A coached recently lamented he didn't have enough athletes on his roster to compete with the teams in their league. Opponents were bigger, stronger and faster than his players.
Pele is 5'8"
Messi is 5'7"
Neymar is 5'9"
Romario is 5'6"
The point being made is simply this, pace of play is about how fast we can think this game we call soccer. One thing each of the greats listed above have in common with the other greats of the game is an economy and efficiency of touches on the ball.
In order to play faster we need to be dedicated to and disciplined in doing the following:
* Prioritize Playing Fast
* Think ahead in the game by becoming GAME watchers instead of ball watchers
* Know your next play before your first touch
* Hone and refine your technical ability
Prepare to Play the Ball
* If you wish to receive the ball from a teammate be in his vision early, before his first touch on the ball
* Ask yourself, if my teammate about to receive the ball wants to play one touch, where and how do I need to be positioned to receive that one touch play? Then get into that position.
* If I am expecting my teammate to play with two touches, which sequence is he likely to use and where and how do I need to be positioned to receive his pass? Then get into that position.
* If at all possible, position yourself to receive the ball across your body keeping your hips open to as much of the field as possible
* Know your next play before your first touch. Which of your teammates is moving to be in position to receive your pass?
** If your teammate about to receive will be under pressure you will need to move closer to him as his vision will be restricted.
** If your teammate about to receive will not be under pressure stay out of his space and open the pitch up to as many possibilities as you can for him.
Shared Responsibility
Pass the Ball to the Proper Foot.
* The proper foot is the foot furthest from defensive pressure
* A ball to which foot will help your teammate avoid defensive pressure?
* The foot the pass is played to is a cue for how the receiver should prepare to play the ball.
* If the ball is passed to the front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue that the receiver will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the pass is to the back foot (across the body) this is an indication the receiver has time to play the ball away or turn and advance the ball himself.
* Pass the ball with proper weight or pace. A good rule of thumb for teh push pass is the pass should travel at a pace that would carry it 10 yards beyond the intended target.
The idea is to set teammates up so they too can play fast soccer.
Attacks lose pace or completely break down when passes are made to the wrong foot,
* Give a pass you yourself would like to receive.
* If a proper angle is not available to make a good pass, don't make that pass. Find another option.
* If you must make that pass, pass the ball to where your teammate should be.
* When you pass the ball, pass information.
* Non-verbal information is passing the ball to the foot of your teammate furthest from defensive pressure.
* Verbal communication might be a call to "Turn! or "Man on!" if your pass has missed its targeted foot or making a call for a combination pass.
Receive the Ball with the Proper Foot
* Position yourself as you wish to play the ball
* Read the pass and adjust your positioning according to the information the pass is sharing with you.
* If the ball is passed to your front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue you will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the ball is passed is to your back foot (across the body) this is an indication you have time to turn and advance the ball yourself or play the ball away
* Play the way you face
* Play the ball with the proper foot if attempting one touch play.
* The back foot if you are going to advance the ball
* The front foot if you are going to utilize a drop pass or one-two combination
* Play the ball with the proper foot for the appropriate two touch sequence of touches. This sequence should be predetermined before your first touch on the ball.
* Right / Right
* Right / Left
* Left / Left
* Left / Right
* Listen for information being shared with you by the passer and other teammates.
Communication
Pass the Ball, Pass Information OR Give the Ball, Give a Call
Both non-verbal and verbal communication must be with the best interests of the ball in mind.
Protect the Ball
* Body positioning of the potential receiver communicates to the passer which foot to pass to.
* The foot the ball is passed to communicates to the receiver where defensive pressure is coming from.
* Verbal communication from the passer communicates where defensive pressure is arriving from and or what play is available to the passer
* Verbal communication might also be used to communicate a particular type of combination pass and the timing involved in executing said passing combination,
All information passed must be useful, concise and convey information that will help teammates solve problems presented by opponents.
Pretend as if both the ball and your teammate about to play it are blind. You must be their eyes. Do not lead either into an opponent, Guide them.
Pele is 5'8"
Messi is 5'7"
Neymar is 5'9"
Romario is 5'6"
The point being made is simply this, pace of play is about how fast we can think this game we call soccer. One thing each of the greats listed above have in common with the other greats of the game is an economy and efficiency of touches on the ball.
In order to play faster we need to be dedicated to and disciplined in doing the following:
* Prioritize Playing Fast
* Think ahead in the game by becoming GAME watchers instead of ball watchers
* Know your next play before your first touch
* Hone and refine your technical ability
Prepare to Play the Ball
* If you wish to receive the ball from a teammate be in his vision early, before his first touch on the ball
* Ask yourself, if my teammate about to receive the ball wants to play one touch, where and how do I need to be positioned to receive that one touch play? Then get into that position.
