00:36: Preparedness, Direction, Positioning, Body Shape
GK: GK initiates the attack. Leading up to goal kick, GK not appear to scan for opportunities. Did not identify the poor field positioning of his players to successfully receive ball. If played to 1A, GK did not identify that 1A did had no subsequent high percentage passes or space to dribble into upon receiving. GK not identify poor body shape (facing away from the play) of 4 players (1B, 1C, 1D, 1F, 1G), who were not facing the ball and therefore unaware of the play being started and the tactical situation surrounding the play. Moreover, concerning body shape, there were 5 players (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F, 1G) who were not whose body shape was not “Open to Opportunity to Receive, See, and Play the Ball Forward.” This includes 1A who completed turn his back on the play forward, turning immediately under pressure within 10 yards of the goal line. GK did not appear to communicate direction to players. GK gave too much credibility in the 1A to retain possession in a challenging situation. CORRECTIVE ACTION: GK immediately scan for opportunities and threats. Identify positioning and shape of players, prioritizing distribution opportunities according to goal-scoring defensive threat and goal-scoring attacking opportunities, seeking the highest percentage for success through a quick read of passing sequences available through each high-percentage passing option, valuing forward possession onto goal. Lead. Guide. Direct. Correct. And encourage your players into appropriate position.
FIELD PLAYERS: 1E was among players who were better positioned to receive. Though, with the proximity of the opponents, this may have been a dangerous option, as there a poor pass could easily be intercepted and 2D could go directly to an open goal. 1B was behind opponent 2A and unable to receive a direct ground pass. Because being wedged between two opponents, 2A and 2C, a passed played in the air would not be wise.
00:39: Solve the Problem & Provide Options
1A: Having just received and turned with the ball, 1A has no immediate passing options. The ball is not positioned at his body to immediately distribute long.
1C: Is behind his mark, 2B, and is unable to receive the ball at this position. 1C is potentially the best passing option, if he checks in along the touchline. His mark, 2B, is ready to respond but not on ideal footing nor at an ideal angle to intercept a pass. 1B would potentially have a passing option to 1C, if one 1C were to position himself accordingly to such a play, remaining relatively static for the moment. He would then be able to turn and distribute to 1G, checking into space. 1D could also become an option as could 1F running the flank.
1C: Alternatively, 1C could receive the ball and turn, since his mark is pinched in and would likely overcommit goal-side. He would then have a potential pass to 1D, who 1D could respond with a run to the touchline to receive a pass from 1C. Judging by 1D’s mark, it is likely he would not be aware or prepared to pressure 1D’s run.
1C: Alternatively, upon checking in to receive the ball from 1A, 1C could one-touch pass back to 1A. Then, abruptly turn to go long, likely loosing his mark for the long ball.
1B: As a potentially risky alternative (considering the field condition), 1B can check into a 1B1 pass in the space between the two forwards. So long as 1A disguises his intention to make such a pass, the angle would still exist, and 2D would likely not have the ideal angle to contest it. If the pressure was too much, a quick pass to the GK, who could distribute to 1E would be ideal, as much of 1E’s pressure from his 2D mark would be eliminated. For 1E, 1F and 1G would be great options, as the overload of pressure is opposite of their flank. Nevertheless, predicting the angle pressure of 1B receiving the ball at 1B1, especially with the assumption of the ball being played back to the GK under such pressure, the pressure on 1B would likely be goal side, especially the GK sells the play. This would make easy work for 1B to turn forward and play the ball forward into space to 1G or to 1F making the forward run unopposed. At that time, 1D could potentially be an option into space as well.
00:42: Space Creates Time. Time Creates Opportunity
1A: Was cheeky is selling a pass back to the GK, the passing lane of which 2A attempted to pressure from. But the challenge was the passing options remained limited. Moreover, 1A was casual in his movement (potentially over confident after the cheeky move) and timid in his action.
1B: Immediately, 1B should drop off of 1A, back peddling into space behind him, away from the focal point of pressure, where space is available to receive and turn for a pass to 1G, who can turn and play a penetrating run to 1F along the flank.
Earn Your Opponent’s Attention: Own His Movement
1G: Realizing the potential for such a passing sequence that would require him to check into space, 1G could proactively sell the play long by beginning to faint forward a few steps, distracting his 2F mark and potentially taking his 2F mark higher up the field. This way, when the aforementioned passing sequence unfolds, he has much more time and space to check into.
Sell the Play You’re Not Going to Make to Earn the Space and Time to Go to Goal
1G: And when 1G does check in, his mark will undoubtedly be committed to mark him, because 1G has earned his attention. As such, 1G would have created an open right flank, and when receiving the ball, he can turn to play 1F along the flank, where he runs relatively unopposed to goal.
1E: At this point, 1E should move to protect the goal in the event of dispossession in a dangerous area.
WITH INTENSITY: Open in into Passing Lanes When in Possession; Concentrate into the Passing Lanes and the Path to Goal When Out of Possession
OTHER PLAYERS: Nearly half the attacking team, 5 total, are concentrated other attacking players are concentrated into an approximately 15 x 20 yard grade. The poor positioning provides no passing lanes to serve as an effective passing option. Furthermore, only four opposing players are marking them.
0044: Open Your Body to the Opportunity
1A: Here, 1A was about to deliver a very weak toe poke pass to 1B.
1B – 1B4: His body shape is closed to the opportunity, limiting his vision to see passing options and limiting his time to quickly play them. Open Your Body to the Opportunity to See the Play and Quickly Play the Play. At this point, prior to the pass, he should have dropped off, back peddling into space, creating angles via 1B4. There, he would have created space from any immediate pressure from 2A, which is effectively marking both 1A and 1B. Furthermore, in the space created by 1B4, he would have had a relatively easy passing angle to pass to 1C on the flank.
1B – 1B5: Since the pass from 1A was weak and ineffective, falling short of the target pass to 1B, 1B should have run onto the ball, making a run behind the momentum of 2A’s pressure, effectively creating an unopposed pass to the GK, who could have easily switched the play to 1E, who could have gone to 1F or 1G with minimal pressure on that flank.
1J: As a forward option, in the event 1C receives the ball, should be setting himself up for success, bumping 2G, drawing his attention, and taking him inward to 2H, effectively clearing the passing lane on the flank, which he could run into if the pass comes from 1C. Furthermore, this distracts both 2G and 2H, which is very effective if the ball is played long to him from 1A, as he will gain several steps, perhaps several yards on the goal.
1G: He is ineffective where he is at. If the ball should be played long to him, he is behind his mark and his mark is goal side of his approach to goal. He must solve this problem by slipping by him, distracting his attention from the backside, and awaiting a run with momentum behind the static center back. His momentum could easily create a 1V1 with the GK.
