Smart Way to Play Soccer, Theory & Practice (SWPSTP)

Throughout my career in the world of football, it was only during my time with PS. Unisem that I received a complete education in both theory and practice. Previously, I only understood football as individual skills and instincts, but while playing for PS. Unisem, I learned much more.

The materials were provided in hard copy, and I kept them safe until I returned to my homeland. Over time, these physical modules began to deteriorate, so to preserve both their historical and educational value, I decided to digitize them.

Alright folks, I hope this can be useful. "Keep spirit and fair play."

These materials were provided by our coach, Pak Pong, with the title:

GO! BIP CUP, Trilogy of Success (Skill, Know-How, and Motivation)
- By Pak Pong

A. Learning Football Strategy

A.1. SWEEPER / LIBERO

The libero should be "the last man standing" before the defender.
Acts as the "gap closer" for defenders when in defensive positions (moving side-to-side), staying just a few meters ahead of the fullback.
Note: Observe players' movements that form "open angles" to anticipate "passing lines" created by opponents.
The libero's movement (acting as full-back) should not drift too far to the sidelines, as this complicates interceptions in open areas.
Key attributes: good ball handling and self-confidence.

A.2. STOPPER / CENTER FULL-BACK

The last line of defense for the "offside trap."
Note: When attacking, they should not go beyond half-field to prevent counterattacks.
Can be one or two players, depending on the situation or the opponent's quality.
They anticipate after the goalkeeper’s kick; if the kick isn’t accurate, the stopper is the first to defend.
Serves as the first safety passing option from the midfielders.
If the stopper joins the attack (during a corner kick), the two fullbacks should cover their position.
Key attributes: aggressiveness, strength, speed, good heading ability, and bravery in one-on-one duels.

A.3. FULLBACK

Supports the stopper on the left and right sides.
Covers the outer defense (far post).
First to intercept the ball during an attack.
Active in attacks, positioning themselves on the outer side to support the winger and, if necessary, overlapping with the winger to create options.
Key attributes: speed and stamina.

A.4. MIDFIELDER (defensive and offensive)

Maintains balance during both offense and defense (must stay fit and actively move).
During defense, they must immediately cover opponents farthest from them when under pressure.
During offense without the ball:
They should move towards the center of the field.
Their position should stay wide relative to other players, especially when building attacks, to open up areas and determine the attack direction.
They need to make off-the-ball runs, sprinting into open areas (particularly on the outside of the opponent’s defense) to help the winger set the direction of the attack.
Key attributes: stamina/endurance, speed, and strong man-to-man marking ability.

A.5. WINGER

Generally similar to a striker but positioned outside the opponent's defense.
This player type should penetrate the opponent's defense with or without the ball.
When receiving a low ball, they should approach it from outside the field of play, drawing opponents away from the center.
While moving with the ball, they should make efficient diagonal runs toward the penalty box.
When moving with the ball on the outside, they should use fast dribbling when about to cross; the kicking foot should be positioned slightly ahead of the ball for a "curved-in effect." Such a ball has strong rebound momentum on impact with a header or half-volley.
Their off-ball movements should provide options for the striker, blocking opponents and serving as a server.
Key attributes: good speed, stamina, and accuracy (not power).

A.6. STRIKER

This player needs excellent ball skills and peak fitness, as they are constantly moving to support every attack.
When dribbling, they should not focus solely on the ball but on the attacking area.
They should constantly move off the ball or block opponents.
During an attack, they should stay active, get involved with the ball (chasing the ball), and distribute it immediately.
When the team loses the ball, the striker should immediately drop back to "mark," slowing down the opponent’s attack.
Key attributes: good game vision, intuition, and mental resilience.

B. Basic Elements of Football

B.1. FINISHING
Failure in finishing often impacts team possession, occurring when a pass is made in a risky area/position that allows the opponent to intercept.

Situations that may not allow for a finishing attempt include:

Limited passing options / pressured position / hurried conditions.
Very narrow passing lines.

Prioritize finishing in conditions such as:

Having support from a player in the penalty box (for a first rebound).
Long-range shots (aimed at the goal), so supporting players in the penalty box can go for the rebound. *Ensure there is support from 1 or 2 players in the penalty box.

B.2. SHOOTING

Shoot if the distance is appropriate, with power and accuracy. However, this decision should be reconsidered if there’s a better option—a supporting player with a clearer shooting angle and higher chance of scoring.
Remember, the decision to shoot (goal attempt) must consider ball possession balance. If the shot isn’t "on target," the balance between offense and defense becomes crucial in case the team loses the ball.

B.3. MOVEMENT WITHOUT THE BALL (Finishing Runs)
Finishing runs are off-the-ball movements aimed at creating more options for offensive passes or shots. The main key is the one-two touch.

Attention:

Dummy run = The player performing this move primarily aims to confuse defenders without intending to receive the ball.
Direct run = The player moves without the ball directly towards the ball as close and fast as possible. Psychologically, this affects the opponent, creating multiple predictions about where the ball will go. This direct run should head towards the dribbler (ball carrier) or the opponent’s goal line.
Indirect run = This movement helps shape a passing angle by moving away from the dribbler, making it highly effective in creating “offensive angles” and opening up the opponent’s defense.

C. Offensive Strategy

C.1. SHORT PASSING

For short passes, the ball should go directly to the recipient's feet.
If you're making a support run, make eye contact or call out the teammate’s name before sprinting (this reduces the chance of passing errors).
If you’re being marked by an opponent, make sure to move toward the ball rather than waiting for it. This gives you extra time and space before receiving the ball, which helps with balance.
Note: distance = time (principle).
The closer you are to an opponent, the less time you have to consider your options.

