Secrets to Soccer Training: Pre-Season Soccer Strategies & Training
Soccer is based on four pillars; understanding, support, belief and communication. In order to win, a team must incorporate every player and position to their best. Soccer is almost like a war as wars need good tactics and strategies to win. This article highlights the secrets to soccer training that would guarantee a win.
Soccer Formations:
There are basically three major styles of formations; 4-4-2, 5-4-1 (defensive formation) and 3-4-3 (offensive formation). Your formation should focus on maximizing the strengths of your team as well as exploiting the weaknesses of your opponents. The naming of positions in every formation is done depending on the mode of play. For example, a lone-attacking player can be referred to as a ‘striker’ or ‘center forward’ based on his role.
Offensive Strategies:
The offence is the best defense. In every soccer game, defenders and midfielders alike try to pass the soccer ball to strikers. Remember that piling strikers doesn’t translate to a goal as your opponents may exploit that opportunity to initiate a counter-attack. The offence should collaborate with the rest of your team. Counter attacks and passing are the best ways to take advantage of holes in the opponent’s defense. A good striker should not only be able to think faster but also have the ability to communicate well with his team. Most strikers often play selfish and make solo runs. This should be rectified promptly and strikers should understand that winning is a collective work of the team. Midfielders play an integral role in the offence since they have the highest ball possession. The offence of an optimum formation should consist of 5-6 players.
Defensive Strategies:
Defense in a soccer team acts as the wall between a goal and opponents. Defenders should be strong, agile and quick-thinkers; a split-second decision can have a great impact. But remember that everything is in the mind; for instance, a defender would be strong only if he believes so. The sight of a charged striker eyeing the goal is a bit ugly, but a defender must stand up for the team and offer his best performance. One of the soccer secrets is that defensive formation should focus on offering a strong cover for the goal as well as reducing weak passes or loose balls. In most cases, two defenders act as ‘full backs’ while the other two may play as defensive midfielders or wingbacks. This enhances a team’s flexibility and helps conform to any situation.
written by: ndalobiro