Playing without the ball - Prefect ball possession - Superb positioning

Presentation Group: U19 Schalke 04
Duration: 89 min.
Presenter: Norbert Elgert (FC Schalke 04)
Director: Peter Schreiner (Institute for Youth Soccer)

Positional Play 

In this 3rd part of The Art of Playing Attacking Soccer, it is all about the importance of good positional play as the basis for a successful build-up attack that always is indicated when a quick counter-attack is not possible. It is characterized by a safe build-up, either over the wings or through the middle. 

 
Ball possession even under pressure

The attacking team plays the ball into the attacking zone from its defensive zone through midfield and does so with well-executed pass sequences. The most important quality for this to be successful is the ability of the whole team to keep ball possession even under intensive pressure by the opponent.

Ball possession is no guarantee for a win, but it allows to dictate tempo and rhythm and above all, to force the opponent to do a lot of running. 

Positional Games

Top teams have an almost prefect ability to retain the ball no matter what the circumstances. To acquire this ability, small and large positional games should be included in practices.

In this eVideo you can see how Norbert Elgert has his team go through preliminary passing exercises and positional games in order to put pressure on a well-organized defense. It is very important to apply exercises and game variation properly and to communicate clearly what is to be learned. 

That is why there is a crucial emphasis in this eVideo as to how the coach interacts with his players:

• How do you correct your players?
• What do you emphasize?
• How do you motivate your players?
• What is your body language?