What do you think?
Showing posts with label goal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goal. Show all posts
Wednesday
The goal that shouldn't have been a goal
This appears to take place in high school soccer match. It's entertaining as can be and the referee allows the goal, but should not have. The players left the pitch without referee permission. Play should have been stopped before the kick. Players should have been talked to and a caution for each that left the pitch could have been appropriate.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Successful Programs have Goals
The goal for your program should be to have
both a tradition and a future and
to be able to look with pride and confidence
in both directions.
Tuesday
You really can't scout our team.
"You can't really scout our team
because everyone's getting shots."
~ Rajon Rondo ~
Boston Celtics Point Guard
This is the philosophy behind our system of play, our offense or attack. I firmly believe in spreading the scoring around as much as possible. Last spring 17 of 18 players scored goals as did 5 guest players. Make no mistake, it's great to have a prolific goal scorer... and we have one or two of those on our team. It;s just if we become reliant on those players scoring all our goals for us we become predictable and they become more easily defended. The way we play, opponents just never know who is going to score... or from what position the scoring will come. This unpredictability is the key to our attacking success. This has been confirmed by opposing coaches.
"We scouted you and thought we were prepared. You had the same players in the same positions, but the attack was completely different. Different people taking shots. Different people scoring. It made our scouting report worthless."
The sentiments expressed above were shared with me by more than one coach. Music to my ears! Sometimes I think the game of soccer becomes stale. Some teams so narrowly define roles for the positions / players that their play becomes predictable to an extent the game is stodgy. Is it any wonder why we lament the lack of creativity in the American game?
Maybe it's my basketball roots, but on our team everyone plays both sides of the ball. That is, everyone defends and everyone attacks - including shooting and scoring!
Wednesday
Soccer Memories - Treg
When I was first asked to share soccer memories I had no Idea where to start. I mean this list would never stop for me. I have been apart of the game through almost every spectrum that I can think of. The sport is more then a game it is a Love. It's not a casual thing like watching the USMNT or other professional team but wanting to pick up a ball just to be on your foot. On a few nice days as I have crossed campus this year I have had a ball at my foot literally just playing a little game defeating defenders as they walk to their next class or seeing if I can hit friends as they pass by to literally running into people or playing a game with a pig (yes we have pigs on campus)
From a player perspective it is not necessary any one certain goal that I remember as awesome (even though scoring the game winning goal against rival Warriors as time was expiring was pretty great or scoring against Elida High School on my birthday both years of High School Soccer I played). More
it is a collection of ones that had dramatic impacts upon the game like the Warrior one my dad talked about in sharing his memories or events and friendships that I can never lose.
I remember playing against a team who literally stacked a 1-1-9 formation against us and we got our heads handed to us. Next time down at their place they were mocking us and being cocky during the warm ups and what not and we went out and with in a first few minutes I was running through them like they were Swiss cheese. I remember the first one in that game which was just like us sticking our tongues out saying well two can play this game. No we didn't actually. I never played on a team like that and never plan to coach a team like that either but just one of those "take that" moments.
I got a long pass played by our wing defender Kevin Esser and I took off. Kevin probably played the longest ball I have ever seen from him. Kevin and I related pretty well because we both have speech impediments and just know about all the name calling and what not. We played on the same club teams and while he didn't have the strongest leg or the best foot skills he LOVED the game as much as I did.
As played continued I received it making a flat run to the left side and bent it in since I was literally alone having blown right past the defender marking me. I took the ball from the top of the 18 at about the width of the six to the corner of the six and played the ball to the back post just like the famous Graham Ramsay would yell back in the day to the members of the high school team that I just idolized as a little kid while being a ball boy and helping my dad in practice. As the ball trickled over towards the back post someone came into my peripheral vision. Guess who it was... Kevin himself. one of the slowest kids on the team made the 95 yard run to have my back net option right with me. It was the start of a beautiful friendship that lasts still today.
Another great memory was playing for Lima Central Catholic. There is an ancient rivalry between them and my school Shawnee. well it was just a blast to play my 8th grade year and a fall rec tournament after my freshmen year with them. At Shawnee they would go to practice with no heart, goofing off and being happy with where they were at - winning lots of games by being
quicker then the opponent. The gentlemen over at LCC had the Love of the game they talked about it daily. They warmed up with the idea of no bad passes and trying to get better. It was an honor playing with those guys as they were goofy off the field like any teenage boys, but on the field it was all about the game and sportsmanship and nothing else.
