Game Strategy, Coach Glenn Cameron
Attack
The best attacking strategy is direct play. Five passes or less.

First objective gain entry into the attacking third of the field. Five techniques are important in the attainment
(best option first).
1. Long forward passes to the back of the defense.
2. Forward runs without the ball.
3. Forward passes to feet, supported by a player at an angle to receive the ball and pass it forward.
4. Receiving and turning with the ball.
5. Forward runs with the ball.

Second objective is to increase, or at least maintain, the momentum of the attack once the ball is in the attacking third of the field. Five things are important here.
1. Shoot at every opportunity.
2. Attack opponents by dribbling whenever possible.
3. Pass the ball to the back of the defense whenever possible.
4. Cross the ball early from the flanks (wing) to the back of the defense.
5. Retain a compact team shape.

If the second objective is achieved, it will be easier to attain the Third objective, which is to do better than the opponents in four important elements of the game.
1. Shooting. Shooting at every opportunity itself provides more shooting opportunities in the form of rebounds and deflection.
2. Being awarded set plays.
3. Crossing the ball.
4. Winning the ball back in the attacking third of the field.

Defense
The best defensive strategy is to win the ball as near to the opponents' goal as possible. This can happen if the team retains a compact shape.

A compact formation makes three important things possible for a defending team.
1. It means the player on the ball can be challenged quickly. This prevents him, or at least delays him, from playing the ball forward.
2. The challenging player immediately has defensive support (Cover a teammate challenging the player with the ball, Mark an opponent in the area of the ball, Occupy important space goal-side of the ball)
3. Players are available to track opponents making forward runs.

The chances of conceding a goal will be reduced further if players defending in and around their own penalty area can achieve the following four objectives.
1. Being first to the ball.
2. Clearing with height, distance and width.
3. Defending the area of the far post.
4. Not getting caught in possession in the defending third of the field. Remember Challenge, Cover, Mark, Occupy, Track

As a general guide, defenders should try to stay within a triangle formed by the position of the ball, the position of their immediate opponent and the center of the goal. Their exact position should enable them to do three things.
1. If the ball is played behind them, they should be able to beat their immediate opponent to the ball.
2. If the ball is played to their immediate opponent, they should be able to make up the ground while the ball is in motion.
3. They should be able to keep the ball and their immediate opponent in view at all times.

Glenn Cameron, P.O.Box 5349, Woodbridge Va 22194 USA. Welcome To Soccer Tip Of The Day, www.erols.com/soccertip