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C h a p t e r 5
Teaching Soccer Strategy and Tactics
One or two forwards must check to the ball handler to provide an option. Other
attackers then can run into open space. At the same time, the midfielders or fullbacks
with the ball must have confidence to pass to forwards while under defensive pressure.
Here is an example of good mobility. In Figure 5-2, attacker A2 has the ball. Attacker
A1, the right winger, makes a checking run and moves back toward the ball, pulling
along defender D1, the left back. This creates space in the right corner of the field.
Attacker A3 moves into this space and D3 follows. This leaves space in front of
the goal. Attacker A4 running from midfield receives the ball from A2 with the
opportunity to shoot on goal. A1 and A3 made runs to open up space for A4.
D2 A3
D3
A3
D1 A1
A4
A2
Fig. 5-2.
Width and Depth
The guiding principle of offensive movement is expansion. When a team gains
possession of the ball, every player must work to expand the area of play to give the
offense width and depth. Expanding the area of play forces the defense to spread and
gives the offense space in which to work. (Fig. 5-3)
Width. A wide attack stretches defenders and creates space for attack. (Forwards or
midfielders are primarily responsible for establishing the width of offense.) Another
advantage of a wide offense is that it provides attackers with a full vision of the field. If
an offense stays narrow, attackers play relatively close together and defenders can mark
attackers more easily and deny offensive penetration.
Depth. Attacking with depth means to have multiple waves of attackers as opposed to
attacking with a straight line or square arrangement of players. By arranging players
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