There are essentially two conditions for a soccer team to be in: attacking (when in control of the ball) and defensive (when dispossessed of it). It is important for the player to understand that this is the key to his decision-making no matter what his location on the field, together with his proximity to the ball. The attack should result in a shot; to carry the ball upfield and not get off a shot is a wasted effort. Defensive success is more subtle: getting the ball out at touch is a success if it stops a breakaway; a shot wide is a success in the sense that it results in your goal kick. The ideal defensive play results in a quick transition to the attack.

The "First" attacker or defender is the one closest to the ball, the "Second" is next closest, etc. Functionally, these roles are as follows:

ATTACK:

1^st--Penetration

2^nd--Support

3^rd--Mobility

DEFENSE:

1^st--Contain/Delay

2^nd--Cover

3^rd--Balance

--An additional factor in decision-making is position on field according to the distance to goal, as shown in the diagram at right.

--A 4-4-2 describes our neutral deployment of players, various situations may result in a 6-3-1 or 3-2-5, or whatever.

--Players move greatly forward and back, but should be careful of their movement from left to right.

--In a 90 minute game, the ball is dead for about 30 minutes, even more. There are 22 players on the field, which means the average player touches the ball for less than 3 minutes! What you do during the remaining 87 minutes is obviously essential for our success.

--Communication is a key tactical skill you must master! When you talk, don't just CALL for the ball, INFORM teammates of conditions around them. See Terms here.

--Play Smart: execute the fundamentals of the game, let the ball do the work, play to feet, trust your teammates, TALK and LISTEN

 Attack

 --the principal roles are:

First Attacker--Penetration Make passes and plays that will get the ball closer to the goal, especially into it!

Second Attacker--Support Position yourself behind and/or beside ball ready to make run, receive drop pass or intercept short clear. TALK

Third Attacker--Mobility FILL A LANE, spread the field

--pull a defender. This opens up space for a teammate to play to

--passing tools are WALL, OVERLAP, SQUARE, sometimes DROP

--team shape principle--widen the field on offense, pinch in on defense

--BE CREATIVE

--SHOOT THE BALL

 Midfield

 --midfielders are "linkmen", the link between defense and attack. They must be the fittest players on the field

--the first attacker is the player who acquires the ball

--on Attack: wall pass, overlap run, fill a lane, TALK

--on Defense: HUSTLE BACK, goal side run, know where you are

 Defense

 --the principal roles are:

First Defender--Contain Jockey, delay, work toward touch line. Closest to ball

Second Defender--Cover "I got your back", goal side run. If noone else is doing it, you must!

Third Defender--Balance Protect the centering pass, the field switch, TALK

--an operating principle of defensive play is narrowing the field, pinching in toward the goal, where attacking players try to widen and shorten the field

--crucial skills include: making a goal side run, jockeying, timing the poke or block, quality clearing

Attacking deployment should widen the field, with wingers and strikers spreading toward touch. This will thin out the defenders, creating gaps and opportunities inside.

With that principle in mind, Defensive shape should narrow down the field, and lengthen it, stretching out the field for the attackers, and also providing a forward link in midfield.

Players should be constantly aware of team shape and work to FILL GAPS, PUSH UP or GO WIDE as needed to maintain the correct team shape.

Soccer is "The Great Game" because it challenges every aspect of each contestant--physical ability, discipline, teamwork and most important of all, mental fitness. The better player is constantly observing, analyzing the conditions around him and adjusting to them. He is also continually assessing his skills, tactical understanding and his teammates to better inform his decision-making.

"Sportsmanship" is a tactical consideration? Yes! In a closely-contested match, a team may gain an advantage by keeping their cool--being perhaps less likely to get an ejection or a Penalty Kick call. Good sportsmanship is also a fundamental requirement for participating in the Heritage Hawks soccer program. You will always comport yourself with dignity and self-respect while representing Heritage soccer.

Never lose track of the reason you are here: soccer is fun, competitive and challenging. It is a significant opportunity to improve your character, fitness, organization, leadership and other life skills.

You must always treat teammates, opponents, officials and others with respect and dignity. Count to 10 before speaking if you are easily riled (you know if you are!)

Disrespect toward officials of interscholastic games will not be tolerated. Players can NEVER improve things by even politely talking to the referee, there is no possible good to come of it. Only your coach or possibly a team captain is allowed to speak to the referees. We need officials to call our games and should be thankful that they are willing to take on this difficult task--they do not need to listen to your verbal flak!

Continue to learn the Heritage system of play from the links below