When do we take players on?

I have chosen you guys (a smaller fast team), to play a fast attacking and pressing team. That's fast transitions.
This will be our best weapon this season if you can work hard together and get it right.


Taking players on and dribbling is an essential skill, but we should use it only when we can get advantage out of it.

Before you start with a plethora (that's a lot) of excuses as to the number of situations where taking players on is inevitable (unavoidable), here's a few general rules which should be followed AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.

1. Take players on when losing the ball does not set them up for a dangerous attack

2. In our half, take players on when there is space after beating them and not more players to take on (see rule 1)

3. Take players on when into the attacking third UNLESS someone has made a good run and is unmarked

4. Take players on in the box IF YOU CAN"T SHOOT

5. Get the ball up to the dangerous areas quickly by passing accurately to those who are fast to transition.

Here are two matches from this morning which highlight exactly what I am trying to teach you:

Germany v Australia
1. German Goal - player inside the box plays the way he's facing to Gomez who takes one touch and shoots
2. Carney Goal - Australia wins the ball back inside the German half due to good pressure. Great first time passes (6-7) and eventually Carney dribbles at pace inside the attacking third. Pass, follow up, dummy and goal!
3. Penalty - Kewell controls the ball and quickly gets into the box. Here he's dangerous and gets fouled.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/427291/Germany-v-Australia



Colombia v Chile
Goal 1 - Player draws 3 defenders and RELEASES to a runner who runs at pace toward the box. He cuts inside and is fouled in a dangerous spot. Goal!
Goal 2 - The ball is won and passes quickly to a runner near the half way line. He takes it up at pace and then passes to the arriving support (third player). Third player not the more obvious second. The third player passes (two touch) to the second who passes (two touch) to the next arriving player on the left. He sets his stride and shoots with his first touch.