The excerpt is from Chapter Three that looks at various principles of Attacking, Defending, Transition From Attack to Defense and Transition From Defense to Attack.  This particular part looks at the principles of Transition From Attack to Defense.

Developing a Style of Play – Chapter 3.4

We’ll go into Defensive Phase from the moment that the opponents have recovered the ball and don’t do counter attack, either because they refuse to do it, either because we managed to stop it, but they still have the possession of the ball. Since our aim is to have the ball in attack, this means that, the objective of this phase is that the opponent team make a mistake and, as a consequence, make them lose the ball.

Here we have the following Principles and Sub-Principles:

The First Principle is what is referred to how our defense will be

PRINCIPLE 1:

AGGRESSIVE PRESSING ZONE

OBJECTIVE: To bring the opponent into making an error, using collective actions

SUB-PRINCIPLES 1. Detection of the zone of pressure 2. Doubling the pressure (Coverage) 3. Accuracy in tackling and anticipation

Sub-Sub-Principles 1. Tackling technique 2. Anticipation technique 4. 3 types of pressure: Conditioning, Aggressive and Very Aggressive 5. Spatial concept. Coverage 6. Inside defense (Closing spaces)

Sub-Sub-Principles 7. Diagonal movement 8. Formation of triangles and diamonds 9. Extreme definition in defensive movements 10. Aggressive zonal pressure, avoiding passing lines of the opponent

This is an excerpt from our new book, Developing a Style of Play by Jordi Pascual.  Pascual also authored, Coaching Spanish Soccer

This drill focuses on teaching the art of attacking in numbers and building attack from the center of the field and finishing in the 4-2 (from 4-4-2 Diamond formation). This soccer drill also focuses on innervating tactical movements.

Organization

• Set up the field as showed in the diagram:
• Two full size goals (GK in each goal)
• Two smaller goals (made with cones)
• Divide one team into Offensive team (6 players)
• Divide one team into Defensive team (4 players)

Instructions
The offensive team (yellow) scores on the full size goals which are defended by a goalie. The defensive team (black) scores on the two smaller goals made with cones. Teams play for 7 minutes before moving to the next variation.

Variation 1
Players from offensive team have restricted number of touches on the ball – 3 touches

Variation 2
Players from offensive team have restricted number of touches on the ball – 2 touches

Variation 3
Players from offensive team have restricted number of touches on the ball – 1 touch

Coaching Points

• Attacking team needs to focus on movement and passing patterns
• Defending team needs to stay connected and move as a unit
• When goalkeeper has the ball, the defensive team needs to find and make space to receive a pass
• Passing and movement, with and without the ball
• Quick reaction to transition of play
• Patience in possession
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
• Switching the point of attack

By Gabriel Celante.  Celante has worked at Ituano Futebol Clube and E.C. XV Piracicaba, two professional clubs in his native Brazil as a soccer conditioning specialist.  Celante now works for BRASA (Brazilian Soccer Academy) in NJ.

ATTACKING IN THE FINAL THIRD – INTRODUCTION

It’s the part of the game that Barcelona under Pep Guardiola will be forever remembered – Attacking in the final third with some of the best team play, individual quality and finishing we have seen in modern times. Players, coaches and spectators have all enjoyed watching some fantastic football and the success of Barcelona’s play in the final third can be attributed to three key elements:

1. Penetration
2. Combination play
3. Individual brilliance

In this section we will look at how Barca unlock packed defences using their version of the 4-3-3 system. It is worth noting from the outset that those close to the club will always state that the philosophy and vision play a central part in how all Barcelona teams from youth to first team play. However, the first team under Pep Guardiola evolved to accommodate the individual brilliance of players like Messi and Iniesta and the system was adapted to maximise the strengths of these great players. The Barcelona version of the 4-3-3 system may not suit all types of players so coaches should always be aware of the quality, attributes and game understanding of the players they are working with before trying to adapt to this style of play. Indeed Barcelona at times have had issues with world class players like Ibrahimovic, Eto’o and Henry finding it difficult to adapt and fit into a system that is very much geared to getting the best out of exceptional talents like Lionel Messi.

