Forget the Ball
1 ball, 22 players, 90 minutes (within regulation) = math? The game isn't really about what you can do with a ball then, since based on this logic, you should have the ball at your control less than 3 minutes per game (if everything goes right).
So what you do the other 87 minutes must be what the best players know to do. You are never not playing during those 90 minutes. Even when the ball is dead, the game is live.
Angel Cappa believes that when the soccer is good, the player with the ball is doing the least amount of work, and the players without it are doing the most.
What we do when we don't have the ball:
When team is in possession: Exploiting spaces. Generating options and possibilities. Applying pressure. Stretching defenses; pulling marks. Providing outlets, escape plans. Opening the field.
When the opposition is in possession: Closing spaces. Applying pressure. Providing coverage. Looking to retrieve possession.
And between those two phases: Working at the necessary speed to transition into spaces to do a different kind of work.
(phew)
These are just a few of myriad tactical choices one negotiates when the ball isn't with us.
We also negotiate the timing, the speed, the mentality, the attitude we do all of these things at and with.
One of the best compliments I've ever gotten as a player was, "you're always open." I can't own this compliment forever since it was subjective and clearly requires constant work and consistency for it to continue to be true, and consistency and work are two things that have been waning from my game as I age and become lazier as a player.
But it was a point of pride to hear.
Creating passing lanes, angles and spaces is an art form.
Sure, keep practicing juggling the ball 200 times, or perfecting el elastico, or your bicycle kicks, but remember that most of the game lives in the absence of the ball; work that.
So what you do the other 87 minutes must be what the best players know to do. You are never not playing during those 90 minutes. Even when the ball is dead, the game is live.
Angel Cappa believes that when the soccer is good, the player with the ball is doing the least amount of work, and the players without it are doing the most.
What we do when we don't have the ball:
When team is in possession: Exploiting spaces. Generating options and possibilities. Applying pressure. Stretching defenses; pulling marks. Providing outlets, escape plans. Opening the field.
When the opposition is in possession: Closing spaces. Applying pressure. Providing coverage. Looking to retrieve possession.
And between those two phases: Working at the necessary speed to transition into spaces to do a different kind of work.
(phew)
These are just a few of myriad tactical choices one negotiates when the ball isn't with us.
We also negotiate the timing, the speed, the mentality, the attitude we do all of these things at and with.
One of the best compliments I've ever gotten as a player was, "you're always open." I can't own this compliment forever since it was subjective and clearly requires constant work and consistency for it to continue to be true, and consistency and work are two things that have been waning from my game as I age and become lazier as a player.
But it was a point of pride to hear.
Creating passing lanes, angles and spaces is an art form.
Sure, keep practicing juggling the ball 200 times, or perfecting el elastico, or your bicycle kicks, but remember that most of the game lives in the absence of the ball; work that.
Comments
Post a Comment