Shadow Play (continued)
As players become more accustomed to ‘shadow’ practices coaches will discover that there is a greater ‘visualisation’ in the exercises.
Players, although not actually on the ball, can manoeuvre themselves using their football sense which may eventually get them involved on the ball.
E.g. Midfield players supporting attacks may play ‘off’ each other, - i.e. are running forward to add support to the front line, while another may act as a holding player in case the attack breaks down and he might have to become the first line of defence.
In the diagram the Blue team (although not in the practice) have been positioned to demonstrate roughly which defensive positions they would take up.
The ‘Shadow’ team (numbered 2-10) too have to imagine how an opposing team would react as they attack in the last third of the field.
So in the practice (2) plays to (7) who plays a quick ‘one-two’ with (8) then (7) will attempt to pick out a team mate to try and score.
In the diagram, as (7) hits the line (9), (10) and (11) move in as does (4) who on a longer run attacks the near post.
As he does this (6) has two options, he can either add depth to the attack and take up a position as at (62), OR he can add weight to the defence by moving in front of the back where players at position (63) – much will depend on the state of the game and the numbers the blues are wlling to risk in attack.
