Jan, 2008

POWERFUL SOCCER

Philosophy into Action. The philosophy of "dominant soccer," like any soccer philosophy, must be brought to life by bringing specific actions to the soccer field. Here are some important points to help player and team play powerful soccer. Below are first a few words on the philosophy and then some concrete ideas to bring the philosophy into the habits of the player and the team.

Dominant Soccer. The philosophy of "dominant soccer" is an important part of the GFC soccer culture. Dominant soccer is a culture of intentional play. It is a culture in which the mentality of the players and the team are to dictate the play on the individual, group, and team levels. Dominant soccer is a culture in which the players and the team operate with the understanding and confidence that they have the POWER TO CONTROL the opponent, both when in possession of the ball and when out of possession.

The orientation around a dominant state of mind begins early with, for example, a clear focus on individual ability on the ball at the youngest ages, and progresses to the older ages with, for example, superior tactical organization, both when in possession and out of possession of the ball.

For more on Dominant Soccer

Powerful Soccer. We can make it easier to communicate the philosophy to players and others in the context of what makes a player or a team more or less powerful. We can teach within the context of what a player on the ball can do to make herself more or less powerful. We can teach within the context of what a player in support can do to make himself and his teammate on the ball more or less powerful. And we can teach the culture of dominant soccer in the context of what players can do when their team is not in possession of the ball to make themselves more or less powerful relative to the other team.

Here are some examples of specific actions, some core fundamental concepts, that when instilled as habits within player and team, bring the concepts to life and truly make player and team powerful. Each action is presented with a series of questions about the choices players can make that affect player and team power. These are good questions to ask your players.

1v1 ATTACKING MENTALITY
Face the opponent. Is a 1st attacker more powerful facing an opponent or away from an opponent? Is a 1st attacker more powerful facing the opposing goal or her own goal? Why? What makes the 1st attacker powerful? Ability to beat an opponent on the dribble? Ability to beat an opponent with a penetrating pass? Ability to beat an opponent with cross or shot on goal? Is the ability to do these things affected when a 1st attacker turns her back to an opponent? Why? Are there situations where a 1st attacker should turn away from an opponent, turn toward her own goal? What are they?

Beat the opponent. How does beating an opponent on the dribble change the game? How does this change the numbers going to goal? What does this force the opposing players to do? How does this make the 1st attacker more powerful? How does this make the 2nd and 3rd attackers more powerful? How does beating an opponent with a penetrating pass change the game? Is the ability to do these things affected when a 1st attacker dribbles or passes backward or sideways? Why? Are there situations where a 1st attacker should play the ball backward or sideways? What are they?

Keep the ball. Stay involved. After an attacking player beats an opponent on the dribble, is the player/team more powerful if they keep the ball or pass the ball right away? Why? After an attacking player beats an opponent with a pass, is the player/team more powerful if she stays involved in the play or if the play moves forward without her? Why? What can this player do to stay involved?

ATTACK IN NUMBERS
Forwards bring midfielders along. Is the attack more powerful with 2-3 players in attack or 5-6 players in attack? Why? How can forwards play to bring midfielders into attack? Is the team more powerful in defending if they lose possession with more players on the attack? Why?

Backs join the attack. Is the attack more powerful with 5-6 players in attack or 7-8 players in attack? Why? How can backs play themselves into the attacking movement? How can backs support the attack? How can backs re-start (or recycle) the attack? How does a back who stays back or lags behind her team affect the power of the team?

PLAY IN ALL DIRECTIONS
Go forward. Is a player/team more powerful if they are looking to go forward or if they are looking to go backwards? Why?

Go sideways. When is a player/team more powerful by going sideways rather than attempting to go forward? Why? How does this change the game? Change the numbers? Affect the ability of the team to go forward?

Go backwards. When is a player/team more powerful by going backwards rather an attempting to go forward or sideways? Why? How does this change the game? Change the numbers? Affect the ability of the team to go forward? How is the effect of going backwards different from going sideways?

DEFEND TO CONTROL
Press to control. Are players/team more powerful if they pressure the opposing players to deny play or if they pressure to allow play but only in a specified way? What type of play should be encouraged? How can players make the opposing team play where they want them to play? What are the roles of the forwards? Are forwards/team more powerful if the forwards have a defensive role which expends energy or conserves energy? Why? What are the roles of the midfielders and backs?

Set the trap. Is a 1st defender more powerful if they pressure to win the ball or pressure to allow their teammates to win the ball? Are players/team more powerful if they can predict where the opposing players will play the ball? Why? Where should the team invite the opposing team to play? What part of the field is a team most likely to win the ball? Why? What conditions make it difficult for opposing players to maintain possession of the ball? How does the team set the trap? How do players make the play of opposing players predictable?

Read the game. Win the ball. Are ball winners more powerful if they can read where the opposing players will play? What types of cues guide ball winners? How do they decide where and when they can win the ball? Are players/team more powerful if they can win the ball from a shape that allows them to keep possession? Why? What is this shape? Are players/team more powerful if they can win the ball from a shape that allows them to counter-attack? What is this shape?

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