A Model for Youth Development.
System of Play notes.
General Concepts that apply when building up (and elsewhere)
Square balls
In general square passes should be avoided : Especially on the defensive line.
(If done, the 100% rule applies).
Check this video which highlights the dangers of playing a square ball.
Whether it is an intercepted pass, or a bad touch, any mistake on a square ball is very hard to then defend against. Teams are very exposed defensively if a square ball gets intercepted.
The receiver should always get a safe angle off the passer, so that opening up on the back foot touch whilst checking and scanning is technically easier to do.
If you cant apply the 100% rule on a square pass then play on the diamond matrix.
In the video above : If Gerrard had have dropped a couple of meters lower (vs Chelsea - last clip in the video) Chelsea would not have scored.
This is why any pass on the defensive line or 6 line needs to be taken with extreme care. Passes between the 3 and 4 (center backs) or the FB and the 6 (DM) are classic risky passes.
You may hear the term that :
CBs and 6's need to be 'bullet proof' when in possession.
This means :
They can not miss a pass, and any pass to them can not be intercepted.
A Task for you :
Watch a game at the highest level : And looks for square balls and think about :
- What area of the pitch it was passed in?
- Why was it passed?
- Was there a risk involved?
- Did any square passes get intercepted? If so, what happened next?