The best moment playing with these guys came from Nolan Burkholder. We both
played club soccer and our skill level was higher than our teammates who did not. I remember doing so many wall passes a round a guy from St. Marys that he finally stopped. Just up and quit on us. Literally one time he just threw up his hands and said go because if it wasn't a wall pass it was an overlap, dribbling on to the next line or playing the ball to a target forward. Nolan and I played combination passes to get around the defenders.
Or the year after when Nolan and I were going at it in high school or later that fall playing on their middle school team where I played the sweeper position and saved a goal when the ball was on the goal line.
Through all these ramblings the thoughts just go on and on.
Moving from the field to refereeing to coaching to a spectator and all the
other spectrums are endless as well.
Probably the most memorable one as a referee came when refereeing Lance as he served as
a guest player. He dribbled right in front of me on a very short and narrow field and took a shot as a defending mid from about 40 yards out and just started laughing. I take off down the field towards the ball and the little stinker had put the ball in the net. That goal, if my memory serves me correctly, might of been the only goal in the game.
From the perspective of a spectator my favorite memory is probably sitting right behind the Jon Busch, Chad Marshall and Jeff Chuningham as they played for the crew. Kevin and I were
ball boys for his birthday behind the goal on the home side. It was a blast to be that up and personal and actually got to hold a conversation with Busch for about 5 minutes.
Or meeting Frankie Hedjuk and talking to him on numerous occasions. Or the day I nutmeged Frankie on Ohio State University Oval. (GO BLUE!) I mean just all the fun from playing the standard team game has been a blast.
As a player the last game doesn't end at the whistle of the last full side organized game but when you decide to step away. This list could go on and on and I have told my dad that I am more then willing to share more in-depth memories of this wonderful game.
From a player perspective it is not necessary any one certain goal that I remember as awesome (even though scoring the game winning goal against rival Warriors as time was expiring was pretty great or scoring against Elida High School on my birthday both years of High School Soccer I played). More
it is a collection of ones that had dramatic impacts upon the game like the Warrior one my dad talked about in sharing his memories or events and friendships that I can never lose.
I remember playing against a team who literally stacked a 1-1-9 formation against us and we got our heads handed to us. Next time down at their place they were mocking us and being cocky during the warm ups and what not and we went out and with in a first few minutes I was running through them like they were Swiss cheese. I remember the first one in that game which was just like us sticking our tongues out saying well two can play this game. No we didn't actually. I never played on a team like that and never plan to coach a team like that either but just one of those "take that" moments.
I got a long pass played by our wing defender Kevin Esser and I took off. Kevin probably played the longest ball I have ever seen from him. Kevin and I related pretty well because we both have speech impediments and just know about all the name calling and what not. We played on the same club teams and while he didn't have the strongest leg or the best foot skills he LOVED the game as much as I did.
As played continued I received it making a flat run to the left side and bent it in since I was literally alone having blown right past the defender marking me. I took the ball from the top of the 18 at about the width of the six to the corner of the six and played the ball to the back post just like the famous Graham Ramsay would yell back in the day to the members of the high school team that I just idolized as a little kid while being a ball boy and helping my dad in practice. As the ball trickled over towards the back post someone came into my peripheral vision. Guess who it was... Kevin himself. one of the slowest kids on the team made the 95 yard run to have my back net option right with me. It was the start of a beautiful friendship that lasts still today.
Another great memory was playing for Lima Central Catholic. There is an ancient rivalry between them and my school Shawnee. well it was just a blast to play my 8th grade year and a fall rec tournament after my freshmen year with them. At Shawnee they would go to practice with no heart, goofing off and being happy with where they were at - winning lots of games by being
quicker then the opponent. The gentlemen over at LCC had the Love of the game they talked about it daily. They warmed up with the idea of no bad passes and trying to get better. It was an honor playing with those guys as they were goofy off the field like any teenage boys, but on the field it was all about the game and sportsmanship and nothing else.
