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Articles by The ZenMaster
How to Get the Ball More Often - Article 6 “Why don’t my teammates pass me the ball?” Have you heard this one? I wish I had a nickel for every time I have. In most cases, it’s just as much the fault of the player without the ball as it is the one who is not passing. This article will explore some of the key reasons why some players appear to be ball hogs while others are starving for a touch or two. The popular term for effectively distributing the ball amongst all players is “Ball Circulation.” Ball circulation is important because it constantly forces the defenders to adjust to the movement of the ball which is much more difficult to defend than a static (or predictable) ball position. It also keeps attacking players in the flow of the game. To achieve effective ball circulation involving every player, two fundamental things must happen: Timely and effective movement by the players away from the ball and vision and ball preparation for players who are on the ball. Players away from the ball (sometimes called the 2nd and 3rd attackers in soccer lingo), must always be looking to find a clear path between where the ball is and where they are (or will be). This is hard work! To effectively do this, the 2nd and 3rd attackers must ALWAYS be in motion. If your child is complaining about not getting the ball, they probably have not been coached on how to get into the open space to offer themselves up to the person with the ball. So how do they do this? Support the attacker with the ball by dashing into space within 7 to 15 yards of them on an angle of 45 degrees either ahead of them for advancing passes or behind them for supporting passes. Try never to be square (or even) with the person dribbling the ball. Never “jog” into that position and never “stay” or linger in that position if you don’t get the pass (within several seconds). Move on and find the next best angle. For wings, don’t cheat into the middle; find your best angles up and down the flank. Dart in and out as necessary, but always make sure the field has width. Now, players on the ball must have good vision, anticipation, and ball preparation. Let’s start with ball preparation. Many players trap the ball and keep it too close to their body to see the field. This naturally forces the head down to see the ball and is why a player gets caught in possession (trapped by defenders and sidelines). In some cases, players are actually trained to stop the ball in front of them (big coaching mistake). Bringing the ball under control must be done on the move and the ball should be placed 2 to 3 yards away such that the player on the ball (also known as the 1st attacker in soccer jargon) can lift their head, see their teammates who are offering themselves for a pass, and deliver a quality ball to the feet or into a space for their teammate (see also my future article on advantage space). One key to excellent ball circulation is for attacking players to know what is around them at all times. This involves looking around prior to receiving the ball. This discipline gives the attacker a sense for where their help is and where the danger is. A quick glance is all it takes and should be done seconds prior to receiving the ball. By doing this, the attacker will know where to place the first touch of the ball such that they can lift their head and find a teammate to pass the ball to without having to look down for the ball. Above all, work hard to offer yourself, communicate often, and play the ball early! A quick chat with the ball hog doesn’t hurt either! Please don’t hesitate to contact me on ZenMaster@ZenFooty.com with any questions you might have. I love to talk soccer. Please also visit my website at www.ZenFooty.com where you can find these newsletters on-line along with club information and dates for training with me. You can also ask any question you desire about the game of soccer. Keep kicking!! Ed Hawkins President and CEO, ZenFooty.com Reader CommentsComment on this Article
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