Writing and Reading - the beat goes on.

By my standards ... we had a bad season. And just like after a poor performance in a game, I am champing at the bit to get right back out there to put things right. The self-evaluation is on-going and will be until I can get back to working with this team.  Hungry? I'm starving! And surviving on leftovers right now.  Leftovers in terms of reading through notes on past seasons.  I write and read and re-read constantly.  Reading and writing are two of my favorite pastimes.  They have proven to be both cathartic and educational throughout my life. This is certainly the case this off-season.

What I am discovering ... or remembering ... is I have been here before. It has been awhile, fore sure, but nonetheless I have traveled this path before.  There is some solace in this. There is some frustration in this.  Two main themes have emerged (as they always do).  First is to focus on what I could and can control. Secondly, ask and answer the question "why?".  

Did I do a good job with what I could control? For the most part, I believe I did. Yes, that response indicates there was room for improvement in some areas. For me recognition and flexibility are key words in this process. I took some things for granted and therefore was slow to respond. I am coming to believe I was also too ridged in my consideration of the best formation and systems of play for this team.  In fact, where I once believed I was on the cutting edge in terms of formation and systems of play in local high school soccer I now realize this is no longer true. I allowed myself to become comfortable in success.

The past couple of seasons I have not been pleased with the defense played by my teams. Where my teams were once feared because of our vaunted defense we were now average at best.  I approached this from a fundamentals standpoint - we went back to basics and drilled the basics.  Some improvements were made but it seemed like opponents capitalized on every single mistake we made. Something was amiss and I was blind to what it was.

My teams have played with 4 in the back since the late 1990's.  It worked because of the prevalence of 3 forward systems. In today's high school game the preponderance of systems we face have 2 forwards and occasionally only one forward.  Four in the back is unnecessary. In fact, I am coming to the realization 4 in the back has contributed to our defensive woes these last couple of seasons.  If a defender has no one to pressure he is in a supporting role. Four in the back saw a redundancy in supporting roles and a decrease in concentration levels in those filling non-direct support. In a sense we were lulled to sleep by a false sense of security.  it turns out this impacted our effectiveness on both defense and offense.

So it is that in addition to reviewing and analyzing my own teams' performance I have gone back to analyzing the high school game in general.  Next years team will play a different formation and adjusted systems of play. I'm already moving into design mode on this.  No, I am not going to share the changes I am contemplating and instituting for I know some rival coaches read this blog.  Our readers will need to wait until fall of 2018 to fully appreciate what is coming. Suffice it to say, we are going back to forcing opponents to adapt to what we do.  The problems we are going to present opponents next year are going to be very different from those we have presented them these past couple of seasons.  

Looking for Change in all the Wrong Places.

No, this is not a takeoff on an old country song. Nor is it an expose' on how to find loose change with a metal director or in the nether regions of your car seat or sofa.  In watching soccer matches this week I have noticed teams making changes to formations and personnel.  With the season now more than half over I found myself wondering about the motivation to make changes now.

Injuries could certainly be a reason to prompt personnel changes and perhaps to a lesser degree be a reason to contemplate a formational change. Other than that, I can only think of dissatisfaction with how the season has progressed thus far as the reason to be changing personnel and formations this late in the season.

Have shortcomings just now revealed themselves?  Or have issues plagued your team from the onset of the season?  Has the coached recognized, but stubbornly refused to address personnel and formational issues to this point?  Perhaps the coach only recognizes that something isn't quite right and is attempting personnel moves or changing formations to spark better play?

In the end, I think one running theme is the coaches level of ability to correctly analyze play. If there is a second running theme it is personalities - sometimes a coach will have a "pet" player (s)he plays over someone who is obviously better in the minds of teammates and casual observers alike. Or a coach simply does not like a player and either doesn't play him or doesn't play him in a preferred position. Maybe we are touching on a darker side of coaching, but no one can deny that these things do happen.

One of the hidden gems of coaching wisdom I learned at a very early age from an old pointy football coach was the need for the head coach to be a stable rudder throughout the process of a season. Set your course and only minimally adjust your tack to stay that course. Starting over in mid season is not a prescribed coaching methodology.