The best moment playing with these guys came from Nolan Burkholder. We both
played club soccer and our skill level was higher than our teammates who did not. I remember doing so many wall passes a round a guy from St. Marys that he finally stopped. Just up and quit on us. Literally one time he just threw up his hands and said go because if it wasn't a wall pass it was an overlap, dribbling on to the next line or playing the ball to a target forward. Nolan and I played combination passes to get around the defenders.
Or the year after when Nolan and I were going at it in high school or later that fall playing on their middle school team where I played the sweeper position and saved a goal when the ball was on the goal line.
Through all these ramblings the thoughts just go on and on.
Moving from the field to refereeing to coaching to a spectator and all the
other spectrums are endless as well.
Probably the most memorable one as a referee came when refereeing Lance as he served as
a guest player. He dribbled right in front of me on a very short and narrow field and took a shot as a defending mid from about 40 yards out and just started laughing. I take off down the field towards the ball and the little stinker had put the ball in the net. That goal, if my memory serves me correctly, might of been the only goal in the game.
From the perspective of a spectator my favorite memory is probably sitting right behind the Jon Busch, Chad Marshall and Jeff Chuningham as they played for the crew. Kevin and I were
ball boys for his birthday behind the goal on the home side. It was a blast to be that up and personal and actually got to hold a conversation with Busch for about 5 minutes.
Or meeting Frankie Hedjuk and talking to him on numerous occasions. Or the day I nutmeged Frankie on Ohio State University Oval. (GO BLUE!) I mean just all the fun from playing the standard team game has been a blast.
As a player the last game doesn't end at the whistle of the last full side organized game but when you decide to step away. This list could go on and on and I have told my dad that I am more then willing to share more in-depth memories of this wonderful game.
Friday
Soccer Memories - Ian
Our next installment of Soccer Memories features Ian who is in his first year of college after a stellar high school career.
My favorite memory of soccer was my first college goal. That goals my favorite out of all my years of soccer because I'm a freshman in college and hardly play, but our team had been playing and went down to 9 men vs. 11 and coach had to play everyone to keep rest. We went down a goal in the first half and in the second we came back and tied it. With only two minutes left in the game I slot home the game winning goal. I was excited and all i wanted was to make my parents proud so I had to call them and tell them.
My favorite memory of soccer was my first college goal. That goals my favorite out of all my years of soccer because I'm a freshman in college and hardly play, but our team had been playing and went down to 9 men vs. 11 and coach had to play everyone to keep rest. We went down a goal in the first half and in the second we came back and tied it. With only two minutes left in the game I slot home the game winning goal. I was excited and all i wanted was to make my parents proud so I had to call them and tell them.
Wednesday
Soccer Memories - Sean
Many of my favorite soccer memories come in my sophomore high school season where I feel I made a big jump. My first high school goal was one of my favorites. We were playing Ottoville at Ottoville and in LCCs history we hadn't beaten them before, so it was a big game. The score was zero - zero and we won a throw in near there 18. The ball was thrown in to one of our players and deflected around a few times and was sent to the top of the box where I was waiting. The ball came and I had enough time to send it top shelf. It was my first high school goal and it gave us the lead in an eventual 3-1 victory.
Thursday
The Process
The process of reaching our goals takes place every day.
The process is taking place when working on your own,
in every practice and during every game.
The process is taking place at every meal
and in the amount of rest we get each night.
We cannot allow ourselves
to become bored with the process.
Ultimately the quality of our performance,
our ability to achieve the goals we have set,
will be determined by the attention paid to
the details within the process.
The process is taking place when working on your own,
in every practice and during every game.
The process is taking place at every meal
and in the amount of rest we get each night.
We cannot allow ourselves
to become bored with the process.
Ultimately the quality of our performance,
our ability to achieve the goals we have set,
will be determined by the attention paid to
the details within the process.
Friday
I learned attacking soccer from a goalkeeping coach.
One of the first coaching courses I took was the old NSCAA State Level Goalkeeping course. I was extremely fortunate to have Tony Waiters, Tony DiCicco and a young man named John Murphy as the instructors for this course. Tony Waiters and Tony DiCicco were each stars in their own right before becoming clinicians and I thoroughly enjoyed their presentations and learned so much from each of them about the fundamentals and some of the nuances of goalkeeping, but it was John Murphy who stole the show, in my opinion.
