Football Tactics
I notice most 5-on-5 games played on courts are usually played in a tactically haphazard manner. Contrary to what most people may think, tactics can affect a 5-a-side game. Based on what I see now, most teams play an unbalanced formation with the players unsure of their roles, switching roles as they fancy and not defending well positionally.
The Basic Formation
I have come to believe that the most stable formation for 5-a-side is what I like to call a "two-up, two down" formation which comprises a last man, two players who basically play as defenders, and two who have roles as mainly attackers. The idea is to keep it simple- every player in this formation will know the role they have to play.
The court will be divided into four equal parts, and intuitively they are: Attacking Left (AL), Attacking Right (AR), Defensive Left (DL) and Defensive Right DR). Each of the four outfield players (minus the last man) will be responsible for their respective area/quarter of the court.
The Basic Formation
I have come to believe that the most stable formation for 5-a-side is what I like to call a "two-up, two down" formation which comprises a last man, two players who basically play as defenders, and two who have roles as mainly attackers. The idea is to keep it simple- every player in this formation will know the role they have to play.
The court will be divided into four equal parts, and intuitively they are: Attacking Left (AL), Attacking Right (AR), Defensive Left (DL) and Defensive Right DR). Each of the four outfield players (minus the last man) will be responsible for their respective area/quarter of the court.
AL.......................AR
DL.......................DR
Last Man
DL.......................DR
Last Man
The other viable formation is one which employs a 1) Last Man 2) One defender 3,4) Two wingers and 5) One frontman striker. Often, this formation tends to be unstable because it depends heavily on the individual willingness of the two wingers to get back to defend. If the two wingers are too obsessed with attacking and neglect their defensive duties, the solo defender will lack defensive support very often. Conversely, if the two wingers are too defensive the sole striker will be isolated without support. Instead of employing wingers in a confusing dual-defensive/offensive role, the 'two-up, two-down' formation is simpler and makes it clear for each player on the court where his responsibility lies.
Attacking (with ball)
Goalkick- During goalkick, all players will spread to their respective flanks. Last Man can usually pass the ball short to either DL or DR. If DL and DR are marked by the opponent (this is unlikely) the ball can be long-passed to AL or AR. If ALL four players are marked AL and AR can make sudden runs into the middle of the court (which will be empty IF all four players are being marked at the same time) and can receive a pass there.
Equilibrium position- The idea of the formation is to get into the equilibrium position:
Attacking (with ball)
Goalkick- During goalkick, all players will spread to their respective flanks. Last Man can usually pass the ball short to either DL or DR. If DL and DR are marked by the opponent (this is unlikely) the ball can be long-passed to AL or AR. If ALL four players are marked AL and AR can make sudden runs into the middle of the court (which will be empty IF all four players are being marked at the same time) and can receive a pass there.
Equilibrium position- The idea of the formation is to get into the equilibrium position:
AL............................................................AR
DL.................DR
Last Man
DL.................DR
Last Man
You will notice that AL, DL, DR and AR form something like a U-shape. The idea is to maintain this U-shape in the opponent's half. When any player receives the ball in a goal-kick, the objective is to get into this shape as quickly as possible.
For example: 1) goalkick to DL. 2) DL passes to AL. 3) AL holds the ball up while the rest occupy their positions.
The first aim is to maintain the formation in the opponent's half, as said earlier. In other words, also to keep possession. Do not give the opponent the ball at all. Since the ball is in the opponent's half, the pressing on our team will be quite furious. The idea is to still be able to retain the ball. When we have the ball we can then launch our SOP-attacks.
What the hell are SOP-attacks?
SOP-attacks are quick and co-ordinated attacking moves executed from the equilibrium position. The idea is for every player to know where all of his teammates are at every moment and be able to anticipate their runs so that the attack will be too quick for the opponent to defend against. It will take some time to get the SOP-attacks right, but once we have perfected our execution they will be unstoppable.
SOP-attack when AL has the ball:
DL will support AL by staying in his equilibrium position. If marked, DL should try to wriggle free of his marker and try to make himself available so that AL can always make a safe pass (a pass that will 100% succeed) to him.
AR will make a run into the centre of the opponent's 'penalty area' in anticipation for a quick low cross.
DR will make a forward diagonal run towards the left of the court, cutting across the opponent's penalty area. Alternatively, can make a run to the right instead of left, but if so, the pass by AL will be harder to make.
(Note: The directions of the runs are not set in stone. The idea is try to get rid of your markers in a sudden sprint away from them to an area which is free of opponents and where you will have ample space to shoot.)
Hence AL has 2 options:
1) to pass the ball back to DL (This is patient buildup, to be done when AL is simply too tightly marked and thinks he cannot make a pass to the centre to AR or DR).
2) make a through pass to AR or DR. If AR or DR are unmarked, they should shoot. It will only take two or at most three touches of the ball. Assuming both players are right legged and running leftwards of the court, the first touch would be to stop the ball, the second to lay it slightly to one's right so as to prepare for the shot and the third touch to shoot it. The second touch is optional- it is possible to skip over the ball without making a second touch, and then shooting immediately.
