Holes

Several years ago I was in a coaching course and heard a clinician talk about recognition of holes to pass through.  Recently, the topic came up again on a soccer coaches forum I frequent. To be honest, I had forgotten about numerically designating the holes available to either run or pass through in the passing game.  I have always taught the principles involved but never used an associated numerical coaching phrase to communicate what it is I wanted to see. Much as American pointy football has holes to designate gaps between offensive lineman, the same ideas can be applied to some extent in soccer.

First of all, it is important to recognize the game situations when terminology concerning passing / running holes can apply.  There are two basic situations and each uses the terminology bit differently so we will look at this from two different perspectives.

The first designations are used in numbers up situations where 2 or more attackers have isolated a defender.  We cover this in Cues for Combination Passing without using "the hole"  terminology. 

The one hole is utilized when the run and pass are made to the same side of the isolated defender.

The two hole is utilized when the run is to one side of the isolated defender while the pass is made to the opposite side of the isolated defender.

The second situation when designating holes can be useful is in attacking zonal systems of play.  In this case the holes are designated as follows:

One hole: The gap between the  two center backs
Two hole: The gap between the LCB and the LD
Three hole: The gap between the RCB and the RD
Four hole: The gap between the LD and the left touchline
Five hole: The gap between the RD and the right touchline

In my opinion these designations are best utilized when teaching the cues for combination passing or when teaching the patterns specific to beating a zonal back line.  They can also be used in strategic discussions during final pregame talks or at halftime of matches. During the course of play I believe these designations are  used more as sight "reads" than they are as actual verbal communication.

Outside Midfielders in the 1-4-2-3-1

Previous articles in this series:

The Goalkeeper
The Linking Midfielder
The Center Midfielder
The Attacking Midfielder
The Central Midfield Triangle
The Center Backs
How the Center Backs and Linking Midfielder interact.

The Outside Backs

The technical considerations for the outside midfield positions center around speed to and with the ball.  Physical speed in making runs to draw defenders and open space for teammates. The ability to run onto the ball coupled with a high quality of first touch  and the ability to run with the ball / speed dribble. Outside midfielders must be able to cross the ball early and effectively along the ground and through the air. They also need to be able to finish around the net with a high degree of accuracy and pace. Endurance is also a key consideration. Wing midfielders will be called upon to make numerous runs up and down the flanks to either secure the defense or stress the opponents defense.

Tactically the outside midfielders must be committed to getting back behind the ball quickly when possession is lost and they are not immediately involved in pressing to regain possession. Outside midfielders must be astute game watchers especially on the attack as they are the decision makers who must read the opponents outside backs. What they see and execute determines the runs made by outside defenders and directly impacts the choices made by the central midfielders in distributing the ball.  Patient on defense and aggressive in the attack.

 

Physically the considerations for the outside midfield positions centers on physical speed, endurance and the ability to use change of pace effectively. Agility and strength are essential.  Leg strength to cross the ball with authority is especially helpful.

 Psychologically these players have to be hustlers on defense and risk takers in the attack. They are defenders, but also key instigators of the attack. Their runs create and open space both for themselves and their teammates.