Before becoming the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's first Director of Goalkeeping, Tony Waiters had a long and distinguished playing career in England before turning to coaching / managing. He coached Team Canada in the '84 Olympics and '86 World Cup. Waiters is the founder of World of Soccer which led to Total Player Development which in turn spawned Byte Size Coaching.
Tony DiCicco is probably best known as the coach of the United States Women's National Team compiling an impressive record of 103-8-8. A lesser known aspect of his career is he started as the USWNT and Men's Under 20 National Team goalkeeper coach before getting the head women's job. In 1982 DiCicco founded Soccer Plus Goalkeeper School. In 2006 he succeeded Waiters as Director of the Goalkeeper Institute for the NSCAA.
John Murphy has coached in the college ranks and is currently at Anderson College. At the time of the coaching course I took he was the goalkeeper coach for the New England Revolution and soon to become goalkeeper coach of the Columbus Crew. Murphy has also coached Livingston of the Scottish First Division and in doing so became the first American to coach British professional soccer. Murphy remains on the National Staff for the NSCAA.
So, yeah, I was not exaggerating when I stated I was extremely fortunate to be a member of that particular goalkeeping course. I was also not kidding when I stated John Murphy stole the show. The one point Murphy made and illustrated for us in both film sessions and on-field work was the fact that to be a good goalkeeper you must understand attacking soccer. In the film sessions Murphy broke down goals allowed by tracing them to their point of origin out on the pitch. More often than not he could trace a goal to a specific breakdown 30, 40 or even 50+ yards out on the pitch.... but he didn't just focus on the defensive break down. No, Murphy was interested in what the attacker(s) had done to create or force the break down. Then he would look for, define and detail what defenders could have done differently to recover position preventing a cross or shot from being taken. Murphy would then show us film of defenders and goalkeepers making the correct plays in similar situations.
The bottom line for me was coming out of that course with improved knowledge about goalkeeping and a vast appreciation for becoming a student of the art of goalkeeping and the overall game. Any goalkeeper I have worked with over the last couple of decades will surely tell you that I make them analyze every goal scored in a match - both allowed and scored for their team. We trace goals back to their point of origin on the pitch and discuss what went right and / or what went wrong on the play. It is through studying the game from this perspective that I have come to understand attacking soccer.
Knowledge has a ripple effect as one thing learned leads to another avenue to explore. The cycle of learning never stops. And so it was that I realized there is real value to rotating players through a variety of positions. The back line positions are especially valuable in helping players learn a broader perspective of the game. Think about it for a minute, the whole of the game is before the backs. They are able to see the game unfold before them and if they are astute and wise, it is a learning experience for them in terms of attacking soccer as much and perhaps even more so than learning to be a defender.
This, of course, goes back to the idea of Total Soccer that advocates a nearly complete interchangeability in players manning positions on the pitch. Versatility combined with specialization is the epitome of a modern soccer player. It goes back to the 1980's business mantra of cross training employees in various roles within a business. Each player has a role to fill, but each players value is enhanced by his ability to fill multiple roles.
I have learned if a forward is struggling, the key to unlocking his potential might be a stint as a back and vice versa. We must be able to learn from the players we play against and then apply that knowledge against them. Some high school players are exceptional at this while others will obviously still need to work on developing this ability. Make no mistake that as the modern game continues to evolve the value of an individuals Soccer IQ continues to increase in value as well. Close no doors to education. Kick them all in and learn as much as you can from every available source. That is the lasting lesson one John Murphy imparted to me.
Before becoming the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's first Director of Goalkeeping, Tony Waiters had a long and distinguished playing career in England before turning to coaching / managing. He coached Team Canada in the '84 Olympics and '86 World Cup. Waiters is the founder of World of Soccer which led to Total Player Development which in turn spawned Byte Size Coaching.
Tony DiCicco is probably best known as the coach of the United States Women's National Team compiling an impressive record of 103-8-8. A lesser known aspect of his career is he started as the USWNT and Men's Under 20 National Team goalkeeper coach before getting the head women's job. In 1982 DiCicco founded Soccer Plus Goalkeeper School. In 2006 he succeeded Waiters as Director of the Goalkeeper Institute for the NSCAA.
John Murphy has coached in the college ranks and is currently at Anderson College. At the time of the coaching course I took he was the goalkeeper coach for the New England Revolution and soon to become goalkeeper coach of the Columbus Crew. Murphy has also coached Livingston of the Scottish First Division and in doing so became the first American to coach British professional soccer. Murphy remains on the National Staff for the NSCAA.
