The last article dealt with technical skills of individuals. Today we will look at tactical factors that will contribute to your team's success. All of this information and more is dealt with extensively in our book:
Formations
Every team needs a basic formation or system of play. These are referred to by numbering, such as 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1, etc. In a three number description, the first number specifies the number of defenders, the second specifies the number of midfielders and the third the number of forwards. In a four number system the second and third numbers specify defensive and offensive midfielders respectively.
Picking the right formation for your team is critical. There are two main philosophies on how to pick a formation. The first is based on the coach's preference and expertise. the coach picks a formation and then recruits or trains players to play it. The second is based on the abilities of the players available and the likely competition. Here the coach looks at skills and tactical understanding and the relative strengths of the team and then picks a formation. Players still need to be trained to play it well.
The first method works well in situation where coaches have time and ability to recruit players who know the coach's system of preference. The second method works well in situations where a coach has a limited numbers of players to choose from, a short pre-season for training and limited recruiting options.
The book mentionned above goes into more detail as to the type of players needed for each system, coaching requirements, strengths and weaknesses.
Individual Tactical Understanding
Individuals need to understand their role on the field and the roles of their team mates. Let's look at some key elements with examples:
A central defender needs to know when to mark, when to join the attack, when to hold the ball, when to clear it, when to pass it. They need to recognize the spaces available for the opponent and how to close them down. they need to recognize spaces for themselves when they have the ball and passing options. They need to know when to cover for an overlapping outside defender, when to go up for a set play (corner) and when to stay back. they need to recognize the opponent's system of play and strengths and weaknesses and adjust their own play and that of other players if necessary. They need to communicate frequently, clearly and directly (note - tie in to mental fitness).
Outside defenders require similar understanding.
Midfielders are the engine of your team. They need to be available to receive balls from defenders and they need to supply the strikers with quality scoring opportunities. They need to recognize space and time for their own opportunities to go in for a shot. When transitioning to defending, they need to hustle back and challenge the other team (i.e. shut off their engine) and close spaces. they are two way players and transition from offense to defense and vice versa more than anyone else. They need to have the ability to perceive plays, players and space aroud them, to anticipate opportunities and runs and to deliver the ball accordingly. They need to make decisions quickly (do I hold, do I pass quickly, do I have space to run with the ball). Central and outside midfielders have different responsibilities and roles.
Strikers need to be keenly aware of their position relative to defenders to take advantage of space and to avoid off-sides. Their main tactical ability relates to timing of runs and direction of runs. they need to have extremely quick decision making ability and anticipate play. The main focus is to get into good scoring positions. Also, they need to be able to defend by pressuring opposing defenders in possession. The key is to decide when to challenge hard and when to drop back and wait for the opponent to play. They need to recognize opportunities to hold the ball and lay it off to an overlapping midfielder or defender. When they receive the ball they must be aware of available space and decide if they have room to turn and then take a defender on 1v1 or pass. If they are marked tight, then turning into the defender likely results in loss of possession. Strikers also need to know when to retreat, i'e. hold the ball and dribble toward own goal to look for support or create space to turn.
Goalkeepers are in the best position to see the play in front of them. They can vocally help everyone on their team with positional play. In terms of goalie specific tactics, distribution of the ball is the most often used tactic. Do I punt the ball deep, straight or to the side. Do I throw it quickly and long, wide or central? Do I roll it out to a defender to build an attack. Do I ask for the ball back on my feet. If I receive it back, do I kick it out or pass it out? How much time and pressure is there? Same is for goal kicks. On set plays, goalies need to position their defenders, walls and organize marking.
Individuals Combining As Units
We define units as the group of defenders, midfielders and strikers. In essence, each team is made up of these three units. Coaches and players need to know how individuals within the units interact with each other. We alluded to some of these interactions above. Just a few more examples:
If an outside defenders needs to step up and challenge an opposing overlapping midfielder, the central defender needs to pick up whoever the outside defender was marking. the other defenders need to recognize that movement and shift positions to provide cover. Playing with the off-side trap is probably the area of soccer requiring the highest level of synchronization. One of the outside defenders needs to take charge because they can have a view across the defensive line and communicate to all others to move up and get "in line". Central defenders would have to look to both sides constantly to organize the line - not possible.
Midfielders need to know when to cover for each other when one or more are joining the attack. They need to be aware of where the gaps are when transitioning to defense. For example, if a central midfielder went deep for a shot and the opposing team transitions fast through the middle, then an outside midfielder may need to shift to the middle to cover.
Strikers need to know when to make diagonal and crossover runs with each other to lose defenders. they need to know if they should flick a ball on to a sprinting team mate, or if they should play a diagonal ball wide for their partner making a diagonal run.
Units Combining As a Team
The final step of integration is to get the three units combining with each other. For example, outside defenders can make runs all the way to the opposing end and cross the ball, acting as wingers. When that happens, a midfielder needs to be prepared to cover if the opponent breaks out quickly. Strikers may have to follow an aggressive opposing defender all the way into their own defending third in a situation when the other team is pressing hard. that may mean that on your team's next transition forward a midfielder takes that striker's role so that your whole team doesn't have to wait for the striker to move back up.
There are endless examples and we only present a few to illustrate the concepts.
Game Tactics
Bringing it all together in a game is what makes the difference. Players and coaches need tio work together in developing a game plan based on your team's abilities and the anticipated play of the opponent. Teams must be flexible and adaptable. If the original game plan doesn't work, the coaches and the players need to communicate "on the fly" to make adjustments. In really great teams, the players will do it on their own if the coach isn't seeing what they see. They need to change formations within a game, they need to change positions within their units and between units.
Coaches and players need to be on the same page regarding the objectives. Do we need to score a goal or defend the current score?
Teams that are better prepared tactically will win more games.
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