Analyzing play is an art form and one that must be worked at to be developed and maintained. The coach has to analyse the scientific data and convert it into coaching and training programs to help develop the athlete. This analysis process relies heavily on the coach's experience and knowledge of soccer and the athlete concerned.

One particular team really stood out to me this week. I have seen them 3 times this fall and each time they have employed a different formation with personnel in different positions.  Yes, they are struggling, but it's not due to personnel or formational issues. No, the problems are much more basic than those. I almost immediately recognized this particular team could benefit from one of our Pace of Play camps next summer.  I have presented the coach with my business card.  This team's problem is not related to deployment of personnel or team shape as defined by a formation. They have trouble with preparing to play the ball, proper touch, sequence of touches, recognizing their next play before their first touch and properly executing a pass.  That can be fixed. I can help fix that for them. Attempting to address these issue by changing personnel and formation is not going to yield the desired results.

So, let's take a brief introductory look at how to analyze a soccer match.

How to analyze a match is one of the most frequently asked questions in coaching clinics I conduct. One might think there is a standard response, but it isn't that simple. To begin with, does the questioner wish to know how to analyze the match in its entirety or is he asking how to analyze specific parts of play? Does he want to look at his own team or the opposing team? Does he wish to analyze individual play, positional unit play, how players or units link together?

Why the coach wishes to analyze play is as important to ascertain as is what portion of play he is interested in analyzing.

Does the coach wish to analyze play in-game so he can make adjustments to the game plan?

Does the coach wish to analyze play so he can address issues in training sessions in the days after the match?

Perhaps the coach wants to attempt to do analysis for both in-game purposes and post game purposes.

More often than not, the coach will not have thought this out as thoroughly as he should have before asking about analyzing the game.  This is a topic that invariably dominates discussion once it has been broached. Today, I am going to walk you through some basic ideas on how to analyze a match.  As with any undertaking we need to establish a solid foundation for our efforts and so this is where we will begin.  This is also where I lose many of the coaches who initially show great interest in learning to analyze a match.

Know the game.

This may seem like an obvious statement to make, but it is the cornerstone for being able to analyze a match properly. Knowledge of the technical aspects of play is a must. From a tactical standpoint a coach needs a vision for how he expects his team to play. Determine what your team is, then set the course for where you want to take them.

Know your own team.

If you are going to analyze your own team, either individual players, positional units or in its entirety, you must first know your team.

What is your base formational alignment?

What are the variations to the base alignment or alternative alignments you employ?

What is your system of play?

Does your system of play and formation(s) compliment one another or are they at odds with one another?

Does your formational alignment and system of play fit the strengths of a majority of your players?

Do the skill sets of your players fit the system of play and formation you wish to employ?

Have you defined specific roles for each position and positional unit within the formational alignment and in tune with the system of play you desire to utilize?

Have you aligned personnel within the formation in such a way as to play to the strengths of the individuals?

Does your system of play factor in how to link the positional units and within that context how to link your best players within each unit - you do want your best players getting the most touches on the ball, don't you?

Do your players know, understand and appreciate their roles within the formational alignment and system of play?

You may or may not be surprised to learn that many, perhaps even a majority of, youth coaches never consider these questions with specific intent. I find that many wish to begin the process of analyzing their teams play by beginning in the middle of the analyzation process. This, of course, will not work.

I suggest coaches begin learning to analyze play by learning to analyze their players technical play first and how this is impacting the teams ability to execute tactically.  Fix the technique necessary to perform the tactic. Then you can move on to adjusting tactics be that through formation, shape or system of play.  Look to first make change where your team can most beneficially do so and then take a look at the larger picture. 

With our spring team I will use our indoor practice sessions to focus almost entirely on technique.  Over the course of the first few sessions I will identify specific techniques to be focused on. Then I will use our first college showcase event to analyze our formation and tactics. By the second college showcase event I have set the teams seasonal course. Adjustments after the fact are minimal. I want to provide a stable environment in training and in play.

This is who we are.

This is what we do.

I feel drifting of course with personnel and or formation changes can send the wrong message to the team unless the reasons for doing so are made crystal clear.  The last things you want is to have players questioning the coaches judgment or even worse, the coaches confidence in the players. Choose your course wisely. Select the provisions you will need - a season long training plan to achieve your vision. Provide a confident, stable rudder for your team as they navigate towards fulfilling your vision for them.  There are going to be rough seas. The key is to not allow rough seas to blow you off course. Stay true to the seasons course and come out of those rough season having made progress in the process. Come out stronger, wiser and with the experience of having done so. This is how you grow a team. 

