Off-Ball Movement Scoring Game

Off-Ball Movement

18 minutesadvancedteamphysical

Legend

player
partner / opponent
ball
movement path

How it works

Score points for executing specific off-ball movements (runs, decoys, check movements) in a live full-team scrimmage.

What you need

cones
soccer ball
scrimmage vests
goals

Your focus

Off-ball movement is invisible in standard game scoring. A parallel point system that rewards movement makes it observable, competitive, and prioritized. Players who score points for movement without the ball become the most effective off-ball players on the field.

Play an 8v8 scrimmage on a 50x35 yard field.

Designate a 'movement judge' from the bench who watches off-ball runs only.

Award 1 point for: check run that creates and uses space, diagonal run that enables a through ball, decoy run that pulls a defender.

Award 2 points for: blind-side run that results in a finish.

Goals count 3 points.

Final winner: combination of goals and movement points.

Goal

Success is earning off-ball movement points in at least 4 out of 6 possessions, your teammates' scoring chances came from your movement, not just their individual skill.

Helpful cues

Movements without the ball should be as purposeful as touches with it
Your off-ball run might be what creates the chance, even if you don't score
Judge your own run: did it do something for the team, or just for you?

Adjust the challenge

Make it easier

Strip it back

Coach is the movement judge; more forgiving with point awards.

UpLVL it

Add the next challenge

A player only earns the right to receive if they've already made one off-ball movement this possession.

No account needed

Build a practice plan

Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.

This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.

After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.