Introduction:-

The Logical Decision Making Process - Football (Soccer)  - Attacking "On" and "Off" the ball:-

Involves a series of thought processes that players on a team must execute in order to kick goals. All steps in the process must be executed in their defined order sequentially.

I outline these thought processes and series of steps for“attacking on the ball” and “attacking off the ball”.

The player in possession of the ball and all the players moving off the ball must work together, in a group effort, executing each step simultaneously and collaboratively.

Clearly, the aim in soccer is to score goals. The more goals scored the more likely the game will be won. Goals result only when a player on the park makes an active decision to score a goal. This decision needs to be made quickly and, in most instances, in the presence of defenders trying to prevent the goal from occurring.

I try to "de-mystify" and "simplify" the process of Attacking "On" and "Off" the ball. The aim is to promote a level of collaborative understanding in a team so that the "attack" occurs in an automated way, much like an adult’s ability to give way at a round-about and understand instantly what needs to be done to keep the traffic flowing.

Players cannot duplicate roles, and they must act quickly and in a timely manner. Sometimes the decisions made by players will be instantaneous upon receiving the ball, other times players may have a few seconds to act.

Either way, players do not have time to ponder on the park; they need to be well versed with the thought processes involved in attacking on and off the ball. Team awareness and understanding each other’s role is crucial here; in addition, the team players must learn to “speak one language”.

Players will learn and understand:-

• When to dribble and when not to dribble?
• How to “Read” the attacking play while also keeping possession of the ball?
• What the team “Game Plan” is in terms of attacking?
• What the coach means when they say “Concentrate”?
• Long Vision (The ability to see all options available) versus Short Vision (Not being able to see part 10 feet)

• Attacking "On" the Ball; (Your team has regained possession of the ball; you have possession of the ball)

On the Ball:-

• Attacking "Off" the Ball (Your team is attacking; you "do not" have possession of the ball)

Off the Ball:-

The Logical Decision Making Process - Football (Soccer)  -

Attacking "On" the ball

There are six consecutive steps to the “Thinking Process” of attacking "on" the ball:

• Score
• Penetrate
• Set-Play
• Possession
• Shielding
• Dribbling

The steps outlined walk you through the “Thinking Process – Attacking on the Ball”

Every step in the flowchart, except the final 6th step, commences with a question. If the answer is “yes” the player executes the decision taken and then must reset "his/her" mind to think about what needs to be done next.

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1. Can I score? 
If the answer is yes, the player should attempt to score for goal. If the answer is no the player should look to play a penetrating pass forward to a player who can score.

2. Can I Penetrate?
Can I penetrate? That is, can I play a penetrating pass? 
If the answer is yes, the player is encouraged to play a pass forward to penetrate the opposition. A penetration pass may be a chip, a loft pass, a low instep drive, a wall pass, a swerve pass, a back heel, a header and other types of kicking. The aim here is to pass to a team player who will be able to shoot for goal. 
If the answer is no, the player should pass to a team member who is in a “set play” position.

3. Can I execute a Set Play?
Can I play a “set play” pass? A “set play” is a pre-organised formation (that the coach decides upon) which helps score a goal. If the answer is yes, the child should pass to a player who is in a “set play” position. If the answer is no, the child should pass to another player on the team to keep the ball in their 
team’s possession.

4. Can I pass the ball to my team mate so we can maintain Possession?

If the answer is yes, the player is encouraged to execute the pass to another supporting player. If the answer is no, the player must retain possession of the ball him/herself until back up arrives.

5. Should I Shield the ball?
If yes, the player should use their body as a shield. The player must be strong, take the knock, hold their ground, and wait for support. If the answer is no, the player must attempt to dribble with the ball.

6. Should I "Run with/or dribble past" opponents with the ball?
Dribbling is a skill used to penetrate defenders and pass opponents. Knowing when to dribble and when not to dribble is critical. After successfully dribbling past one opponent, the player must reset their mind set and follow the “thinking process” model in a sequential order. For example after dribbling past the first opponent 
the player must quickly ask him/herself;” Can I score?” and if this option is not available she/she must decide to “Penetrate”, and so on until it gets back to the question of should I dribble?

The Logical Decision Making Process - Football (Soccer)  -

Attacking "Off" the ball:

There are five consecutive steps to the “Thinking Process” of attacking "off" the ball:

• Follow up
• Make a forward run
• Set-Play
• Possession/Support (Along and across the field)
• Swapping positions with a “non-active” player 
  

The Thinking Process flowchart is presented diagrammatically in the figure and a written description of each step in this process follows.

1. Follow up
Can I follow up after a player has shot for goal and missed? If the answer is yes, the player should follow up 
on an attempt at goal. If the answer is no, the player should make a forward run.

2. Make a forward run
Can I make a forward run? If the answer is yes, the player is encouraged to run into a forward position and 
anticipate receiving the ball. The player with the ball will be looking for a player who is in the best position 
to score. If the answer is no, the player should move into a “set play” position.

3. Set Play
Can I move into a “set play” position? A “set play” is a pre-organized formation (that the coach decides upon) 
which helps score a goal. If the answer is yes, the child should move into a “set play” position. If the answer 
is no, the child should run to an area to support the player with the ball and keep the ball in the team’s possession.

4. Possession/ Support

(Along and Across the field)
Can I move to an area to support my team mate? If yes, the player should move to the supporting area quickly 
and anticipate the ball coming to them. If the answer is no, the player should think about swapping positions with 
a “non active” player.

5. Swapping

(Swap positions with a “non-active” player)
This is an “off the ball” movement that disturbs defensive structures. It Brings “non-active” players into the game while maintaining support in case of a counter attack.

The Logical Decision Making Process - Football (Soccer)  - Attacking "On" and "Off" the ball can also be used as an analysis tool to either praise appropriate efforts or work through phases of the game by focusing on an individual’s or the groups’ efforts.

Learning to attack on and off the ball involves learning that each of the steps described above need to be understood and automatically executed during play.
It is important that players know their strengths and weaknesses and work at their 
weaknesses at training until they get them right. If a player has had no luck 
executing a step in the “thinking process” and confidence is low, then they should 
move to another step and practice that one.

It is important that players always play the next best option.

An example, if a player attempted to loft the keeper using a chip pass and the ball cannot get height or misses the target constantly, then common sense is to play the ball to another person who can score.

Sometimes players stray away from the “thinking process” due to intimidation, social 
pressure or the yearning to be accepted by their peers. This commonly happens to new 
players coming into the team.

Players hesitating, taking too long to make a decision or trying to play it safe to hold a position in the team may actually be contributing to the lack of success. It is important that all players feel part of the team and feel confident that decisions made that accord with the “Logical Thinking Making Process” will be accepted and rewarded by all other team members and the coach.

If a player shoots for goal, rather than penetrating, because there was a genuine belief that he/she can do so, then that action needs to be accepted by other team mates and encouraged.

No player on the team should feel that he/she is the goal scorer or the main defender etc. All players should learn to play with one another and to support one another with a common goal – to play at their best ability and win the match.

All players need to speak the same language and anticipate the play and circumstances in the same way.

Players should never feel intimidated by their fellow team members; on the contrary, they should feel united and feel that are all contributing equally to achieve a common goal (literarily!).