By Mike Smith
“But no one is there Coach!” I have had countless players shout this to me as I encouraged them to flag the ball. The players are focused on their team mates and “ playing to feet”, etc… and don’t always understand how their choices in ball movement not only impact their team mates, but sometimes more importantly their opponents. I usually say, “ That’s right. No one is there, and I guarantee one of their players – who should be covering the middle – is going to go out there and get it. A bit of flagging, even if we turn it over there and soon “ No one will be in front of the net”.
I usually like to run at least 2 dedicated attacking players but rarely just stand more than 1 attacker up in the defensive line. This high / low shape still allows both attackers to get up into the defensive line BUT by starting with one a bit lower, entices the defenders to get out of position. IF it’s not a defender who is out of position, it will certainly be a mid fielder dropping deep as few teams leave an unmarked attacker roaming free between the lines.
Below, note the attacking players (yellow) set up in a basic 4-4-2. Note the two players marked in red.
A bit of a drop ( below ) from the striker and one midfielder creates an interesting set of problems for the defense. Will the center defender step up and mark tight to the low striker? Probably not as this will expose the center. When the low striker receives the ball, which player will step to mark? The outside defender? Center mid? All these options leave a midfielder AND space open for the attack.
Try recreating this scenario in front of the net at practice to help your team with the high / low set.
Set Up
6 attackers take on 5 defenders in the attacking third of the field. The keeper plays a wide ball out to the attacking team ( as shown ) as a defender chases out to pressure from the end line. The attacking team should keep one striker high in the defensive line, two players deep for open support, one player wide and the low striker lurking in the middle.
The challenges for the defense are obvious even with out passing and motion lines. This is free play, attacker score with goals, defenders score with clearances out of bounds or over the half line. As the attacking group “gets it” add defenders to apply more pressure. Even with 7 and 8 defenders, 6 attackers running high/low strikers can create consistent opportunities.
Coaching Points
The coach should focus the low striker on using the space between the defensive and mid field lines. The idea is to read how this movement and set up draws out the defense. All other players should be ready to exploit the space created for scoring chances.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