First of all lets look at the general setup and deployment of players as Barcelona begin to build attacks in the final third. When looking at attacks in the final third you must first look at what happens when the ball is in the midfield area. Barcelona begin to initiate attacks from the midfield area with players taking up key positions ready to attack with speed in the final third.

The first diagram shows how the Barcelona front three generally play as the ball begins to approach the final third. The deployment and positioning of players very much relate to their individual and collective strengths. For example, Messi has grown into a player who has excelled in the ‘false nine’ position. Where Barcelona have adapted is rather than playing with a traditional centre forward and two wider players, messi and another attacking player in the front line will drop into the midfield area when initiating attacks. The accompanying video will show this happening in action:

Front players dropping into midfield does several things:

• Creates an overload in midfield for Barcelona which suits their possession based style
• Causes a problem for defenders who have to decide to stay deep or press high
• Suits players like messi who can play between defensive lines, get on the ball and make forward penetrating moves on and off the ball.
• Leaves space behind for penetrating runs from central and wide midfield positions

The front three generally take positions on the field to suit the team system. In addition to two central forwards dropping into the midfield area, one player will tend to operate from a wider position providing options to circulate the ball and also offer an option of a penetrating forward run. Messi is the key man and always looks to play between the defensive lines of the opponents (the space between defenders and midfielders). He has stated a preference to play with David Villa in the past, this can be attributed to the fact that Villa, unlike others such as fabregas, prefers to stay higher as a forward. This takes some of the defensive pressure off Messi as Villa playing higher means central defenders are kept away from the space that Messi likes to exploit.

This article is an excerpt from our new eBook by Scott Allison - Coaching the Barcelona 4-3-3

This article is an excerpt from the chapter called “Exploiting the Central Midfield” from our new book, Beating the 4-2-3-1.

Attacking the centre of the 4-2-3-1

When attacking the 4-2-3-1, one of the main strengths is the base of 2 players infront of the back 4, but playing in a manner which forces one of the players to come out and press, especially against a dribbler who likes to play quick passes in their stride while running, can be an easy way to penetrate the midfield line, pull a central defender out for a through ball into a run behind the defence, or even allow for long range shots if enough space is created.

Drawing out one of the defensive midfielders isn’t always easy – playing with several players occupying the same space can allow for wide attacks, wide play can force one of the players over to help the full back press the ball and leave central space.

Chelsea v Napoli – Napoli’s 3-5-2 (3-4-1-2) overcomes Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 via central attacks

Wing Backs provide support on the sides to move holding midfielder over to play 3v2 on the side

Cavani pulls wide to leave Hamsik and Lavezzi playing 2v4 against Chelsea’s centre backs and holding midfielders. Napoli’s left wing back support’s on the overlap bringing Sturridge back to defend 2v2 on the side. As Chelsea want to have an overload on the side and know that Cavani is skilful and shoots from various areas, he will need to be pressed by Ramires, making a 3v2 on the side.

Lavezzi must find a way to lose Meireles and offer a pass inside and exploit the space left by Ramires moving over to press the ball and leaving a 1v1 at the edge of the box.

Cavani dribbles inside and Ramires is drawn to the ball as Meireles moves to block the pass into Hamsik – I think his priority should’ve been to mark Lavezzi and leave the 3 players close to Hamsik to deal with him. Note the player supporting behind Cavani – he has brought Sturridge back with him, meaning Chelsea’s outball in transition will be harder to find should Ramires win possession as he presses Cavani.

Lavezzi receives, but Meireles doesn’t rush to press the ball. Instead, he expects a pass into the run of Cavani which Cahill could covers as his body shape suggests he is already expecting this pass. Lavezzi fakes and then curls a shot into the far corner from 25 yards with Meireles lost.

The Napoli wing backs have helped occupy the full back as Cavani is in possession, with Hamsik, Cavani and Lavezzi showing here how to disrupt a tight zonal defence of the defensive midfielders and open up space with good movement and watching the movements of both team mates and opponents.

