Overview
The attacking approach of the team has the field divided into three different zone; scoring zone, opportunity zone, build-up zone. The scoring zone is in our attacking half of the field where we can shoot and score directly with a reasonable probability of success. The opportunity zone is the area within the attacking half of the field where scoring directly is a very unlikely yet there is a very high probability that we can create a good scoring opportunity. The build up zone is anywhere on the field where it is low probability where we can directly score or pass the ball directly in a manner to create a good probability of scoring.
The exact boundary between the scoring zone and the opportunity zone is determined by the shooting angle on the goal, quality of the goalie and quality of the shooter.
The boundary between the opportunity zone and the build-up zone is determined by the ability of the passer to reliably reach the scoring zone with a pass and the relative ability of our offense versus the opponent's defense.
Corner Kick
The Grizzlies see a corner kick as a set-piece play that is taken from the opportunity zone. For the most part, the Grizzlies will start each corner kick from the same positions with three primary different options. The positions are:
- Goalie
- 3 x defenders
- 2 near shooters
- 1 far shooters
- 2 headers
- 1 scrapper
- 1 kicker
The kicker will wait until the players are in position and she will then signal one of the three plays.
Scrapper (arm up)
The kicker will put her arm straight in the air signalling that she is targeting the scrapper. The Headers will move slightly away from the goal trying to bring their defenders away from the goal. The scrapper will posture her body to quickly move towards the ball on the cross and block out the goalie. The kicker will lower her arm and then pass the ball very hard and low off the ground (below the knee) right in front of the goal approximately 1-2 yards in front of the goal. The scrapper and the headers close on the ball and one touch shoot. The shooters anticipate the ball coming out up top so they can one or two touch the ball and shoot. The kicker follows up her pass moving into the six yard box in order to score.
Header (arm out)
The kicker will put her arm straight out parallel with the ground. She will then pass a medium speed cross just about head height aiming at the Headers. Scrapper will shield the ball from the goalie. The shooters will position themselves to one or two touch shot if the ball comes out. The Headers will head the ball on goal with power to score.
Shooter (arm down)
The kicker will point her arm down towards the ground. The Headers will move slightly in towards the goal to pull the defenders in away from the Shooters. The nearest Shooter will make a run towards the kicker and the kicker will pass the ball to her with enough speed that the ball will roll with tempo to the middle of the field. From here there are three options the running Shooter has:
- She passes to the kicker who is making a run towards the goal (staying onside) and they do a give-and-go.
- The running Shooter does a one or two touch shot if she has the space from her defender
- She fakes receiving the ball and lets it pass to the Shooter behind her who takes a one or two touch shot
Direct Kick In Shooting Position
Indirect Kick in Shooting Position
Free kick Outside Shooting Position But Within Range to Create a Scoring opportunity
Center of the Field
Outside of the Field
Goal Kick
The Grizzlies have four basic methods for goal kicks.
- Ball control
- Middle attack
- Solo attack
- Center-Mid side attack
Ball control
The ball control attack is our primary method of goal kicks and initiates a tiki-taka attack. The ball is position in the middle of the goal on the 6. The CB sees three or fewer opponents in our defending third of the field. The goalie makes a short push pass to the CB standing two yards away from her. The CB then makes a simple but firm push pass to one of our players in our defending third. The outside backs have pushed out by both sides of the 18. The two CM are spread out in front of the goal about 5-10 yards outside the 18. The AM and outside midfielders are pushed up towards the midfield line in order to create passing space as we bring the ball forward. The goalie is always available for a pass back as a field player.
Middle Attack
The Middle Attack is the most common way a team does a goal kick. The decision to do this is based on the other team pushing players forward in an attempt to steal the ball in our defending third. When the CB sees four or more opponents in our defending third she signals her intention to play it to the midfield. The outside midfielders and attacking midfielder spread out and the open midfielder moves toward the CB. Unless the opponents have pushed a defender forward we will have an open midfielder. The CB will then do a hard straight and low long pass to the open midfielder. The midfielder will receive the ball and initiate our attack. Her first option is down the field trying to create a 3v2 situation with our forwards isolating two defenders.
Solo Attack
Solo attack is based on the speed of the CB. If she sees all of the Rage players marked up man-to-man and there is no dedicated opponent marking her she signals her intention to our midfielders. The CMs and AM make runs away from the center of the field pulling their defender with them creating an open space in the middle of the field. The goalie taps the ball forward and the CB dribbles at full speed straight down the middle of the field looking to create a 3v2 situation with our forwards.
Center-Mid Side Attack
The last option is once again based on the opponents pushing forward and marking all of the Rage players man-to-man. The CB signals her intention to make the Center-Mid Side attack. The side she indicates has that side midfielder and AM move toward the center of the field. The CM then makes a run at full speed into that open space. The CB then makes a lofting long pass dropping into that space for the CM to run onto. The near side forward moves to a position to create a 2v1 situation against the opponents defense. The CM and F work together to beat the one defender and make a rapidly attack into the scoring zone.