How To Help Footballers Make A Speedy Decision Part 2

How To Help Footballers Make A Speedy Decision Part 1

I ask players to look for space where they can move the ball. If there’s no space, then they need to see if they can create space by beating an opponent. If the marking is tight and there is no space, then players must look to see who’s supporting them. I want to see all players supporting each other, and a player with possession should have three different option for support from other players. Using this three step formula, players can quickly decide on their next move.

If you are evaluating your players’ decisions, then remember that you have the benefit of hindsight, so don’t be biased. In one situation it might be right to pass the ball across the pitch, but when players are under pressure, they may make another decision that is also helpful. Often, you have a unique opportunity to scan the pitch from your position; the situation may look quite different at player level.

How did they carry out the play?
Once you have assessed the decision, then it’s time to look at skill in executing the right play. It is not always easy to use the right technique in a pressurised situation. Whatever you observe, take notes so that you can use them in training. I usually carry a notebook to make notes on how the players do as individuals and as a team.

I look at:
* movement and team organisation
* how the team attacks when we have the ball
* defending if possession is lost
* how goals are made, scored or conceded
* how aware players are of play and how they react
* communicating with team mates
* weak areas as a team

I look out for situations that recur. I also look to assess individuals’ work, attitude, play and movement. The notes are useful when talking to the team at half time as I can describe the play in detail. They also help with recreating the conditions of a particular game for training. You only need a few lines and some bullet points, and the initials of the player you are observing to make this useful.

Use the points listed above to assess your team and make them harder to beat.

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