STRIKER MOVEMENT SESSIONS

Session 103: Improving Short And Sharp Finishing In The Box

Quick One And Two Touch Finishing In The Box

Session 104: Individual Striker Movements

Session 105: Working Opposites With Movement Of Strikers

Session 106: Striker Movement Inside The Penalty Area From Crosses

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Session 104: Individual Striker Movements

You can decide when to start to teach this depending on the soccer IQ of the
individual player.

The movement of the striker, the three ideas, working opposites on the first two

A) Short to go long, (opposite run)

B) Long to come short, (opposite run)

C) Off the shoulder of the defender. A diagonal run away to invite a ball “off / over the
shoulder” of the marking defender.

On A) the striker takes the defender towards the ball to create space behind, either for
themselves or a team mate.

On B) the striker takes the defender away to create space in front and short to check back
into for themselves or a team mate.

On C) Here the striker runs away and invites a ball off or over the shoulder of the
defender, in this situation the striker is off the right shoulder of the defender. The ball may
be delivered off (outside) the right shoulder of the defender so it goes wider, or (inside) the
left shoulder of the defender so the striker cuts inside the defender either in front or behind
them or moves towards the ball and receives to feet.

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“Off The Shoulder” Has Three Further Movements To Consider

Carrying this idea on the striker in this position has three ideas for moves,

A) Away then back across the defender either in front of them or behind them for the
delivery inside the defender.

B) Staying off the shoulder for the delivery outside the defender to attack,

C) Going short to the ball to receive the delivery to feet.

The defender starts in the same position as the striker though it isn’t shown here.

The three areas the delivery is aiming for are shown by the circles.

I believe this is a good way of simplifying movements by the striker in this position and
giving them a framework to play from, they may develop their own variations of these
three moves but it is a good planning tool to use in training so the players making
the delivery at least have an idea what the striker may attempt in terms of his or her
movement based on the position of the defender.

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This is the usual position of the strikers, they stand alongside the defender and do not
open the angle up to help them receive a pass, and these are the disadvantages to this:

A) Striker has their back to the defender. Defender has control.

B) Striker‘s body position is square on to the ball, defender and the goal, facing back.

C) Striker can’t see the defender clearly nor see the goal directly.

D) If the ball is played in behind the defender, the striker has to first turn, then run forward
and probably is second best to the ball against the defender who has a yard or two start
and is probably side on already so only needing to do half a turn.

E) It is easy for the defender to mark the striker as he or she can see the ball and the
striker at the same time and be in control of the situation.

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The ball is played straight and behind the defender (A) at player is likely to be first to the
ball as the striker (10) has to turn and run after the ball in behind the defender.

The ball is played wide into the corner, same idea the defender (B) should be first to it
based on the Starting Position of the striker (9), which is back to goal, back to the direction
of the ball and where it is traveling to, having to turn and chase it losing vital seconds.

It is all about the Starting Position of the striker and his or her body stance in terms of
open or closed, open being half or fully turned in the direction the ball is going or closed as
in their back to where the ball is going. Too often they start from a closed body stance.

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Individual Striker Movement Off The Shoulder

Striker moves “OFF THE SHOULDER” of the defender. Only a matter of a few yards can
open up wonderful space and attacking opportunities.

In this case moving off the shoulder of the defender means there is a space in behind the
defender that the player on the ball can deliver to (that was previously difficult to see and /
or deliver into). If the defender does not adjust their position then this is a great chance to
receive and attack the goal.

Striker is now:

A) Facing forward, and off at an angle, not having to turn and run forward (saves time and
puts the defender at a disadvantage).

B) Can see the ball, the goal and the defender at the same time.

C) Striker can even take their position off the sweeper (in terms of being offside) if the
opposition employs one, so they are almost in advance but also wide of the marking
defender. This position (off the shoulder) is very difficult to defend against.

D) If not facing forward at least in a side – on position so they can see forward and not
have their back to the defender.

