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A short studying analysing the different aspects of ball movement from an attacking and defending perspective.

Steps/Phases

Positioning/Shape Ball movement Opposition & Friendly reaction Further reaction to previous

First comes positioning. This includes both the attacking and defending positioning of teams. Together, each team forms a shape. Then comes ball movement. In football the ball movement is primarily a reaction to the shape of both teams. After the ball is moved, both teams react. Each team has their own method of reacting. It is up to the coach to tell them how to react. After the reaction from both occurs, the attacking team base their next action off of the opposition reaction. If the defending team fails to achieve a desired reaction, they will be exploited through ball movement to find space.

As the defending team the requirement to prevent opposition ball movement to find threatening space is imperative to winning the game.

Different teams react differently to each situation

Different teams have different ideologies on how to approach a situation where the objective is to break through the opponents defensive block and score. This is brought forth by the manager. Although there are many game specific scenarios that can be relative to infinite number of contexts in a football match, the dominance of space across the field relative to the position of the ball is the most important to winning the game. The best teams will have the correct amount of balance; suited to each individual first and foremost, which must benefit the individuals around the player forming a collective shape which can break through the opponents defence as well as other less pivotal requirements that relate to the context of the game.

Understanding balance in the context of team structure

Balance is demonstrated through the collective positioning from the eleven players as a reaction to the ball, space and opponent shape. When the overall reaction is accurate, ball movement efficiency to break down the opponent will improve.

The accuracy of a players positioning can be determined directly by how their qualities react to the specifics of their teammates and opponent. When a team reacts correctly, they are equal to each other in terms of the connection they have with each other positionally and thus can outplay the opponent.

How dominating teams achieve balance

Superior positioning

Accurate follow up reactions to positions to realise space

Utilisation of space

Liverpool against Porto on the 14th of February this year

In this game Liverpool fielded a shape with the primary trait being a high volume of movement through the centre to find space to receive. Once this was accomplished, depth was the next objective and also a frequent occurrence.

In this picture we see Liverpool attempting to continue the attack as Porto have halted progression at the halfway line. It is now up to Liverpool to react accordingly.

When both teams are competing at a similar level of standard the ball movement is non-concise and inconsistent in terms of progression in all areas of the pitch. It is a requirement thus for Liverpool in this case to recycle the ball and rotate individuals until they find the right shape (desired reaction) to break the lines of the opponent. When lines are broken accurately then that is the result of equal, correct positioning between players.

The correct progression will have the exact amount of balance required – it is a result of perfect positional connection between players. When an attacking player receives in a zone which threatens danger for the defending team, the danger of the zone are directly relative to the attackers own capabilities of a player. The situational elements of a sector of the pitch must directly benefit not only the individual on the ball but his teammates around him in order to defeat the oppositions resistance. If they do not benefit a threatening attack, then the attack must be re-approached from a different perspective. It then can be said that in order to attack and defend correctly with the ball, a coach must take into account the collective and individual characteristics of the opponent and how they will react to his/hers own to prepare for as many situational elements that will occur.