Checklist For Observing Strikers

In my Analysing Football Performance article, I wrote about the importance of concentrating on one part of the football pitch when you are evaluating whether your team is performing as well as it should. Although you do need to have an overall view of how the team plays, concentrating on a particular area will enable you to plan training priorities to coach the team into improving weak areas.

When I concentrate on evaluating the attack, I look at both wide players and strikers. During a game, there are certain key things to look for with strikers. One note of caution, though. It’s also important to see how plays build up from the midfield or defence. No striker will shine if the service from those areas is of a poor quality. Here is a list of the nine main areas I look at when evaluating their quality. They are:

* how strikers receive and turn the ball when the situation is pressured
* how they dribble the ball to penetrate the opposition and gain possession
* first touch to the ball and general control
* how they work with team mates and carry out set pieces
* shooting from various distances
* how they cross the ball
* headers as a form of attacking play
* denying the opposition space and shutting down a build up
* tackles

Those techniques apply more to individual players and I would look to see how they come into play during a match. However, it is also important to look at the team as a whole. Here is what I would look for with strikers and wide players.

Attacking Play – Strikers

* moving to make space
* going forward ahead of the ball
* moving to disturb the defence
* how the team carries out set pieces and supports the player with the ball
* knowing when to attack and at what angle
* crossing the ball and completing a play
* communicating with the team

Attacking Play – Wide Players

* extending the play and creating width
* how they dribble to ball to penetrate the opposition and gain possession
* moving to make space where it’s needed
* unbalancing the line of defence
* getting past a member of the other team before making a cross
* getting a cross over the first man
* getting a shot across the goal
* finishing
* supporting the rest of the team

Defensive Play – Strikers And Wide Players
* getting behind the ball
* making sure the opposition sees the strength of our team
* moving play up the field if necessary or
* falling back to the half way line and pressing forward when needed
* supporting other players
* providing backup for the first defender
* restricting passing chances for the opposition

In the next couple of weeks, I will prepare some observation sheets which you can download, print out and use the next time you watch a match.

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