Space
One of the most used words in coaching soccer is SPACE. It is used in a generic sense with a variety of accepted meanings dependent on context. Coaches and players alike are generally able to identify which definition to apply based on the situation being discussed. Of course, when the concept of space is first being introduced players are taught to "spread out" in order to find open space. Spacing becomes important and how to utilize spacing becomes a focus of basic tactics. As our tactical understanding evolves we teach how to consciously create and deny space. Throughout this process our use of the word space morphs. This is what I want to focus on today.
Space is such a generally accepted and overused term that many soccer glossary's donot even list the word among its contents. There either exists an assumption everyone knows what space is or no one knows how to properly define what space is.
For me, it seems reasonable to look at space from an individual perspective. Personal space might be considered as that which the body or its parts can reach without moving from its starting position. In my estimation that is a very narrow definition of personal space. I prefer to elaborate upon it just a bit. How much space does a player require to effectively maneuver in and play the ball? The answer to this question more realistically defines personal space for soccer players, in my opinion.
To descriptively define this space I think of it in terms of an individual's technical and tactical radius. This is a term that is, I believe, being adapted by US soccer. Of course, each individual will have an unique technical tactical radius. The more technically proficient and physically balanced a player is, the less space he will require to play confidently on the ball. A colleague refers to this as spatial management which is great nonmenclature to be sure although it would probably not resonate with youth players all that well. At the heart of this matter is two relationships every high school player should have an understanding of 1) space and time and 2) space and pace. In other words, a players awareness of space in relation to technical ability and tactical decision making.
What of other kinds of space?
Open space is easily recognizable. Neither players nor the ball are in open space. Ideally, from an attacking perspective, the ball carrier and a teammate will recognize open space with the ball carrier playing the ball into it and a teammate meeting the ball in the available space.
This leads us to idea that space, like the game itself, can be a living breathing entity that is constantly being created, destroyed and morphed to one teams advantage or the other. When a player makes a purposeful run to open space for a teammate, the space created is live.
When an area of the field is congested or clutter we think of that space as being dead. Think bumble bee ball in you little play or some styles of channel play that see an overload of players in a single channel. We could also visualize a pressing defense that seeks to get as many people around the ball and into passing lanes. All these are examples of what I refer to as dormant space. The space is not
dead, but is of little use at the moment. Yet, it can and will be reawakenedthrough ball movement / player movement and game situations.
In other places on this blog we have written about negative space. This is the space behind the backs and in front of the goalkeeper. Attackers love to preserve this space until they can take advantage of it at pace. Defenders seek to deny negative space to attackers by constricting it in relation to the threat level opponents present.
The overriding theme in this article is recognition that space is alive. Within the boundaries of the pitch space expands and contracts around the ball and players. Spatial awareness aids in the efficiency of ball and player movements with timing being a critical element. These things must be taught and developed in order to play at the highest possible level.
For me, it seems reasonable to look at space from an individual perspective. Personal space might be considered as that which the body or its parts can reach without moving from its starting position. In my estimation that is a very narrow definition of personal space. I prefer to elaborate upon it just a bit. How much space does a player require to effectively maneuver in and play the ball? The answer to this question more realistically defines personal space for soccer players, in my opinion.
To descriptively define this space I think of it in terms of an individual's technical and tactical radius. This is a term that is, I believe, being adapted by US soccer. Of course, each individual will have an unique technical tactical radius. The more technically proficient and physically balanced a player is, the less space he will require to play confidently on the ball. A colleague refers to this as spatial management which is great nonmenclature to be sure although it would probably not resonate with youth players all that well. At the heart of this matter is two relationships every high school player should have an understanding of 1) space and time and 2) space and pace. In other words, a players awareness of space in relation to technical ability and tactical decision making.
What of other kinds of space?
Open space is easily recognizable. Neither players nor the ball are in open space. Ideally, from an attacking perspective, the ball carrier and a teammate will recognize open space with the ball carrier playing the ball into it and a teammate meeting the ball in the available space.
This leads us to idea that space, like the game itself, can be a living breathing entity that is constantly being created, destroyed and morphed to one teams advantage or the other. When a player makes a purposeful run to open space for a teammate, the space created is live.
When an area of the field is congested or clutter we think of that space as being dead. Think bumble bee ball in you little play or some styles of channel play that see an overload of players in a single channel. We could also visualize a pressing defense that seeks to get as many people around the ball and into passing lanes. All these are examples of what I refer to as dormant space. The space is not
dead, but is of little use at the moment. Yet, it can and will be reawakenedthrough ball movement / player movement and game situations.
In other places on this blog we have written about negative space. This is the space behind the backs and in front of the goalkeeper. Attackers love to preserve this space until they can take advantage of it at pace. Defenders seek to deny negative space to attackers by constricting it in relation to the threat level opponents present.
The overriding theme in this article is recognition that space is alive. Within the boundaries of the pitch space expands and contracts around the ball and players. Spatial awareness aids in the efficiency of ball and player movements with timing being a critical element. These things must be taught and developed in order to play at the highest possible level.
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