The shape
The goal keeper and goal defence stay in our defensive third, the goal keeper near the post and the goal defence towards the transverse line. The centre works the centre third and both circle edges. The goal attack moves between the centre third and our attacking circle, and the goal shooter stays near the post. With the ball each player looks one pass ahead: goal keeper to goal defence, goal defence to centre, centre to goal attack or goal shooter, then the shot. Without the ball each player stands goal side of the opponent in the same position.
Roles
- Goal keeper. Takes rebounds and back-line throw-ins and passes to the goal defence. Marks the opposing goal shooter and stays 0.9 m away when they shoot.
- Goal defence. Receives from the goal keeper and passes to the centre, or carries to the transverse line if the centre is marked. Marks the opposing goal attack.
- Centre. Links defence and attack. Receives from the goal defence, moves the ball into the attacking third and offers on the circle edge.
- Goal attack. Receives from the centre and feeds the goal shooter, or shoots when the goal shooter is covered.
- Goal shooter. Holds on the post, takes the shot and rebounds every miss.
Strengths
- Only five players means space is easy to find and passes are rarely contested.
- The chain of passes is the same every time, so new positions are learned fast.
- Every player gets plenty of touches in a quarter.
- Short passes keep the three-second rule easy to meet.
Weaknesses
- The centre tires because they cover the whole court alone.
- A player in a new position can forget which thirds they are allowed in.
- If the goal attack stays in the circle, the centre has nobody to pass to in the centre third.
- One intercept leaves the goal keeper alone against two.
When to use it
This is the open-play structure for all four quarters of a High 5 match, whichever player is in each position. It suits any under 11 team and gives everyone a turn at defending, linking and shooting. Make sure the player at centre each quarter knows it is the running job. Ask the goal attack to come further out against a goal keeper who marks tightly, so the centre has a target.
What to coach in training
- Pass the chain: goal keeper to goal defence to centre to goal attack to goal shooter, shot. Rotate positions after every goal so each player runs every link.
- Thirds walk-through: with cones on the transverse lines, each player walks their allowed area and stands on the line they must not cross.
- Goal-side marking in pairs: an attacker moves slowly and the defender keeps their body between them and a coach holding the ball. Swap after ten seconds.
Works well against
The structure copes with any High 5 opposition that marks one on one, because the space in each third makes a short lead easy. It also handles a side that bunches around the ball, since the pass chain always has a player away from the crowd. A quick opposing centre who intercepts the goal defence to centre pass causes trouble, and the fix is to let the goal defence carry further before passing.
