Combination Play

Shape

Training combination play is essential to creating an effective attack. The three most common types are wall passes, takeovers and overlaps. Combination play allows for the attacking team to create numbers up, leading to mismatches, unmarked players and a more effective attacking scheme.

Wall Passes

Wall passes, also known as combination passing or a 1-2 pass is used to quickly and efficiently penetrate a defense with quick passing. The wall pass is most effective when space is tight and there is not enough time for an extra touch. The wall pass allows the player in possession to get by the defender without having to beat him off the dribble.

The outside midfielder, in possession, plays the ball to the center midfielder who immediately returns the ball. The outside midfielder continues his run down the line with the ball for a serve on frame	It can be seen, more clearly, in the condensed view that the central midfielder must show to the ball moving directly towards the defender. This closes space between the second attacker and the as well as makes space between the central midfielder and his mark.

Overlap

The overlap creates numbers up effectively as the player overlapping usually leads to an extra player in a smaller side of the field. The overlap used poorly will lead to too many players in too small of a space allowing the defense to defend more players effective with less. The overlap when used properly opens up empty space to the attacking team as the overlap puts an attacking player in a dangerous space previously unoccupied by the attacking team.

In this scenario the outside right midfielder plays to the central midfielder who finds the outside left midfielder. As the ball moves to the outside left midfielder, the second central midfielder overlaps the left midfielder, putting numbers up for blue on the left side. -the defender must now decide to mark the left midfielder in possession or the runner moving past him giving advantage to the possessing team. Even if the defender trails the overlap they will still be behind the play leaving numbers up on the atta

The ball moves from outside right to the center midfield to the right midfielder.  As the ball moves CM2 sees that an overlap will force D1 to decide whom to mark.  The outside right midfielder can force the defender into an ever more difficult decision if he properly takes a few touches towards the middle opening up the outside a bit more. Now as the overlap occurs a simple outside of the boot pass will put the ball on the foot of the overlapping player (CM2) and into dangerous attacking space.

Takeover

The takeover is used to quickly move the ball among players on the attacking team without passing. The takeover can be used effectively and deceptively when trained properly because it allows for a quick change of directions and leads to reversing the point of attack. When excuting a takeover both players must read the defender; is essential as it will tell the player in possession to either leave the ball or keep it on his foot and continue the attack.

Box Organization