Possession Soccer

Possession Soccer

We have been working hard on possession soccer throughout our training this year.  As an engineer, I often like to spell out the advantages and disadvantages of just about everything, if for no other reason to make clear in my mind what I am dealing with.  So this today, I will explore the virtues & pitfalls of possession youth soccer.

First, I guess it would be good to have a model of what possession soccer is, and what is the alternative.

The alternative to possession soccer is "long ball" soccer, in which upon getting possession of the ball, we kick the ball toward our attacking third of the field as soon as possible and have the attacking players chase the ball down to score.

To contrast, in possession soccer, we as a team value possessing the ball, and only boot it forward when we perceive an advantage.  So, in these cases, kicking the ball forward is still done with purpose (and usually to space that only we can get to).  We work to create an advantage, and play the ball to players in space, giving them more time to make a decision (perhaps a cross, or a drive to the goal line, or a backwards pass or, to complete a switch of the attack to the opposite side of the field).  Possession soccer will showcase many cases of "2 man game" (wall passes, back, then over the top, overlapping run followed by pass back, give & go).   It will also include the defenders as part of the attack, as the attacking formation runs deep, all the way back to the defenders, and even the goalie.


First the benefits of "long ball" soccer:
1. It is easy to play.  Very little thought is required to play it.

2. It is the easiest way to get wins at younger ages & lower skill levels.

3. It is fast, and the fans cheer every time the ball boots forward.

4. It is excellent training for the fastest forward.  He is constantly stressing his ball control skills & speed, & ability to bring the ball down out of a crowd.

5. The BFS (Bigger, Faster, Stronger) team has a huge advantage when the opposing team plays the same style.


The benefits of "possession soccer"
1. It involves the entire team all of the time.

2. It has a beautiful, smooth flow, with many changes of pace.

3. It puts an opposing team on their heels. It will dominate BFS teams that can only play "long ball"

4. It is what the High School coaches expect of players.

5. There is a huge advantage for a more skilled team.

6. The best attacking spacing is also best to defend with.


So why doesn't everyone play possession soccer?
1. It puts pressure on every pass, reception, and requires a solid "first touch" by all players.

2. It requires that all players learn to play with their heads up, and with better communication.

3. Players need to work not only on their own skills, but on "two man game", and team skills.

4. Spacing plays a huge role.  Players need to understand and react to the whole game, not just their small part in the game.



You will know that we are possessing better when you see us:
1. play forward to open space (and not just at the opposing goalie) when there is a numerical advantage (and not all the time), and when we steal the ball and can take advantage of fast transition.

2. involve the defenders and forwards in holding the midfield (and the ball will often be passed backwards to the midfielders, & defenders when we are crowded on one side of the field)

3. more "two man game"  where 2 players will work together to get the ball forward to space.

4. no more players waiting in the penalty box.  Players will be more aware of each other, and you will see timed runs into the penalty box instead (and eventually, crossing runs, and delayed runs).  This allows enough space to finish.

5. The opposing team will not be able to take very many shots (because we will have the ball)

6. taking a noticeably larger number of corner kicks then the opposing team.

7. taking more shots on goal than the opposing team.

What are your thoughts?