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C h a p t e r 5
Teaching Soccer Strategy and Tactics
maintaining a balanced attack. Intelligent running and interchange will isolate and
confuse defenders.
Players should look to pass balls behind the defense or use combination passing to
get behind the defense. Penetrating the defense in this manner often results in scoring
chances. Seize the opportunity and finish your chances.
Team Defending
Teams also must learn to defend as a unit. All 11 players must play and think defense.
Defending as a unit, requires some players to remain as support outlets once the
defending team regains possession.
Upon losing possession of the ball, your team must get behind the ball as quickly as possible!
Getting defenders between the ball and your goal stymies the opponent’s attack. Limit
the offense’s time and space by pressuring the ball, taking away depth and restricting
passing angles. Give the attacking team as few options as possible.
Good defense determines game tempo. Once your defense wins the ball, the transition
to offense should be quick and efficient. An effective transition, coming from a solid
defensive base, may result in a chance to score.
Set Plays
Approximately 40-percent of all goals are scored from set plays. Not surprisingly, it
makes good sense to spend time practicing attacking and defending free kicks, corner
kicks, throw-ins and kickoffs in practice. The golden rule of building a set play is
simplicity. The fewer players involved, the less likely the chance of a mistake. Have
at least two players who can serve the ball on restarts. Accuracy and confidence are
important to the success of any set play.
THE KICKOFF
Offensive Kickoff Tactics
There are two basic offensive tactics for the kickoff: One, the possession kickoff can be
used to establish ball control, letting players gain confidence early in the game. Two,
an attacking kickoff seeks quick penetration and to put pressure behind the defense.
(Figs. 5-6, 5-7)
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