If DR makes a run to the right, then it will take only one or two touches to shoot the ball. (Easier for DR to shoot, but more difficult for AL to make a successful pass)
If AR or DR receive the ball but are tightly marked, they will pass the ball back to either AL or DL. Then the idea is to get back to equilibrium position again. It is important for especially DL at this juncture to make sure he is free of markers.
If ball is lost, defensive responsibility falls on AL and DL initially. DL is to cover the centre and right of the court (taking over DR's defensive role momentarily) while AL will cover for DL's position until all players are back in their defensive positions.
SOP-Attack when AR has the ball: This will be a mirror image of what to do when AL has the ball.
SOP-Attack when DL has the ball:
AL will stay in his position. Or, if marked, AL should try to wriggle free of his marker and try to make himself available so that DL can always make a safe pass (a pass that will 100% succeed) to him.
DR makes a forward diagonal run similar to that in SOP-attack for AL. If DL is under heavy pressure, DR should not make a forward run but should instead drop back to make himself available for DL to make a safe pass to him. This maintains the equilibrium position.
AR makes a similar run to that in SOP-attack for AL.
Hence DL has 3 options:
1) Make a simple pass to AL, then prepare to launch SOP-attack for AL.
2) Pass to DR or AR in the same fashion as above. Then employ the 3 touch and shoot method.
3) Worst-case scenario to pass it all the way back to the last man.
If ball is lost, defensive responsibility falls on AL and DL initially. DL is to cover the centre and right of the court (taking over DR's defensive role momentarily) while AL will cover for DL's position until all players are back in their defensive positions.
SOP-Attack when DR has the ball: This will be a mirror image of what to do when DL has the ball.
Notes:
1. Of course, the equilibrium position is not to be maintained too rigidly. In fact, depending on the individual circumstances in every match, it may even be that equilibrium position can only be attained a few times. The gist is to maintain the U-shape, keep possession, and when an opening or chance is spotted, to take it fast.
2. I also believe that as play progresses more equilibrium positions and SOP attacks can be worked out. i.e. crossing into the box for teams that have good headers of the ball, backheels and lay-offs between the running men, etc. Then more variations can be made to the attacks.
3. When in trouble of losing the ball, always pass it back instead of trying a hopeful pass and risk losing possession. Last man must be alert to receive passes from the 4 outfield players. There is no harm in making hundreds of square passes. Numb the opponent with our patience, then strike them with swiftness.
Defending (movement without the ball)
Essentially, AL and AR will press hard for the ball when we do not have the ball. The idea is to defend from the front- hence AL and AR must be prepared to work very hard. Method of pressing will depend on the opponents. For instance,
1) If the opponent plays with wingers the idea is to occupy a spot just between the last man and the wingers so that there is a risk that the opponents might lose the ball when our AL and AR close them down when they make the pass.
2) If one of the opponent's defenders has poor ball control, must mark him specially. Can even double-team on him. Same if the opponents have a last man who thinks very highly of himself and likes to dribble his way out of trouble instead of passing the ball to his teammate (very common).
3) Generally when pressing an opponent defender on the ball, one of our forwards will pressure the opponent with the ball and the other forward will mark that opponent's next best passing option. The idea is to force the opponent to get kan cheong and make a rushed pass or a desperate long ball so that they will lose possession.
4) If opponent likes to pass the ball in their own half, play a patient game. Only AL and AR will press. The idea is for AL and AR to try to stay in the middle of the space between the opponent player with the ball and his next best passing option. DL and DR should sit back and mark as instructed.
Our defenders will not press. They will mark. One defender will mark their uppermost attacker while the other defender stays about 1m behind the duo to cover for mistakes. If opponent plays with twin strikers, each defender will mark one striker.
If the opponent gets past our initial defensive line of AL and AR, they are to come back to defend. (especially try to cover the central midfield or the wing closest to their assigned quarter of the court.) When in our own half AL and AR will not press anymore- they will mark (i.e. do not commit, just follow your man) AL and AR are the lungs of the team and must be prepared to work very hard.
For example: 1) goalkick to DL. 2) DL passes to AL. 3) AL holds the ball up while the rest occupy their positions.
The first aim is to maintain the formation in the opponent's half, as said earlier. In other words, also to keep possession. Do not give the opponent the ball at all. Since the ball is in the opponent's half, the pressing on our team will be quite furious. The idea is to still be able to retain the ball. When we have the ball we can then launch our SOP-attacks.
What the hell are SOP-attacks?
SOP-attacks are quick and co-ordinated attacking moves executed from the equilibrium position. The idea is for every player to know where all of his teammates are at every moment and be able to anticipate their runs so that the attack will be too quick for the opponent to defend against. It will take some time to get the SOP-attacks right, but once we have perfected our execution they will be unstoppable.
SOP-attack when AL has the ball:
DL will support AL by staying in his equilibrium position. If marked, DL should try to wriggle free of his marker and try to make himself available so that AL can always make a safe pass (a pass that will 100% succeed) to him.
