TRIANGLES AND THIRD MAN RUNS GUIDE Each game of soccer starts with an even number of players, and just like the game of chess, it is important to force superiority in positioning and try to create a numerical advantage in order to penetrate an opponent s defensive lines. Creating a numerical advantage means your team can afford a free man, the goal is to find the free player by moving the ball, moving defensive players or player movement. To elaborate on what we mean by creating a numerical advantage we must first stop viewing the field in the 11 v 11 or even 7 v 7 format and start to break the field up into smaller battles, all over the field you will find 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 battles, identifying these situations early and creating numerical advantages in these smaller games will create an advantage with and without the ball. Key Point: Look for the 3rd man (free man) to be able to turn and face the play *EXAMPLE TRAINING VIDEO* Breaking the line P81 Click To View Breaking The Line Occasionally a defensive unit will restrict passing options or a loose pass will create pressure on the ball forcing the team in possession to relieve pressure and recycle possession. When trying to escape pressure it is recommended your team looks to play a long pass to the 3rd man. This is a key principle in avoiding counter attacks as it gives the receiving player more time on the ball and allows the team to move and support the player in possession again. The 3rd player provides an option for a long pass and as a result as they usually have more space and a more efficient view of the field. It is common to see the top teams execute a layoff pass after playing a long escape pass. *EXAMPLE TRAINING VIDEO* P42 3v1 Switching Play Click To View Switching Play A long pass generates pressure at its destination as it gives the defense more time to read the flight of the ball and time to maneuver closer to the receiving player. This is where supporting the receiving player becomes vital again; top teams are able to follow a long pass with a quick layoff to relieve the pressure on the player receiving the long pass. This allows the ball to be given to a player who now has a better view of the field and much less pressure around him than the player who played the layoff pass.
Creating passing triangles and supporting angles allows each player to have at least two passing options at all times. This formation of triangles and diamonds in the playing structure is seen in action here.
Formations of triangles and diamonds naturally forces players to be set at various heights and depths across the field. This staggering creates spaces between the lines and passing lanes of the opposing team. Our players had four reference points: the ball, the space, the opponent, and their own teammates. Every movement had to happen in relation to these reference points. Each player had to decide which of these reference points should determine his movements. Arrigo Sacchi AC Milan It is widely accepted that the defending team dictates the play, restricting space and cutting off passing channels to try and make play as predictable as possible and keep the ball away from dangerous areas of the field. The can be carefully countered by creating overloads, off the ball runs and isolating players into 2v2 situations which will allow the attacking team to try and force the rules of play. This means the attacking team determines how the defensive team will react instead. Forming triangles and diamonds will allow players to have a better view and an increased awareness on the field of their surroundings. It creates uniformity in
movement. Depending on the ball s position the players will position themselves in a way that allows them to move it into important areas of the pitch. Players can perform specific movements while in these positions. Each movement is unique to certain situations, some examples of these off the ball movements are overlapping runs, diagonal inside runs, and providing a back pass or layoff option. There are general rules relating to the structuring the player s positioning in relation to the ball. We will look at creating a better understanding of these runs and movements through our 4 week skills builder to allow your team to practice game specific training methods to build their confidence in passing and supporting runs to develop the team s attacking fluidity and effectiveness. The objective is to move the opponent, not the ball. Pep Guardiola The free man is an extremely important character in terms of manipulating the opponent. An effective way to create space is to draw as many players towards the ball as possible; by inviting this pressure then escaping it quickly it is possible to effectively exploit resulting spaces with your team mates.
Relating Training Video P34 Relieving Pressure Click To View The Relieving Pressure Video
Related training video S38 Click To View The Example Video