Principles of Attacking on the Soccer Field
When attacking a defense on the soccer field, a team can choose to do so in a multitude of ways depending on the strategical preference of the coach. Ultimately attacking a defense is very much like a game of chess in so far as one must analyze what the defense gives you and attack it accordingly. For example, if a team has three forwards attacking two defenders, then two of the attacker must give themselves, thus neutralizing the defenders and allowing the third member to attack at will. Depending on the attack methodology some teams will choose to aggressively attack by dictating offensive tempo, where as others will rely on a the defense and utilize a quick-strike counter attack.
Regardless of how a team chooses to attack a defense, they will do so through the mid-fielders. Essentially the mid-fielders act as the conductors of the offense because they can either choose to attack or relax and play a controlled defense. When the mid-fielders choose to attack the players they feed the ball to are the forwards, or strikers. Thus, regardless of the method a team chooses to attack a defense from it is always initialed by a mid-fielder passing the ball.
When on the defensive, if a team chooses to implement a quick attack against the defense it does so by utilizing a long through ball. A long through ball will take advantage of an opponent who is attacking. This is done by a mid-fielder passing the ball ahead and leading a forward who is on the run past the perimeter of the opposing mid-field. By doing this, a team will attack the opposition when they are most susceptible in order to get an isolated, one-on-one scoring opportunity against a defender, thereby increasing the chances of scoring.
When attacking against a set, opposing defense often times teams will by feeding the ball to a forward and letting him or her single-handedly attempt to penetrate the defensive shell. When a striker penetrates this defensive shell it will effectively create breakdowns within the defensive, thereby opening up areas on the pitch wherein attackers may have the most efficient shots upon goal. Ultimately, when an attacker penetrates it will neutralize and off-set the opponent defensive balance.
Another way to attack a set defense is with a cross, or square pass. This is executed by reversing the ball to the opposite side of the pitch when a defense has over-committed and put a lot of pressure on specific side. By executing a square pass it will attack a defense at its weakest point and effectively open up space for an attacker to execute a shot on goal; furthermore, by changing the point of attack a square pass can open up passing angles, wherein an attacker may pass the ball into gaps of a broken defensive shell.
Perhaps the best quick-strike attack method can be implemented by playing using counter-attacking defensive tempo. Essentially, playing constant defense sets up this type of offense. When a team chooses to execute this style they will allow the opposition aggressively attack their defense - in other words they will play most of the game on the defensive1/3 of the pitch. This style is implemented to minimize the opponents square passes and through balls and to maximize their ability to catch the opponent on the break. The attack is initiated by having the goalie or a defender pass a long ball to one of two strikers at the center line. By doing this it will allow a team to attack isolated defenders and maximize a scoring opportunity. When an attack occurs any little mistake an opposing defender makes will effectively allow the striker to have a 2 on 1 situation, or an isolated shot on goal.
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