Attacking Soccer Tactics

When passing to a marked player, you must aim the ball at the foot of your teammate that is on the opposite side of his marker.
attacking soccer tactics

If you're making a supporting run, you should initiate eye contact with the ball carrier or call out his name. This increases your chance of getting the ball.

If you are being marked, don't wait for the ball to roll towards you. You must check to it. Moving towards the ball will provide you with more time and an extra step ahead of your marker.

If there is free space on the flank, ahead of the ball carrier, the overlap could work as a dangerous weapon. When used down the wing, the overlap is very difficult to cover by enemy defenders. When executed across the width of the field, the overlap usually spreads apart the enemy defense.

Passes are sometimes categorized according to the direction of where the ball is headed. The "open space" area is room behind the opposite defenders. It is of great advantage to play the ball in the open space, because it makes it unusually hard for the defenders to recover. The open space can be exploited with a chip or a wall pass. The best way to use the outside angle is by making an overlapping run.
attacking soccer tactics

Square passes are good for changing the point of attack and opening new passing angles.

The piercing pass can be very dangerous, but it is rarely available, considering that most defenders stay between the ball carrier and their own goal.

On offense, the closer you are to your teammates, the quicker the ball has to be distributed, dribbled, controlled and so on. Playing in this manner requires great skill and agility from the players. It is also easier to defend against teams who remain compact when attacking.
attacking soccer tactics

As this diagram shows, the further away your teammates are when supporting you, the more open angles or options you have. That also makes it more difficult for the opposing defense, who have to work harder by covering more space.

If the attackers from your team are being marked by the last line of enemy defenders, there are two alternatives. The more controlled option is for them to check back to the ball. The more direct approach is for them to head forward. Due to the offside rule, they cannot simply run forward; the ball has to be played over them first. Depending on the attackers' speed, the ball should be targeted 3-10 meters (10-30 feet) behind the last line of enemy defense (Line B) and 6-10 meters (20 feet) in front the goalkeeper (Line A.)

The attacking players should start running toward the area behind the line of defenders (between line A and B) slightly before the ball leaves the feet of the passer. The attackers usually have an advantage, because the enemy fullbacks would have to turn 180 degrees to regain their ground.

It is unlikely that a shot will be successful when the ball is far out on the flanks. In such situations, the ball has to be crossed to a place where a better shot can be taken.

The ideal spot for a cross is in the area between the penalty spot and the 6 yard line. This is the perfect spot because it is far enough to force the enemy keeper in coming out while it is relatively close enough to the goal for a header or shot.

In order to receive a cross, the attackers from a team must head to all the 6 points shown in the diagram in their respective order. It is important to note that the when heading to the target spots, one must stay outside of the penalty box until the ball carrier delivers the ball. This makes the opposite defenders' job much harder - they have to simultaneously follow both the moving ball and the player they are marking.

1. Near post run - the first player that arrives in the penalty area should go to this spot

2. Far post run - this is the second most important target. The player who reaches it, collects the "leftovers" from point 1 or some of the harder passes

3. Middle run - this point is 3rd in the order of importance. Only high passes for heading can reach this spot

4. Garbage man's spot - the player at this point, collects the rebounds or "trash" coming in from the penalty box

5. Back pass - from this point, many different plays can be initiated. The player who receives the ball on this spot can, for example, either cross it into the penalty area or head directly to goal

6. Opposite flank run - this could be a dangerous place for exploitation by the winger from the opposite side

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