Four Phases of Development. Part II

This is the second installment of a four part series looking at the development phases for youth soccer. I believe one of the priorities in coaching is to prepare those who wish to move on to a higher level to do so. It is with that premise in mind that I write today. I am going to look at a microcosm of the overall developmental process - U6 through U19 or Kindergarten through the end of high school. So, the end game here would be to prepare an athlete to play in college or professionally.

Part II

Passion - strong and barely controllable emotion.

The ages of 10 through 13 years of age are when a passion for the game fires up.

These are the years of rapid growth as players emotionally, mentally and physically begin to transform themselves and mature. These are also transitional years in the development of soccer players that see focus shift from a primary emphasis on skill development towards tactical application of skills in the game environment.  Both work loads and work rates increase as the ability to concentrate and focus strengthen and mental toughness begins to develop. Coaching begins to transition from predominantly enthusiastic toward introducing an element of being more demanding.

Receiving - The player's first touch on the ball. Receiving on the move. Playing bouncing balls cleanly. Taking a ball out of the air. Turning with the ball as part of the reception.

Shielding - The ability to maintain the ball under pressure remains critical but should in some ways diminish as other skills become stronger decreasing the need to employ shielding skills as often.

 

Dribbling - The ability to run with the ball becomes more important as a tactical consideration. Decision making begins to enter the equation on a grander scale. Learning how and when to engage an opposing defender to create numerical advantage becomes a focus.

 

Footwork - Applying moves to beat an opponent with forethought and intention. It's not enough to simply defeat an opponent. We learn how to set an opponent up to be defeated in a certain manner that is to our best advantage.

Combining Dribbling and Footwork to maintain possession while defeating an opponent through individual moves or combination passing.

Passing - The ability to accurately convey the ball to a teammate with appropriate pace. Developing knowledge of both how to and when to pass short, intermediate or long and the techniques for doing so. The push pass remains the primary pass but the ability to play a driven ball, a bent ball, a chip using various surfaces of the foot become a stronger focus.

 

Shooting - The ability to score the ball. Combining receiving and passing skills. Developing the ability to score on the move, off runs, on the turn, from crosses and from volleys - half and full. It is important to establish an ability to score from a variety of angles using a variety of skills.

Contain - The ability to be patient on defense. Stay in front of the ball carrier to slow forward progress of the attack.

Force - The ability to take options away from a ball carrier and make him predictable thereby allowing your teammates to easily provide defensive help.

Tackling - Teach the cues for when it is appropriate to tackle as well as the proper technique for doing so. Do NOT attempt to tackle when the ball is between the ball carriers feet. Stay BIG when tackling. Do not dive in, stab or turn sideways.

Tactics the Passion stage of development should focus on developing pace of play through the ability to make quality decisions under pressure.

 

1 v 1

Attacking - striking a balance between maintaining possession and taking risks predicated on where the ball is on the pitch.

 

Defending - how to pressure from in front, behind or the side. Channeling attackers to make them predictable. Pursuit angles to where the ball will be.

 

Small group tactics continue in 2 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 1, 3 v 2, 3 v 3, 4 v 1, 4 v 2, 4 v 3 and 4 v 4.

 

Attacking - Maintaining possession through support ad combination play. Introduction of Penetration, Depth, Width and Mobility as elements of the game. Simply set pieces for restarts.

 

Defending - As a group and with intent. Pressure including the angle of approach, bounce step, channeling and making the ball carrier predictable.  Combined with defensive spacing in the former of cover.  Difference between and value of intercepting passes as opposed to tackling the ball away.

 

Team

 

Attacking - Gain and maintain pressure. Safe Pass as a means to establish rhythm. Play away from pressure. Penetration, Depth, Width and Mobility. Spacing and Balance. Interchanging positions through the run of play.

 

Defending - Coordinated pressing to regain possession. Recovering behind the ball to establish defensive shape while teammates are pressing. Line of Confrontation is introduced. The difference between containing an attacking and destroying an attack - when each is appropriate.

