Beating The Offside

SoccerSpecific

Greetings Coaches,

We have received many emails from our members requesting ideas on coaching players to “beat the offside”. It is important to realise that “timing” and “angles” are everything when trying to avoid or beat an offside trap – timing of the pass, timing of the run, angle of the run, angle of pass etc, etc. There are hundreds of game situations that could be addressed when coaching these concepts. This week we will start with basic timing / angles of movements from attacking players to avoid being caught offside. In a future Game-of-the-Week we will further develop the topic to include runs from deep positions (midfielders / defenders) to beat the offside.

In this situation the attacking players are coached away from the group to ensure quality coaching and learning – The various movements and techniques can then be transferred into a larger game with more players.

Game of the Week

Set Up:

Four attacking players (1-4) are positioned at flags 35-40m from goal as shown. Three “servers” are positioned 10-15m away with a supply of balls as shown. The flags act as an offside line or a “back-four” of defenders.

Diagram (a)
Diagram (a)

Explanation:

Player (A) begins the sequence with a firm pass to attacker (1). Player (1) must quickly lay-the-ball-off and spin for the return pass (see next diagram) – emphasis is placed on the timing / angle of the run to avoid an offside. The other attacking players (1-3) must also perform a similiar movement to receive a through-ball from (A). Players can then attack the goal and attempt to score. Repeat the sequence starting at different positions.

Diagram (b)
Diagram (b)

Explanation:

Attacker (1) has layed-the-ball-off for (A). The other attacking players (1-3) have checked towards the ball to create space for themselves and then have “bent” their runs in to space to avoid the offside. Player (A) has several passing options – return pass to (1), through-ball to (2) or long diagonal pass to either (3,4) as shown with green passing arrows.

Beating the Offside:

Diagram (c)
Diagram (c)

Explanation:

In this diagram the two central players have opted to spin into space on the opposite side of the flags. The attacker must choose the appropriate movement depending on many factors – position of defender etc.arrows) The key is to CURVE the run to enable the attacker to lose their marker while at the same time avoid drifting into an offside position.

Coaching Points:

  • Timing of movement
  • Timing of pass – if the pass is delayed attacking players may run into an offside position.
  • Bend your run – angle of movement
  • Stay side-ways on to see ball

Progression #1:

Same set-up as previous.

Diagram (d)
Diagram (d)

Explanation:

The attack now begins with a pass from a central area from server (B). Attacker (2) checks to receive the pass and lays-the-ball back to (B). Player (B) now has passing options to three other attackers (1,3,4)

Diagram (e)
Diagram (e)

Explanation:

Player (B) has opted to make a through-ball to attacker (1) running into space. Attacker (1) can now decide to shoot or pass to supporting players (3,4) for a finish on goal.

Coaching Points:

  • Timing of movement
  • Timing of pass – if the pass is delayed attacking players may run into an offside position.
  • Bend your run – angle of movement
  • Stay side-ways on to see ball
  • Quality of finishing and decision making in front of goal.

When coaching young players it needs to be reinforced that they do not need to run DIRECTLY to goal each time they attack – this is the reason for many offsides calls in youth matches – learning to “bend” runs takes a lot of patience for a developing player.

It may be useful for a coach to act as the server to guarantee the quality of the activity in the initial stages.
In our update next week we will offer further options for beating the offside through the use of small-sided games.