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Striker moves “OFF THE SHOULDER” of the defender.

The defender comes with the striker and closes them down. Now the timing of the pass
and timing of the run come into play. Striker then checks back inside into the space the
defender has vacated and attacks inside and across in front of them. Striker (9) can run
off the other center back (B) to create the space inside also. The player in the ball plays it
inside the center back.

Also try to time it whereas the defender in this case, plants their right foot down (and
be flat footed even) so are leaning forward and towards the striker, that is the time to
check back inside and across them. The defender is likely to be most off balance at this
time, and that is the time to take advantage as they have to spring back on themselves
and adjust their feet. It may give a valuable yard or two to the striker which can be the
difference between a goal or not a goal.

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Striker moves “OFF THE SHOULDER” of the defender.

Same as the previous diagram where the defender closes the striker down but this time
the striker makes a run outside and behind the defender rather than inside and across
them. Timing of this is important for being on side.

Timing the movement also as previously, when the defender is in an off balanced stance
making it more difficult to check back in one movement and cover the strikers run.

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Session 105: Working Opposites With Movement Of Strikers

Strikers must recognize when the man on the ball has TIME to play the ball forward.
Strikers move towards the ball dragging the man marking defenders close to them.

As the player checks toward the passer as if to receive a pass and is marked tightly by the
defender, a sharp spin is made to receive a long pass behind (into the space created by
coming short) rather than the short one the striker seemed to be asking for. A Sharp turn /
spin into the defender and across the shoulder is the best move rather than the old arc run
into space. With the old arc run this is easily tracked by the defender as there is time to
see the ball and the player.

When the player has time on the ball to pass expect lots of movement at pace e.g. short to
go long. Midfield player can pass down the side of the striker. When there’s no time on the
ball i.e. they must pass quickly, expect players to stay in their positions to provide options.
This means if they go short to receive they get the ball to feet from the first run because
there is no time to make the second run as the player on the ball has to release it quickly.

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Working Opposites Checking Back To Receive

The midfield players need to know the strikers are playing opposites. This time the strikers
are moving away to come back. Again there is time on the ball for the midfield player and
the opposite movement comes into effect (both working off the second run), but if no time
the striker knows it will be played first time into the first run.

The opposite movement is if the striker shows to receive to feet, he / she is going to spin
away and receive in space in front of them in the form of a through ball, if he / she runs
away, then expect a check back to feet.

This is especially effective when the strikers are not too close together so there’s lots of
space to work in. To make the movement clearer the strikers can have a code word to
call as a signal so the player on the ball knows what is happening. They call it as early as
possible.

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No Time On The Ball to Wait For The Second Run

There is no time on the ball and the passer has to release the ball quickly due to quick
pressure on the ball from (C).

In this case the striker must recognize this and act accordingly and expect a pass from
their first run, in this case with (10) it can be a run inviting a ball to be played down the
side into the channel for the striker to run on to. In the case of (9) it is a pass to feet
coming short to receive. The pass can be made from wide areas too with the same
conditions passing off the first run or passing off the second run depending on the time on
the ball of the passer or if the striker has given the code word signal.

In a game the team could be prepared to play on the basis that they always make
the pass off the first run unless they get a call from the striker using the code word to
implement the opposite movement. It isn’t always possible in split second situations
to recognize how much time a player has on the ball so it may be best just to work the
movement off a call.

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No Time On The Ball to Wait For The Second Run

Receiving from a wide position on the field the same principles apply receiving off the first
pass, as above (10) down the side to space to run on to and (9) to feet. Here the passer
must release the pass early (because of pressure on the ball) or they have not received
the code word signal to implement the opposite move.

In a game situation for the first thirty minutes it could be a game plan where the strikers
always work off a pass from the first run and get the defenders conditioned into thinking
that is always the case saving the decisive moment later in the game where the code word
signal is called and they work the opposite move receiving from the second run. It may be
they only have to do it once in a game and it results in a goal (due to the defenders being
unprepared for the opposite movement) giving the striker a vital second or fractions of a
second thus gaining a couple of yards on the defender in a vital area of the field to receive
a pass and score a goal.