 

System of Play - The relationship between attacking, defending and transitioning from one to the other. They must fit together in a cohesive plan with each position and positional unit knowing how they link with other positions and positional units within the system of play.

Positions - Players should continue to be given access to explore all positions. Interchangeability is becoming an ever increasing consideration in modern systems of play that specialization at this age is no longer an option.  This is the only way to develop an awareness for the  game in its entirety. Emphasis must be on developing an understanding of all principles of play and exposing the player to the total game.

 

Formation - At one time there was a huge emphasis on playing either a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3 formation during the developmental stages of youth soccer. I personally believe with the growing emphasis on playing Total Soccer or having complete interchangeability of players in the game formational considerations are not what they once were. It is true that some formations do provide artificial sub formations of triangles and diamonds conducive to passing or defending and the corresponding support angles. However, todays game increasingly calls for players to recognize, create and utilize these concepts in a disciplined free wheeling environment.

Physical Training - Any and all fitness work at these ages should be done with the ball.  Both dynamic (pre-game or pre-training) and static (post game or post training) stretching should become a staple.  Core training for strength, explosiveness, balance and agility should begin to be introduced.

Psychological Training - Training and playing should remain FUN!  Exploration of the game should be encouraged to foster imaginative and creative problem solving abilities.  Mistakes are still okay. Mistakes are still learning opportunities. Discipline increases as demands increase.

The Game - 4 v 4 without goalkeepers or 5 v 5 with goalkeepers remains a staple of training. The game itself moves to 11 v 11 and focuses on developing and sustaining a coordinated effort to establish rhythm when attacking and developing and sustaining a coordinated effort focused on disrupting and destroying the opponents rhythm when defending.

Where to play someone

During a recent question and answer period concluding a coaching clinic I had mentioned the need for center midfielders to be 360 degree players.  This sparked further questions concerning where to play someone based on how they approach the game.

This is actually something I have studied quite a bit over the years. I don't have it down to an exact science, but I do feel there are certain indicators that can help point the way dependent somewhat on the training circumstances available to the player and his team.

A 360 degree player is one who is comfortable playing in any direction on the pitch. This ability obviously comes in handy for central midfielders.  However, in the ever increasing single forward / target forward systems of today this type of player is highly prized as a target forward as well.

My answer to questions about filling positions was to designate players by their strengths in play to a position that requires those strengths be accentuated to fulfill the expectations for the position

We had just spent a half hour or so discussing the need for players to play the way they face being a requirement for possession play. A specific question posed was "where to play the player who wants to turn and go to goal?" Well, obviously this player would not fare well as a central midfielder or as a target forward.  All too often he would be self-inflicting pressure by turning into defenders.  This is the type of player who will need to play facing the goal.  So, my response to the question was in the form of another question, where should a player who wants to face goal play?

The obvious answers are 1) as a defender and 2) possibly on the flank as a wing player. 

A rather animated discussion followed as one of the coaches spoke of a player who likes to turn and go to goal being his best goal scoring option.  It was as if the only place he could be played was as a forward or as an attacking mid. I replied with yet another question, why can't a defender score goals?

I went on to explain how on our spring teams defenders were regular contributors to the attack both as assisters and goal scorers.  You need an aggressive defender who is offensive minded to man the outside back positions in many of todays zonal systems.  The coach, after some reflection, commented that I had just described his "forward" who struggled to play the way he faced.

If you do not have the time to work with such a player to teach him how to and the benefits of playing back to goal and playing the way he faces, why not save everyone a lot of stress and allow the player to play as his instincts tell him to - facing the goal and with your approval to "get forward into the attack?"

The next question to surface was, "who do I play at forward, then?"  Again I countered with a question, what do you want in a target player?

Typically we want a target player to be big and strong. Capable of receiving under pressure, shielding the ball and playing the way he faces.  It's great to have speed, but not absolutely necessary.  Remember, a primary purpose of playing to a target player who then drops the ball back is to allow teammates to join the attack.  Do we really want a target player who always turns and attempts to go 1 v 3 or 1 v 4 against the opponents defense?  Of course not! 

