RECEIVING THE BALL
Traits :
Touch is an immediate indication of a players thought processes reviewing the situation. Whether its a poor first touch (doesnt benefit the position) or a good one, the player is always reacting to their own thoughts.
So, psychologically speaking the game begins in the mind. A poor first touch can be a reaction to pressing where he/she is put off by a players pace to close the ball down, or many other factors, some even not football related (directly).
A players first touch does not solely focus on the feet, but the whole body. We have a players head movement, (vision as a starting point and to follow up) shoulders position (direction they’re facing) and the legs to control.
In definition, a players first touch is really a vague term, as there is no set line for when it becomes something else (a shot, a take-on or a pass). However for this first bit I will be focusing on the receiving effects.
However a good first touch is synonymous with a focused individual ready to benefit the team.
A good first touch is always:
-A good reaction to benefit the individuals skills; to pave the way forward for his next action
-A good reaction to benefit his teammates
-A good reaction to weaken the oppositions position
And in summary collectively improves his/hers team position.
EXAMPLES OF GOOD FIRST TOUCHES IN MODERN FOOTBALL:
In a 4231 shape when starting the attack from the first line, the players immediately create large distances between themselves in order to acquire as much space as possible over a large scale. Combined with the fact that this discourages pressure, it also supplies a large field of vision to utilize.
A large field of vision can discourage opposition contesting of the ball space due to the amount of possibilities for chance creation over a large distance. A usual team sets up with two split CBs with distancing between to establish a base connection between them. Each player uses the partner as an outlet to face and utilize.
Bayern (away) vs Benfica this season played a 4231 system against a rough, aggressive press from Benfica from the kick off. To kill this press they passed with extreme efficiency amongst the first few lines. (GK outside his 6 yard box, CBs on outside corners of box, and a midfielder creating a diamond of four, in which he is flanked by two fbcks hugging the sidelines)
CB Mats Hummels receives and immediately protects the ball through close control while keeping his shoulders square on facing the play for maximum vision. His counterpart to the side Boateng faces him square on for the following receiving action in which he receives with a calm touch (still square on facing Hummels) and thus swivels the next pass into the 6 to create the triangle. Martinez, the 6 follows up by swivelling to his FB on the first touch.
Players of a high on the ball capability can adjust to angles opposite the direction theyre facing in short spaces of time in order to escape pressure.
In the beginning of the 9th minute Kimmich finds Sanches with a lob from the RB position into the centre. Sanches controls in a fashion that immediately allows the turn to face the next passage of play. He then plays it to Ribery on the wing who’s first touch isolates the defender.
Alaba @12:44 – Ball is close to feet, close control, dominance over pass direction, complete awareness of nearby surroundings, progressively looking for passes to improve the situation. Head is scanning, shoulders facing the structure and flexible feet to change the dynamics of attack. In this case he rolls the ball to his right and passes to Boateng.
Ball is close to his feet (in order to react quickly to running opponent) and he rotates the shoulders to change direction to face Kimmich.
KIMMICH – QUICKLY ACQUIRES empty space to receive comfortably. (Empty space being the position he can acquire to further achieve strong outcomes) Comfortably in this situation being, absolute control of nearby space in relation to direct opponent, flexibility in upper body to rotate to face desired direction, fast feet to follow up and technique to pass. Overall – dominance of local space is achieved and further attacking actions can be taken.
Once initial awareness is acquired, flexibility in the upper body is the next step to progressive play. It is a follow up of the thought process which is then concluded with the feet (to execute the pass). In this example, Kimmich scans the space to receive, acquires it, receives, turns body agilely and fast before executing the desired pass with efficiency, which sees Robben through on goal.
RECEIVING TECHNIQUE IN MODERN PRESSING SITUATIONS: Fast mental processing to decide which following action to take next>Physical capability in upper body to supply the following leg movement>Execution of play.
Key facets –
Good technical control on the feet
High standard of physical capability to beat off aggressive tackles (not just strength)
Astute mental awareness of the surroundings
All to deliver a good relationship with teammates, the ball, space and opponent
which in turn benefits the position.
In the modern game when the ball position travels higher up the pitch, a players actions when receiving become more astute and decisive. Technically gifted players are suited to these positions due to the compact nature of modern day opponents. As a result, quick dribbling and creativity are highly valued on all areas of the pitch due to their ability to quickly unsettle the modern defence.
Cbcks usually begin the approach with calm, layered touches due to lack of imminent ball conceding threat (the case if playing vs low block) while the rest usually receive with the immediate intention of progressing play drastically through quick feints (through flexible body movement) or touches. The speed is quite high due to opponent pressure being present at these spaces.
“Isolated” 1v1s can come from scenarios where the ball carrier is in a large amount of seemingly vacant space against a direct opponent. A common 1v1 can take place when a winger takes on his full back, executing short touches to reach a dynamic approach that offers variables to the attacker that strengthen the position of the team.
Commonly speaking the modern footballer takes touches in a position where the ball is resulted in a space that he can further progress from it. So from this observation, we can conclude that in order to perfect a teams attacking sequence, each individual must continuously place the ball in a position where they can achieve the most benefits from it. It is vital to have possession for this matter, to establish complete control and hope to dominate over the situation and future consequences. However, we must comprehend that if we study our players characteristics and calculate the consequences in relation to our opponents capabilities, we can understand when is the most accurate & efficient time to have the ball and utilize its strengths. Through understanding this we can not only accurately attempt to dominate attacking possession play, but also efficiently gain positive results through defending without the ball through transitional attacking.
Understanding this we can formulate efficient strategies to maximize the goal scoring potential of our teams. The best attacking unit is the one with the most profound strengths resulting from the consequence of all playing outcomes.
Sean MCBride 