Soccer ShadowBox-Lite Exercises
This month, we present four ShadowBox Lite (SBXLs) that emphasize soccer player decision making.
Welcome to our featured scenario of the month! This month, we present four ShadowBox Lite (SBXLs) that emphasize soccer player decision making. John Schmitt developed these exercises as a tool to help coaches develop strategic and tactical decision skills with their players. We suggest recording your choices and decision rationale so that you can compare your decisions with the experts at the end of the scenario.
SBXL #1
You are a center back (Yellow #4), one of four defenders for your team, which is defending the goal at the bottom of the page. Blue has possession and is attacking into your defensive end of the field. The Blue right midfielder (RM, #7) is attacking up your left side with the ball, with your left back (LB, #3) marking her. Other players are as shown. (Your goalkeeper is #1.) What do you do?
| Selection | Option |
| a. Provide cover to your LB (#3). | |
| b. Hold your current position in the defensive line. | |
| c. Step forward to play the Blue #9 offside. | |
| d. Drop deeper to add depth to the defense. |
Take a moment to consider your reasons for your decision.
SBXL #2
This is a continuation of the previous scenario. You are still Yellow center back (#4). Your team is defending the goal at the bottom of the page. Blue has possession and is attacking into your defensive end of the field. The Blue right midfielder (RM, #7) is attacking up your left side and has penetrated almost to the end line, with your left back (LB, #3) continuing to mark her. Other players are as shown. The Blue RM passes to her striker (#9) at the edge of the penalty area. What do you do?
| Selection | Option |
| a. Provide cover to your LB (#3). | |
| b. Step out to close down the ball and Blue #9. | |
| c. Hold your current position. | |
| d. Take up a central defensive position near the penalty spot. | |
| e. Drop into a defensive position to protect the goal. |
Take a moment to consider your reasons for your decision.
SBXL #3
You are a Yellow central midfielder (#8). Your team is attacking the goal at the top of the page. Your right-wing (RW, #7) has dribbled to the end line, defended by Blue #2, and plays the ball back to you at the edge of the penalty area, about 20 yards from the goal. Other players are as shown. What do you do?
| Selection | Option |
| a. Pass centrally to your #10. | |
| b. Pass the ball across to your left wing (#11). | |
| c. Pass to your striker (#9) near the penalty spot. | |
| d. Take a shot on goal. | |
Take a moment to consider your reasons for your decision.
SBXL #4
You are the Yellow right wing (#7). Your team is attacking the goal at the top of the page. You are dribbling with the ball toward the right corner of the Blue penalty area. The other players are as shown. What do you do?
| Selection | Option |
| a. Pass centrally to your #10. | |
| b. Pass the ball across to your left wing (#11). | |
| c. Cut inside on the dribble, toward the goal. | |
| d. Pass to your central midfielder (#8), who is in front of you with her back to the goal. | |
| e. Dribble forward between Blue #2 and #5. |
Take a moment to consider your reasons for your decision.
Click the link below to see how your choices compared with a panel of expert soccer coaches!