So, yeah, I was not exaggerating when I stated I was extremely fortunate to be a member of that particular goalkeeping course. I was also not kidding when I stated John Murphy stole the show. The one point Murphy made and illustrated for us in both film sessions and on-field work was the fact that to be a good goalkeeper you must understand attacking soccer. In the film sessions Murphy broke down goals allowed by tracing them to their point of origin out on the pitch. More often than not he could trace a goal to a specific breakdown 30, 40 or even 50+ yards out on the pitch.... but he didn't just focus on the defensive break down. No, Murphy was interested in what the attacker(s) had done to create or force the break down. Then he would look for, define and detail what defenders could have done differently to recover position preventing a cross or shot from being taken. Murphy would then show us film of defenders and goalkeepers making the correct plays in similar situations.
The bottom line for me was coming out of that course with improved knowledge about goalkeeping and a vast appreciation for becoming a student of the art of goalkeeping and the overall game. Any goalkeeper I have worked with over the last couple of decades will surely tell you that I make them analyze every goal scored in a match - both allowed and scored for their team. We trace goals back to their point of origin on the pitch and discuss what went right and / or what went wrong on the play. It is through studying the game from this perspective that I have come to understand attacking soccer.
Knowledge has a ripple effect as one thing learned leads to another avenue to explore. The cycle of learning never stops. And so it was that I realized there is real value to rotating players through a variety of positions. The back line positions are especially valuable in helping players learn a broader perspective of the game. Think about it for a minute, the whole of the game is before the backs. They are able to see the game unfold before them and if they are astute and wise, it is a learning experience for them in terms of attacking soccer as much and perhaps even more so than learning to be a defender.
This, of course, goes back to the idea of Total Soccer that advocates a nearly complete interchangeability in players manning positions on the pitch. Versatility combined with specialization is the epitome of a modern soccer player. It goes back to the 1980's business mantra of cross training employees in various roles within a business. Each player has a role to fill, but each players value is enhanced by his ability to fill multiple roles.
I have learned if a forward is struggling, the key to unlocking his potential might be a stint as a back and vice versa. We must be able to learn from the players we play against and then apply that knowledge against them. Some high school players are exceptional at this while others will obviously still need to work on developing this ability. Make no mistake that as the modern game continues to evolve the value of an individuals Soccer IQ continues to increase in value as well. Close no doors to education. Kick them all in and learn as much as you can from every available source. That is the lasting lesson one John Murphy imparted to me.
Thursday
Key Considerations for Goalkeeping
There are four basic considerations for goalkeeping that help deterimine an individuals aptitude for the position. The goalkeepers technical ability, his tactical understanding, his psychological ablity to deal with the demands of the position and his physical gifts.
We need a new goalkeeper! Analyzing Goals 2
Goalkeepers are the last line of defense. The lasting impression many will have when their team is scored upon is of he failed attempt to prevent the score by the goalkeeper. Some wil be supportive of the goalkeepers efforts ad others will make comments like "He should've made that save!" or "We need a new goalkeeper!"
Today's Analysis of a Goal comes from the same match as the first did. This is significant as I believe through analyzing goals a team can learn where their weaknesses lie and make necessary adjustments to strengthen their play.
The background: The defending team in this case plays a 1-4-3-3 formation with a well defined attacking system. It's defensive system is flawed both it construct and, of course, in execution. They employ a zonal back 4 with a holding mid and two atacking mids manning the midfield triangle. Three forwards with the wing forwards responsible for weak side width on defense.
GK = Goalkeeper
RB = Right Back
RCB = Right Center Back
LCB = Left Center Back
LB = Left Back
HM = Holding Midfielder
AM = Attacking Midfielder
RW = Right Wing Forward
CF = Center Forward
LW = Left Wing Forward
Goal # 2
This goal can also be traced to a successful long pass. Turnovers can often lead to goqal scoring opportunities. The moment of transition is so critical many coaches emphasize it as being one of 3 phases of the game along with the attacking and defending phases of play.
In this instance a pass from an AM to a CF is not played cleanly. The opposing defender wins the ball away and immediately plays a long pass that defeats and eliminates 6 players - the entire forward and midfield lines.