The target player who can receive, shield and drop the ball back allows for teammates to join him in the attack creating more favorable conditions and increasing the chances for success in the attack. All we are talking about is two passes before turning and attacking goal at pace.  1) Play to the feet of the target player who 2) plays back to the feet of a midfielder.  The precious few seconds that sequence takes allows teammates, who are running at goal, to come forward enough to be active participants in the attack instead of being trailers in the attack.

We were shooed from the building at about this time. I would have liked to continued the discussion. Perhaps another day? For now, the proverbial light bulb seemed to go off in the coaches mind during the course of this discussion. I could see the wheels churning as he pondered changing the positional assignments of some players on his team.  I'm anxious to get back out to see the team to see what he has implemented.

How the Center Backs and Linking Midfielder interact.

Previous articles in this series:

The Goalkeeper
The Linking Midfielder
The Center Midfielder
The Attacking Midfielder
The Central Midfield Triangle
The Center Backs

Just as we looked at the relationships and interactions of the three central midfielders we need to take a look at how the Linking Midfielder and Center Backs interact on the pitch.

On a professional level, when attacking, the Linking Midfielder will be asked to drop between the two center backs to form a back three.  This allows the outside backs to move forward into the attack.

The other option, and the more common presentation in high school soccer, is for the Linking Midfielder to remain advanced of the Center Backs and push one or the other outside backs forward, but not usually both. We will explore that relationship once we have addressed the outside back positions.

Michael Bradley is a Linking Midfielder supreme. During the transitioning from defending to attack phase he is often found positioned advanced of the two center backs whose split is double of what it would normally be when defending.  They from a triangle with the backs as the base and Bradley taking the point. He plays mainly the way he faces as the team seeks to find the pace and rhythm it wishes to possess and attack with.

At the moment a back (center or outside) wins possession of the ball it is absolutely critical that he has a safe outlet pass to make.  Twenty years ago wing midfielders were taught to get their heels to the touch to provide that safe outlet pass.  As the game has evolved we find that they safe outlet pass, especially for the center backs is often to a central midfielder and especially the Linking Midfielder who will likely be facing the center back.

It may sound dangerous and risky for the Linking Midfielder to utilize a drop pass in this situation but there is strategic value in doing so.  First we must recognize that upon losing the ball the opponents will be seeking to re-establish their defending shape. This might entail pressing the ball carrier but will certainly involve getting numbers behind the ball.  This short, short pattern executed between the backs and the Linking Midfielder slows their ability to press and also addresses the second reason for a short safe pass as a rule of thumb - we need to allow our midfielders and outside back(s) time to move into the attack.  In this sense, the Linking Midfielder is the first target player in the 1-4-2-3-1 and 1-4-1-4-1 systems of play.

Once possession is firmly established the Linking midfielder must play sideways on so that he can help advance the ball up the field with his distribution skills.  With the four backs holding in a bowl shape while the attack develops the formation with resemble a 1-2-3-2-3  with the outside midfielders move forward and the Center Midfielder and Attacking Midfielder supporting both lines of three.

The center backs act as the support for the Linking Midfielder once he turns and the attack takes on a more aggressive nature. It is at the moment the team must transition attacking to defending or when neither team has secured possession of the ball that the Linking Midfielder slides back between the center backs.  This is a delaying tactic to allow the outside backs time to recover into their defending position.

While the Linking Midfielder is playing as a center back, one of his fellow central midfield partners must fill his role as being a sweeper in front of the backs. This will usually fall to the Center Midfielder, but it could be the Attacking mid at times as well - whomever is closest to the position when the need arises.

We will stop here for now so we can define the characteristics of the outside backs and outside midfielders next.  When next we discuss the tactical applications of the 1-4-2-3-1  and  1-4-1-4-1 formations we will explore the versatility that allows this system of play to present itself as multiple formations and the value this presents in confusing opponents.

The central midfield triangle in the 1-4-2-3-1 and 1-4-1-4-1 formations

Other articles in this series:

The Goalkeeper
The Linking Midfielder
The Center Midfielder
The Attacking Midfielder

Having just completed the articles on the central midfield positions I thought it would be a good idea to look at the central midfield as a unit and how they compliment and interact with one another.

First and foremost must come a recognition there are three distinct and separate positions and roles that comprise the central midfield triangle. While it is true there must be some overlap in technical, tactical and physical characteristics it is also true there must be differences in the psychological approaches of each player manning these positions.

