Soccer Communication
This is for all teams that are challenged with the Communication on and off the field.
You should find this very useful.
Communication is often interpreted as "talking on the field." Calls like "man on, time
and "turn" are viewed as evidence that a team has reached a high level. But this is only
one element, albeit an important one. Effective communication involves much more
than just verbal skills.
Communication with players (verbal and non-verbal), interaction with the ball
(speed / weight / hard or soft, etc.), the field of play (flat / bumpy / wet / dry),
1. What effect will the field have on the game?
2. How should we play with this wind and sun?
3. If opponents play with three at back how do we want our wingers to play?
4. What formation do we play from the start?
Everyone's tasks must be clear and understood. Too often this is not the case and
miscommunications will result. Example: in a match the sweeper has beaten his
immediate opponent and has moved into the midfield. What should the midfielders do?
If they go ahead of the ball the available space for the top and sweeper will get very
crowded. If the sweeper loses the ball who will stop the counter attack?
This is a moment that the midfielders need to ask themselves "what should I do?
Are the midfielders to let the sweeper through to combine with the front line and hold
behind the ball? Does one midfielder have a task of going forward?
But if that midfielder is not in a position to do so, what should the others do?
These situations happen so quickly and are so common that they can be overlooked.
There is simply not enough time to "call" instructions by either players or the coach.
Communication is based on reading the situation, analyzing it and acting on it.
A common vocabulary is an important part of the communication process. Playing wide
to one player might be 10 yards inside the field. To another it is on the touchline. Having
agreement about terms makes instructions consistent. The players do not have to
constantly reinvent the wheel. Communication is more than "talking on the field." It is
the factor that can bind a team together
and allow it to be more than the sum of its parts.
Basic Soccer Communication
Center – a pass from either side of the field towards the middle of the field. It is used
primarily to get the ball closer to the front of the goal. The words “center” and “cross"
are used interchangeably.
Clear – the act of moving the ball out of the area of one’s own goal by throwing
(goalkeeper only) or kicking it.
Cross – another word for center.
Fake – a move by a player meant to deceive an opposing player. Used to gain an
advantage, it is frequently used when dribbling to get past an opponent.
Header – When a player passes or shoots the ball with his head.
Save – the act of a goalkeeper in stopping a shot that would have otherwise gone into
the goal.
Shield –used by the person with the ball to protect the ball from a defender; the ball
carrier keeps their body between the ball and the defender.
Slide Tackle – a move where a player attempts to win the ball by sliding towards the
ball. If the tackling player touches the ball first, he is allowed to make contact with the
player controlling the ball. If the tackling player strikes the player before the ball, it is a
foul. A tackle from behind is always a foul.
Tackle – taking the ball away from a player by kicking or stopping it with one's feet.
Trap – the using the body to slow down a moving ball, often using chest, thighs or feet.
Advanced Soccer Communication
Banana Kick – a kick that curves such that it takes the shape of a banana.
Bicycle Kick – a player kicks the ball in mid-air backwards and over their own head
Cut Back – turn and dribble the ball in an attempt to keep possession of the ball.
Cut Down the Angle – when the goalie comes out of the goal several feet to make
themselves closer and larger to an attacker.
First Time Ball – when the ball is received and propelled in a single movement.
First Touch – another word for first time ball.
Flick – a quick header.
Hospital Ball – a dangerous pass from one teammate to another.
Instep Drive – a shot taken with the instep of a player's foot most powerful / accurate.
Instep Pass – a pass made by striking the ball with the instep.
In Swinger – a ball that is curving in toward the goal, usually made from a corner kick.
"Man On" – call a player makes to a teammate who is marked but not be aware of it.
Mark – to cover an opponent to keep them from passing, receiving or shooting the ball.
Offside Trap – a play by the defense to catch the attacking team offside. The rear
defenders will quickly pull up past the attackers to put the attackers in an offside
position.
One Touch Pass – another term for a first time ball.
"Pull Up" – can also be “push up”, a phrase used to tell the defense to move up the field
in a more attacking position. Sometimes used as the command for an offside trap.
One -Two – the ball is received by a player with one touch then played to a teammate
with the next touch.