CommunicationGameTactics
Stepping the line up for offside (u16)
Practise the line-step call in repeated circulation, so the gesture becomes automatic — completes offside coverage, the command topic that needs the most repetition to take hold.
Choose a session and the exercise is added to today’s plan.
Load
- minutes
- 13
- dives/set
- 2
- Sets and reps
- 2 × 1
- Intensity
- Medium
dives per set, per goalkeeper
Microcycle days it fits
MD-4, MD-3
Each bar’s height is that day’s dive ceiling.
Setup
- Goalkeepers
- 1
- server
- 0
- outfield player
- 6
Space: 32 × 26 m
Equipment: Balls, Full goal, Bibs
The coach serves and manages the breaks.
1 steps
Opponent circulation in front of the line. Whenever the carrier can’t play in behind, the goalkeeper calls the step up as a block, repeating the gesture until it is the team’s reflex.
Exercise sequence
Coaching points
- The call goes out the instant the carrier can’t play in behind — repetition builds the line’s automatism.
- A short, strong word, always the same, so the line reacts without interpreting.
- The read comes from the carrier’s body, not the ball: anticipating gives the line time to step together.
- Praise the timing of the step as much as the result, to reinforce the right gesture early.
Progressions
- Repeated step in continuous circulation.
- Increase the pace of play.
Regressions
- Single-command step.
- Reduce the number of attackers.