Match moments / We have the ball
One down, time running out
One down with minutes left, we need more players in their box. The trick is choosing who goes and who stays, so we do not concede a second.
In the match
- Decision 1Centre-back
- Decision 2Full-back
- Decision 3Striker
You are 5, a centre-back.
We need a goal. Do you go forward?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
Pushing up squeezes the space their striker has and keeps us close to the attack. Three still behind the ball means a lost ball is not an open goal.
It can work
One more body in the box helps, and teams do it in the last minute. Too early, and a clearance leaves only 4 against their striker.
Costly
Losing by two counts the same as losing by one. Staying back leaves a big gap between our defence and our attack.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 3, our left-back, in their half.
Three of us are running into the box. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
A low ball in front of their defenders is hard to clear and easy to finish with a foot. At 9v9 many players are under 12, so keep it low.
It can work
You might get a better angle, but the runners have to stop and wait, and their defence gets set.
Costly
It wastes the time we have left and lets them reset.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 9, attacking the cross.
Where do you run as the cross comes in?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Getting in front of your defender at the near post means you meet the ball first. 10 goes far post and 8 holds the spot, so every gap is covered.
It can work
You might get on the end of it, but a defender in front of you gets there first.
Costly
Two runners in the same place leaves the near post empty, and the cross goes straight through to their keeper.
How you know it is happening
- We are losing and there are a few minutes left.
- Their team has dropped deep to protect the lead.
- We have the ball wide in their half.
Why it works
When chasing a game, we need more players in the box and the ball there quickly, but we still need cover. Pushing the back line up gets more players near the ball without leaving our goal empty.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- CBCentre-back
- Step up to halfway. Stay behind the ball.
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- Get it into the box early and low.
- STStriker
- Near post, across your defender.
- AMAttacking midfielder
- Far post.
- CMCentral midfielder
- Penalty spot, then the edge of the box.
How to explain it
- Before the match, agree who pushes up if we are chasing a game. Then nobody has to decide in a panic.
- Keep the message calm: one goal at a time.
On the training pitch
- On your ownNeeds a friend or the teamIt is about reading other players, so there is no honest way to practise it alone.
- The practiceLow crosses and cut-backsThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameEnd-zone gameA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- The losing team gets an extra player for the last three minutes of each game.
- Goals from crosses count double.
Three things to say
- Three stay back.
- Low and early.
- Near post, far post, spot.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Where did you run when we needed a goal?
What to look back on
- How many crosses did we get into their box in the last five minutes?