A mystery to the modern game.

[3spirit]

One thing that always puzzles me about football matches nowadays, and perhaps Bakes and Unders as coaches can answer this, is why does all the players get drawn to the player with the ball, say for example a player running down the touchline in the middle of the pitch?

 

My question is why do all players congregate in a small area of the pitch. Why doesn't any team leave a spare man over the opposite side to where all the players are, in the acres of space that is free, to catch the opposition out ie a fast attacker ?.

 

Is there some rule somewhere, that forbids someone doing this?

[staines_rebel_Jr]

I think it is probably to do with the defending teams now often double up on the player with the ball to pressure them and try to get the ball back quickly. This then means the team with the ball need to send a helping player towards the man with the ball to provide an outlet which in turn means several players all shuffle over towards the ball.

 

The only way to really get around it is quick one or two touch accurate passing football. This can sometimes be trickier on rough pitches but is still possible.

 

However the FA have recently been trying to encourage young players to run with the ball an be confident to take players on. The complete opposite of one / two touch football.

(Having recently completed my FA Level 1 youth coaching course I know this to be true)

[3spirit]

I think it is probably to do with the defending teams now often double up on the player with the ball to pressure them and try to get the ball back quickly. This then means the team with the ball need to send a helping player towards the man with the ball to provide an outlet which in turn means several players all shuffle over towards the ball.

 

The only way to really get around it is quick one or two touch accurate passing football. This can sometimes be trickier on rough pitches but is still possible.

 

However the FA have recently been trying to encourage young players to run with the ball an be confident to take players on. The complete opposite of one / two touch football.

(Having recently completed my FA Level 1 youth coaching course I know this to be true)

 

Thanks for the response,Staines Rebel Jnr.

It's amazing that skilful players that dribble with the ball have been discouraged for years,in favour of the one touch/two touch game, and now the FA going back on that.

To me both types should be encouraged.

[Reading Rebel]

One thing that always puzzles me about football matches nowadays, and perhaps Bakes and Unders as coaches can answer this, is why does all the players get drawn to the player with the ball, say for example a player running down the touchline in the middle of the pitch?

 

My question is why do all players congregate in a small area of the pitch. Why doesn't any team leave a spare man over the opposite side to where all the players are, in the acres of space that is free, to catch the opposition out ie a fast attacker ?.

 

Is there some rule somewhere, that forbids someone doing this?

 

 

I'll be honest 3spirit, if i knew what your question was I'd try and answer it  

[Dobrt]

From an outsiders perspective, and from my coaching perspective.....the game has gone from the traditional 442, 451 central attack to a more offensive 433, 4231 wide attack and having to defend a wider pitch means the defenders need to shift further leaving more space on the opposite side. Also the shifting and pressing by defenders/midfielders requires midfielders and forwards to come back to help but if they are late or lazy then the pitch becomes cluttered in the wide positions and open in the middle and opposite side.

 

In effect, because the game is more wider today and require clubs to chase the ball, people who were used to the traditional game will notice more available space because they are used to seeing most of the match played near the middle where clubs "parked the bus" which allowed the defenders to maintain their shape much easier.

 

Or I could be wrong.....  

[Reading Rebel]

From an outsiders perspective, and from my coaching perspective.....the game has gone from the traditional 442, 451 central attack to a more offensive 433, 4231 wide attack and having to defend a wider pitch means the defenders need to shift further leaving more space on the opposite side. Also the shifting and pressing by defenders requires midfielders and forwards to come back to help but if they are late or lazy then the pitch becomes cluttered in the wide positions and open in the middle and opposite side.

 

In effect, because the game is more wider today and require clubs to chase the ball, people who were used to the traditional game will notice more available space because they are used to seeing most of the match played near or the middle where clubs "parked the bus" which allowed the defenders to maintain their shape much easier.

 

Or I could be wrong.....  

 

 

Ah, now it all makes sense  

[3spirit]

Dobrt, it has nothing to do with formations but thanks for your effort trying to explain it.

 

Reading Rebel, it's not easy to explain it by the looks of it !  lol ! 

[Dobrt]

Dobrt, it has nothing to do with formations but thanks for your effort trying to explain it.

 

Reading Rebel, it's not easy to explain it by the looks of it !  lol ! 

 

I realize it may be difficult to picture how the question may be answered by my response, but I promise if you were too take a particular formation to a chalk board and use X's and O's you would see why certain situations happen with each formation and attack/defend responses. For instance in todays pressure tactic 3 defending players would surround a player near the touch line, this would also cause 2 more offensive players to approach to provide outlets for the player with the ball, which would appear everyone is "chasing" the ball.   

