In youth soccer, goals win games and goals come from your offensive attack. Attacks are about good teamwork, creativity, speed and composure. There are so many different ways of attacking in soccer, and that is one of the beauties of the game. Your soccer offense must be able to attack using multiple methods to be successful. It's not enough just to score from crosses - the other team might stop you from crossing the ball and then you'd be stifled. Attacking is about outthinking and outmanoeuvring the other team's defense. Then, when your offense finds an open shot they better shoot at the goal accurately, because there will be limited open shooting opportunities during the game.
In the heat of the match, soccer players don't have too much time to plan their attack. By practicing soccer drills and playing a ton of games, players build up their soccer speed of thought - so that eventually they always know what the best option is in an attacking move.
Attacks nearly always start in the team's own defense. Yes, even defenders in their own half have an attacking role. They should make intelligent passes that springboard the attack. However, passes only work with movement. The attacking players should be making runs, and offering up positions to receive the ball. By moving constantly, your team becomes impossible to pin down. The offense is like a boxer that just won't stand still.
Once the attackers get the ball, it is time to go in for the kill. However, rushing or forcing the issue never works. The team has got to be patient and clever. It is best to keep the ball, keep moving it around, and make the opposition work. Then, when the opening comes, your offense should pass the ball quickly to create scoring opportunities. With a quick wall pass, a clever through ball or a cross... All that's left is for the striker to go for goal.
No matter how many defenders the opposition cram in front of their goal, there is always a way through - if your team has the guile, the skill and the confidence. These qualities come with experience and practice. Below are some tips and drills to get your team hitting the net. You can also find many more free soccer attacking drills online at websites like Weplay.com.
Attacking Tips for Soccer
Your players should look to exploit the other team's weaknesses. If the other team has a slow full back, your fastest winger should try to isolate himself with the full back and beat him 1on 1.
Choose the right pass. Your players need to know when & where to make passes. They should learn to give the ball to the player in space and in the best position to expose the other team's defense.
Good movement makes for good attacks. If your players are moving then it is much harder for the defense to mark them. Your offensive soccer players should be able to switch positions and areas of the pitch to confuse the opposition.
Keep the ball moving quickly. A slow attack is easy to thwart. The other team will simply smother the ball and block the chance. If your team passes the ball quickly, the defense won't have the time to get behind the ball in numbers and frustrate your attackers.
Be decisive. Hesitation on the ball lets the opposition in to steal the ball - and wastes the good opportunity. When near goal, your team should move the ball quickly and rapidly try to open up the opposition's defense. There is a huge difference, however, between being decisive and rushing. There will be times when your team must be patient and simply keep possession.
Play to your strengths. If your team has fast players, look to play on the counter-attack. If your team has tall strikers, seek to get crosses into the penalty box. However, try to vary your attacks to prevent the other team anticipating your moves.
Instep passing: Two players face each other, four or five meters apart. The players strike the ball to each with their instep. They should act as if they are hitting a shot but not put too much power into it. The head should be over the ball, the non-kicking foot alongside the ball and the arms outstretched. It sometimes helps to feel the instep before kicking, to remind your subconscious mind of what part of the foot to use.
Wall Ball: Players should take turns to strike a ball against a wall. They should generate as much power as they can but keeping the ball low. Different shooting techniques can be used - e.g. instep shots, curling shots, outside of foot shots. Each player is allowed only one touch. If a player misses the wall, or takes two touches, he drops out of the game.
