Analyzing Your Team's Attacking Play

Read through and ask yourself whether or not we as a team, or you as an individual player can answer any of these questions with a "YES". If so, we have work to do!

Simplicity is the key to real-time match analysis. If you can frame your assessment of the action in terms of a modest list of questions or checkpoints, then you can quickly identify the areas where your team is performing well and the other aspects that you should address in training.

First, consider the following questions that focus on individual attacking play:

• Do players have a clean and positive first touch?
• Are players maintaining proper vision of the field?
• Do players demonstrate creativity with the ball?
• Are players striking the ball with appropriate technique?
• Are players choosing the appropriate attacking options?
• Do players maintain their poise in front of the goal?

Next, look at how players are working away from the ball to support the attack:

• Are players running off the ball to provide penetrating and supporting options?
• Are players ahead of the ball checking back toward it, or just running away?
• Do supporting players communicate with their teammates?
  

Third, examine the overall effectiveness of your team's attacking efforts:

• Are we able to maintain possession of the ball after we win it?
• Are we able to penetrate the opposing team's defensive third of the field?
• Are we creating enough scoring chances?
• Are our attacking restarts organized and effective?

About the Author- Robert Parr holds a USSF 'A' license and a USSF National Youth Coaching license. He is currently the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Georgia College & State University, and a member of the Georgia State Soccer Association Olympic Development Program Coaching Staff.