* If I am expecting my teammate to play with two touches, which sequence is he likely to use and where and how do I need to be positioned to receive his pass? Then get into that position.
* If at all possible, position yourself to receive the ball across your body keeping your hips open to as much of the field as possible
* Know your next play before your first touch. Which of your teammates is moving to be in position to receive your pass?
** If your teammate about to receive will be under pressure you will need to move closer to him as his vision will be restricted.
** If your teammate about to receive will not be under pressure stay out of his space and open the pitch up to as many possibilities as you can for him.
Shared Responsibility
Pass the Ball to the Proper Foot.
* The proper foot is the foot furthest from defensive pressure
* A ball to which foot will help your teammate avoid defensive pressure?
* The foot the pass is played to is a cue for how the receiver should prepare to play the ball.
* If the ball is passed to the front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue that the receiver will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the pass is to the back foot (across the body) this is an indication the receiver has time to play the ball away or turn and advance the ball himself.
* Pass the ball with proper weight or pace. A good rule of thumb for teh push pass is the pass should travel at a pace that would carry it 10 yards beyond the intended target.
The idea is to set teammates up so they too can play fast soccer.
Attacks lose pace or completely break down when passes are made to the wrong foot,
* Give a pass you yourself would like to receive.
* If a proper angle is not available to make a good pass, don't make that pass. Find another option.
* If you must make that pass, pass the ball to where your teammate should be.
* When you pass the ball, pass information.
* Non-verbal information is passing the ball to the foot of your teammate furthest from defensive pressure.
* Verbal communication might be a call to "Turn! or "Man on!" if your pass has missed its targeted foot or making a call for a combination pass.
Receive the Ball with the Proper Foot
* Position yourself as you wish to play the ball
* Read the pass and adjust your positioning according to the information the pass is sharing with you.
* If the ball is passed to your front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue you will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the ball is passed is to your back foot (across the body) this is an indication you have time to turn and advance the ball yourself or play the ball away
* Play the way you face
* Play the ball with the proper foot if attempting one touch play.
* The back foot if you are going to advance the ball
* The front foot if you are going to utilize a drop pass or one-two combination
* Play the ball with the proper foot for the appropriate two touch sequence of touches. This sequence should be predetermined before your first touch on the ball.
* Right / Right
* Right / Left
* Left / Left
* Left / Right
* Listen for information being shared with you by the passer and other teammates.
Communication
Pass the Ball, Pass Information OR Give the Ball, Give a Call
Both non-verbal and verbal communication must be with the best interests of the ball in mind.
Protect the Ball
* Body positioning of the potential receiver communicates to the passer which foot to pass to.
* The foot the ball is passed to communicates to the receiver where defensive pressure is coming from.
* Verbal communication from the passer communicates where defensive pressure is arriving from and or what play is available to the passer
* Verbal communication might also be used to communicate a particular type of combination pass and the timing involved in executing said passing combination,
All information passed must be useful, concise and convey information that will help teammates solve problems presented by opponents.
Pretend as if both the ball and your teammate about to play it are blind. You must be their eyes. Do not lead either into an opponent, Guide them.
Gimme Three Steps ...
Believe it or not the name of this Lynyrd Skynyrd song is applicable to soccer.
When your team is in possession of the ball you will be filling one of two roles
* Passer
* Potential receiver or passing option
When the ball leaves the passers foot he immediately switches to the role of a potential receiver.
* MOVE!
* Three quick strides to gain separation from the defender who was pressuring you is the minimum distance you should move
* Before the pass you should have looked for a possible combination passing or third man running option. Take advantage of these runs if available.
* Space. Find open space near you and be in the vision of the next potential passer if possible.
Ask Questions of Yourself.
* If the ball comes to me now, what's on? Know your next play before your first touch.
* Where on the pitch do I need to be in the next 5 seconds? Be in your teammates vision early.
* Can the ball see me? Position yourself in an open passing lane not somewhere where a defender is between you and the ball.
* Where is open space and can I get there OR can I communicate to a teammate move there OR can I communicate to the passer to play a ball there for a teammate to run onto?
While this may seem overwhelming as to what must go into each successful pass and reception it is actually just the tip of the iceberg. I will post some additional thoughts on this subject in the coming days. For now, take the time to digest this. Please, print it off and distribute it to your players, Yes, even the very young ones. This is basic information. Attacking Soccer 101 that we must teach and instill in our players.