Crawley Town U18 FC - Midfielder's Decision Making

Eman' - Decision Making

- Great individual skill to relieve pressure

- Decisions? Carry on driving, pass into Jordan, forward ball into wide areas

- Quality of execution?

- Forward run of Alex creates space for Eman

- Receives on 'half-turn'

- Quality of pass allows Jordan to turn or let the ball run across him

- Drop of shoulder to fool defender.

- Great use of body create space for yourself to drive into.

- End product?

- Earlier decision needs to be made

- Turns in those areas allows opposition time to regain shape

- Earlier pass to Elliott? Second Time can Ed create more or an angle so Eman so pass across him into space?

- Good hold up play from Scott/Support from Eman

- Positive run which commits defenders.

- Great end product/clever disguised pass behind defense.

- Played backward pass, DEF could of cleared first time into good area to relieve pressure

- Ball comes back, can you receive on half turn then drive into space/switch?

- Turning into Space Occupied by Opposition Players

Alex - Decision Making

Brad - Decision Making

Eman' - Decision Making

- Creates angle to receive ball

- Check shoulder before turning (build mental picture of pitch)

-Set back to CB or thrower? Turn could of worked if met the ball quicker

- Fantastic Reading Of Game

- Positive First Touch Out Of Feet

- Quality Forward Pass Into Scott

Think about decisions that are appropriate for the position you play.

- See Brad's Points.

- Checking shoulders, being aware of; space, teammates, opposition players.

- Support teammates always being an option

- Looking to play forward or in behind opposition defensive line

- Can you play into Scott? If he sets the ball back be an option to support. As ball travels can you identify correct decision; switch, ball in behind, combination etc

- Adopting correct angles and distances of support! Give yourself a chance if receiving the ball so you have enough time to take a touch if needed then produce end product; dribble, run with ball, pass

- Good initial play to retain possession

- Great turn to open out, end product?

- Good idea playing into space for LB to run onto, think about weight and choice of pass?

Alex - Decision Making

Brad - Decision Making

- Great assessment of when to press

- Positive first touch into space

- Weight and direction of pass?

- Correct Decision to Play Back

- Work Well to Pressure Opp' First Touch. No Fouls

- Quality Pass Back. Movement into New Space

- Good use of both feet

- Great individual skill to create space

- Fantastic weighted ball in behind

- Neat Turn in Tight Area

- Possible Positive First Touch with Left Foot Into Space?

- Would Prevent Pressure On Defense

Brad - Decision Making

Crawley Town FC U18

Alex - Decision Making

Think about decisions that are appropriate for the position you play.

- Can you work between opposition players to receive the ball?

- How are you going to receive the ball? Half turn? Let it run?

- Before the ball is even played, can you build up a mental picture of the pitch by scanning and checking shoulders for; space, team mates, opposition players.

- As the ball is played your decision should already be made. Execute with quality.

- Can you play forward? If not retain/recycle the ball by playing sideways or backwards.

- After pass is made what should you be doing? Drop off to create an angle to receive again? Push up to support players?

Midfielder's Decision Making

Think about decisions that are appropriate for the position you play.

- See Brad's/Eman's Points.

- Checking shoulders, being aware of; space, teammates, opposition players.

- Support teammates always being an option

- Receiving between opposition players/turning in pockets then playing forward passes or switching point of attack.

- Create angles for yourself to receive ball. Build mental picture before ball travels, assess options and make correct decision.

- Be positive and commit players in 1v1 situations. If opponents delay, be patient, relax and look for supporting players or creative runs from teammates

- Receiving on half turn allows you to see whats in front/around you

- Great ball across which helps switch the point of attack

- RB should be patient, recycle ball if needed or put the ball into good areas behind opposition

- Similar Scenario

- Quicker Movement Into Space and Different Decision From Jordan

- Receive On Half Turn & Play

Brad - Decision Making

Alex - Decision Making

- Good movement to receive

- Opens body out to see the pitch, fantastic first touch allows you to keep ball moving

- Quality end product in behind for Scott to run onto

- Good Movement To Receive Ball

- Good Decision, Right Idea

- Execution of Decision?

Closing Thoughts

Decision Making

- Before receiving can we build a mental picture of the pitch/area by scanning and checking shoulders

- As ball travels, decision should already be made

- Execute decision (pass, run with the ball, dribble) with quality

- If we cant go forward, can we switch the point of attack? If not recycle the ball by going sideways then backwards

- Can we encourage players to get forward with passes at an angle that encourages teammates to run onto them

- Ability to react to a stimulus* quickly and efficiently!

- Identify the 'correct decision' quickly and execute with quality!

- Making the 'right' decision at the 'right time'!

- Importance of identifying/understanding decisions that have to be made.

*Stimulus (Something that causes a response; ref's whistle, player's pass, deflected shot, player closing down etc).

Email: Scotthastings@hotmail.co.uk

Twitter: @SHastingsCoach

LinkedIn: ScottHastings24