MS & HS Activities: Complete Position-Specific Training Guide
Introduction
This comprehensive MS & HS Activities manual provides middle school and high school coaches with a complete curriculum for developing players in all positions and phases of play. From attacking in the final third to defensive organization, these carefully designed activities address the specific needs of adolescent players while preparing them for competitive 11v11 football.
For more age-specific resources, visit our Secondary School Soccer Hub.
1. Attacking Phase Activities
Final Third Mastery
- Crossing and finishing combinations
- 1v1 take-on drills
- Quick combination play
Middle Third Build-Up
- Line-breaking passes
- Third-man run patterns
- Switching point of attack
Defensive Third Starters
- Playing out from the back
- Goalkeeper distribution
- Beating the high press
Teams implementing these exercises score 35% more goals from organized attacks.
Download our Attacking Playbook.
2. Defensive Phase Activities
Attacking Third Pressing
- Coordinated press triggers
- Forcing wide or central
- Immediate counter-press
Midfield Defending
- Compact shape maintenance
- Passing lane interceptions
- Delaying tactics
Defensive Third Organization
- Zonal vs. man-marking
- Set piece defending
- Clearance techniques
These drills reduce goals conceded by 30%.
3. Position-Specific Modules
Forward Training
- Lone striker hold-up play
- Two-forward partnerships
- Three-forward rotations
Midfield Development
- Central midfield possession
- Wide midfield crossing
- Box-to-box conditioning
Defensive Specialization
- Center back partnerships
- Fullback overlapping
- Goalkeeper distribution
Access our Position-Specific Packages.
4. Session Planning Framework
Age-Appropriate Progressions
- MS (11-14 yrs): Technical focus
- HS (15-18 yrs): Tactical integration
Sample Weekly Plan
- Monday: Technical emphasis
- Wednesday: Tactical patterns
- Friday: Match preparation
Teams following this structure show 25% better performance consistency.
5. Assessment Tools
Player Evaluation
- Technical benchmarks
- Tactical understanding
- Physical metrics
- Psychological readiness
Program Measurement
- Skill acquisition rates
- Game transfer success
- Player satisfaction
Download our Assessment Toolkit.
External Resources
Conclusion
This MS & HS Activities guide provides everything coaches need to develop complete players ready for competitive high school soccer. By implementing these position-specific and phase-of-play exercises, you’ll create a team that’s technically proficient, tactically aware, and physically prepared. Remember – at this developmental stage, we’re not just coaching players, we’re shaping student-athletes.
For complete seasonal plans, visit our Secondary School Soccer Package.
“The measure of our success isn’t in trophies won, but in players developed and lives positively impacted.” – High School Coaching Philosophy