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Exercise To Practice The Opposite Move

Striker (E) comes short and shows for the ball asking for a pass from (D). Defender (F)
follows.

Midfielder (D) passes to (C), (D) then passes over the top into (E)’s path as he / she spins.

Defender must play passively. To continue the work once player (E) receives the ball they
must beat (F) back to the touchline. Players (C) and (D) go to the middle and the next two
take their place.

As the pass is going from (D) to (C) the striker shouts the code word and spins to receive
the pass as player (C) is about to pass it. The shout must be early to (C) to make the pass
at the exact same time (E) is spinning to receive it.

Develop: The player receiving the pass can get it “short or long”, to keep the defender
guessing.

Short, when the code word is not used but the player could use any other word to confuse.
Long, with the actual code word used. Combine with the passer to beat the defender.

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Session 106: Striker Movement Inside The Penalty Area From Crosses

The Set Up: Two full size goals and an area double the penalty box. 2 v 1 in each side; 2
keepers and two players crossing, one for each team. Crossers cannot be tackled and are
in the area outside the actual playing area.

Coaching Points:

1. Technique: Quality of the cross

2. Decision: The timing and angle of the cross (this is very important in terms of
observation by crosser 4)
3. The timing and angle of the runs both to confuse the defenders and then to arrive in the
space at the right moment to receive the cross
4. The movements may be based on one run or two. Two runs if time to do it if the ball
comes in directly then timing off one run. Two runs consitutes a double opposite run
5. Individual or combination movements of attacking players
6. Contact on the ball with likely a one touch finish on goal

Timing should be late and fast, if they go too early then they take defenders into the
areas too early to receive. There again if the cross does not come in early they may have
time to correct this with a double run. So; if time then they can go early for the first run
and then check for the 2nd and main run, this is an opposite run to create space either
for themselves or their team mate. The cross is best driven hard and low in behind the
defenders but away from the keeper if possible on the edge of the 2nd six yard box.

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Once the ball is played wide the
attacking team becomes a 2 v 2 in
the attacking area leaving a 1 v 1
behind.

We are looking at the movements

now of the two attacking players to
get free of the two defenders.

Here attacker (3) pulls away from

the near post position to get free
of defender (B). He can attack the
ball in behind defender (B), and
between defedners (A) and (B) if
the delivery is good enough.

This movement also frees up the

space in front at the near post if
(B) tracks the run.

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Defender (B) moves back and
tracks the run to mark attacker (3).
He or she may, for a fraction
of a second; take their eyes
off the ball (as shown by
their body position here of
B) and just see attacker (3).

As (B) plants their right foot down

then that is the cue for (3) to check
back into the space at the near
post whilst (B) may be slightly off
balance.

Here we show that check back

into the space in front of the near
post, with attacker (3) having taken
defender (B) away from it in the
first instance. This is an opposite
double run taking the defender
away from the space to then go
back into it. Attacker (3) should
time the run to arrive at the near
post; but not beyond it; as the ball
arrives in the same place.

If beyond it to make contact on the

ball it is a difficult finish trying to
twist and turn the ball back to goal.
If making contact on the ball just
before the near post then (3) can
use the pace of the cross to make
a straight one touch pass into the
goal by redirecting it.

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Now (3) draws defender (B) to the
near post and even beyond it.

(3) Then checks back to free up

space at the near post and (B)
stays with him or her. Another
double opposite run.

If there is no time to implement two

runs then (3) will make just the one
run for themselves to attack the
ball at the near post.

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Attacker (1) first makes a run away
from the goal taking defender (A)
with them away from the goal also.

Timing the movement with

the movement of attacker (3),
attacker (1) attacks the space left
by attacker (3) at the near post
leaving defender (A) in their wake.

