Attack: Fundamental

Can a team win by defense alone?

Maybe so, if other teams keep making “own goal” for them. Even defense is a essential part for any soccer team but offense still need to do their job by scoring goals in order to win the game for their teams. This is especially true for younger teams which a team with better offense almost always win the game.

Offensive Positions:

Just like defense, there are three basic positions in the attack, 1^st attacker, 2^nd attacker, and 3^rd attacker as described below:

1^st Attacker: The player that with the ball is called 1^st attacker. His duty is to keep the possession of the ball while move the ball as close to the opposing team's goal as possible either by dribbling, passing, or shooting.

2^nd Attacker(s): The player(s) within the easy passing distant of the 1^st attackers are called 2^nd attackers. Their job is to protect the 1^st attacker from being tackled by the opposing team while help him move the ball forward either by short “wall pass” or “backdoor run” which help 1^st attacker to move around defenders. If two or more 2^nd attackers are available, a moving triangle should be formed to move the ball in the space between the defenders.

3^rd Attacker: His job is to unbalance the defense, in other words, he is a decoy. When the ball moved into the scoring zone, one of the 2^nd attacker or any off-ball teammate should run a deep route to pull defenders away from the attacking group. He should try to distract the goalie and defenders near the goal in order to open up space for possible shot at goal for the attacking group. He, as well as all attacking team, need to prepare for any rebound shot after initial shot at goal.

This is easy to say then done, otherwise soccer will not be a low scoring game and it won't need the largest goal amount all popular sports. :-) However, by practicing these principles and skills regularly with partners and sharpening your passing and dribbling skills, you can become a striker sooner than you expected.

Other Thoughts:

The principal for offense is simple: “Put the ball into opposing team's goal!”. For young soccer players, most goals were made through kicking instead of heading. From our experience, almost all goals are evenly distributed by using tap, side of the foot, or instep kicks. No one type of kick dominant how goal is made. Use any form of kicks you feel most comfortable with but remember the following key points:

• Don't pass the ball when you in front of the goal, find a small opening and take a shot.

• If you are in the sideline areas, pass the ball to the empty area in front the goal to create a scoring chances for your teammates.

• If opposing team defenders are well positioned and out number your attackers, do not force a penetration, instead, try to lure the defenders out by pass the ball to midfield. Be patient, keeping the ball possession is next best thing than scoring.

• When make a shot, keep your ankle locked.

• Strike the center of the ball and strike through the ball (follow through).

• Follow shots for rebounds, not just for the attacker making the shot, all attackers near the goal should look for chances on rebounds. One never know if the goalie can catch the ball or not, by following the shot will significantly increase your scoring chances.