Tactics: Pass To The Deepest Option

One thing I have noticed about all the teams that play well in the Premier League is their ability to play forward with intense movement combined with creative play to create lots of goal scoring chances.

Within that players show intensity of play, commitment and a passion for being quicker in key moments in the game than their opponents.

You can see the foresight right from the passing out of the goalkeeper through all the players on the pitch – communication a key ingredient in this. One of the areas I have been working on with my players is seeing a pass where the striker has moved so that he/she is open to a deep pass instead of playing to a winger or attacking midfielder. The deepest option needs players scanning and anticipating where the pass should go. It helps to keep the opposition under pressure.

Teams working like this create lot of goal chances but also it brings in the ability to counter press and react at speed – so the game is constantly changing and players are reacting quicker than their opponents.

Notice also in these top level games how quick combinations and players receiving the ball with the correct body go hand in hand with keeping possession and creating the opening to see the deep forward pass.

Quick combination play

When I am working on quick combination play that I want to see my teams use on match days it is important they are using the correct body position to be open to the play so they can see where the next pass is going and receive the ball on the back foot so they can understand where and when to make the next pass preferably forwards.

Combination play in attack needs to work with the help of wide players who can spread play wide and help to split the defence. I am looking for them to be quick so I want to see one and two touch play especially around the penalty area as the team looks to create goal scoring chances.

The players without the ball should be constantly moving looking to get into space to receive a pass – it is a fantastic way to attack teams and I know my players love this way of playing.

With the defenders that I am coaching my players against I want them to be constantly thinking about playing in transition if they win the ball and be prepared to react because when defending against quick combination play there is a high possibility of mistakes and misplaced passes.

If my attacking players lose the ball or it goes out of play they must react to that situation and change their mindset into defending or winning the ball back.