30) SZ, SZZZ, SZZZ# — Skinny Zone Strategies
A) SZ – Skinny Zone
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Purpose: Control tempo and deny corridor access.
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Play uncontested, slow-possession football with consistent short marks.
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Confine ball movement to one-third of the ground, away from the corridor.
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Structure with an I-shape across the corridor to shut it off.
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Focus is not to score, but to slow the game down and control momentum.
B) SZZZ – Skinny Zone Zig-Zag
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Same principles as SZ, but incorporate zig-zag or sawtooth short kicking patterns.
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Used to retain possession after regaining the ball.
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Kick inside and outside alternately to buy time and space.
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Occasionally hug the boundary on purpose:
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If an error occurs, let the ball go out to reset.
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Run down the clock—especially effective toward the end of quarters.
C) SZZZ# – Skinny Zone Zig-Zag with Key Forward Spare
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Same setup as SZZZ, but add a spare key forward behind the ball at the start.
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“#” represents a key forward used as an anchor or reset point.
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If a turnover occurs:
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The spare key forward acts as an intercept player, helping reset structure.
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Use this setup to create a 2v1 against the opposition’s key forward by zoning off using your spare player (#).