[Reading Rebel]

I reckon this thread is a wind-up  

[3spirit]

I realize it may be difficult to picture how the question may be answered by my response, but I promise if you were too take a particular formation to a chalk board and use X's and O's you would see why certain situations happen with each formation and attack/defend responses. For instance in todays pressure tactic 3 defending players would surround a player near the touch line, this would also cause 2 more offensive players to approach to provide outlets for the player with the ball, which would appear everyone is "chasing" the ball.   

 

That's much more clearer, Dobrt.

 

In Rugby Union, which England use quite effectively and did just that at the weekend against Ireland to score, is when all the players get dragged across the field to one side, they then get a kicker to kick a high ball to the opposite side of play towards the try line to usually a zippy winger or attack minded player for them to catch and score a try.

 

What I was trying to ascertain with my point, was why can't it be done that instead of following like sheep this textbook situation, when everyone congregates in a small area of the pitch, why can't a player say like Charlie Mpi or Chris Henry, if we still had him, who's game is based on speed, be left out wide so that a cross field ball can be played out to the opposite side of play for the said player to run out to, from an onside position.

I don't know if it would be etiquette in football play but I thought the game was about out foxing the opponents to win.

[Reading Rebel]

That's much more clearer, Dobrt.

 

In Rugby Union, which England use quite effectively and did just that at the weekend against Ireland to score, is when all the players get dragged across the field to one side, they then get a kicker to kick a high ball to the opposite side of play towards the try line to usually a zippy winger or attack minded player for them to catch and score a try.

 

What I was trying to ascertain with my point, was why can't it be done that instead of following like sheep this textbook situation, when everyone congregates in a small area of the pitch, why can't a player say like Charlie Mpi or Chris Henry, if we still had him, who's game is based on speed, be left out wide so that a cross field ball can be played out to the opposite side of play for the said player to run out to, from an onside position.

I don't know if it would be etiquette in football play but I thought the game was about out foxing the opponents to win.

 

 

Surely if this was done then the opposition will adjust accordingly?

[3spirit]

Surely if this was done then the opposition will adjust accordingly?

 

Of course they would but you could catch out a few teams first !

[RebelDelaney]

This is just what i was talking about on saturday,s game standing next to Manor Park he will tell you i was going mad with 20 players all on one side of the field.

There were times when i wanted to get on the pitch to receive a pass.

Why are.nt our wingers ready to peel off they are then in a position to receive a long ball for a counter attack.

Just like Gary peels off when we had corners.

The Quality of our team should be able to get the better of a team like Dorking.

I know its team instructions defend before attack.

[RebelDelaney]

Why don.t the goallies throw the ball direct to our wingers to start counter attacks.

[3spirit]

This is just what i was talking about on saturday,s game standing next to Manor Park he will tell you i was going mad with 20 players all on one side of the field.

There were times when i wanted to get on the pitch to receive a pass.

Why are.nt our wingers ready to peel off they are then in a position to receive a long ball for a counter attack.

Just like Gary peels off when we had corners.

The Quality of our team should be able to get the better of a team like Dorking.

I know its team instructions defend before attack.

 

Glad you can see the point I was trying to make, RD. However, on Saturday last against Dorking, I thought that we needed to tighten up for what was an important cup match.

Overall, we still had the better chances in the match and if it hadn't been for their keeper and the inept refereeing, we would have certainly won more comfortably.

 

At the moment, our team is still finding it's feet in regards to our passing game and our attacking moves.

With the amount of personnel changes from last season and this one, it is understandable.If anything our play has been sporadic, as we have short spells of entertaining football followed by lulls in our attacking ideas, and periods where we look vulnerable as a team but I don't believe we're far from getting it right.

Not saying we're win the title or be play off contestants , just yet, but not far from being a side who will give any side a run for their money and should be able to achieve a mid table-ish finish.

 

Having said all this, we've still got some issues with the centre half paring to iron out and the left side of our team needs work on but the area where in my opinion we struggle most and have done for some while is central midfield.

To me, at times,we have a problem getting centre midfielders to support our attack play and also we struggle with making wholehearted challenges in our defensive play.

 

All our centre midfielders are good players in their own right but to me we haven't managed to achieve the balance we need in how they play together.

No easy way to get it right either because often to do that you have to change your formation, personnel and tactics around to fit with the players you have, thus changing your whole shape.

 

So we fans have to accept that our team is still a work in progress, not the finished article and need to be patient but of course, we always need a moan about something ! ha ha ha !       

[RebelDelaney]

I said to Micheal how well we had started the game you could tell the players were up for it and if one of those chances had gone in early then

the players would of relaxed and we would of scored more and the teams style of play would of changed.

Is it a case if Jake was in the side the play would of changed also are the Managers keeping Warren more inside for him  to gradually build up his fitness and speed.

after being out for so long.

The Histon game was great for him non stop up and down the wing by the 75th minute he was exhausted.

But like you that style of play might be good for the team but for me as a loyal supporter I hate it.