Soccer Edition 42

Welcome to the Soccer Newsletter. Today's topic will deal with creating space for yourself as a forward.

Next thing is that because of too many problems with the FineSoccer.com web site, I am moving it to another host's server. This means that long term, the problems will go away and I can add more things to the site to help people out (an announcement about one of these things will go out the beginning of next week). Short term, while the switch is being made, the site MIGHT be down for a day or so (or might not). Also, email to my finesoccer.com email addresses might not work. If you need to contact me, just reply to this newsletter and it will come right to me.

Many forwards complain because they do not receive the ball as much as they would like. However, they do not seem to realize that they must take some responsibility for this. Standing around waiting for a teammate to pass them the ball is not enough (one of my pet peeves is seeing players standing with their hand in the air indicating that if the ball is played into space, they will run onto it). Instead, the forward must first create space for themselves to run into, and then they must actually make a hard run to get the ball. One coach I know uses the term "call for the ball with a run". What he means by this is that one of the best ways to "call" for the ball is to make a run to get open. In this case, actions do speak louder then words.

One way to create space is to take the defender away from the spot where you want to receive the ball. If you are in the middle of the field and want to receive the ball there, make a run out wide to take the defender with you, and then with a quick change of pace and direction, check into the space you want to receive the ball. Too often, when I do see forwards trying to create space for themselves, they do it without changing pace at all. Even if this means slowing down with part of the run and then accelerating, this is an effective way. One way to demonstrate the importance of change of pace is to play a game where one player has to try to get away from another player. If, after 45 seconds, the first chasing player is within arms length of the player they are chasing, they win. If they are NOT within arms length, they lose. The person being chased can do anything they want to get away. The first time people play this; you see total chaos as everyone 
tries to run at full speed for 45 seconds. As they get smarter, they will realize that 45 seconds is a long time to be sprinting and instead will do more changes in direction and speed (the way to cheat in this game is to for the person who is being chased to stand still for 42 seconds and then spring madly for the last 3 however players never seem to figure this out). 

Now that they have a better idea of the effectiveness of change of direction and pace, have them work on this in more of a soccer type situation. Have one player act as the server, one player work as the defender and one as the forward. The forward tries to take the defender away from the ball and then check back quickly. If they have created enough space then the server plays the ball to feet. As soon as the ball is played, the server then tells the forward to turn, play it back or hold the ball. If the yell is "back" then the ball should be one touched back to the server and the run can start again. If the call is hold, then the forward must receive the ball and shield it in order to gain time for teammates in a real game to run off of the ball. The key to holding this ball is to get low and follow the directions that I wrote about in the newsletter on shielding. If the run has been effective, the yell will be "turn" and then the player can turn and take the defender on. I will deal with turning at a later time.

If the defender is overplaying the checking back run, then the forward can simply reverse the run. Check tothe ball in order to suck the defender in, and then quickly sprint away in order to receive a ball played into space behind the defender (make sure this spring doesn't put you into an offsides position). 

If you want to create space so that you can receive the ball with your feet, it's important to take the defender in the direction opposite you want to go. I see too many coaches have teamwork on the 3-person drill I described above but they have the forward take
the defender straight away. Yes this does create space to receive the ball when the ball is played and the forward turns the ball, she will still have the defender directly in front of her. Instead, take the defender off in an angle and this will allow you to go forward when turning without running straight into the defender. If you want to turn and hit a shot with your right foot, take the defender to the left of the goal and then check back. This will create space to turn and hit a left footed shot.

It's always surprised me how rarely players work to create space for themselves. For selfish reasons, I can understand not creating space for others (although I certainly don't agree with this) but if you want the ball, then you must work for it.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please post them to the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.com/forum.htm or reply to this email.

Check you email early next week, as there will be an announcement (plus a bonus newsletter). Remember that all newsletters are archived at http://finesoccer.com

Have a great day.

Lawrence