Manchester Youth Soccer League

Slide & Slant To The Ball

A basic defensive concept in soccer is slide and slant to the ball.  Figure #1(click on pic) shows the problem when the left and right backs get too wide and flat across the field.  Here the other team can easily split the defense with a pass from A1 to A2 or A1 could dribble past D1 for a break away on goal.

 

In order to solve this problem, the defense should remain connected in 2 ways.

                                                                            

 

1. Slide To The Ball – I’m not advocating magnet ball.  However, it's alright for the defense to maintain some compactness to make dribbling and passing more difficult for the opposition.  One of the problems that D2 has in Figure #1 is she does not have an inside position on A2 to prevent her from "going to goal" uncontested.  In Figure #2 (click on pic), D2 slides across the field to block A2's path to the goal.  In soccer, this inside defensive position is called goal side.

 

2. Slant To The Ball – A laterally flat defense can get split by A1 dribbling past D1 or knocking a thru   ball to A2. In order to solve this problem, D2 should support D1 at a 45% angle behind and to the goal side of D1.  However, don't drop back too far - WHY? 

 

Also, slide and slant between the 2 defensive backs is used on offense as well as defense.  Figure #3 (click on pic to enlarge) shows both the right and left backs moving up the field to stay connected with their teammates.  The right back is in good position to support the right midfielder who has the ball.  However, the left back is too flat (to the right back) in case the red team mounts a counter attack.  Once again, she should slide to the middle of the field and slant back toward her own goal to be in a good defending position.

 

Video Clip - Here's an example of a team keeping good defensive shape by sliding and slanting as the ball moves around the field.  Click the link below.

Slide – Slant Video Clip 

Summary

 

In the examples above, I showed the most classic use of slide and slant to the ball - between our 2 defensive backs.  However, it also can be used between our 3 midfielders or our 2 strikers.  Slide and slant (vs. standing in a straight line across the field) is all about maintaining good soccer connection and balance -  just like 2 kids on a see-saw.

                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Changing Fields

A good team will mark up on defense and “compress the field’ around the ball just like the Red Team    is doing in the illustration below (click on pic).  The Blue Team will have difficulty dribbling and/or passing the ball down the right side in these tight spaces.  The best option for the Blue Team is to change fields.  Let’s go over the steps of changing fields - changing the point of attack.

 

•  D1 has limited forward options – either dribbling or passing (unless you’re Mia Hamm)
• Therefore, D1’s best option is a back pass to D2 who is supporting her from behind and goal side (classic micro tactics).
• D2 realizes that the attacking space is terrible on the right side and yells “change fields”.
• D2 makes a pass to A3 down the left side of the field. 
• The point of attack has been changed.  The Blue Team now has better dribbling/passing space to attack and score.

 

Changing fields not only allows the attacking team to take advantage of areas open on the field, but it also keeps your opponents honest by not allowing them to overplay to the ball (compress).  Thus, moving the ball from sideline to sideline spreads your opponents and allows you better attacking space everywhere on the field.

 

The illustration shows you the most common way of changing fields from the right side to the left side of the field in a 6v6 game.  However, here are some other options available to accomplish the same thing.                                                                                                                                                         

 

• D1 could pass back to the goalie who could then pass to A3.  This option would be preferable if D2 was tightly marked.
• D1 could chip/flight the ball across the field to A3 in a single pass. Although this option is quicker, it would be more doable on a larger outdoor field.
• D1 could make a square pass to A2 (coming back to the ball) who then completes the changing fields by passing to A3.

 

In Summary – A good offense creates space in order to move the ball down the field while a good defense denies this space by marking and compressing.  Changing fields is a tactical option to counter a defense which marks tightly and overplays to the ball.  It's like being in a traffic jam and taking an alternate (sometimes longer) route to get you to your destination faster.

 

 

 

Attacking Runs

 When your team gets the ball, everyone (except the goalie) should spread out to create maximum attacking space – high (strikers) and wide (wing midfielders).  However, spreading out is just the first big step in playing the keep away game.  Afterwards, you have to keep moving to shake off your mark (the one who’s guarding you).  For example, during a goal kick we usually spread out effectively then become ineffective by standing on the field with Frankenstein-like mobility - simple and predictable to defend against.  Here are 5 attacking runs without the ball that can help you “shake and bake” your opponents. 

   

V Runs and U Turns 

A V run is used in every team sport where there’s a goal, an end zone, or a basket.  Simply run away from the ball; slam on the brakes; and come back to the ball.  This move should  create separation between you and your opponent.  A U turn is almost the opposite of a V run.  Here you begin by running toward the ball then bend your run back down the field looking to receive a pass.  With either the V run or U turn, the quicker you change direction and vary your speed, the greater the space you will have to receive a pass.

  Take Overs 

Shown in Figure #1 is a take over (click the soccer field below to enlarge).  A1 has no passing option to A2.  A flat pass to A2 could be stolen while a thru pass is stymied by our opponent’s sweeper. As a result,  A1 and A2 head toward each other setting up a take over.  A1 dribbles the ball with the outside of her right foot signaling to her teammate to take the ball.  This crisscrossing maneuver confuses opponents – will she or won’t she make an exchange with her teammate?  Many times the exchange will give the “taker” an open area to advance the ball.

Video Clip - Here's a demo of the take over from US Youth Soccer.

Take Over (click)  

Overlapping Runs  

Shown in Figure #2 (same soccer field above) is an overlapping run.  As in the previous example, a thru pass is not an option.  In order to set up a 2 v 1 advantage, A2 runs behind and around A1 (overlapping) and receives a diagonal pass down the right sideline. 

Video Clip:  Here is a demo of an overlapping run by IMG Academy using a combo pass. 

Overlapping Run (click)  

 Underlapping Runs 

Shown in Figure #3 (click on soccer field to the right) is an underlapping run. The only difference between an overlapping and underlapping run is the path A2 takes to position himself/herself for a thru ball from A1. Here, A2 makes a diagonal run behind the 1st red defender (challenging A1 for the ball) instead of overlapping her teammate (running behind her) as shown in figure #2.  Advantage - A2 takes a quicker route to receive a thru pass.  Disadvantage - A2 is easier to defend and the take over option is not available.  

In Summary   

When a thru ball is not an option, take overs, overlapping runs, and underlapping runs show good imagination by the offense to create scoring opportunities.  Playing smart as well as hard is an unbeatable combination!