Attacker (3) having moved away

from the near post then changes
direction and makes a run to the
far post if the ball gets delivereed
there instead.

The success or not of these movements depends on the timing of the cross and the runs
being in synch.

Letters team attacks and shoot on

goal.

Numbers team counter attack

quickly.

Letters team player (A) has to

recover back to defend from the
next cross and track attacker (1)’s
run.

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Quick counter attack and this is the
time the crosser (4) has to whip
the ball in as early as possible and
behind the recovering defenders
(A) and (B) who are facing back to
their own goal tracking the runs of
attackers (1) And (3).

This could easily result in a

defender scoring an own goal as
shown here.

The ball is played one touch if

possible for pace behind the
recovering back towards their own
goal putting them under immense
pressure if they connect with the
cross especially if the cross is
driven in hard and low between
the recovering defenders and the
keeper.

Obviously this situation also creates a wonderful opportunity for the strikers to score racing
towards goal.

Attackers could run at changing angles; if time allowed; but likely in this scenario they will
only have time for the shortest and faster route to goal to receive the cross; so one direct
run is required.

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If the ball is delayed in the
crossing part then the defenders
can get back into position, face
away from the goal, pick up the
attacking players; and if they win
the ball from the cross will head or
pass it away from the goal and not
back towards it as shown.

A regular set up again players

positioned in the box awaiting
the cross likely in too early here
because the ball hasn’t been
delivered yet and they are in
attacking positions at the near and
far posts.

So (3) drops off the shoulder of

defender (B).

If {B) stays in the space at the near

post then attacker (3) can drop off
away from the goal into space to
receive the cross.

Where (4) crosses to is determined

by how and where the defender
sets up

This is a single run way from goal

to receive the cross for a one
touch finish.

If (B) followed then a double opposite run could come from (3) to check back into the
space created by the first movement, or (1) could attack the space at the near post (B)
has left to pick up (3).

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(3) Takes (B) beyond the near post
to free up the space behind for (1)
to attack it.

(1)’s immediate run (if they have

time) is away from the goal to
create even more space in front of
themselves; and behind (3).

(1) Attacks the area in the middle

towards the near post. Hopefully
defender (A) has gone away from
goal tracking the first run of (1) and
in doing so given (1) some space
to check back into.

Here we show that check back

by attacker (1) and away from
defender (A) into the middle
towards the near post of the goal
for the free connection from the
cross from either a header or shot.

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Now attacker (3) takes up the near
post area and attacker (1) brings
defender (A) towards the middle of
the goal. This frees up the space
behind at the far post and beyond.

Attacker (1) having taken defender

(A) towards the center of the goal
then checks away to the far post to
get free and the crosser plays the
ball into that area for a free header
or shot.

Another opposite double run

creates a goal scoring chance.

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Now attacker (3) takes defender
(B) away from the goal to leave
space in front of the near post.

If (B) stays tight then this invites

(1) to attack the near post in the
space created.

If (B) zoned the near post instead

then (3) is in an open position to
receive the cross and shoot at
goal; as shown previously.

Again if time allows then (3) can

continue their run to the far post
for the cross so they cover both
sides of the goal between them.

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Here we show the end product and
a goal scored. (1) Has been able
to get free of defender (A) and if
(1) misses the cross then attacker
(3) may be in a good position to
attack the ball at the far post.

All these actions happen so fast

it makes defending against them
a nightmare and hence why
attackers must not stand still in the
box waiting for the cross but must
keep defenders guessing as to
what they will do and where they
will run.

Here is the end product in terms of

positioning.

You can even include attacker (2)

as an attacking midfiled player
attacking the cross in behind the
first two attackers so the crosser
has three players to aim for.
Attackers can vary the types of
checking double opposite runs to
further confuse, perhaps a spin
off turn a la Del Peiro; or a double
opposite Vialli run; or a Crespo off
the shoulder away to come back
opposite run.

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