Like a stone thrown into a small pond, a soccer ball affects all players on the field. Tactics is how we relate to the ball from where we are on the field. It’s all about strategy and decision making. The way I see it, there are 3 levels of soccer tactics.
- Individual Tactics – This involves the player with the ball (A1) and the opponent who is trying to dispossess the ball (D1). A1 must decide whether to dribble, pass, or shoot. D1 must decide to block tackle, poke, delay, channel, etc.
- Group Tactics (Micro Tactics) – This involves players in the immediate vicinity of the ball – short to intermediate passing distance. It’s the game within the game. The team in possession (A2s) should provide A1 with support from behind and passing options wide and deep. The defending players (D2s) should provide D1 with support and cover while marking A2s.
- Team Tactics – Perhaps the most difficult part of the game to visualize, this involves the entire
team – all 11 players on both sides of the ball. For the team in possession, players away from the ball (A3s) must create space (wide and deep) anticipating where the ball will be as opposed to where it is now. For the defending team, players (D3s) must loosely mark within a zone both goal side and ball side reading the game for opportunities to compress attacking space vertically and/or horizontally.
In Summary
As a way to visualize these concepts, please click the soccer field (above) to enlarge. If all of this still seems a bit complicated, just remember to do the following:
- Offense – spread out and create space to score. Get into your attacking shape (wide and high).
- Defense – mark-up (guard opponents) and take away space to regain possession.
It's that simple. Try it and watch your game take shape.
by Steve Houseman