Welcome to the Soccer Newsletter. Today's topic is one hole vs two hole
penetrating passes and runs.
Before I begin, I would like to let everyone know that the archives for both the Soccer
Newsletter and the Goalkeeping Newsletter are now up to date and on-line at
http://finesoccer.com. Check it out when you get a
chance.
First I would like to define the terms one hole and two hole pass. A two hole pass is when
a player runs on one side of the defender and the through ball is played on the other side
of the defender. A one hole pass is one where the runner and the through
pass are both on the same side of the defender.
Let's start with the assumption that the ball is with the right midfielder and we are
looking into the runs of the left midfielder or forward who is on the left side of the
field. If the runner is pushed up and is taking into consideration the last defender the
first thing she needs to do is look at the depth of this last defender. If the last
defender is pushed up and toward the middle of the field, the runner should look to
make a two hole run since she will be able to run along the offsides line and still make
it difficult for the defender to see both the runner and the ball. Obviously, the
timing will have to be just right in order for the runner to stay onside. As the
runner is going along this horizontal line even with the last defender in order to stay
onsides, she would need to make eye contact with the passer who would play the ball past
the last
defender. As soon as the ball is played, the runner can cut behind the defender,
receive the ball and go to goal. If the defender is deep, then the run must go in
front of the last defender and the pass will be played for a one hole pass. The
reason for this decision is that it is extremely difficult to successfully complete a two
hole pass when the defender has good depth and is central.
This type of understanding will enable runners to make better diagonal runs as well as to
beat an offsides trap. It requires communication (although much of the communication
will be non verbal such as eye contact). If this communication is not done properly
it will most likely result in an offsides call. From a coaches standpoint, it's
extremely important that if this timing is messed up, the players must be encouraged to
keep trying these type of runs. There is a tendency to yell at these players to stay
onsides while it is my contention that these players who are trying things should be
encouraged to continue their attempts at making runs. With help, these runs will be
made effectively and consistently.
