| Attacking From the Back |
Drills to develop combination play from the flanks
From the Winter 1980 issue of Soccer Journal
By Ed Gahris
Introduction
In modern soccer, combination play is vital to break through organized defenses. Combination play on the flanks can be a successful tactic, provided defensive cover is removed and space is created for an attacking back. This type of play is developed by the coach to add one more dimension of attack for his or her team. This article is designed to help the coach and player understand and organize this aspect of soccer.
Some of the primary advantages are:
• Putting an extra player in the attack
• 1 v. 2 situation
• Attacking back escapes marking
• Create an element of surprise
• Turn the defense
• Draw central defenders toward the flanks
However, there are disadvantages when:
• Players fail to cover in the defense for attacking backs
• Strong opposing attacking players are left free for a short period of time
• Lack of skill by players allowing error in passing and then being open to quick counterattack
• Players lack good physical conditioning for long recovery runs back to defense
Some aspects to consider in using this tactic for your team:
• The strength of the opposing team in the attack; that is, can you commit your backs into the attack weakening your own defense?
• The skill level, confidence and work rate of your backs
• Does your team work as a unit or like individuals?
• The ability of your players to read the game
• Playing away matches
Combination Play on the Flanks
The Fullback Overlap
Generally, there are four situations to consider on the fullback overlap. There are man-on, turn, decoy run, create space on the flank. It is important to understand the role of the opposing defender when using these situations. The defender will try to mark an opponent and at the same time cover a zone in the defensive area. When an unmarked opponent has possession and brings the ball towards him, the defender prefers to delay. The defender is gaining time by delaying in hopes that his colleagues can cover the approach to the goal.
Man-On
The man-on situation is created when the opposing defender elects to challenge for the ball served to the wing. In this situation, the combination play occurs on the right or left flank with the fullback, wing, midfielder and fullback. The ball is served from the keeper or other defender to the fullback, who serves the ball to the wing. The fullback calls “man-on” to the wing, who lays the ball off first-time to the midfielder. The midfielder then serves the ball to the overlapping fullback.
After the fullback has received the pass from the midfielder, the back is left with several options:
1. Dribble toward goal for a shot
2. Play combination with the center forward after drawing the central defender
3. Serve the ball to the far post for the other forwards
4. Dribble to the endline and pull the ball back for the midfielder to shoot.
5. Hold the ball and serve to the overlapping wing on the flank
The midfielder can:
1. Remain as the right fullback
2. Start a run for the penalty box for the ball being pulled back by the attacking back
3. Support the attacking back on the flank
The wing can:
1. Overlap the attacking back on the flank
2. Do a crossover run with the midfielder heading for the far post
3. Remain as the right fullback
Turn
The opposing defender, after being beaten on the first situation, now elects to delay rather than challenge the wing. The wing has the time and space to turn with his or her left foot on the right flank. The fullback calls “turn” to the wing. As the opposing defender closes on the wing, the wing’s attacking back makes a run down the flank and receives a pass from the wing (see diagram below). The options for the attacking back, wing and midfielder remain the same.
Decoy Run by the Wing
The opposing defender has now elected to mark his wing very tightly. The wing reads this defensive tactic, and starts a decoy run away from the flank. This creates space on the flank for the attacking fullback. The combination play exists with the keeper or other defender serving the ball to the fullback. The fullback must play with his or her head up to see the decoy run. The fullback then serves the ball to the midfielder, who plays the ball into the space created by the decoy run of the wing (see diagram below). The wing should overlap the fullback on the flank to add support, for the opposing defenders would likely track down the attacking back.
Dribble to Create Space (difficult)
The opposing defender tries to counteract the overlap by positioning himself on the outside of the flank when the ball is served to the wing. The attacking fullback reads that the flank is defended. The attacking back must delay his run to disguise the overlap. The wing must turn with the ball and dribble away from the flank, drawing the opposing defender. The midfielder supports the win by running diagonally with the wing at a distance of 15 to 20 yards. The midfielder directs the play by waiting for the space to be created by the dribbling wing, and the start of the run from the attacking fullback. The midfielder calls for the ball from the wing. He or she then serves the ball to the attacking back into the space created by the wing. After delivering his or her pass to the back, the midfielder must react quickly to exercise one of the available options (see diagrams below).
Coaching Combination: Play on the Flanks
The players and equipment needed are listed below:
• Two goalkeepers
• Regular left fullback, midfielder and wing
• Regular right fullback, midfielder and wing
• Reserve left defender
• Reserve right defender
• Three balls with each keeper
Coaching tips or common mistakes by the players:
1. Fullback fails to call the situation: man-on, turn
2. Defender playing the role incorrectly; challenge for the ball in the first situation, delay on the second situation, tightly mark in the third and play on the outside on the fourth. Should start in a passive role, then to more active. Then add a second central defender.
3. Pass from midfielder bending into path of the run of the attacking back.
4. The wing does not react after giving the pass, and the midfielder does not react after giving the pass.
5. Wing lacks skill at turning with the ball, shielding and dribbling.
6. Wing turns with the wrong foot and has his or her back to the attacking fullback. Turn with the left foot on the right flank and the right foot on the left flank.
7. Wing does not react correctly to advice from the back.
8. Keeper delivers ball incorrectly, midfielder and back lack skill at making long serves.
9. Serves from the fullback to the far post are not long enough, pass pulled back lacks proper pace and offers bad angle for midfielder shot.
10. After the regular players have completed the situations, make sure the reserves also practice and understand the situations.
11. Only your creativity is your limiting factor, for other variations exist with central players, when involved with combination play.
References
Batty, Eric. (1975) Soccer Coaching the Modern Way, Faber and Faber, London, pp 92-112.
Hughes, Charles F.C. (1973) Tactics and Teamwork, The EP Group of Companies, Yorkshire, England, pp. 37-60.
Jones, Ken and Nicholson, Bill. (1978) Soccer Skills and Tactics, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, pp. 131-134.
Vogelsinger, Hubert. (1973) The Challenge of Soccer, Allyn and Bacon, Inc. Boston, pp. 125-126 and 135-139.
Wade, Allen. (1972) The F.A. Guide to Training and Coaching, Heinemann, London, pp. 98-99 and 120-122.
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