Decison Making in Soccer continued

Over the last couple of days I have begun attempting to capture the decision making process in soccer and put it into words the layman can understand.In Friday's article, Decision making and it's impact on the game we explored some of the basic concepts of decision making in soccer before narrowing our focus to the decisions a player in possession of the ball must make.  Yesterdays article, More on Decision Making in Soccer  we began dissecting the faults in the actual process many players go through to reach a decision.  Today I will attempt to present a different way for layers to approach the decision making process when they are about to be in possession of the ball or wish to be in possession of the ball and how this impacts their decision making processes once actually in possession of the ball.

One of my pet peeves in soccer is the player who stands around waiting for someone to play him the ball or perhaps even worse, to play him through. This player is extremely predictable and easily defended. Another pet peeve is the player that moves for the ball only to "win it" or "receive it" then immediately aimlessly whack it away. There simply isn't much thought put into these decisions, is there?

So what should these players be doing?

The one thing I wished was taught better at a younger age is the concept that ball movement in predicated on off-the-ball player movement. When the ball moves with purpose their is a shared responsibility to maintain possession of it. The passer must deliver an accurate and properly weighted pass and the receiver must receive with a quality first touch. That's the simple version of shared responsibility in passing and receiving. It is a simplistic look at the decision making process when in possession of the ball as well. If only it were actually that simple.

Let's compare and contrast from the perspective of the player receiving or wining the ball.

First, the player is ball oriented meaning his focus is largely on the ball. He concentrates of seeing the ball, receiving or winning the ball and only then makes a decision on how to play the ball.. Many players utilizing this style of play end up self-inflicting pressure resulting in panicked play. After gaining possession of the ball the player will attempt to discern the correct play to make. If his teammates are playing in he same manner as he is - watching the ball and not moving purposefully - he onus is on this players to maintain possession of the ball, likely having to shield it from an opponent(s) and trying to find someone to pass to. In short, this player is doing far more than his share of the work.

Now let's look at a player who is game oriented. Yes, there is still a focus on the ball but before this player receives the ball he has positioned himself in the best possible manner to do so. The decision on how to do this comes from being a game observer. He will have positioned himself with his hips open to as much of the field as possible. This player will have a plan fort where and how he wants to play the ball next before his first touch on the ball.  Now, if his teammates are playing in the same manner, one or more will have been moving into this players field of vision before this player ever touches the ball allowing this player to make a decision on where to play the ball next and how it should be played. The likelihood of a good decision being made increases exponentially in this sequence of play as does the probability of a quality first touch and and well executed play to follow.

Instead of self-inflicting pressure this second player provides himself with more time to make decisions and more space to play in even when the actual physical confines in which he must play are not significantly enhanced. It is the preparation and planning ahead of time that makes the difference for him.

It is clear which decision making process is the better of the two.  It is a shame we do not train young players better on the proper way to make decisions on the field. It is perhaps the greatest weakness in the American soccer culture.