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My team just finished our season – somewhat of a mixed bag. However, coming off the previous season, where middle school ruined the game play, we did make progress. Definitely building out of the back and more possession up top – we were the second leading scoring team in the flight, and tied a team record for goals scored in the season.
A lot of injuries and re-adjusting to the possession game (Rome wasn’t built in a day) hurt us, but again, big step forward.
I have a center forward that is an impeccable passer, very fast, and the team’s leading scorer. She’s not very physical, and somewhat timid (she does not like a lot of contact), which can impede her at times. Her strikes are usually well placed balls, not booming shots. I typically play her as deep as the deepest opposing defender, with my wingers (we play a 4-3-3) getting back to help if the ball is deep in our half. However, my attacking mids generally like to go forward, which creates a bit of a dilemma in terms of shape.
That got me thinking – could I play this player as a “false 9”? That is, drop her deep into the midfield when we are in possession, creating more of a diamond in the midfield (for better possession) and drawing out unsuspecting center backs? We are a low level travel team, so I wouldn’t expect many kids or coaches would pick up on the tactic, and with her passing ability, she’d be able to play diagonal balls through the gap for the attacking mids / wingers / outside backs to penetrate forward.
When my team passes the ball / executes solid combination play, we usually score and/or win. Operative word is “when”. They aren’t good at reading the game, and given that they are U14 girls (U15 in Fall), they can be stubborn at times. I’m thinking pulling the center forward into the midfield helps the possession and helps keeps the ball pinned in our attacking third.
Anyone using this tactic? Share thoughts and what works / doesn’t work…right now, it’s an idea that I think would work with this kid.
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