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COLUMN: Creating scoring chances

Having spoken to most coaches in the area creating those goal scoring opportunities is proving difficult.
Brett Adams Column.indd

By Brett Adams

Hello everyone and welcome to the fifth edition of the monthly Coach’s Corner. This month’s clinic addressed the theme “Creativity in the Final Third of the Field.”

Having spoken to most coaches in the area creating those goal scoring opportunities is proving difficult.

It all comes down to a few key elements.

Support — When trying to create opportunities you need to support on the ball and around the ball. It’s not just about the player in possession. You need support in numbers. Team members need to make runs and show for the ball. You can launch attacks with one or two players.

Decision making — The player in possession of the ball needs to make quick decisions. The moment hesitation creeps in the attack breaks down. Upon receiving the ball the attacker has to make sure that they know what they want to do with the ball. That could be a pass, run with the ball, a dribble, or an early shot. Encourage your players to be creative in this area but it all comes down to speed of thought.

Movement on and off the ball — Players can make clever runs on and off the ball to receive a pass. A static player is less likely to receive a pass than a player that is actively moving. Defenders find it hard to defend against movement. So ask your attacking players to continually move and look for the ball.

Composure — Your players may only get one chance in front of the goal. Ask your players to stay calm and don’t overly rush or be rash with their decision. This starts in training. Make sure when doing shooting drills that you remind the players to hit the target. It’s not always about the power and sometimes can be about the placement.

These diagrams offer some ideas of how you can build up play in the final third to create that opportunity.

I hope this has been useful, as ever don’t hesitate to get in contact about this topic or anything soccer related at badams@whitecapsfc.com

Please look out for our upcoming summer camps in Nelson: http://www.whitecapsfc.com/youth/programs/camps/kootenays-skills-camps.