Playing in the Other Team’s End
If you have watched how we coach players during games, you
have noticed that we are rather persistent in encouraging the fullbacks to move
up with play as it progresses into the opposing team’s defensive area. Not only
does this close the space between the opposing team and our defense, and thereby
deny the opposing team the space to operate if and when possession changes
hands, there are even more compelling reasons to move fullbacks into the
opposing team’s end.
First, it involves the fullbacks in the attack. Nothing could
be more discouraging than telling one or more players that they must "stay back"
always. Teams that use sweepers at young ages often succumb to this temptation.
They take one player virtually out of the game, and signal to all of the other
players that it is perfectly acceptable to expect only one thing from a field
player (i.e., clearing the ball). While it might aid in winning an occasional
game, it does little for the growth of either the designated player or the
remaining players.
As players age, they learn that soccer is truly an 11 v 11
game, and that every one of the 10 field players can become an attacker or
defender if the situation calls for it. By involving fullbacks in the concept of
attacking early, we engender this understanding now. We also encourage healthy
risk-taking and higher-level decision making. At 11, the boys are already
deciding whether to join the attack, what will happen if they do, how to signal
teammates that this is going to happen, and how to ensure someone covers for
them defensively. Other players see this activity and begin to conceptualize
judgments and movements necessary to support or compensate for this action. They
also begin to see that fullbacks do not always stay "back," and are therefore
not always defensive.
We try to repeat often that the fullbacks and goalie start
the offense. Sometimes this happens by bringing the ball forward under
possession and close passing. Sometimes it happens with a booming clearing pass
that changes field position, and sometimes it happens through open field runs
from the fullbacks. However it happens, the message is consistent.