In a general sense the #6 Linking Midfielder is defensive oriented, disciplined, and a link between lines or positional unit groups.  The #8 Center Midfielder is a versatile player that moves easily between defending and attacking postures. He must be a work horse.  The #10 Attacking Midfielder is a creative attacking player. A great passer with the ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates and himself.

If we look at this unit as a whole we will find they define the numerical designation of the formation. When played as a 1 - 2, the Linking midfielder is tasked with protecting the (center) backs and is a primary ball winner and distributor. He is able to make a few calculated runs into the attacking third during the course of a match, but this is not his primary function. In a similar sense he is there in support of the Center Midfielder and the Attacking Midfielder. He watches their backs allowing them to freely attack. He also is tasked with being a pivot player through which his team can switch the point of attack.

When deployed in as a 1-2 triangle, the Center Midfielder plays advanced of the Linking Midfielder but not necessarily along side of the Attacking Midfielder. It is more of a staggered alignment that provides an offset 1-1-1 look with the Attacking Midfielder being ball side and the Center Midfielder being weak side although these roles must be interchangeable. 

When played as a 2-1, the Linking Midfielder and Center Midfielder play side by side as the base of the central midfielder triangle.  This is a more defensive posture in a sense but can also be utilized in an aggressive counter attacking manner as it can serve to draw opposing defending players more forward thereby opening the space between them and their goalkeeper.

The 2-1 alignment is also often used by teams that look to press when they first lose the ball.  It is a rule of thumb that a team has 7 seconds to aggressively press in an attempt to regain possession once they have lost the ball.  During those 7 seconds immediate pressure be brought and support supplied in the forward passing lanes about the ball.  This allows the remaining 7 defenders to track back and establish defensive shape behind the ball. During this transitional moment many teams prefer to establish as a 2-1 central triangle s it is more secure than playing a lone Linking Midfielder.

In the descriptions we can see the primary differences between playing in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation and a 1-4-1-4-1 formation are found in how the central midfield is set up.  In particular the difference is found in where the Center Midfielder deploys.  The shape of the formation is usually 4-2-3-1 when defending and 4-1-4-1 when attacking.

However, the basic 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 are extremely versatile formations. They are merely starting points for further mutations which we will begin exploring as we continue looking at the various positions in the formations.  More on that as we look at the center back and outside back positions.

1-4-2-3-1 The Role of the Goalkeeper.

As promised, I will be writing on the roles for various positions within a 1-4-2-3-1 and 1-4-1-4-1 formations.  A teaching moment to begin today's writing: the correct way to designate a formation is to begin with the number 1 as the first in the sequence.  Many, perhaps most, times we will see a formation designation that omits the goalkeeper: 4-2-3-1 for instance.  Since I will be referring to positions both by name and the number designation they have traditionally had, I will make it a point of emphasis to refer to the goalkeeper as the #1 position and the formation as either 1-4-2-3-1 or 1-4-1-4-1.

Also a word on the two designations for the formation under discussion. I view them as a single formation that takes on a couple of different looks. Since I believe a formational alignment is nothing more than a starting point this makes perfect sense. In fact, I would caution not to get overly caught  up in numerical descriptions of formations. A teams shape in the run of play is far more important and our team shape will change and shift based in large part on how the center midfielder labeled with #8 is deployed and utilized, but more on that in future writings.

The goalkeeper is these formations and the accompanying systems of play must play as a Sweeper / Keeper.  His is a blended role necessitating the ability to play both with his hands and with his feet. We will look at four man areas sweeper / keepers must be proficient in; technical, tactical, physical and psychological. Each hold equal importance in the role of the sweeper / keeper.

The GK must be technically proficient in playing the ball with both his hands and his feet. The quality of first touch with both hands and feet must be excellent. A ball not fielded cleanly serves a rebound to the opponents.  A misplayed ball with the feet can lead directly to a goal.

Once in possession of the ball the GK becomes the first attacker. He must be able to distribute the ball with both his hands and his feet.  He must be technical excellent, comfortable and confident in each type of distribution; roll, throw, push pass, laces drive, drop kick and punt.

