Soccer Strikers Playing as Pair
Many soccer formations involve the use of two forward players working in unison. To be effective a front pair must work together to develop on understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and adapt their roles to best suit the team. While goal scoring is the primary role of the front pair, many different ways exist to get in the best position to score. Forwards must also serve a role for the team in terms of keeping possession and defending.
Being an Option
It is crucial that a forward has the ability to receive a pass from the midfielders at all times. Different types of passes exist but if the forwards are not an option a team has no outlet and will find it impossible to penetrate the opposition and put them under pressure. Forwards should check to the ball to receive in space, show to receive the ball into feet, or to be an option for a through ball. Forwards should work together and make sure they are both in space but one always remains high on the offside line. In diagram A below X10 is checking to the ball, and X9 is stretching the backline. This is a good forward alignment and gives the midfield the option of a short pass or through ball.
Diagram A and Diagram B
In Diagram B both forwards are checking to the ball. This means that the sweeper has a head start and through balls are a non-factor. While your team will not be looking for a through ball every time you must have it as an option to provide doubt in the minds of the defender as to your intentions. A defender that must worry about being beaten in behind will be less aggressive attacking the ball and also free up space for a player to check into space such as X9. Another problem in diagram B is that while X9 is uncovered a pass into his feet will likely be intercepted by O4.
Types of pass
Defensive pressure and game situation will dictate the best kind of pass to receive as a forward. If you are under pressure from a defender behind you, you should look for a pass directly into your feet. Under defensive pressure it is often best to pass back to midfield or send the ball wide. After you pass the ball quickly move and look to receive the next pass in more space. If the defender is to your left, run to the right and look to receive a pass to the right side of your body away from the defender. Switch this process for a defender on the left side. If a through ball is the best option run across the front of the defender and point for a pass in front of you away from the defender. If you have a speed advantage over the defender covering you through balls are always an option. If the defender is as fast or faster than you it is wiser to receive balls into feet and look to move into space, ask for through ball when a shot on goal is possible should you reach it. DO not look for 30 yard foot races if that is the strength of the defender.
Defending as a front pair
Lot of attackers take breaks while defending, this philosophy will cost you goals. Attackers who win the ball do so in the oppositions defensive third and turnovers in this area create immediate goal scoring opportunities. If both attackers pressure the same ball it can prove ineffective and energy consuming. For example, if both forwards run towards a left back in possession and he switches to the right sideline, both forwards will be taken out of the game of face a 40 to 50 yard energy sapping run to close down, worse still the wide midfielder gets sucked high creating mismatches further down the field. When defending in a pair forwards should take responsibility for a side each. For example in diagram C below X9 should take responsibility for O3 and O4, X 10 should take responsibility for O5 and O 2. This way if O2 is in possession, X10 pressures and X9 can sit on the switch pass and try and intercept it.
Diagram C
Forwards should also work together to cut out the defenders options to pass forward to the midfield. Forward pairs who do this effectively are massively valuable to teams and can pin opposition teams in their own half, allowing their team to dominate possession and territory. In Diagram D below X10 is pressuring the ball. X9 is in position to pressure the defenders when they receive a pass, but is also cutting out an easy pass into the feet of O6.
Diagram D
Action Plan
- Know your strengths and play to them.
- Recognize what will work against your opponent.
- Shoot when you get the opportunity in and around the 18 yard area.
- When defending notice which foot a defender prefers to use, force them to use their weaker foot.
