The Games Within the Game
Isolating smaller situations helps make 11 v. 11 more manageable.
by Lawrence Fine
Too often, when looking at the game of soccer, people think if terms of 11 v 11 when playing or coaching. However, the key is to find ways to isolate the game into various 1 v. 1, 2 v. 1, 2 v. 2 and 3 v. 2 situations. When coaches and players start looking for these smaller situations and find ways to capitalize upon them, they find the game of 11 v. 11 is much easier.
An example of this would be when a back makes an overlapping run. In most cases, this is done to create a 2 v. 1 situation against a defender to create problems for the defense. To see an example, see the diagrams below. In the first diagram, No. 2 is playing in a 1 v. 1 situation against the defender (D). In the second diagram, an overlapping run by a back (No. 1) creates a 2 v. 1 situation instead of the 1 v. 1.
When teams begin seeking numerical advantages in small-sided situations in full-sided games (both offensively and defensively), they will be more successful in their overall play.
From a defensive standpoint, this becomes extremely important. For example, the reason for formations such as the 4-4-2 is to have more players back defensively than there are attackers coming forward. If the opponent also is playing the 4-4-2, the defending team enjoys a numbers-up situation from the outset. Rarely will you see a team intentionally begin play in a numbers-down situation defensively because there is very little support in case of a problem.
The key to creating numbers-up situations offensively is to have attackers come from behind as well as with diagonal runs. Players who don’t make or use runs rarely find themselves in numbers-up situations.
Another excellent way to create a numbers-up situation offensively is to have the player possessing the ball to dribble at a defender marking one of his/her teammates. Doing so forces the defender to come to the ball and quickly creates a 2 v. 1 situation to the offense’s advantage. Too many players try to dribble in a way to avoid going at an opponent when the reality is that by going at players, it offers numerous opportunities to create numbers-up situations.
The team that creates the most numbers-up situations offensively and defensively is the team that will win the majority of games.
Serving Balls Early
It creates the potential for the attacker to receive with goalward momentum
Serving an early ball simply means that, instead of getting the ball out wide, then taking it all the way to the end line before crossing it back out, the ball is sent out wide and served much sooner, so it is served behind the defenders instead of playing in front of them.
The reason serving balls early is an effective method of attack is that the attacking players are receiving the ball with their momentum going toward the goal. Even if a defender gets to the ball first, he or she also would be receiving the ball while facing the goal they are defending. This presents the defender with a difficult set of choices and challenges: receive the ball, then turn it (probably while under pressure), kick the ball over the end line or play the ball back to the keeper while under pressure. In each case, it puts the defending team under a great deal of pressure.
Another advantage to the early serve is that it forces the keeper have to make a quick decision as to whether or not to come off of his or her line to try to win the ball. If the decision is made to come off of the line, the keeper now has to fight both the opponent and his or her teammate for the ball, since this would have to be a quick decision that frequently isn't made in time for the defenders to get out of the way.
The only negative to serving the early ball is that it's somewhat of a hit or miss situation. If it works, it creates a great scoring opportunity. If it doesn't, it causes a loss of possession and can lead to frustration. An example of this is if the early-served ball is hit too high and hard. The ball then sails over the goal and people start yelling "get your hips turned" and other nonsense. What they may not realize is that this might have been the correct ball to play, but it simply was poorly struck. As long as the server is willing to take a chance and also deal with the consequences, this can be an extremely effective ball to play.
High-Pressure Defense
Organized forwards and midfielders can win the ball back quickly
Forwards and midfielders play a critical role in a high-pressure defense and can win the possession back quickly if they attack in an organized manner.
This discussion assumes that the team is playing a 4-4-2 system. I consider it to be the most commonly used formation, and there is not much of a difference between this formation and others like 3-5-2.
If the keeper has the ball for the opposing team and throws it out to his or her right marking back, the defending forward closest to the ball should make a run toward it that is bent from the middle out. By approaching the ball at this angle, the opponent is forced to take the ball down the line, which is the intended result. The first defender’s main function is to make sure the ball does not get played back to the keeper or anyone who can switch it around the back. The second forward’s primary responsibility is to go back and towards the middle to help clog up the middle.
The opponent with the ball will approach the sideline, thinking that the defending forward has been beaten, The attacker may not realize that he or she is doing exactly what the defending team wants, creating a situation that allows the outside midfielder to step up and double team the ball.
The key here is that the outside midfielder can't step up until coverage behind is provided by either the marking back or a center midfielder. When this coverage is in place and communicated, the outside mid steps into the double team while the covering player steps to the attacking outside midfielder. At this point, the player with the ball is neatly boxed in, with the outside midfielder blocking forward progress and lateral options eliminated by the near-side defensive forward and the touchline. The only two good offensive options are to try to split the approaching defenders by passing into the middle of the field or to kick the ball aimlessly downfield. To prevent a splitting pass, the inside midfielders and stopper, along with the second forward who came toward the middle and back, must mark the nearest opponents to remove any middle-field options. Any attempted splitting pass should be negated this way. This leaves the aimless long ball as the only viable outlet for the player with the ball.
While all of this shifting is taking place, the backs must step up, which allows them to compress the field and win any errant passes. By stepping up (it's extremely important for the keeper to step up as well in order to handle balls played over the defenders’ heads), all balls should be won. At the very least, the tactic forces the the attacking players to be running in the wrong way, away from their goal, in order to stay in an onside position. The outside midfielder on the opposite team should be back and toward the middle since there is no way for him or her mark to receive this ball. This outside midfielder actually becomes a second sweeper. If the ball-side marking back is the one to step up to the outside midfielder’s mark, the sweeper will have stepped over to cover his or her mark, making it vital that the outside midfielder from the opposite side of the field drops back and offers defensive support.
If the opponent with the ball is able to play the ball back to her keeper, both forwards must get back and to the middle. Chasing the ball in this situation is ineffective and leaves the team exposed, unless there is an errant pass back.
When the forwards make their bending runs, they must do so at full speed. Being under control during the run is important, because mistiming it can cause tremendous chaos for teammates. However, if the opponent has received the ball with his or her back to the field, the forward and outside midfielder have an opportunity to pressure the ball with an aggressive run, since the chances are slim that the possessing player will have time to turn, find an open player and successfully move the ball out of pressure. Know when to take chances and when to play safe.
There are two keys to high-pressuring in the offensive third of the field. The first is to practice it a great deal. Even more important is good communication. If one player steps up and teammates aren't prepared for the maneuver, disaster will strike. With patience and good communication, this is an extremely effective way of making the quick transition from defense to offense.