Film shows the LB in the left central channel challenging opposing forward who has received the ball at a distance of 30 yards from goal. It is unclear why the LB had moved centrally to engage the forward as the LCB appears position well to do so.
The LB initially does a good job of delaying the attack and forcing the opponent to play laterally.
The defending team has typically asked the outside backs to force the ball wide when they engaged opposing ball carriers.
Other zonal teams will ask the outside backs to force the ball carrier inside towards their center back and into what is known as the Pyrite Wedge (Corner, corner, post). Pyrite is also known as fools gold and that is what the wedge is to a ball carrier. He will think he is in on goal but if the outside back and inside back are working together the ball carrier will have little chance at a quality strike and even if he does the goalkeeper only has to defend 4 yards of goal on shots from the Pyrite Wedge.
In this case, because LB was out of position advanced in the central channel in front of the LCB he was completely dependent on the LCB to direct which way to force the play. The HM makes a strong recovery run to the inside and helps the LB to force play laterally away from the face of the goal, but the double team is not aggressive enough to dispossess the attacker.
The LCB has remained almost directly behind the LB while the play is unfolding. Zonal defending is all about supporting the pressure defender. The indecisiveness of the LCB forces his play to be an under lap. In this case, an under lap is essentially the movement the LCB should have executed when he first noticed the LB in his channel and certainly should have made once the HM came back to double team from the inside.
An under lap is a staple of zonal defending that basically sees an inside defender intentionally switch positions with an outside defender. This is usually done on the flank as a counter measure to an opponents attempt at an overlap. In this case the under lap should have been made to both provide cover to the outside and to balance the defensive shape in the defending third of the field.
The double team by the LB and HM force the attacker to move laterally outside towards the left channel where the LCB should have been lying in wait. As it was, there was no cover / support to the outside.
We must note at this juncture that neither the LW nor either AM has recovered to provide support to the outside of the pressure defender. Film does not dictate where they are, only that no one is in the left outside channel where action is being forced to. The RW is also not represented as film does not indicate where he was.
Let's reset the play at this point.
In the diagram below we see how the defense was actually deployed. Note that there is not proper shape and the spacing of the backs leaves the face of the goal unprotected.
With the goal to our backs the attacking ball carrier is being forced from right to left along the top of the 18 across the left center channel and towards the left outside channel. The LB is engaged and the HM is now following the play. The LCB remains almost directly behind the LB at a distance of 10 yards. The RCB is out of position outside of the far post along the top of the 18 but is reasonably positioned in relation to the opponents CM who is beginning a backside run to far post. He is unfortunately watching the ball and will soon lose sight of the backside runners as he turns and runs at his own goal. The RB is the only back in his correct channel but is also not positioned back to goal where he could have seen and picked up runners if he were positioned in the ball / you / man individual defensive triangle. The RW who is responsible for weak side defensive width is not visible on film.
At this point in time we have 5 defenders present in addition to the goalkeeper. All six players are out of position. Let's accept the fact the LB, despite being out of position has the attack contained. The LCB should be outside at a depth of 5 yards and width of 6 yards in position to cover / support the LB. The RCB is advanced on the 18 outside of the far post at a distance of 10 yards from the LB. Besides being advanced this split is far too wide in relation to the position of the ball on the field.
Now let us take a look at how the defense should have been deployed. I have included the wings covering width and all three midfielders. Please note the backs are spaced at 6 yards and can cover the width of the 18. They are also in support of the pressure being applied to the ball. In this instance that would be the LB (with the LCB having moved outside) and the HM who has maintained the double team he initiated when the ball was centrally located.
At this point the goalkeeper chooses an indirect path to the ball as he elects to pursue it diagonally backwards instead of moving to intercept it at the earliest point possible. The result is the shot / cross getting through to the backside runners for an easy tap in goal.
As with the first goal analyzed it should be clear that it was a total team break down that allowed this goal to be scored. Everyone will remember the RCB being beaten at the back post and the GK not getting to the ball in time, but this goal originated much further out on the pitch with every single member of the defending team having had an opportunity to interrupt the advance of the ball or prevent the cross / shot and ultimately the goal.
Today's Analysis of a Goal comes from the same match as the first did. This is significant as I believe through analyzing goals a team can learn where their weaknesses lie and make necessary adjustments to strengthen their play.
