The Coaches' Room
9v9•U12•In Possession

How do you play through full-pitch man marking?

Asked by AndyJ
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We played a team that followed players everywhere. Our usual build-up options disappeared because every player waited beside their marker for the ball. What would you coach first at U12: movement to drag opponents, rotations, carrying the ball, or something simpler?

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@CoachMattH

UEFA B Coach

9v9 tactical • player development

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If every player is marked, the space is not. I would begin with movement that takes an opponent somewhere they do not want to go. One player moves away from the ball, another uses the space created, and the player in possession can carry if nobody steps out. A useful practice is 4v4 plus three support players, with defenders asked to stay close to an opponent. The attacking team scores by finding the third player or carrying through a line. Do not solve it with constant rotations. Give the players one question: what space appears when your marker follows you? At U12, carrying the ball is often the first answer because a strict marker may stay with their player and leave the ball carrier free. The goal is to make the opposition choose between following the player and protecting the space. Start with a 3v3 directional game and give the player in possession permission to dribble through a line if nobody presses. That immediately shows the off-ball players why dragging a marker away matters. Once movement begins to create space, add the support players and let the group find the third-player option.
A
AndyJ
In that first 3v3 game, would you allow the player in possession to dribble all the way through if nobody steps out, or still require a pass before they can score?
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@CoachMattH
I would allow the dribble. That is the consequence you want the defenders to notice. If nobody leaves their marker, the ball carrier should be able to advance. Once defenders begin stepping out, passing and third-player movements appear naturally. Requiring a pass too early can hide the exact problem you are trying to expose.

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