Download Dimensions of Athletic Performance/Principles of Play

FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
PH 366 - THEORY OF SOCCER
An Introduction to the Objectives and Principles of Soccer
DIMENSIONS OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE:
Technical - capacity of the players to perform physical tasks in the game; skills.
Tactical - decision making capacity of the player; ability to problem solve within the game to
take advantage of opportunities to attack and defend
Physical - the natural and developed physical characteristics of the players
Psychological - mental skills and abilities, i.e. focus, concentration, etc.
(Emotional) - ability to control, manage, and utilize feelings and emotions
**These dimensions form a simple framework to evaluate players individually and teams
collectively.
OBJECTIVES OF SOCCER:
the purpose or intent of the game…
There are only two general objectives of the game:
Attacking
vs
Defending
Attacking Objectives are to score, create scoring chances, advance the ball, and maintain
possession until you can do so.
Defending Objectives are to deny scoring, eliminate or reduce chances to score, delay the attack,
and regain possession.
The 2 opposing objectives are sometimes referred to as phases of play and the moments between
them - transition.
Which objective is more important? Why?
PRINCIPLES OF PLAY:
The Principles of Play are the concepts that create a flow to the game and give your team
a style of play. They are formulated from the laws or rules of the game, the conditions of the
game, the style of coaching, and the characteristics of the players.
The Principles of Play support the Objectives of the game and are important to
understanding larger tactical concepts in soccer.
PRINCIPLES OF PLAY
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
Penetration
Countered by
Pressure
Depth
Countered by
Cover
Mobility
Countered by
Balance
Width
Countered by
Concentration
Creativity
Countered by
Composure
Attacking Principles:
Penetration- Advancing the ball past opposing players by shooting, dribbling, running, passing
or using 2 v 1 situations.
Depth- Supporting teammates by reading the game, providing strong communication, creating
safe options and opportunities for advancement, and creating numerical superiority.
Mobility - Creating attacking opportunities through change in position, movement off the ball,
and creating numerical advantage.
Width- Attacking on a broad front stretching the defense and creating space, isolating defenders
1v1 and creating opportunities for through-balls.
Creativity- Individual flair achieved by skill or dynamic team actions.
Defending Principles:
Pressure- Slowing down the attack by defending or pressuring the ball and denying space to
allow the defense to get organized.
Cover- defending vital spaces, providing strong communication, and creating numerical
superiority (i.e. numbers behind the ball).
Balance- Reading the attack and providing an equal or greater number of defenders than
attackers at the point of attack while also covering vital areas near the goal.
Concentration- Compressing or restricting (shepherding) the attack into a confined area making
it more predictable and easily defended.
Composure- discipline in defending on and off the ball.
Players are often thought of in “roles” relative to which team has possession of the ball and
which individual players have the ball or are nearest to it.
i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Attackers and Defenders