THE SOCCER THIRDS
To establish the “thirds” – the field is divided into three sections horizontally – from side line to sideline. The Defensive Third is the area near your goal where your team will be defending against an opponent in possession trying to score on your goal. The Attacking Third is the area in front of the opponents goal where you will be trying to score. The Middle Third is defined by Smarter Soccer as the transitioning area on the field between the Defensive Third and the Attacking Third. But what do we mean by transitioning?
By transitioning, we mean the moment where your team has taken away the ball from your opponent and is going on the attack, or just the opposite, your team gives the ball away to the opponent, and they are going on the attack. Both of these types of transitions are critical. You’ll often hear that “soccer games are won or lost in the midfield,” an over simplification, but coaches or commentators are referring to the Middle Third where these transitions are taking place.
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The Soccer Thirds
Defensive Third
Middle Third
Attacking Third
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The Soccer Thirds
Defensive Third // Middle Third // Attacking Third
Soccer Thirds are used to define the three areas of the field where you’re either attacking, defending, or in the case of the middle third, transitioning.
★ Smarter.Soccer Insight: Depending on whether your team is attacking, transitioning or defending, it’s crucial for you to understand your role on the field during these phases of play.
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The Soccer Thirds
