A tactic is a method used to improve the performance of a team and also to get an advantage over the opponent. Tactics for your Team Sport of Football Formations- this is an example were the centre forward will run after the long ball, this can only be done if the attacking players positioning is right and he has the strength and pace. This formation shown above is a defensive formation that requires 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 attacking players. Normally teams player a 4-4-2 formation this is because it may be a good way of providing and using tactics against the attacking team and also the defending team.
For example, if a team has a skilful and strong striker, one of the defenders may want to give a long ball to the attacker or centre forward. This is an advantage if the striker is quicker and more agile as he will receive the ball and could possibly shoot. However this may also be used for a defensive tactic for example- as the attacking team provides the long ball the defending team may want to use the offside trap to their advantage by moving defenders behind the attackers of the opposing team, this would then force all attacking players in front of the defenders offside. This will then results in a free kick.
Attacking Formation This is more of an attacking formation. It is an example that only consists of 3 defenders and 1 defensive midfielder. The team in this position my choose to play the ball wide for example the centre back my look to mass the ball to one of the side midfielders, then he would run down the wing and cross the ball to an attacker. This is a good formation as the opposing team is forced backwards and as a result the opposing team will come under pressure which may result in errors. Set Plays – Set plays- these are also called set pieces. They can be used strategically.
There are many different types of set pieces, such as corners, free kicks, throwing etc. set plays Throwing – Experienced teams will not just throw the ball to anyone they will throw it tactically to a team mate. These can be very useful as they are either thrown long or short. For example, some footballers will through the ball more than 30 yards. This can be a very good tactic as the ball can be thrown into the 18yard box, this could be a chance for an attacker to receive the ball and have a shot at goal, this would then cause panic and problems for the defence as the offside trap will be useless. Corners- these can also be very useful.
As the cross comes in from the corner it can be crossed to a team mate without no pressure, and plenty of time. This would may provide an accurate cross which could lead to a goal. Moreover, the player can also give a short pass to a nearby, and unmarked player. He would then run a few yards closer to goal and could either shot or give a short cross. Free kicks- free kicks can also be a useful tactic. This only given if by the referee if someone has broken the rules e. g. made a dangerous foul. Free kicks can be provided tactically for e. g. giving a pass or through ball or shooting directly at goal.
Also the player can give a cross or long ball to his team mate, this would be a good tactical solution if attacking players moved into the box, this would give a better chance of a goal. Also as players crowd in the box it would give the free kick taker a better chance for him to shoot directly. This is because the ball can be disguised or the goal keeper’s sight can be blocked by the players standing in front, as a result, a goal may be conceded. Zone marking- this tactic is used nearly all over the world. In zone marking the zone is marked instead of the player. It is used when defending a tactical move or set piece.
For example when the opposing team take a free kick the ball can be kicked anywhere and for this reason players mark and area as they have more of a chance of getting the ball. Zone’s are normally marked where they think the ball will land, this area may be the 18 yard box. Man marking- this is a tactic used in every single football match. Rather than marking an area the opposing player is marked instead. This is when the team are either carrying out a set piece or counter attack. Its aim is to provide the opposition with as little passing choices as possible and as little movement on the ball as possible.
Counter attacking- counter attacking is used a lot in football. It usually takes place when teams have fast attackers. It normally occurs when an opposing team has failed to execute their own counter attack or set piece, and therefore the defender may knock the ball all the way up the field so that an attacker can receive the ball and outnumber the defenders with their own attackers, this will create a greater chance to score a goal. Offside traps and long balls- an offside trap is when the defender move forward and leave the opposing team behind them, thus forcing them offside. This is called an offside trap.
This is used by defenders a lot as it is a good way of regaining possession. The attacking team will regain possession by taking a free kick. The free kick will give a team more time to re organize and also more options to pass; they could hit a short pass or a long ball. A long ball I another useful tactic. As it provides a quick and easy of getting the ball from one end of the field to the other very quickly and efficiently. This ball could be given straight to a player near the 18 yard box, splitting the defence and then giving the attacking team a chance to shoot. However a long ball is only useful if it is played with pace and precision.