The library
Pick a situation to teach
Every playcode runs the same four beats, so once you have used one you know how to use the rest.
Build and attack
- Playing Out From the BackHow to play out from the back in youth soccer: the goal-kick shape, three cue words, practice games for U8 to U14+, and when to go long instead.
- Third-Man RunsThird-man runs explained for youth coaches: watch the pattern, choose the pass, learn three cue words and get practice games for U8 to U14+.
- Overlaps and UnderlapsHow full-backs overlap and underlap in youth soccer: watch the 2v1, learn three cue words, and run practice games for U8, U10, U12 and U14+.
- Switching PlayHow to switch play in soccer: lure the block, spot the empty side, three shouts your players will hear, and practice games for U8, U10, U12 and U14+.
Beat a formation or a press
- How to Beat a High PressHow to beat a high press in youth soccer: find the free player, three shouts your players will hear, and practice games for U8, U10, U12 and U14+.
- Break Down a Low BlockHow to break down a low block in youth soccer: move the block, spot the gap, three shouts your players will hear, and practice games for U8 to U14+.
- How to Beat a 5-3-2Beat a 5-3-2 in youth soccer: pin the back five, pull a wing-back out, then use the pocket in front. Animated scene, three cue words and drills by age.
- How to Beat a 4-4-2Beat a 4-4-2 by finding the free player at every line: past the front two, into the pocket, then wide. Animated play, three cues, drills for U8 to U14+.
- How to Beat a 3-5-2Beat a 3-5-2 in youth soccer: find the space behind its high wing-backs and isolate the wide centre-back. Animated scene, three cue words, drills by age.
Transitions
- Counter-AttackingHow to counter-attack in youth soccer: win it, look forward, break at speed, three shouts your players will hear, and practice games for U8 to U14+.
- Counter-Pressing for YouthCounter-pressing in youth soccer: what it is, who hunts first, when to stop, three shouts your players will hear, and practice games for U8 to U14+.
- Defensive TransitionLost the ball and the counter is on? Learn to delay the carrier, get goal-side and get compact behind the ball, with U8 to U14 youth soccer practices.
Defend
- Pressing TriggersWhen to press in youth soccer: the triggers to look for, three shouts your players will hear, and practice games for U8, U10, U12 and U14+.
- Pressure, Cover, BalanceWho presses, who covers, who balances? First, second and third defender made simple, with an animated 7v7 play, three cues and drills for U8 to U14+.
Youth foundations
- Spacing: Stop the BunchHow to stop kids bunching up in youth soccer: why swarm ball is normal at U6 to U8, three cue words, and rule-games that spread them out.
- Rondo Drills by AgeWhat is a rondo and how big should it be? Grid sizes, rules and coaching points for U8, U10, U12 and U14 youth soccer, from 4v1 to 6v3 and beyond.
Run it in Tactico
Set it up with your own players
Lay out your squad on the Tactico board, draw each option and see it before you take it to training.
Open the free tactics board →Opening a playcode as a ready-made play, the session plans for each age group and the printable touchline cards are part of Tactico Pro, with a free trial.