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THREAD:
How to play during transitions in football/soccer.
Attack ->Defense
Defense ->Attack
CC: @TacticalPad
How to play during transitions in football/soccer.
Attack ->Defense
Defense ->Attack
CC: @TacticalPad
Before we begin, I'd like to outline what a "transition" is.
In short, a transition is when an attacking team loses possession, or when a defending team regains possession.
I'll share some examples of tactics used during these moments in games!
Let's get started.
In short, a transition is when an attacking team loses possession, or when a defending team regains possession.
I'll share some examples of tactics used during these moments in games!
Let's get started.
I'd like to start with how a team might transition when going from: defense to attack.
Defending teams remain in a block but will position players so that when they win the ball, they can counter-attack the vulnerable spaces created when a team uses an attacking structure.
Defending teams remain in a block but will position players so that when they win the ball, they can counter-attack the vulnerable spaces created when a team uses an attacking structure.
It's very direct, no doubt. Not every goal needs to be pretty. The point is that defending teams will always target where an attacking team is weakest. If the attackers use attacking fullbacks, the defenders will look to exploit this space left behind them in transition.
If the attacking team does not commit many players forward, they are now safe against a counter-attack.
This means that a team transitioning from defense to attack might consider holding the ball if there are no immediate ways to exploit the opponent.
This means that a team transitioning from defense to attack might consider holding the ball if there are no immediate ways to exploit the opponent.
A team may also choose to hold on to the ball instead of counter-attacking if they lack pacey forward players.
When this happens, the team that lost the ball either counter-presses or moves into their defensive structure.
When this happens, the team that lost the ball either counter-presses or moves into their defensive structure.
This leads nicely into the next transition: attack to defense via counter-pressing.
If a team anticipates that they may lose possession, they may begin to move into their defensive structure before the ball is lost.
If a team anticipates that they may lose possession, they may begin to move into their defensive structure before the ball is lost.
The ball sided forward joins the block, the opposite side forward moves into the forward line.
If the attackers lose possession while they have several attackers forward, they may counter-press in an attempt to win the ball back quickly in their opponents final third.
If the attackers lose possession while they have several attackers forward, they may counter-press in an attempt to win the ball back quickly in their opponents final third.
Counter-pressing is just the act of pressing immediately after the ball is lost, rather than pressing at specific moments.
If you're not 100% certain of what pressing is, I've got you covered.
Review a previous thread of mine to learn about pressing: https://twitter.com/CamH___/status/1383796909588967433?s=20
If you're not 100% certain of what pressing is, I've got you covered.
Review a previous thread of mine to learn about pressing: https://twitter.com/CamH___/status/1383796909588967433?s=20
A team may not counter-press if they think their opponents either: 1) can beat the press or 2) lack players who are capable of counter-pressing.
If this happens, a team will then instead choose to go into a block after losing possession.
If this happens, a team will then instead choose to go into a block after losing possession.
So, here's how a team may go from attack to defense via the block.
Attackers anticipate when they may lose the ball, so they then shift into a defensive structure that best protects the weaknesses they had in their attacking structure.
Attackers anticipate when they may lose the ball, so they then shift into a defensive structure that best protects the weaknesses they had in their attacking structure.
By closing the gaps created by the advanced attacking players when shifting into defense, you prevent the opponent from countering.
Keep the central areas compact while limiting passing options.
Close the space between players leaving nothing for your opponents to run into.
Keep the central areas compact while limiting passing options.
Close the space between players leaving nothing for your opponents to run into.
END OF THREAD:
I'm sure there are more, smaller details we can look at when a team counter-attacks. For example, a certain player or position.
The same can be said when discussing how a team counter-presses; which players are weakest etc.
I'm sure there are more, smaller details we can look at when a team counter-attacks. For example, a certain player or position.
The same can be said when discussing how a team counter-presses; which players are weakest etc.
How in-depth we go is up to you. As a coach, I analyze every single detail. As an analyst who writes for other's reading pleasure, I spare the nitty-gritty. There really is no end to learning about how to best exploit your opponent.
If you would like to read more in-depth football analysis, I write weekly threads on my own twitter page.
I also write weekly match analysis articles for @pythaginboots, a page that provides excellent in-depth analysis of the biggest teams in Europe, topical opinion pieces and football coaching content as well.
At the end of these threads I like to thank people or plug other people's work seeing as these threads sometimes pick up a decent amount of attention.
However, I have nothing to plug this week. I haven't been reading as much as normal so, apologies.
However, I have nothing to plug this week. I haven't been reading as much as normal so, apologies.
So, I'll leave you with this:
A link to all my past threads that not only include in-depth coverage of certain footballing ideas, but also pages I have thanked/shouted out in the past. Give it a look if want to do some more reading. https://wakelet.com/wake/cNUo-j59CWyL_RJQcHNj8
A link to all my past threads that not only include in-depth coverage of certain footballing ideas, but also pages I have thanked/shouted out in the past. Give it a look if want to do some more reading. https://wakelet.com/wake/cNUo-j59CWyL_RJQcHNj8