AR will make a run into the centre of the opponent's 'penalty area' in anticipation for a quick low cross.
DR will make a forward diagonal run towards the left of the court, cutting across the opponent's penalty area. Alternatively, can make a run to the right instead of left, but if so, the pass by AL will be harder to make.
(Note: The directions of the runs are not set in stone. The idea is try to get rid of your markers in a sudden sprint away from them to an area which is free of opponents and where you will have ample space to shoot.)
Hence AL has 2 options:
1) to pass the ball back to DL (This is patient buildup, to be done when AL is simply too tightly marked and thinks he cannot make a pass to the centre to AR or DR).
2) make a through pass to AR or DR. If AR or DR are unmarked, they should shoot. It will only take two or at most three touches of the ball. Assuming both players are right legged and running leftwards of the court, the first touch would be to stop the ball, the second to lay it slightly to one's right so as to prepare for the shot and the third touch to shoot it. The second touch is optional- it is possible to skip over the ball without making a second touch, and then shooting immediately.
If DR makes a run to the right, then it will take only one or two touches to shoot the ball. (Easier for DR to shoot, but more difficult for AL to make a successful pass)
If AR or DR receive the ball but are tightly marked, they will pass the ball back to either AL or DL. Then the idea is to get back to equilibrium position again. It is important for especially DL at this juncture to make sure he is free of markers.
If ball is lost, defensive responsibility falls on AL and DL initially. DL is to cover the centre and right of the court (taking over DR's defensive role momentarily) while AL will cover for DL's position until all players are back in their defensive positions.
SOP-Attack when AR has the ball: This will be a mirror image of what to do when AL has the ball.
SOP-Attack when DL has the ball:
AL will stay in his position. Or, if marked, AL should try to wriggle free of his marker and try to make himself available so that DL can always make a safe pass (a pass that will 100% succeed) to him.
DR makes a forward diagonal run similar to that in SOP-attack for AL. If DL is under heavy pressure, DR should not make a forward run but should instead drop back to make himself available for DL to make a safe pass to him. This maintains the equilibrium position.
AR makes a similar run to that in SOP-attack for AL.
Hence DL has 3 options:
1) Make a simple pass to AL, then prepare to launch SOP-attack for AL.
2) Pass to DR or AR in the same fashion as above. Then employ the 3 touch and shoot method.
3) Worst-case scenario to pass it all the way back to the last man.
If ball is lost, defensive responsibility falls on AL and DL initially. DL is to cover the centre and right of the court (taking over DR's defensive role momentarily) while AL will cover for DL's position until all players are back in their defensive positions.
SOP-Attack when DR has the ball: This will be a mirror image of what to do when DL has the ball.
Notes:
1. Of course, the equilibrium position is not to be maintained too rigidly. In fact, depending on the individual circumstances in every match, it may even be that equilibrium position can only be attained a few times. The gist is to maintain the U-shape, keep possession, and when an opening or chance is spotted, to take it fast.
2. I also believe that as play progresses more equilibrium positions and SOP attacks can be worked out. i.e. crossing into the box for teams that have good headers of the ball, backheels and lay-offs between the running men, etc. Then more variations can be made to the attacks.
3. When in trouble of losing the ball, always pass it back instead of trying a hopeful pass and risk losing possession. Last man must be alert to receive passes from the 4 outfield players. There is no harm in making hundreds of square passes. Numb the opponent with our patience, then strike them with swiftness.
Defending (movement without the ball)
Essentially, AL and AR will press hard for the ball when we do not have the ball. The idea is to defend from the front- hence AL and AR must be prepared to work very hard. Method of pressing will depend on the opponents. For instance,
1) If the opponent plays with wingers the idea is to occupy a spot just between the last man and the wingers so that there is a risk that the opponents might lose the ball when our AL and AR close them down when they make the pass.
2) If one of the opponent's defenders has poor ball control, must mark him specially. Can even double-team on him. Same if the opponents have a last man who thinks very highly of himself and likes to dribble his way out of trouble instead of passing the ball to his teammate (very common).
3) Generally when pressing an opponent defender on the ball, one of our forwards will pressure the opponent with the ball and the other forward will mark that opponent's next best passing option. The idea is to force the opponent to get kan cheong and make a rushed pass or a desperate long ball so that they will lose possession.
4) If opponent likes to pass the ball in their own half, play a patient game. Only AL and AR will press. The idea is for AL and AR to try to stay in the middle of the space between the opponent player with the ball and his next best passing option. DL and DR should sit back and mark as instructed.
Our defenders will not press. They will mark. One defender will mark their uppermost attacker while the other defender stays about 1m behind the duo to cover for mistakes. If opponent plays with twin strikers, each defender will mark one striker.
If the opponent gets past our initial defensive line of AL and AR, they are to come back to defend. (especially try to cover the central midfield or the wing closest to their assigned quarter of the court.) When in our own half AL and AR will not press anymore- they will mark (i.e. do not commit, just follow your man) AL and AR are the lungs of the team and must be prepared to work very hard.
posted by darren at
12:38 am
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