The following is an excerpt from Soccer Awareness ebook “Common Mistakes To Correct In The 11 v 11 And How To Fix Them Before They Start.” This is a different way to look at the game, rather than highlighting what to do well; and how to do it, we work back to show what often goes wrong and then how we can fix it. These are many situations we have found happening in ALL levels of games.

Some may seem so insignificant we don’t see or realize the importance of them, but they may be the catalyst to a bigger problem in the next phase of play. How many of these problems do YOU experience with your team? Preview Here

A consequence of being attacking minded with both wing backs attacking is we can be exposed. We can be caught 1 v 1 in wide areas because of this. Defenders (center backs and defensive midfielders must adjust in “anticipation” of this happening.

So; One question I am always asked for defending in a back three or a very offensive back four…Are you not exposed in wide areas on the counterattack?

Yes and no; it depends on how you position.

Both wing backs attacking. We lose the ball, the most vulnerable place for us is now the wide area as shown. We mark “goal side” and leave the wide area open.

If (J) is fast, we are in big trouble now as he / she attacks defender (4) in a 1 v 1. He / she could run inside to goal or into a crossing position. Next slide shows how we can prevent this before it happens.

This is what should happen; (4) moves channel side of (J) and with depth to fill the space and prevent the pass. (6) drops to cover or (5) if closer can do it. This may delay the forward momentum of (A) and allow recovery runs.

Here (5) adds cover to (4) if needed, and (6) drops back to cover (K)s run. If (A) passes to (J)’s feet, then (4) has time to close (J) down and control the situation with (J) with their back to goal. Other players will try to recover back.