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FineSoccer Kids 64 Welcome to the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter. Today’s subject deals with looking for numbers up situations. One of the many mistakes players (and coaches) make during games is to look up and think in terms of 11 v 11 and it becomes a bit of a daunting thing with all of the possibilities (good and bad). The better players and coaches look at the 22 players on the team (or however many play in your age group) and try to find smaller 2 v 1, 3 v 1 and 3 v 2 situations to exploit. Here is an example of trying to exploit a numbers up situation. An outside midfielder has the ball and is 1 v 1 out wide with her defender. If the marking back on the same side (the attackers teammate) makes an overlapping run, in most cases that puts the attacking team into a 2 v 1 situation which they most likely will win. Normal players would have seen the original 1 v 1 situation as still being 11 v 11 while the good players will recognize the numbers up possibilities and capitalize on the situation. Another example would be when the ball is played forward to a target player. Many times it seems like there are too many players around the ball to do anything productive offensively. However, if a forward or midfielder comes around the target player for either a takeover or a fake takeover, they can turn a chaotic situation into one that is 2 v 1 in a small space with the opportunity to turn it into a goal scoring opportunity. In the same way, the defensive team should always be looking for small numbers up situations. Simply playing with a sweeper to give an extra defender in back could do this or it could be a case of a forward doubling down to double team a midfielder. The players who are constantly looking for small numbers up situations are the ones who will ultimately be successful. Any questions comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters, please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm Have a great day!
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