Off the Ball Movement in Soccer

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper must always be a safety valve providing an easy get out pass for a defender under pressure. Any time a defender is facing his own goal and under pressure the goalkeeper must come out and show an easy option while calling for a pass. The goalkeeper can then switch play or pick out a pass from the players in front of him. When the defenders are in possession a goalkeeper should move side to side, always looking to get the ball and use it with his feet.

Defenders

Central defenders must get wide open for passes from the goalkeeper in possession but should remain in a central position. A center back cannot afford to move too far out of position and leave his team exposed after a turnover. When the midfielders are in possession the center backs should look to receive passes back and switch play or pick out passing opportunities up the field.

Full backs often have more license to attack when moving off the ball. Full backs should get wide immediately upon the goalkeeper getting possession and are often the first option for a goalkeeper to quickly play the ball and start play. Diagram A illustrates a good counter attacking opportunity that often unfolds during a game; (all diagrams and animations created with Coachfx)

Diagram A

Click here to view Diagram A

In diagram A attacking player O7 has got to the by line and put a cross in, with X1 (the goalkeeper) having caught the ball. If X1 has a quick release and X3 immediately gets wide and looks for the ball, the fact that O7 is out of position presents an excellent counter attacking opportunity. X3 will receive the ball and provide an immediate mismatch with himself and the left midfielder against an exposed opposition full back. Consistently using this counter attack successfully can create hesitancy in a winger to go the by-line and deliver a cross.

Full backs can also create problems with a simple overlapping run. Diagram B illustrates the problems that can be created by an overlapping fullback.

Diagram B

In diagram B winger X7 is carrying the ball inwards on an angle, and the overlapping fullback X2 is creating a dilemma for O11. If O11 stays with X7 he will be dragged in leaving a lane for X2 to receive a pass and cross into the area. If O11 is dragged wide by the run of X2, then a 3 v 2 mismatch will occur centrally.

Midfielders

Central midfielders must always show for possession as a unit. If their team has a throw in on the left, one central midfielder should show on the left side with the other playing one pass ahead. Meaning rather than looking to get the throw, look to receive a pass from her fellow midfielder when she has the ball. This allows the central midfielders as a unit to work the ball out of pressure and keep the field open. If both central midfielders check towards the sideline, a huge gap could open up between the central midfielders, and the right wing negatively impacting the balance of the team. Wherever the ball is on the field, whether it be in the left back position, or high right wing, at least one center midfielder must show for the ball. The other midfielder should look to receive the ball if his teammate gets it. It is crucial that a central midfield unit think and move as a pair, rather than as 2 individuals doing the same thing.

When joining the attack central midfielders should go one at a time to join the forward line. If a winger dribbles to the byline and both central midfielders run forward into the penalty area it will provide good options for the crosser. However, if the ball is turned over then the team is left massively exposed to a counter attack. Teams will often designate one central midfielder to join the attack, while the other holds more to sweep up cleared balls and start the attack again. When joining the attack a midfielder should wait until the two central defenders are occupied with forwards, arriving late as an extra body will cause real problems for the defenders. Watch Chelsea and England star Frank Lampard for an excellent example of this kind of run.

Wide midfielders must provide width and aim to spread the opposition defense laterally. If each winger comes 10 yards in that will shrink the width of the field by 20 yards and choke the space available to more central teammates.

Forwards

Forwards should work as a unit, typically with one stretching the defense laterally and the other checking to the ball. The forward checking to the ball should look to play in the grey area where defenders and midfielders are unsure as to who will take responsibility. The problems this can create are outlined in diagram C below;

Diagram C

In diagram C X9 is staying high on the offside line and looking to stretch the back line with a through ball. X10 has floated into a dangerous area. If defender O4 comes up to cover him tight the back line will be out of shape, and a big area will be there for X9 to exploit. If O8 drops to cover him, X6 will be an easy pass and under little pressure. Both forwards should avoid checking simultaneously. If in diagram C forward X9 was also checking, the through ball would not be an option. This would make the team more predictable, and also allow the defenders to play purely what is in front of them, making the game easier for them.