Wing Backs drag back wingers to allow more space for Napoli to control central midfield

As Napoli’s wing backs push forward; both are circled, they bring with them Chelsea’s wingers. This means that the number 10, here, Mata, should drop back to maintain 3 lines of defensive play, and gives Napoli an advantage – when they are in possession near the corner of the box, with the 3 attacking midfielders playing deeper to close the spaces between the lines, the wing back can make a deep pass back for the defensive midfielder to control the play from a deep position. From here, Gargano can control the attack.

Gargano decides to use the 3 targets inside the box and crosses to the back post with 2 runners, of which Cavani runs unmarked to score at the back post. This was an effective use of the centre as the wing backs created the space, pulling the wingers back but also the defensive midfielders deeper to help cover inside, bringing the central attacking midfielder back too, which in turn opened up the space for Gargano to receive possession with time and space to make a good decision with good execution.

As we see from Napoli’s 3-1 win, two of the goals have come from exploiting central space with wide attacks made by the space created by the attacking wing backs drawing the Chelsea wingers into defensive positions and creating 3v2’s close to the ball, and exploiting the negative overload to find a player in space centrally – Lavezzi goal created by Ramires moving from central to wide (creating a defensive 3v2) and a pass being made inside to Lavezzi who wasn’t pressed by Meireles.

The goal from Cavani is a result of the wing backs pushing forward to receive possession high up the field and taking the wingers with them. As Meireles has moved over to help, (making a 3v2) Mata has dropped off and allowed Gargano an easy receive to set up the far post cross to Cavani.

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Coaching the 4-2-3-1 Advanced Tactics here  AND his new book, Beating the 4-2-3-1.

Barcelona v Bayern Munich (0-3) Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg, April 2013

Bayern Target Barcelona’s Full Backs to Create Goal Scoring Chances

Robben Goal – Alaba’s long pass opens up the space on the far side

Alaba has possession and can see that Alba is too narrow (out of picture) and Robben will be able to receive on the far side. He drills the long pass to ensure that Robben has time to receive and settle the ball to play 1v1 on the far side.

Robben play 1v1 against Alba who tries to block the dribble inside

Robben has plenty of time to receive the ball and look for a way to make a final action, to cross, pass or shoot. Muller and Mandzukic attack the penalty box to play 1v1 with Pique and Bartra.

Robben looks to create the space to find a way to shoot

Alba has a good foot position and is blocking Robben’s dribbling line to cut inside and shoot, which is something he likes to do often. Muller and Mandzukic have pulled away from Pique and play 2v1 against Bartra. They’re next movements will be based on the decision that Robben makes.

Pique has a difficult scenario – he needs to help Alba but can’t leave Bartra 2v1.

Robben makes Alba change his foot position and creates the space to score

Robben knows he is being forced to his right, and makes a fake to go to that side, making Alba change his foot position, opening the space Robben wants to attack to allow him to shoot.

Mandzukic and Muller have made clever movements – one player on each side to allow them to cover a rebound to either side of Bartra.

Central to Wide Penetration behind Alves

As Robben dribbles inside, he takes Alba with him. Robben passes to Martinez who has a passing lane available between Alves and Bartra once Ribery makes the run.

On the other side, Muller has arced wide and filled the space that both Robben and Alba have left, to offer a different option from Martinez if he wants to use it.

Martinez and Ribery exploit the space behind Alves

As Martinez receives, Thiago needs to sprint to cover the passing lane and form a defensive triangle infront of Bartra and Alves. As Thiago doesn’t close off that passing lane, Martinez has an easy pass into the run of Ribery.

Ribery runs earlier than Alves and reaches the pass from Martinez

As Martinez shifts the ball onto his left foot, Ribery starts his run behind Alves. Alves must turn and accelerate and as he starts too late, Ribery will always reach the ball first in the space behind the defence.

Ribery crosses but although Pique recovers into position, he volleys the ball into his own net.

Barcelona makes a block in the centre and force Bayern wide

Pique comes out of defence to press Martinez, as Song covers the defensive space. Barcelona play very narrow and leave the spaces on the wide again. As Ribery receives, he is forced wide into the space on the side.

Ribery uses the space on the outside to get around the Barcelona defence

When Ribery is forced outside, he uses his speed advantage over Song brilliantly, knocking the ball past Song and making it a race to the ball. He knows he has runners when he reaches the ball.

