards.
• It keeps all players involved throughout the game by putting them under pressure for the entire game. There is nowhere to hide in 5 v. 5 play - the players are forced to be actively engaged the whole time.

Identifying Positions

It sometimes is helpful to number the positions (see graphic to the right) so the players have an understanding of what space to occupy and what their roles are in these spaces. In the 5 v. 5 game, the NSCAA encourages the players to adopt a diamond shape with one player at the back (the central back, or defender, who is No. 4), two players at midfield (the right midfielder is No. 7 and the left midfielder is No. 11) and one player up the field (the forward, who is No. 9). The goalkeeper is No. 1 in the diagram. This shape provides good visual clues to the players as to whether to pass the ball forward, sideways or backward.

The Coach's Role

The role of the coach is teach the players to move into the proper area. Once the players are in the proper areas, the team is in position to be able to pass the ball in three directions. The opposing players have the choice to either mark the attacking players closely, which opens up the middle of the field, or stay in the middle of the field, which means that the No. 7 and No. 11 players are open.

Teaching Clues

The shape provides the coach a number of important teaching clues:

• When No. 1 is in possession of the ball, No. 4 should go diagonally opposite. This will create a passing window from No. 1 to No. 9, or, if the space is occupied, a passing angle to No. 4.
• By going wide, No. 7 and No. 11 stretch the opposing defenders across the field and force them to choose between defending central space or marking them tightly. This gives No. 1 and No. 4 a good visual clue as to where to pass the ball.
• By going wide, No. 7 and No. 11 are positioned “sideways on.” The more centrally they stand, the more they will be facing their own goal. The NSCAA always tries to get players to play sideways on so they can see opponents and get half turned. 
• The coach can use the shape to teach players to move back toward the ball to receive it and lure the defender away from vital defending space. 
• By moving to the apex of the diamond, No. 9 gives teammates a penetrating target and space to check back to receive a pass. The coach can teach the central forward how to time a check to coincide with a teammate’s ability to release a ball.

Conclusion

The 5 v. 5 format is the easiest way to introduce team play to young players. The NSCAA endorses it as a primary teaching tool for the coach. We strongly encourage coaches to incorporate it into all of their practices because it includes so many of the key concepts in good team play. The highest ideal in soccer training is when the players learn from the game itself, which is precisely what will happen in 5 v. 5.

Even if you are a novice coach with limited tactical understanding, the 5 v. 5 is a great way to improve your players and improve your knowledge of the game of soccer.