Principles of Play in the
Modern Game
National Staff Coach US Youth and US Soccer
glenbuckleysoccer.com
Principles of Play
PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK
Penetration
Depth – support (angle and
distance)
Mobility – unbalancing (off-the-ball
runs)
PRINCIPLES OF DEFENSE
Pressure – immediate chase
Delay – get goal-side
Width – switch the point of attack
Improvisation
Balance – get ball-side
Compactness – concentration
Control and restraint
Depth – cover
Principles of Play
PLAYER ROLE
PRINCIPLE
1st Attacker
Penetration
2nd Attacker
Support
3rd Attacker
Width and Depth
1st Defender
Pressure and Delay
2nd Defender
Depth
3rd Defender
Balance
Applying The Principles of Play
But First some questions and analysis
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How are goals scored?
Where was possession regained?
Why is scoring the first goal so important?
Transition …..How ?…Roles of the individual
Thirds and channels of the field
Proactive versus reactive
South Africa 2010
64 Games
Total Goals
# Total Goals from Set Plays
• After a Corner
• Direct free kick
• Following a free Kick
• Penalty
• Throw In
145
35
10
5
10
9
1
24% of all goals from Set Plays
Open Play First Goal Analysis
Transition
Time from
Number of
regaining the first goals 38
ball to scoring
% of first
goals in open
play
Cumulative %
of first goals
in open play
0 -5 seconds
11
29%
6 -10
6
16%
45%
11-15
5
13%
58%
16-20
4
10%
68%
21 -25
8
21%
89%
26 -30
3
8%
97%
31 – 35
1
3%
100%
36 Seconds +
0
First Goal : Where was the ball
regained in open play?
First goal – Where was %
the ball regained
In the Attacking Third
In the Middle Third
In the Defending third
40%
23%
37%
The Thirds and Channels of the Field
Implication –Strategy- TacticsCoaching
Applying the Principles of Defense.
i.
Immediate chase and pressure. Try to win the ball in the
attacking 1/3rd or defensive 1/3rd
ii. Delay in middle 1/3rd make play predictable, track forward
runs, keep play in front.
iii. Defensive shape to counter. Proactive, seeking to gain the
initiative
iv. Transition: Fast break, switch the point of attack
Implication –Strategy- TacticsCoaching
Applying the Principles of Attack
i.
Fast Break Attack. Penetrate, run with the ball, pass
forward, switch the point of attack, shot on goal within 7
seconds of regaining possession
ii. Support around the ball following run or pass
iii. Movement to and from wide areas away from the ball to
unbalance defense, runs between and behind defenders
iv. Maintain defensive shape and cover, to regain possession
and counter [Fast break attack]
Questions
Have the principles of the game changed?
If so how?
Do the principles change between the youth and
adult game?
If so how do we prepare youth players differently?
Summary
• The principles of play have probably not
changed.
• Soccer remains a territorial raiding game
• The game is probably faster, played with a
lighter ball and while possession of it is still
important, it would appear that “Fast Break
Attacking” is more often than not the way to
score goals.
Summary
• Applying the principles to that end will
probably prove successful
• The ability of the individual to execute the
correct technique on demand
• The ability of the individual and small groups
to make the correct decisions
• Cumulating in team success