To be competitive you need to do the basics well

General Info

• Pragmatic defending : Get the ball away from danger.
• If the keeper collects is slowing the game down a good idea.
• If the forwards get it can they hold it up. Can they keep the ball in the corners.
• If we can dominate possession without any risks?
• Can we hold a tight mid block. The #9 drops. Let the opposition #3 and #4 have the ball. Let them to pass to each other. Make it hard for them to play forward into the midfield. If they pump it long. Get lots of players around the drop down. Win the second ball.

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General Info

In general ; we pass through the diamond matrix in the most effective way. Sometimes this may get us forward quickly and at other times we may need to play from wing to wing (switch the play). We always play away from congested space. If you stay in congested space for too long we will lose the ball.

 

This video highlights a few different styles of play and their effectiveness.

 

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In possession in general :
1. Relaxed but sharp and crisp (technically and footwork).
2. Find simple passes if obvious more aggressive options are not available. Don't force aggressive forward play - always look for the opportunity but let the moment find you.
3. Square passes in our own half in general : 100% rule applies -> [You are 100% sure the pass (even a bad pass) won't get intercepted].

 

 

1. Structure -> Open up the immediate diamond. L/R = FB/6 : The 8 space is more complicated.
2. Can the 8 get in between the lines : especially if the CB picks out a 2v1 in midfield.
3. Can the CB find a pass out.
4. Can the CB find a 2v1 in midfield.
5. Can the 9 offer some form of movement (3 main options - pick the right one)...or is not getting involved a better option?
6. Can the winger offer some form of movement (think through the winger positions)...or is not getting involved a better option?

 

 

And especially on the defensive line.

Video

The dangers of playing a square ball.

Whether it is an intercepted pass, or a bad touch, any mistake on a square ball is hard to defend.

The receiver should always get an angle if possible, so that opening up on the back foot touch whilst checking and scanning is technically easier to do. If Gerrard had have dropped a couple of meters (vs Chelsea - last clip in the video) Chelsea would not have scored.

This is why any pass on the defensive or 6 line need to be taken with care. Passes between the 3 and 4 or the FB and the 6 are classic risky passes.

 

1. 3 - 4 passes : 100% Rule applies : [You are 100% sure the pass (even a bad pass) won't get intercepted].
2. If the ball moves between 3 and 4 (via the GK, directly or some other way ) : the 6 moves counter to the ball, unless it is either not necessary or doesn't help open up the diamond.

 

 

Counter movement is the movement a player makes that is opposite to the direction the ball moves.

EG : If the 3 passes to the 4, then the 6 moves towards the 3 and away from the 4.

 

Always mindful of the Matrix.

A simple way to look at the matrix is simply to look at whether a diagonal pass is possible. If it is then you are playing on the matrix.

• If you can play forwards (more than backwards) on the matrix then you will move forward.
  • Good players always look for the more progressive pass. Receive on the back foot to play forward (but this doesn't mean vertically) whenever possible.
• Playing vertical passes is ok although more than 1 or 2 in row will attract pressure and so increase the risk of losing the ball. If you are playing vertical passes through the lines and in between the opposition's block,  then the 100% rule should be used.
• Square passes are more risky, so the 100% rule applies, especially in your own half.

 

 

 

 

1. Play away from congestion and to space.
2. Slow switch : Use as many players as possible in the switch, whilst still forcing the opposition to work the shuffle : great for possession to tire the opposition out.
3. Play to wingers feet Position #2 as a starting rule) whenever possible in the middle third, especially if we are probing and just moving the ball.
4. 3 or 4 passes in any one 'key space zone*' is enough, move the ball out after this. (*See the 18 zone system : We are talking about the zones that run across the pitch in the middle third).
5. Aggressive switch from winger to the other is very dangerous (less passes : less touches the better) ;Great for isolating weak FB.

 

 

1. Can be aggressive or slow (based on number of passes, speed of pass, number of touches)
2. A slow switch is an exercise in keeping possession (make the opposition work, make it hard for them to get the ball and demoralize them - win the mental battle).
3. A fast switch (less players, less touches, faster ball speed) is a deliberate attempt to create an overload against FB, on the opposite side of the pitch.
4. Congestion (3-5 passes in the same zone) will tell you to start moving the ball across the pitch.
5. When the ball comes out of a congested space (that is it comes back to the FB/6/CB) this is telling you that the forward space is congested (no good forward options) and that you need to switch the play.
6. A switch has an instigator, a facilitator and an outlet.

 

• When the ball pops out of congested space in wide areas.
  • Red 7 or Red  10 have the ball and pass to the 2, 3,6 or 9.
  • The object becomes get it to the 11 and overload around the oppositions full back (yellow 5)

 

 

1. If a CB breaks into the middle 1/3rd - attack an 8 and create a 2v1.

2. If a FB breaks into the middle 1/3rd - attack inside first, this will draw the FB in, and open up space for the winger.

3. If a M breaks a line and attacks the defensive line - attack a FB and create a 2v1 with the winger.

 

4. If a winger can attack the opposition FB knowing that the our FB is supporting and overlapping this creates a great 2v1.

 

5. 1v1 GK : Has a whole set of basic rules.

 

 

1. Dink : Scoop : Chop are the only types of passes that you can use for now....do not do a normal vertical pass.
2. You must take all the speed out of the ball.

 

 

1. Developmentally let the overlap pivot (and through balls) around the winger.
2. Developmentally midfielders (Or CBs sometimes) should be looking for the winger's feet (in position 1 or 2).

• The pass should ideally come from the Central Channel to the wide channel to initiate the overlap.

3. FBs should stay as a supporting option (for as long as possible)...start the overlap too early starts to fill the space to the winger... does not help.
4. FBs start the overlap when it is obvious the midfielder will hit the wingers feet.
5. Wingers need to work out the best way to use the overlap. Lots of options.

1. FBs cab also overlap their own pass to the winger, but this works best when the FB passes from the inside channel.
2. If FBs and Wingers are both in the wide channel, then the game is probably too congested for an overlap (so the exercise would be 'initiate a switch').