The background: The defending team in this case plays a 1-4-3-3 formation with a well defined attacking system. It's defensive system is flawed both it construct and, of course, in execution. They employ a zonal back 4 with a holding mid and two atacking mids manning the midfield triangle. Three forwards with the wing forwards responsible for weak side width on defense.
GK = Goalkeeper
RB = Right Back
RCB = Right Center Back
LCB = Left Center Back
LB = Left Back
HM = Holding Midfielder
AM = Attacking Midfielder
RW = Right Wing Forward
CF = Center Forward
LW = Left Wing Forward
Goal # 2
This goal can also be traced to a successful long pass. Turnovers can often lead to goqal scoring opportunities. The moment of transition is so critical many coaches emphasize it as being one of 3 phases of the game along with the attacking and defending phases of play.
In this instance a pass from an AM to a CF is not played cleanly. The opposing defender wins the ball away and immediately plays a long pass that defeats and eliminates 6 players - the entire forward and midfield lines.
Film shows the LB in the left central channel challenging opposing forward who has received the ball at a distance of 30 yards from goal. It is unclear why the LB had moved centrally to engage the forward as the LCB appears position well to do so.
The LB initially does a good job of delaying the attack and forcing the opponent to play laterally.
The defending team has typically asked the outside backs to force the ball wide when they engaged opposing ball carriers.
Other zonal teams will ask the outside backs to force the ball carrier inside towards their center back and into what is known as the Pyrite Wedge (Corner, corner, post). Pyrite is also known as fools gold and that is what the wedge is to a ball carrier. He will think he is in on goal but if the outside back and inside back are working together the ball carrier will have little chance at a quality strike and even if he does the goalkeeper only has to defend 4 yards of goal on shots from the Pyrite Wedge.
In this case, because LB was out of position advanced in the central channel in front of the LCB he was completely dependent on the LCB to direct which way to force the play. The HM makes a strong recovery run to the inside and helps the LB to force play laterally away from the face of the goal, but the double team is not aggressive enough to dispossess the attacker.
The LCB has remained almost directly behind the LB while the play is unfolding. Zonal defending is all about supporting the pressure defender. The indecisiveness of the LCB forces his play to be an under lap. In this case, an under lap is essentially the movement the LCB should have executed when he first noticed the LB in his channel and certainly should have made once the HM came back to double team from the inside.
An under lap is a staple of zonal defending that basically sees an inside defender intentionally switch positions with an outside defender. This is usually done on the flank as a counter measure to an opponents attempt at an overlap. In this case the under lap should have been made to both provide cover to the outside and to balance the defensive shape in the defending third of the field.
The double team by the LB and HM force the attacker to move laterally outside towards the left channel where the LCB should have been lying in wait. As it was, there was no cover / support to the outside.
We must note at this juncture that neither the LW nor either AM has recovered to provide support to the outside of the pressure defender. Film does not dictate where they are, only that no one is in the left outside channel where action is being forced to. The RW is also not represented as film does not indicate where he was.
Let's reset the play at this point.
In the diagram below we see how the defense was actually deployed. Note that there is not proper shape and the spacing of the backs leaves the face of the goal unprotected.
With the goal to our backs the attacking ball carrier is being forced from right to left along the top of the 18 across the left center channel and towards the left outside channel. The LB is engaged and the HM is now following the play. The LCB remains almost directly behind the LB at a distance of 10 yards. The RCB is out of position outside of the far post along the top of the 18 but is reasonably positioned in relation to the opponents CM who is beginning a backside run to far post. He is unfortunately watching the ball and will soon lose sight of the backside runners as he turns and runs at his own goal. The RB is the only back in his correct channel but is also not positioned back to goal where he could have seen and picked up runners if he were positioned in the ball / you / man individual defensive triangle. The RW who is responsible for weak side defensive width is not visible on film.
At this point in time we have 5 defenders present in addition to the goalkeeper. All six players are out of position. Let's accept the fact the LB, despite being out of position has the attack contained. The LCB should be outside at a depth of 5 yards and width of 6 yards in position to cover / support the LB. The RCB is advanced on the 18 outside of the far post at a distance of 10 yards from the LB. Besides being advanced this split is far too wide in relation to the position of the ball on the field.