Ribery wins the race and delivers a perfect cross

Barcelona have 4 players outside the front post, so Muller makes a clever run between the far side defenders and gives himself the best chance of reaching a far post cross. Robben and Martinez are cleverly positioned to keep the attack alive should the ball be touched to the far side to the edge of the box.

Bayern’s tactics over the 2 legs were to give Barcelona no space, exploit the full backs when in possession and attack directly using running with the ball and quick forward passing as often as possible, using Robben and Ribery on the outside and Muller’s movement to good effect.

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics.  Check out his new book, Coaching the 4-2-3-1 Advanced Tactics here.

Attacking in the Final Third

Exercise 1: Combination play in and around the box

Objective:
To develop good combinations in and around the box that lead to goal-scoring opportunities in the scoring zone from central positions.

Setup:
In this exercise you need a minimum of 8 players and a goalkeeper attacking a goal (For larger groups duplicate the exercise with another group going towards another goal. Use a penalty box area and have two groups working from either side of the goal. Players positioned on the goal line start the exercise with a ball. Three players are positioned in a triangle at the edge of the box (use markers as a guide for players). One Goalkeeper in the goal:

Instructions:
The exercise begins with player A passing the ball to player B. A then moves forward and player B plays a quick combination with A. A then passes to C. C plays a pass to D and makes a forward run. D then sets the ball for C and spins out leaving space for C’s forward run. C drives into the box and looks to finish with a goal. The players rotate positions A to B, B to C, C to D and D to A.

Once the first group has had a shot on goal the second group start the next move. Regularly rotate the players to either side of the goal (player D joins the opposite line) to ensure players are working on the move from both sides of the goal:

Progression:
The first simple progression is to add opposition with Player D becoming a defender when C gets the ball. C and B play a quick combination then C attacks the box with D defending.

The second progression involves changing the point of attack and encouraging a wider player to attack the box. This replicates Barcelona’s play in and around the box when occasionally quick combinations on one side can lead to space being created on the other side and a player attacking the space in and around the box:

This time Player C drives the ball into the box for D. D either has a finish or can pass to E around the penalty spot for a finish – a very difficult area for the goalkeeper. The rotation is A to B to C to D to E. E gets the ball and joins the opposite line. Please note to do this progression you will need to add extra players at positions B and D if you want the exercise to flow from either side. A simpler option is to work with one group attacking the goal from one side then change sides after several attacks.

Coaching Points:
Passing – Quality passes with no rotation on the ball, emphasis quick combinations with high levels of technical skill and concentration.

Movement – Before and after each pass encourage players to move to get into good positions for quality passing and finishing. They need to be in the correct position to receive the ball before it arrives.

Angles – Players need to make angles with the correct body position when receiving the ball. Create angles that form small triangles for combinations, players attacking the box also have to make the correct angles that allow their teammates to set them correctly for a finish.

Timing – The group need to work together to make sure the tempo is high and the timing of passes, movement off the ball and finishing is crucial. The coach must observe and correct any occasions where the timing of passes or runs lead to an unsuccessful move.

Finishing – Look for composed finishes on target working the goalkeeper. As always encourage players to aim for the corners away from the goalkeeper. If the keeper is nearpost aim for farpost, of he is central aim for either corner.

As always, remember to limit the amount of coaching points in each exercise. The points above are a guide. Try to limit your points to some key areas you are looking to develop and don’t overload players with too much information at any one time.

This article is an excerpt from our new eBook by Scott Allison - Coaching the Barcelona 4-3-3

Introduction

This is a collection of drills and exercises you can use to train in any triangle midfield formation. The exercises are designed to get the players moving the ball quickly in an organized and disciplined fashion, elements needed to be successful in the triangle midfield. Some of these exercises are generic enough that they can be used with all players as they will focus on all of the elements of technical training (preparation, skill and speed). Use them to develop a quicker technical mentality for your players while also developing them in the training exercises shown in the Triangle Midfield Book. It is important that you first focus on the technical aspects of the triangle midfield and making sure that the qualities you need for each position are present in the players you have in these positions. Here are some suggestions of qualities you should be looking for:

Attacking Central Midfielder- You need players that are very good technical players. They need to read the game very quickly and must be dangerous when going forward to attack the goal. The player should have good physical speed but, more importantly, explosive technical speed and the ability to receive and play with a soft touch. They must see the field very well and be able to distribute the ball to create attacking opportunities. This player is your playmaker and considered to be the HEART of the triangle midfield. They must also be very fit.

