One of the main attacking principles of football is how to create space, as a team and as individuals. This requires the player on the ball receiving support from team mates. The player on the ball will always need several support options. They will need support behind the ball, both to be able to recycle the ball backwards and keep possession and also defensively in case possession is lost. They will need support to the side and forward of their position.

The support around the ball could be for passes into space or for passes to feet. Once the ball has been passed, the next player on the ball will also need support, so support players around the ball will constantly need to be adjusting their support positions. The support play will also require the player passing the ball to move after the pass to provide support options.

Support play will also include players making support runs to create space for other players to be able to be in a better position to support the player on the ball. For example, a fullback might be in possession of the ball and one striker might come short towards the fullback, with the intention of pulling the defender towards the ball and leaving the second striker to support the fullback with a run into the space created by the movement of the first striker.

Support players should also look to create space for themselves to be able to better receive a pass. If, for example there is an opponent between the support player and the ball, the support player will have to work hard to find a new support position so that the opponent is no longer between the ball and themselves.

The timing, angle and distance of the support is also very important. Support too late and the passing opportunity will be covered by an opponent, support too early and the opponents will have time to react to the static support player. Support too close to the player on the ball, things get tight and complicated, too far away there is a danger of the pass being intercepted. The angle of support and the body position of the supporting player also play a part in the key factors of support. If for example, a supporting midfield player supports a wide player on the ball, then the angle of their support will make a big difference to their ability to be able to come out of the tight area on the side of the pitch they are supporting and being able to switch play, or pass forward. If they support at a flat angle, their vision forward or across to the opposite side of the pitch will be restricted. If, however they support at an angle slightly behind the ball, then their vision for the next pass is considerably improved.

Communication between players is also a vital part of the support around the ball process. Players who give clear and concise information can dramatically improve the support around the ball process. As can support players who use body language or hand signals to assist the player on the ball when supporting.

Support Play Around the Ball

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The following are considered the key technical coaching factors to support play round the ball:

• Create space - The support players should look to create space for themselves or team mates to assist the player on the ball.
• Take a supporting position where the passer can see them easily - Support players will need to be able to adjust their support positions, so that ideally there are no opponents between themselves and the player on the ball.
• Good timing, angles and distance of support - Support players should time their support runs and look to get in a position that provides the best support distance and angle for the player on the ball.
• Good communication between the players, verbally and with body language - Communication from the support player can make a huge difference to the quality of the support.
• Readjustment of support positions - As the ball moves, so will the support positions for the player on the ball. Players will constantly need to be moving to provide different support posiitions.

The practices you will see in this section are suggested practices, they aren't definitive. Why not use these as a basis for ideas and design, save and share your own shooting and finishing sessions and games with Coaches Chalkboard?