Shaping the Game series

The Shaping the Game series of TacticalPad videos and session activities is based on the UEFA C coursework presented by the Scottish FA offered through the United Soccer Coaches Master Coach diploma program.

The premise in Shaping the Game is to develop common tactical understandings within a block of players in a 4-3-3 in either the attacking or defending role.

• Back 4 attacking
• Back 4 defending
• Midfield 3 attacking
• Midfield 3 defending
• Front 3 attacking
• Front 3 defending

The “rules” of the activity include:

• Exactly 16 players divided between the 2 teams
• Players may be adjusted between sides of the field in order to create the appropriate scenario
• Players must be in relevant positions for the scenario
• The key player(s) in a scenario must be in the assigned block
• The activity is based in a segment of the field which is appropriate for the scenario, including goal(s)

Each activity includes two elements:

1. The premise of the scenario (for example, left back plays to left forward)
2. A “what if” possibility – in short, an action if the original option is unavailable (“bridged”)

The following two videos demonstrate both an option and a bridged alternative.