Principles of Play

Introduction

Effective teams operate as a unit. When they have the ball they become an attacking unit, and when they lose the ball they become a defensive unit.  The defensive unit works with urgency to get the ball back, but certain key areas of the field require less risk; so priorities are constantly shifting.

These Principles of Play can help teams, parents, and coaches form a common basis for understanding what becomes urgent and when.  Soccer terms appear either in hyperlink highlights or in bold and can be cross referenced by clicking on them or the following link.  This link is Athens Soccer Academy's Kicktionary, or Soccer Dictionary.

A run that Splits Defenders

The Principles of Defense--

If defending has an Order of Operations, Delay is first on the list.  The closest player to the ball needs to apply immediate pressure so to allow the team to shift into defensive shape.

Defenders need to be connected as a unit, and each needs to understand their duties for their role in the unit.

Closest defender to ball is the pressure defender--responsible for delay, jockey, channel or force play to the touchline or teammate, prevent opponent from dribbling past by containing until you have support, challenge only when you have a good chance to force a mistake or win possession.  

Depth--Players behind the ball are cover defenders starting with the next closest player to the ball who is also behind the ball.  Good positioning allows the cover defender to both a) challenge if the pressure defender is beaten, and b) break down the passing lane so to not get split.

Balance--organization across the entire Width of the field

Defenders should position wisely so as to

1 intercept a pass to an opponent

2 apply pressure before the opponent is allowed to turn and face your goal

3 apply immediate pressure to a player facing goal

--opponents should never be allowed the time and space to dribble or pass forward

--opponents should not be so close so a ball played behind you would be reached by the opponent before you.

Concentration-- recovery runs to get goalside and ballside create a concentration of defending players in front of their own goal. Recovery runs are back toward your goal.

Team Play-- Team Shape and Balance shift the entire match. Teams that can effectively organize consistently to defend are considered stronger tactically.  It is vital that every player understand their dual roles, and is willing to give total commitment to their time on the field.

The Five Principles of Attack--

Once a team has the ball, even in the hands of the goalkeeper, they are on the attack.  Starting at the center of the goal and working toward the center spot and radiating out, is an imaginary wring of risk; the further from goal the ball gets: the increase in allowable risk.

Divided into thirds, the field presents defensive,midfield, and attacking thirds.  Passing out of the defensive third of the field is the first priority.

Depth Support-- means building a network by positioning players at angles that offer options to the player with the ball. That network needs to be both behind and in front of the ball.


Mobility-- player movement is essential to provide good support and to draw the opponent away from key space. Defensive movement will allow the ball out of the back more easily--where the risk is less.  Midfield movement links defenders to midfielders and draws opponents away from key space. Forwards move to check away and check to the ball, Target forwards "show" and stay onside by using their movement with tactical sense.



Width-- Space translates to time and space when a team has the ball. By positioning to utilize the entire width of the field, the attack also draws the defensive unit away from being compact and in front of their goal.  Larger spaces between defenders, or gaps, allow penetrating runs and passes which split the defense. A team that can position well utilizing width and move the ball well becomes difficult to contain.


Penetration--means the ball passes opponents and gets behind them or closer to their goal than they are.  Penetrating runs with the ball involve players dribbling past their opponents; whereas penetrating passes and shots are balls played past opponents or into goal.

Timing and communication are essential elements to have proper arrival of the ball and teammates. Good penetration happens when players recognize what is "on" tactically, and when teammates are synchronized in this moment.

As the ball nears the opponents goal, the spaces become smaller, and the time before immediate pressure is applied becomes less, so synchronizing penetrating runs and passes is vital to success.

Improvisation--Improvisation allows players to show their gifts and oftentimes earns the game its name as "the Beautiful Game". Improvisation should be nurtured within the bounds of the wring of Risk such that the further from the goal a team is defending, the more appropriate the application of improvisation.

By understanding these Principles and applying them to your game, players allow themselves the opportunity for self-improvement, "increased coachability", and team tactical awareness.