Decision making and it's impact on the game

I have been mulling over how to approach writing an article about decision making in soccer. I firmly believe the difference between being an average player and a good or even great player is found in the player's brain, his decision-making ability. Beyond that, the team that makes the most good decisions (limits mistakes) exponentially increases it chances of winning. Decision making is such a broad topic though; on-the-ball, off-the-ball, defending and attitude are just a few areas of decision making that can impact the game. Put all these areas together and we come up with something called Soccer IQ.

Another way to look at decision-making is to think of it in terms of choices. We can decide between having a good attitude or a poor attitude, for example. We can decide to dive in or play patient defense waiting for the correct time to tackle the ball away. For the purpose of today's writing, I am going to concentrate on decision making when an individual is in possession of the ball. This may well turn into a series of posts and I will quite likely digress onto other decision making tangents before completing today's writing. Be patient with me.

From the individual in possession of the ball perspective the process might look something like this:

When do I shoot?
When do I dribble?
When do I pass?
When do I cross?
When do I play a drop pass?
When do I play the ball out of bounds.

I think there are some basic cues or guidelines that can be applied in a general sense. For instance, if a player is in position to take a shot on goal, he should shoot the ball. If he is not in possession to take a shot, can he make a pass to a teammate who is in a goal scoring position? Or if a player is facing his own goal and under pressure does he utilize a drop pass to preserve possession or does he kick the ball out of bounds to allow his team the opportunity to regain shape and defend back to their own goal?  And so on as we check down the list of options or choices listed above.

However disagreements can also arise about the proper course of action based on systems of play or even philosophy of play. Should I take a quality shooting opportunity when a teammate is one short pass from a better opportunity? Or with today's zonal defenses executing early retreats as a strategic ploy should I really dribble the ball through the open space in front of the backs when passing the ball advances it so much faster?

And what of game situations?  Do the same set of decision making guidelines apply when your team is up 5 - 0 as when the score is 1 - 2 with 10 minutes left?  Should the rhythm or flow of play impact the decision making process? If your team is under duress from the opponents attack should you attempt a difficult pass or perhaps whack the ball out of bounds to give time to reorganize?

I believe the correct decision when in possession of the ball will result either in a goal being scored or possession of the ball being maintained.

Even as I write this I am considering the message being sent for it sounds as if I am advocating a low risk, possess the ball strategy that we can easily recognize as being limited in its chances for success if success is defined as scoring goals and winning games. So, there is a risk / reward factor involved in the decision-making process. Yes, we love to utilize low risk possession oriented decision-making to lead to goals and this sometimes does occur. However, many times risks must be taken and possession put in the balance as we seek goal scoring opportunities. A proper balance must be struck and  the position of the ball on the field is of vital importance in determining this.

When in your own defensive third, low risk decisions are the norm.
When in the middle third of the field moderate risk decisions are appropriate.
When in the final or attacking third of the field high risk / high reward decision making can be utilized.

And then we have the decision for when to change the pace of possession.

When in the defensive third quick passing and or clearances are the mandate.
When in the middle third of the field where possession is secured and established a rhythm develops for the attack.  Slow, moderate or fast - it should differ from possession to possession
When in the final third the dramatic change of pace occurs as teams seek energy and explosiveness to goal.

I'm drawn, as I often am, to the wisdom of Johan Cruyff  who captures the essence of proper decision making with these two quotes:

"Soccer is a game played with the brain"

"Playing simply is the hardest thing to do"

I will leave you to ponder today's thoughts on decision making before delving further into the topic tomorrow.