Holding Central Midfielder- This player or players must be the physical presence of your midfield. They will always challenge anyone who attempts to come inside the triangle or anyone attempting to bring the ball into the central part of the field. They must be strong at winning the ball in the air and in challenging 50/50 balls. They are usually the ones responsible for keeping the shape of the triangle, so they must be excellent communicators. In possession they must be 1-2 touch players as they are responsible for linking possession between the defense and the attack. They are often there to re-direct the flow of possession from either one side to the other or one point to another. They must also have a good level of fitness.

Roving Central Midfielder- If you employ one, they must have very similar qualities as the holding central midfielder with a couple of exceptions. First, they must have incredible fitness as they will always be moving and shifting side-to-side, more so than in a normal triangle midfield. They must also be very quick in physical speed as they are responsible for keeping the shape of the triangle. In possession they are there to link possession to the two central options (central attacker and attacking central midfielder). They must also be quick to react to opportunities for withdrawn runs as attacking options.

The following ten drills and exercises should help you to organize and train your triangle midfield. Good luck in your preparations.

EXERCISE ONE – QUICK COMBINATION PASSING

Drill Introduction: This is a quick combination passing drill that focuses on building to one-touch play. Create a 25 yard by 25 yard box with cones or disks. In the middle of each of the four lines place a player and add a fifth player in the middle. One ball will be used for this exercise. Have the ball start with one of the outside players and begin the exercise by having that player pass the ball to one of the outside supporting players to either their right or left. The receiving player will then pass the ball inside to the middle player who receives and passes to one of the other outside players. Once the middle player passes to one of the outside players they immediately switch with one of the other three outside players. The player who receives the ball then passes it to one of the wide outside players supporting them. Keep in mind that they must be aware that they aren’t passing the ball to the outside player who is switching with the middle player, they must pick one of the outside players who is remaining in their position. The player who is coming inside must now adjust to the player receiving the ball. The drill is continuous.

COACHING POINTS

• Players should prepare to receive and pass the ball by being on their toes and having their hips open to the middle of the grid.
• Players should work on targeting their passes by looking to pass to a certain foot to help them prepare for one-touch play.
• Players need to stay focused so that they stay within the pattern of the drill.
• Players need to communicate clearly so that they are prepared for where possession is going in the drill.
• Players need to move at game speed throughout the drill.

Equipment Needed: 4 Cones and soccer balls

Recommended Duration: It would depend upon your goals and objectives and what your plans are following this drill. This drill is not timed, but it is typically done as part of a progressive warm-up and would cover no more than 10-15 minutes before progressing. As with any drill or exercise you would not progress if the players have not succeeded in establishing the level of success you are looking for.

Coaches of great soccer teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal struggle to find and maintain a balance between game day offense and defense measured by goals for as compared to goals against. Arsene Wenger, longtime coach at Arsenal, said as late as April 2013, over 30 games into the EPL season that Arsenal had only now just found the proper balance between offense and defense during League games–too many goals against, not enough goals for. Numbers up on attack, high in the front third of the pitch but numbers down in the middle third of the pitch when defending on transition.

Offensive balance means that a team has not over committed players high up field going forward on attack during the run of play to expose it to quick transition if it loses the ball. Defensive balance means that a team has held shape and has committed enough players or the right players behind the ball as the team is attacking to slow transition in the event the ball is lost. Defensive balance promotes the freedom of movement of the attacking players during an attack but offensive balance does not likewise influence defensive balance. This will make more sense as the theme of this article is developed.

What is game day offensive and defensive balance and how is it attained by a team?

Game day offensive and defensive balance is a tactical maneuver, no matter what formation is used, to ensure
that a team plays high enough up the pitch with enough numbers on offense to provide scoring opportunities but with players in a position behind the ball to ensure that an easy goal is not scored against the attacking team on transition, i.e., attacking with protection.

