Introduction

This guide will address the important fundamentals that result in making a good decision. An ordered structure built on logic to help you make the best choice. Involves a series of thought processes where players on a team must execute in order.

Effective Decision Making Process in Football (Soccer) is a logical sequence of options. All steps in the process must be executed in their defined order sequentially. The player in possession of the ball and all the players "moving without the ball" must work together in a group effort, executing each step simultaneously and collaborative.

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. Players need to be well versed with the thought processes involved in attacking on and off the ball. Team awareness and understanding of each other’s role is crucial here; in addition, the team players must learn to “speak one language”.

Your team is attacking

The ball is in transit

You are about to receive the ball

Glance -

Check your environment & for immediate danger

Scan -

Analyze & Work through the:-

Check Lists

On the ball

(The player in possession of the ball)

or

Off the ball

(Player(s) without possession of the ball)

From the check list:-

Select the most effective option &

Control &

Execute this choice to the best of your ability

The player in possession of the ball and all the players "moving without the ball"

must work together in a group effort, executing each option

simultaneously and collaborative.

   Reset - Your Mind Set (Options)

Each time you complete an option; reset your mind-set and

head back to the start of the check list .e.g.. Can I score? or Follow Up

Phase

2

Check Lists

On the ball

(The player in possession of the ball)

Check Lists

Off the ball

(Player(s) without possession of the ball)

Your team is attacking

On the ball:-  Player who has the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 1:

Can I score? 

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Off the ball:- Players without the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 1:

Follow up:- Make a forward run; anticipate the rebound.

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Click on Icon to view

Your team is attacking

On the ball:-  Player who has the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 2:

Can I play a penetrating pass or a killer pass to another player that could score resulting in a goal scoring opportunity?  

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Off the ball:- Players without the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 2:

Make a forward run; anticipate the "penetrating pass"/ or the killer pass (through ball). 

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Your team is attacking

On the ball:-  Player who has the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 3:

Am I in a set team-play or a rehearsed move?

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Off the ball:- Players without the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 3:

Make a forward run; execute team set play; play the role designated; anticipate the "penetrating pass"/ or the killer pass.

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

The player on the ball could not score from where they are; they could not find a through ball or killer pass to play to who could score; however they have recognized that they can commence a rehearsed move or a team set play from where they are either using the centre corridor or attack using the width.

Other players off the ball have also recognized this rehearsed move or a team set play and will need to position themselves as planned

Example: Move A (Wide Attack) & Move B (Central Attack)

Your team is attacking

On the ball:-  Player who has the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 4:

Can I play a pass to a supporting team-mate in order to maintain team ball posession?

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Off the ball:- Players without the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 4:

Make appropriate runs and Support the player with the ball; position yourself along/& across the field. 

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

The player on the ball could not score from where they are; they could not find a through ball or killer pass to play to who could score; and there is no movement from other players to commence a team-set play or execute a rehearsed move.

Other players off the ball must run and support the player on the ball. Support can be provide along and across the player on the ball.

Examples:- Can I play a pass to a supporting team-mate in order to maintain team ball posession?

&

Can I shield the ball, wait for support then play a pass to a team-mate to maintain team ball posession?

Your team is attacking

On the ball:-  Player who has the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 5:

Can I shield the ball, wait for support then play a pass to a team-mate to maintain team ball posession? 

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

Off the ball:- Players without the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 5:

Player on the ball has limited options; Make appropriate runs and Support the player with the ball.

Make a decision: Y/N

If the answer is Yes then execute this action

If the answer is No then go to the next Option

The player on the ball could not score from where they are; they could not find a through ball or killer pass to play to who could score; and there is no movement from other players to commence a team-set play or execute a rehearsed move. The player on the ball has no immediate support.

The player on the ball must shield the ball until support arrives

The player on the ball has limited time; Other players off the ball must run and support the player on the ball. Support can be provide along and across the player on the ball.

Your team is attacking

On the ball:-  Player who has the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 6:

Run/Dribble with the ball past opponents.

Off the ball:- Players without the ball.

Ask yourself:- Option 6:

Swap with a non-active player; maintain team structure. This movement will generate space and reignite passing options

End of the road.

The player on the ball could not score from where they are; they could not find a through ball or killer pass to play to who could score; and there is no movement from other players to commence a team-set play or execute a rehearsed move. The player on the ball has no immediate support.

The player on the ball must run/dribble

The players off the ball must create movement to reignite openings and passing options

The players off the ball must swap positions;

Team positional structure must not be compromised.

@ Training use Half ground; Play a game "defenders v forwards"; Don't apply too many rules keep it simple as we are only trying to prove that players do not look at the goals in the 1st instance as part of their glance & scan as they are about to receive the ball especially if they are in range of scoring. Players prefer to play a safe pass or an easy pass first focusing on maintaining posession more than playing a better option instead.

The game rules are;- Forwards can score a goal at main goal where the goalkeeper is and the defenders can score a goal by running the ball and stopping it anywhere on the half way line.

You can start this game either way from the goalkeeper or from the half way mark.

Without the team knowing whisper in the goalkeepers ear and let them know that if you raise your right arm the goalkeeper is to move away to the right and step out of their goals allowing room to be chipped; depending on the sign they can move completely away to the left, right or centre.

Observe the play and watch how players react in the 1st instance upon receiving the ball and analyze their choice of action. The focus here is making a better decision.  A player may decide to simply pass the ball and maintain possession and that in its self is not wrong.

My argument here - is what if the goalkeeper was out of their goals and you are in range of scoring - can we say that an attempt to score is better than playing a short pass and maintain possession?

From my observation, players choose to play a possession pass first (option 4) in some ways by default. This may be because of a number of reasons that I outline below rather than consider the full range of Options. The better choice. This is why I call this article effective decision making process.

Player "Intimidation":-
Sometimes players stray away from the “effective 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.

Making "mistakes":-
Players hesitating, taking too long to make a decision or trying to play it safe hoping this may be enough to hold a position in the team.

Player "Confidence":-
It is important that all players feel part of the team and feel confident when they make a decision and not have the fear that if they make a mistake
they will be yelled at or criticized in a way that shuts them down.

Positive reenforcement:-
A good example would be If a player shoots for goal, rather than play a penetrating pass or play a simple pass to maintain posession, because
there was a genuine chance to score as the goalkeeper was out of their goals and the player was within their range; team mates need to encourage
such a moment and endorse this action they chose.

All players should learn all the options as presented in the "effective decision making process", learn to play with one another and to support
one another with a common goal. All players need to speak the same language and anticipate the play and circumstances in the same way.

Players should never feel intimidated. They should be encouraged, their imagination must be adventurous.