This document provides tactics for attacking play in juvenile soccer. It discusses setting up in traditional attacking formations with zones and moving the ball quickly from defense to attack. It emphasizes off-ball runs, communication between players, and timing of passes and runs to create space. It also discusses tactics for playing against sweeper or blanket defenses, including building up more slowly through hands and moving the ball quickly with support and continuous movement. It provides multiple attacking ideas and stresses the importance of communication, shape, width, switching play, and improvisation. The ultimate objective is finishing and scoring goals around the penalty area.

1. NA FIANNA JUVENILE MENTORS
TEAM TACTICS - ATTACK
Jimmy Ward
Mobile: 086 2590468
Email: jimmyward@eircom.net

2. OVERVIEW
• On the Ball -> Attack -> Create Space
• Off the Ball -> Defence -> Deny Space
• Set Plays
• TACTICS
Make a decision in team context – player has to have the game
sense to solve the problem and make the correct decision himself –
coach can help/advise him on these – we have the ball so fellow
players should have some idea of where it is going to go?
2

3. TRADITIONAL ATTACKING SET - UP
• 15 v 15 – Zones – Space (width v depth)
• Work ball long via foot, fast & wide out of
defence > set-up > attack (in same direction)
– Keeper > H/Backs > H/Forwards
– F/Backs > M/Fielders > F/Forwards
• Final Ball
- Direct to target man
- Diagonal to corners – up & over v threaded ball
- Into spaces created
3

4. TRADITIONAL ATTACKING SET - UP
• Creation of Space
– Off the ball runs
– Communicating (name => go/stay)
– Timing of – by off the ball Runner & receiver
– Making of these & support (passer – receiver – supporter(s)
4

5. “New” Running High Intensity Game
• Played v Sweeper and/or Blanket defence set-up
– Slow build-up usually through hands
– Fast speed of thought & hands – avoid taking ball into into tackle
– Continuous support & movement – give/go; off shoulder; back door h/p
– “Show & Go” v “Go & Show”
– Sweeper – push man up v “mark him”
5

6. Finishing - Scoring
• Ultimate objective of attacking
– Shot selection & scoring zone around the D
– Get it to best shooters – “go & show”; “pivot & shoot”
– Use of extra man – support pull wide & man at back post
6

7. Multiple Ideas
1. Play ball wide & attack through middle
2. Draw defenders in (bunch) & attack via wings
3. Draw defenders to one side & switch
4. Pull defenders out & put ball behind/over top
5. Improvisation – forwards keep changing positions?
6. Keeping your attacking shape – 3-3; 3-3-2; 2-2; 1-1-1
7. Importance of going wide while coming out of defence + keeper clear to opposite side
8. Playing ball out from corners whilst attacking – looping
9. Preferred pass delivery for forwards – hit space not face & on his side
10. Importance of fast ball from set-up zone – deliverers not carriers of the ball
11. Receiver must ensure ball sticks first time & that he gains possession first & foremost
12. First time option & simple ball is usually best option 90% of time – no 1 => no 2 or 3
13. Shooting for goals – low to corners or high into roof of net – following in
14. Breaking tackle / committing defender > final pass must be accurate
15. Extra man – his use of dummy h/pass – support should pull out to his weak foot side
16. Defender attacking – communication re covering him & he must put ball dead
17. Weather conditions & choice/type of shots and passes
18. Importance of players behind man in possession advising him of his options -
communication
7