game theory

When you are coaching and teaching players how to play soccer, having an understanding of “the Principles of the Game” is essential knowledge that will help your players adapt to any situation. Whilst not commonly taught or described in coaching manuals, The Principles of the Game are the very foundation of playing soccer. These principles

Have remained the same for as long as the game has existed, even though we may not have know it at the time. Apply to the game regardless of different systems of play and the different formations played by teams Will withstand the evolution of the game Will always apply regardless of whether your team, or the opposition team plays a 4-4-2 system or a 3-5-2 system or a 4-3-3 system. In fact the principles of play are vital in coaching because understanding them will make it far easier to deal with and exploit variations in formations and systems of play that you will encounter from opposition teams.

Getting players to an acceptable technical or skill level is a mandatory part of coaching, but understanding these principles will help you get the most out of your skilled players.

The principles of play are divided into 2 categories

Attacking Principles

The attacking principles apply when our team has the ball is looking to:

Keep possession of the ball Move the ball forward into an attacking position Create chances to score a goal
Defending Principles

Conversely, the defending principles apply when the opposition has the ball, and our team needs to:

Prevent the opposition from creating a chance to score a goal Limit the opportunities for the opposition to get into attacking positions Regain possession
Attacking Principles of Play Basics

When your team has the ball, the Attacking Principles apply, regardless of the position that the ball is on the field. The five principles of that govern play when you are attacking are:

Penetration Depth Width Mobility Improvisation
Defending Principles of Play Basics

Conversely, when the opposition has the ball, the Defending Principles apply, again,regardless of the position that the ball is on the field. The five principles of that govern play when you are defending:

Delay Depth Balance Concentration Control/Restraint

This article has covered the basic concepts of the Principles of Play, and I believe that it is essential to understand these principles when teaching players how to play soccer, and when coached correctly will equip players with all of the required knowledge to combat any side that you come up against.

By: Nigel Reed

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