Vertical and diagonal options
Support behind the ball, scan before receiving and distribute through, around or over pressure.
View source principle ↗Club game model · 11v11 / 4-3-3
Create the spare player in the build and protect the space behind the back four.
Source family: Goalkeeper · 1
U.S. Soccer Position Profiles, pp. 3, 4.
Strength, power, agility and quick reactions.
Anticipation, communication and bravery; read the pressure and the risk.
Call the line, own the agreed delivery zone and organize the second ball.
Support behind the ball, scan before receiving and distribute through, around or over pressure.
View source principle ↗Recognize when a switch through the goalkeeper can release the far fullback.
View source principle ↗Move outside the goal to support recycling while remaining ready to defend depth.
View source principle ↗Role behaviors summarize the supplied Position Profiles. Exact runs, support assignments, set-piece roles and practice tasks are this fictional club’s applications. Physical qualities are descriptive, not player ratings.
Club practice application: Provide options to play forward / Vertical and diagonal options
GK draws the first line. Centre-backs separate.
Support behind the ball, scan before receiving and distribute through, around or over pressure.
GK, back four and pivot against three pressing forwards plus two interiors. Use the defensive half at full width, with two target gates just beyond halfway representing the interiors.
Shown on one side of the pitch; mirror the activity for the opposite fullback, interior or winger.
Start with the goalkeeper. Find the pivot or fullback facing forward and pass through a target gate. If the press wins it, attack the full-size goal immediately. Restart from different sides.
The receiving player has scanned, moved out of the cover shadow and has a useful next action.
Add the two attacking interiors as live targets and allow a pressing midfielder to track them.
Club-authored exercise and animated walkthrough, applying the linked principles. Players retain their 11v11 roles. This illustrates the task; it is not match footage or an exercise supplied by U.S. Soccer.