Tactical considerations include playing without and with the ball.  I put those in that specific order because playing without the ball is preparation for playing with the ball.  Being in support of or backing up the backs is the GK's first role. He must be well positioned to field opponents through balls with his feet and hands. Quick decisive decisions making and flawless execution are predicated on being properly positioned based on reading the game accurately. He must command and dominate the penalty area and most especially the goal box. These are his domain and intruders - the ball and opponents - are not welcomed.

From a physical standpoint GK's need to possess strength, explosiveness and quickness. Soccer is a physical game and goalkeepers in particular can find themselves in physical confrontations with opponents where they are susceptible to collisions while focusing on playing the ball with their hands. Strong yet soft sure hands are a must. Explosiveness in changing directions and elevating to play high balls should be a prerequisite.  Quickness is far more important than speed. The best goalkeepers both anticipate (read the game) and possess quick reactions to unexpected clever payer by opponents and deflections.

The true strength of the goalkeeper position is found in psychology necessary to play the position. The Sweeper / Keeper must have a commanding presence exuding confidence and assurance. Courage is extremely important in his role as the last defender. The ability to organize, lead and communicate is vital.  The one trait I prize as highly as any is the ability to give steady consistent emotional performance. A Sweeper / Keeper cannot afford to get too high or too low. He must be the rock that his defense is built on.

Tomorrow we will continue exploring the spine of the formation.  The spine are those players whose starting position designated in a formation are centrally located.  The center backs, the midfielders and the striker. I intend to take these out of order from that which I have just presented them and move straight to the #6 position - the DM or HM or as I have begun referring to it, the linking midfielder.

Evolution in Soccer - the Linking Mid

In camp settings I strive to impress upon players and coaches alike that soccer is a living breathing entity. As such, the game is constantly changing. The easiest way to depict this is to note how the diamond stopper / sweeper system has faded away with the advent of zonal defending concepts.  Yet even as you read this the standard zonal systems are being solved - the game is further evolving.

Teams that played a zonal back four utilized the backs to execute changes of field and often did so with little pressure from opposing forwards. That is, until it was discovered that two, and at times one, opposing forward could disrupt this process. This especially holds true when the outside backs are played advanced in a bowl configuration.

In this regard we have witnessed a zonal back four and the then standard 4-4-2 formation devolve back to 4-3-3 and then evolve into hybrid 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 formations.  Triangle, diamond and box midfields have once again become the norm.  It is within the triangle and diamond midfields in particular that the Linking Midfielder role has been (re)established. 

The term "linking midfielder" might be new to you but I hardly think I have coined a new descriptive term.  This is a defensive mid or holding mid with a more specifically (and broader) role defined.  In many ways it is the re-emergence of the Stopper role.  Defensively the Linking Mid is charged with protecting the back line and the specifically the center backs.  The attacking role for the Linking Mid is as the name infers - to link the back four with the midfielders and forwards.  Distributing the ball, changing field and playing teammates in is a critical role for the position. So too is the ability to make foraging runs into the attack. 

My teams often refer to this position as the Michael Bradley role.  This is true when Bradley is deployed as the defensive or linking mid.  He "sits" in an advanced position between the center backs and is used to split the afore mentioned opposing forward(s) who would otherwise disrupt the backs ability to move the ball laterally across the back.  By doing so, the back line can continue to function in a forward bowl shape instead of being forced to withdraw the outside backs to provide the depth necessary to defeat the opposing forwards pressure. The linking mid creates a 5 vs 2 (or 3) situation in your favor. 

In some ways delegating 5 players to defeat one, two or three might seem a waste of resources, but the linking mid allows the outside backs to come forward and that is the key to creating numbers up situations for your team to exploit in the attack.

This is the key to understanding how soccer evolves - Deployment of resources seeks to create numbers up advantages.  The zonal four has had numerical advantages in defending for some time now.  This created a real need to get more players forward into the attack. The solution has been to use outside backs to come forward. This can create even numbers for attacking and even give the attackers a man advantage dependent on the manner and timing of deploying the outside back.

The next phase of evolution?  Given many teams are going to one traditional forward combining with a false nine I would suspect there could be a move to playing a back 3 instead of a back four.  This is not a huge leap if we consider the current bowl configuration of back lines which might be better depicted as 2-3-4-1 or 2-4-3-1 formations.  The strength remains down the spine of the pitch and I do not foresee that ever changing.  The goals are located along the central spine after all.