Futsal Tips - Creating an identity (Part 1.7)

PART 1.7: MODEL OF GAME - OFFENSIVE MODEL - POSITIONAL ATTACK (PART 5)

Today I am going to explain the concept called "Rules" applied to an offensive positional attack system. As you can see in the picture below the concept "rule" involves all our offensive model.

It is important to remember the offensive concepts related to the positional attack system 3-1 or 4-0 are based on: individual basics, dualities, triangles, procedures and rules.

First of all, it is important to understand what is the meaning of the concept "rule". A rule is an action (= tactical concept) that the coach introduce inside our model of game (offensive or defensive) which allows the game to be consistent and balanced.

It is important to understand that we can introduce rules that facilitate structured play (system of play) so that our teams can attack from the outset with the 3-1 or 4-0 system, without changing ANY methodology (actions, means and procedures). These rules allow us to structure our attack, being a complement to previous methodology.

Many coaches ONLY work with rules, ignoring the basis of our systems (progressive methodology explained), causing the players not to understand what they do, why they do or how to do (making a bad decision).

Some examples of rules are:

1. If the pivot moves to the wing, it always cuts, either with or without the ball

2. If the forward is pressed, they should always seek short, diagonal or parallel runs/passes (as a 2nd pivot)

3. The pivot always receives stays in line with the 2nd post when the winger has the ball

We can classify rules in two ways:

• General rules: rules used in all the offensive or defensive systems.
• Specific rules: rules used in an specific offensive or defensive system.

Today I want to introduce 5 rules that a coach can use in an offensive system.

Remember that these rules are used inside an offensive model of game combined with dualities, triangles and procedures.

Rule 1: amplitude and depth

It is important maximize the amplitude of the field to open up the defense and creating passing lines inside the defensive lines.

This helps us work the different tactical aspects as dualities and the set of 3 (offensive triangles).

Let me give you an example in a 4-0 offensive system:

As you can observe in the picture, the movement did for the 4-red player produces a breach of amplitude's rule. What is the probably next movement?

The 2-red player moves with amplitude.

Depth concept could be work different depend on the offensive system we use. By having a pivot, within the 3-1 attack system is important maximize the depth of the field to generate spaces against defenses (including their defensive lines). The movements of this pivot largely determine how the team play to exploit the spaces generated.

Remember that in a 3-1 offensive attack system the pivot can create depth with 3 different positions: centered pivot, semi-centered pivot or false pivot.

In a 4-0 attack system the depth can be created with jumps of the wingers or by the forwards. Let me give you an example:

A winger and a forward can generate depth with two different kind of jumps: vertical or horizontal jump.

Rule 2: rotate the game

Rotate the game is one of the most important rules in an offensive system .We are playing in one side and immediately we rotate the game to the other side. That concept can be used to reduce the defensive pressure or to create space behind the defensive lines.

You can observe in the picture an example of the concept rotate the game. We are creating an offensive triangle in one side and If we rotate the game we will reduce the defensive pressure and we will create space inside the defensive system.

Rule 3: offensive balance

It is important to understand for the players what is happening in every action and movement. If I need to jump or not, if I need to create an overload or not... Related to that I want to explain the offensive balance concept (= giving knowledge to the players). We can create chaos with order. Our main goal is to mismatch the defensive system through the invasion of the spaces.

We start with the imaginary axis of the field which divides the two sides. With jumps or invasion movements we should be able to move generating 1x1 situations, dualities or triangles with BALANCE.

Rule 4: space-control

Usually, we play in 40x20m space and for that reason it is very important to control the space. We must create space and attack it. There are a lot of movements to do for creating space but as a coach we need to insist in our player to understand that and most important, to do it! Let me give you an example of that concept:

In the figure number 1, the winger want to create space with the pivot. Winger 2-red jump with or without previously ball connection (figure number 2). Finally (figure number 3), the forward connect with the pivot attacking the space by the winger.

Space-control is very important in any offensive attack system and for that reason as a coach we need to teach to our players how can we create and attack space.

Rule 5: jumps

We can classify jumps in to ways: in terms of the objective or in terms of the position.

In terms of the position: we are talking about the jumps we can make when where are in the axis of the field or in one side. The main goal is to jump to an empty space. Example:

In terms of the objective: what can we do with a jump? We want to help our teammate or to jump and become into a pivot or.... Our goal with these kind of jumps is something very specific and simple:

• Support a teammate
• Give depth with a jump
• Create space
• Become into a pivot

Next week, I will try to explain the main differences between transitions and superiorities, giving examples and exercises.

Weeks before, I have written 7 interesting articles trying to define an "Identity model". You can read it here:

Article 1.0 - Creating an identity in a futsal team

Article 1.1 - Defining a model of game

Article 1.2 - Defining an offensive model of game - Transitions

Article 1.3 - Defining an offensive model of game - Positional attack (part 1)

Article 1.4 - Defining an offensive model of game - Positional attack (part 2)

Article 1.5 - Defining an offensive model of game - Positional attack (part 3)

Article 1.6 - Defining an offensive model of game - Positional attack (part 4)