Using Arsenal as an example, television commentators and pundits had a field day in the early part of Arsenal’s 2012-2013 season claiming that the team had a very leaky defense, not solid enough to make it into the top four in the EPL in order to qualify for Champions League. As Arsenal moved closer to 4th place in the EPL, the pundits said that the same Arsenal defenders had “stepped up” and played better to assume their responsibilities as backs. What really happened is that Wenger changed the system of play to create offensive and defensive balance in the later part of this EPL season.

Wenger realized that Arsenal’s high line used on attack was easily exploited on quick transition because offensive and defensive balance during the run of play was off. Too many players in the front third of the pitch and not enough players, or, the wrong players supporting the attack but ready for transition.

This offensive and defensive balancing act can be solved tactically a few ways, for example:

1. Add more speed in support of the attack by substituting faster players in deeper positions in the formation for slower players

2. Hold a lower (deeper) line of defense when attacking

3. Attack high but with fewer players, or

4. The Barcelona way, to immediately pressure the man with the ball, double up on him, and put players around the ball cutting all short passing lanes high up field in order to get the ball back quickly to avoid quick transition by the opponent.

How does each solution mentioned above help a team balance a high powered, numbers up offense with a solid defense during the run of play so that quick, potent transitional play by an opponent does not result in a goal against?

First let’s consider game day strategy as it relates to:

1. Formation

2. System of play within a formation which can include:

A. Large group tactics (like tactical positioning for midfielders or backs for example)

B. Small group tactics (the players immediately around the ball) and

C. Individual tactical play, or as it relates to this article, changing player personnel (substituting) and changing individual defending tactics.

And then, explain how each of these elements promotes offensive and defensive balance.

BALANCED FORMATIONS
This is the easiest and clearest part of the analysis to attempt to avoid a goal against on transition by providing balance. Not considering a system of play within a chosen formation (just looking at a formation on its face), a flat back 3-4-3 should be easier to gain an advantage against on transition than say a 4-3-2-1 because the 3-4-3 is more naturally top heavy leaving more space on the wings to get behind the line of defense leaving fewer players overall to contend with on transition than the 4-3-2-1. Again, absent a system of play countering this issue, the same can be said for the 4-3-3 and possibly the 3-5-2 when compared to a 4-3-2-1 or even a 4-2-3-1. More players are naturally more available to form a line of defense or interrupt the counter attack quicker, absent a system to the contrary, with the 4-3 (seven players available to handle transition) or 4-2 (six players available to handle transition) and this still leaves 3 or 4 players high enough to attack in either formation. Overlaying one formation to another, on its face, demonstrates this point.

BALANCED SYSTEMS OF PLAY WITHIN A FORMATION

Large Group Tactics
Various systems of play can be used within any formation to attain a balanced offense and defense to avoid a goal against on transition. Point 2A and B above, large and small group tactics are system oriented ways to play the game in any formation to balance offense and defense on attack.

Let’s start with 2A, a large group tactic, holding a deeper line of defense on offense. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. If the chosen formation calls for a flat back line of defense then merely drop the line a bit deeper on attack with more space between the midfield players and the backs and more distance from the line of defense to the ball. On transition, players will already be in position to mark attacking players without having to quickly drop. A deeper, flat back line serves as a safety net making it more difficult to penetrate and much easier to handle transition.

A deeper line of defense can also be accomplished in any formation by using a dedicated sweeper, deeper than the other backs, or by retracting an inside back a few yards behind the other backs to provide depth or cover on defense as soon as the line of defense is set during the run of play. This additional depth when defending also makes it more difficult to penetrate on transition.

Small Group Tactics
In any formation, even the 4-3-3, using a high line of attack but with fewer numbers high up field is a small group tactic which will leave more players a bit deeper for quicker marking on transition. When the opponent takes the ball, less players in the front third of the pitch allows more players to mark deeper. This can be accomplished no matter what formation is used. As an example, in a 4-3-3, the wing forwards stay retracted leaving a striker/center forward up top, or, as Messi does over and over again, the striker could stay retracted, drifting deeper to space in the goal channel during the attack with the wing forwards higher, either way, there will be more players behind the ball on transition.

