Shadow Play and Pattern Play

Shadow Play and Pattern Play

 

There is sometimes a general confusion between Shadow Play and Pattern Play among soccer coaches. In this article I will define each, point out differences and explain why both can be crucial elements of practice sessions.

 
Shadow play is an active visual tool used to explain options within game situations.  It is usually conducted as a slow motion walk though. The way I use it is to have the active player or players walk through a series of options for a commonly encountered in-game problem.  In this sense, Shadow play is a problem solving technique or tool. 

Pattern play is the system of play that your team seeks to employ within its formational lineup. A simple example using a 4-4-2 formation is as the left back wins the ball the left midfielder gets heels to touch line while the nearest center midfielder moves central opening a direct passing lane to a target forward for the back to play to.  From that point there might be a prescribed pattern for the left midfielder to follow OR there might be a series of options, the cues for which must be read. 

 

Pattern play can be conducted at pace in a repeated fashion. However, if we want a player to read cues and decide for himself which pattern to follow, Shadow Play might be required to teach him this. Therefore Pattern Play and Shadow Play are intrinsically bound together.

Through the use of handouts, a white board or layout of cones, explain the pattern and discuss the basic pattern to be used. There should be an emphasis on why the chosen pattern is being worked on. How it is designed to manipulate a defense creating space and time for your team to play in.  The recognition of space being created through movement of teammates and subsequently by movement of ball hold the cues for expanding options for play that will lead to the necessity of Shadow Play to explore these options.

In this sense Pattern Play is a technique used to help both individual players and the collective decision-making process.  Recognizing a prescribed pattern allows for quicker decisions to be made thus speeding the pace of play.

Unfortunately patterns of play can be easily discerned by opponents and therefore the success rate for any given pattern is dependent on sound execution.  Even when executed properly defenders may still jump a pattern. Therefore options must be available to vary the pattern and all players involved must recognize the cues and execute the variations in a coordinated fashion. Thus the need to explore options through Shadow Play and develop those options into Pattern Play.

At this point we should have a developing understanding of Pattern Play and Shadow Play being foundations for tactical development. Pattern play provides defined and specific movements whereas Shadow Play provides for creativity in a responsive sense to the problems being encountered.

Because Pattern Play is conducted without defensive pressure various technical components can be emphasized and reinforced. Shadow Play is conducted without any pressure at all so the techniques required should be emphasized as part of the walk through.  Building patterns and options into a small sided game oriented activity is the next step in the process.

Although we have looked at Shadow Play and Pattern Play from an attacking perspective I often use Shadow Play especially to emphasize defensive team shape. Our defensive patterns are defined by our zonal systems and I have found players often take to the patterns well, but the coordinated movement of 11 players on defense is often best worked on through Shadow Play.  I use different colored scrimmage vests arranged about the field to represent various positions the ball might be found in. Call out a color and have the team move collectively to their proper individual positioning based upon the location of that colored vest on the field.

As always, I feel there is so much more that could be written, but the above content should suffice in getting you started along the right path. If you have any questions or wish a specific situation covered, do not hesitate to make a request.