Shadow Play (continued)
Playing off the Central Striker
In the diagram a long ball is fed up to the central striker (9) who has his back to goal – and would normally be tightly marked by a defender (solid circle).
(9) can control the ball first if he wishes so as to give his colleagues time to run into attacking positions.
In the diagram (10) has three options (a) he can pull away to take (solid circle) with him (b) he can look for a flick on from (9) into the box OR (c) he can run across in front of (9) and take the ball with him.
If (10) checks away from (9) to the left, then (9) can try and turn quickly retaining possession, and try a shot at goal himself.
OR he can play the ball through to his left for (8) who has made a forward run (as in the diagram)
If (9) gets into the box in possession, then the ball laid into the path of (8) could bring a first time shot from (8) from around 20 yards.
THE WHOLE PURPOSE IS FOR MOVEMENT AROUND THE BOX IN AN ATTACKING POSITION, TO PUT DEFENDERS UNDER PRESSURE, AND PROVIDE OPTIONS IN THE MINDS OF FORWARD PLAYERS.