Another small group tactic used by Barcelona is the six second rule on transition. Once Barcelona loses the ball, a first defender immediately pressures it, another player double teams the first attacker, and all other Barcelona players near the ball either cut passing lanes or form a fortress around the ball so there is no escape without either an interception or a bad pass which either moves the ball backwards our out of bounds attempting to do so within 6 seconds after losing the ball.

Individual Tactics
This is one of the few times that a coach can truly influence the outcome of a game as it relates to transition, substitutions. Speed at the back and on the wings will always serve to counteract attack on transition. The outlet pass for most transitional play is wide, to a winger who moves the ball up field in space. There is usually more space in the outside channels during the run of play and wingers usually are the speed demons on a team. Moving a ball from pressure inside to a wing and then quickly up field wide or moving the ball high to a lone striker or group of forwards is the essence of transitional play especially after a shot on goal.

Why? By the very nature of attack, more of the attacking team’s players are up field after a shot on goal. If this shot on goal by the attacking team is saved by the keeper, this usually creates a good opportunity for the keeper to quickly start transition out of the back either wide or with a long punt up field. Focusing first on the long punt, a deeper line of defense or a retracted sweeper will help thwart the attack. If the keeper attempts to play wide out of the back to start transition, deeper holding, fast wingers (forwards or midfielders) will serve the same purpose.

Another individual tactic to slow transition is substituting a speedy center back to keep up with that sole striker or substituting to provide more speed on the wings either in the forward or midfield position to thwart transition. Speed will allow the marking player to drop and mark quickly in order to delay the attack, one on one. It doesn’t matter if the first attacker is delayed in the back or middle third of the pitch so long as he does not make it to his front third unmarked.
Shepherding or steering wide is another individual defensive tactic that helps avoid transition. In most cases, coaches will encourage players to shepherd or steer a first attacker into help, to a teammate, so that the first attacker is pinned in and the ball can be taken 2 on 1. However, in the case of transition, it is best to shepherd the first attacker wide, away from the goal channel and toward an outside channel toward the closest sideline in order to delay an attack on transition because less players are usually available to defend on transition as mentioned earlier.

Shepherding wide to a sideline to slow an attack on transition requires less defending players because, eventually, the sideline can be used to block off the first attacker’s movement with the ball, and, more obvious, outside passing lanes are cut by the sideline. Because less defending players are needed to slow an attack on transition by shepherding wide, more defending players are available to get behind the ball to cut passing lanes. Shepherding wide is another good individual tactic to slow an attack on transition.

CONCLUSION

Offensive and defensive balance during an attack can be accomplished by choosing a back heavy formation, or by using the large group, small group, or individual tactics mention above as part of a system of play within any formation. But, in any event, if you have one team with a line of defense comprised of the likes of Vidic, Kompany, Maicon, and Thiago Silva, this article would be irrelevant.

Dan Minutillo - Author of Formation Based Soccer Training
E-mail minu@flash.net
Telephone 408 998 8900
Dan Minutillo has coached soccer for about 23 consecutive years, all ages, and both genders. He holds a National diploma from the NSCAA among other California State licenses, and he is the author of the best seller, “Formation Based Soccer Training”. He has had articles nationally published about third man runs, plyometrics, speed of play, player motivation, differences in coaching club soccer as opposed to high school soccer, among others. He is presently the head men’s varsity soccer coach at Leland High School in San Jose, CA.

Attacking the Barcelona Way – Passing Exercise

In this exercise we look at a player with his back to goal receiving under pressure from a tight marker from behind.

The defender is passive, but must pressure the player so it is realistic.

• Player 1 passes to Player 2
• Player 2 moves towards the ball
• A passive defender Player 3 pressures from behind
• Player 2 turns and passes to Player 4
• Player 4 moves to the ball and passes Player 5
• Player 5 moves to the side to show for the ball

Every component can be coached

• Passing quality
• First touch
• The turn method
• The longer pass
• Timing of movement
• Body shape

Here is a sample of the video series, Attacking the Barcelona Way.

Coaches have been asking for these tactical analysis type videos for a long time so we hope you like them.   Please let us know what you think in the comments section below.  Thanks.

Mike Saif
WORLD CLASS COACHING