Exploiting space – a third man run

It is relatively easy to defend a give and go pass performed against an organized defence. However, it is far more difficult to predict a third man’s run. A first video done in collaboration with the Football Education Institute of Slovenia (Nogometno izobraževalni inštitut).

ICELAND – Goal kick as a set piece

Since the start of World Cup Qualifications in September 2016, Iceland scored 16 goals from set pieces. That is 41% of all their goals. In defensive phase, they are hard working and compact using 4-4-2 defensive shape. On offense, they are extremely vertical, counter-attacking team.

Apart from Sigurdsson, Iceland lacks technical ability and the team plays to their other strengths. Physical strength, height, speed, teamwork and work rate. Due to lack of technical skills, Iceland is heavily oriented towards set pieces. Their long throw-ins and corner kicks have been extensively analysed. Goal kicks frequently pass under the radar as rarely they are treated as a possible threat to the opposition.

Iceland takes them seriously and looks to take the most out of them. Here’s a brief analysis of their direct play from the back.

 

An analysis of a pressing trap

You don’t need the ball in order to dictate the play. A clever positioning and closing down can force the opposition to play where you want them. But that is only the half of the full story.

Creating an efficient pressing trap, and training it, is one of the most difficult coaching tasks. As the game is so fluid, it is difficult to predict how exactly will it go. However, it all starts with individual roles and duties.

Here we will take a look at a pressing trap that is set to provoke a diagonal pass towards the weak flank. This difficult to execute pass is a pressing trigger for the team.

You will notice a few points on how it works in theory and how little it takes to break down and how dangerous that can be.

Enjoy!

 

MATCH: Gremio (dark) v Fluminense (white)

Video capturing technology: InStat AUTOCROP