Now let us take a look at how the defense should have been deployed. I have included the wings covering width and all three midfielders. Please note the backs are spaced at 6 yards and can cover the width of the 18. They are also in support of the pressure being applied to the ball. In this instance that would be the LB (with the LCB having moved outside) and the HM who has maintained the double team he initiated when the ball was centrally located.
Referring back to the first diagram the attacker got a step advantage to the outside and shot / crossed the ball along the ground towards the back post. Note their are no backs present in front of the face of the goal to defend the shot / cross. The RCB gets caught running at his own goal and is beaten to the near post by two attackers who have cut in behind him as he faced the ball. Both attackers also cut in front of the RB.
Now note the difference in the second diagram where the LCB is pressuring the ball. The LB has support to the outside. The RCB is in front of the face of the goal and in support of the LCB. The RB has the back post covered. Additionally the wing forwards are shown covering width with an AM having dropped in centrally to cover for the HM who has maintained the double team initiated when the ball was centrally located. With this coverage, and the backs playing back to goal, it would have been nearly impossible for the shot / cross to have cleanly made it across the face of the goal.
As with the first goal analyzed it should be clear that it was a total team break down that allowed this goal to be scored. Everyone will remember the RCB being beaten at the back post and the GK not getting to the ball in time, but this goal originated much further out on the pitch with every single member of the defending team having had an opportunity to interrupt the advance of the ball or prevent the cross / shot and ultimately the goal.
Saturday
Friday
Creative Problem Solving: Goal Scoring Edition.
I love it when players find creative ways to solve the problems they encounter on the field of play.
This is crazy!
Only those who attempt the absurd
will achieve the impossible.
GREAT GOAL!
Monday
REACT & RID for November 12, 2012
REACT moment for November 12, 2012
This one is for the goalkeepers.
Attacking ball carrier breaks free behind defense for a score.
Real Time:
Did I come out to cut down angles and transfer pressure to make the play to the attacker?
Did I approach the attacker at the same pace he was coming at me?
Did a stay BIG for as long as possible to force the attacker to make the play?
Did I read the cues to know when the attacker was going to take the shot?
Was I set?
Did I execute a proper collapse dive?
Immediate:
Remind yourself to take control of the situation.
Remind yourself to relax, stay calm and transfer the pressure to make the play to the attacker.
Remind yourself when you can make the play - when the ball is outside the attackers feet (being layed off to set up a shot) or when the attacker plays the ball more than a step ahead.
At halftime or at the first opportunity practice a couple of collapse dives.
Delayed:
Practice collapse dives alone.
Practice collapse dives with a partner - both of you going to the same stationary ball to get used to congestion about you when performing this technique.
Place 2 benches on their sides approximately 25 yards out from goal with flat surfaces facing goal and seperated about 10 yards. Have a partner stand another 5 yards in back of the benches. Serve the ball against a bench. When the ball touches the bench, the partner moves forward to play the ball creating a 1 v 1 situation. Working on breakaways in this manner allows the GK to control the pace of the activity.
This one is for the goalkeepers.
Attacking ball carrier breaks free behind defense for a score.
Real Time:
Did I come out to cut down angles and transfer pressure to make the play to the attacker?
Did I approach the attacker at the same pace he was coming at me?
Did a stay BIG for as long as possible to force the attacker to make the play?
Did I read the cues to know when the attacker was going to take the shot?
Was I set?
Did I execute a proper collapse dive?
Immediate:
Remind yourself to take control of the situation.
Remind yourself to relax, stay calm and transfer the pressure to make the play to the attacker.
Remind yourself when you can make the play - when the ball is outside the attackers feet (being layed off to set up a shot) or when the attacker plays the ball more than a step ahead.
At halftime or at the first opportunity practice a couple of collapse dives.
Delayed:
Practice collapse dives alone.
Practice collapse dives with a partner - both of you going to the same stationary ball to get used to congestion about you when performing this technique.
Place 2 benches on their sides approximately 25 yards out from goal with flat surfaces facing goal and seperated about 10 yards. Have a partner stand another 5 yards in back of the benches. Serve the ball against a bench. When the ball touches the bench, the partner moves forward to play the ball creating a 1 v 1 situation. Working on breakaways in this manner allows the GK to control the pace of the activity.
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