C.2. OVERLAP PASSING
The teammate performing the overlap should sprint and move wide to stay out of the opponent defender's reach for intercepting the ball.

C.3. BALL DISTRIBUTION FOR THE SERVER (DRIBBLER)

The passing principle can be categorized based on the direction we’re facing.
Open space refers to the area behind the defender. Passing into this space is difficult for defenders to anticipate. In this situation, chip passes or wall passes can be used, allowing the supporting player to make an overlap run.
Changing direction with lateral passes is also useful for redirecting the attack and opening up new areas for offensive play.
The diagram below illustrates the playmaker's (dribbler/server) options when choosing passing directions within their control area (player circle).

C.4. CREATING PASSING ANGLES

When attacking, the closer you are to a teammate, the quicker the ball can be distributed, dribbled, etc. (this requires speed and agility).
Note: A safe passing distance is 5-10 meters. At this range, the ball can be received and controlled easily by your teammate.
The illustration below shows the movement of teammates to create a "passing angle," providing multiple options for the next action (passing, dribbling, or shooting).

D. Defensive Strategy

D.1. PRESSURING THE BALL

Pressuring the ball is a key principle in defense, especially against attacking players near the goal line.
This creates pressure on the opponent and reduces their passing options.
Remember the formula [distance] = [time].
The faster and closer we apply pressure, the fewer options the opponent has.
See the diagram below: the pressure we apply should be directed towards intercepting the ball into dangerous areas.
When applying pressure, our body position should face away from the dangerous zone.
Move in a semi-zig-zag pattern, as this narrows the dribbler's movement (avoid making straight cuts).
Pressuring the ball also reduces the opponent’s passing lines to supporting players.
In the illustration below, the direction [a] will become the opponent's target for penetration, or the opponent will pass in that direction. This is because the passing line for player [2] is blocked by our interception, preventing player [2] from supporting the attack.
This forces the opponent to move away from the attacking zone.

D.2. DOUBLE TEAM

This defensive situation is typically done collectively, especially to counter players with sprinting abilities.
The basic positioning in a double team is to form a second layer of defense, placing defenders diagonally from the attacking player.
In such a double team, defender [1] can perform a tackle, forcing the attacking player to change the direction of their dribbling. Then, it becomes defender [2]’s responsibility to perform the interception.
Defenders in a double team should not be positioned too far apart to ensure that the interception area remains within reach.

D.3. BACKUP

The principle is that the player closest to the ball should always apply pressure first (defender [1]).
Defender [2] must always provide backup by positioning themselves behind defender [1], as shown in the interception area in the illustration below.
However, it’s important to remember that the interception area should always be directed away from the playing field.

E. Footwork Skills

E.1. BODY FEINT
A body feint is a deceptive move where you lean your body to one side of the opponent and move to the opposite side while carrying the ball.

Function: To break free from a one-on-one mark.

How to practice:
Start by leaning your shoulder forward in the direction you want to feint, then move the ball to the opposite area.
Your supporting foot during this move should be in the direction of the feint.
This move can be performed either "face to face" or "back to back" with the opponent.

E.2. SPINNING
A spinning move involves rotating the body while controlling the ball in the direction of the turn. Control the ball using the instep (inside of the foot).

Function: To open an "open angle" for the next action (shooting/passing).

How to practice:
Use the outer ¾ part of your foot to perform the spin.
At the same time, pull the ball in the direction of the spin using the instep.

E.3. DUMMY PASSING
A dummy pass is used to deceive a defender by either letting the ball pass between the legs or performing a feint.

Attention: This move must be executed in tandem with a teammate.

Function: To deceive a defender when we are too close and see a teammate in an open position, in line with us.

E.4. WALL PASSING (Flick of the ball)
A wall pass is a quick, controlled touch to bounce the ball into open space, allowing your teammate to follow up with the next action (shooting/passing).

E.5. TEAMMATE COMMUNICATION (Eye contact, pointing, or calling a name)
During the game, always communicate with the players around you, especially when your teammate has possession of the ball. Remember, our position without the ball makes it easier to communicate.

This communication could involve instructions or warnings for the next actions.

E.6. BALL CROSSING
As a winger or midfielder, it’s very important to be able to cross the ball (high long pass). We should visualize an imaginary box where the ball must land without interference.

Function:

To avoid tackles or interceptions from the opponent.
Can be used for a direct ball at half-field distance.

E.7. SWITCHING DRIBBLING (Pick and roll)
When one or two players are in the opponent's territory, this feint can be used to mislead the defenders who are tightly marking the dribbler.

The situation that allows us to use the pick/roll should be coordinated with a "meeting point" and perfect timing.

E.8. BALL JUGGLING
Although it may look like just play, ball juggling is important to improve ball control.

F. Winning Character (Mentality)
The long-term goal for the football team being developed by the new management (2007 period) is to create a team with a “winning character.” This vision aims to build the proper mentality in sports to increase players' self-confidence. To achieve this, an appropriate method needs to be developed, taking into account social aspects, work responsibilities, and the roles and needs within the context of the team, similar to applying weight, priorities, and focus in training.

"The mentality of a winning character is essentially the level of self-confidence a player and a team have to reach a target."

A key point to emphasize is that the measure of success in player development is the ability to form the right mentality in players. To enhance self-confidence, players must clearly understand their primary duties in their positions. By knowing their specific roles and responsibilities, players are expected to take ownership and have the confidence to fulfill their function.

Stress management is the relationship between mental fatigue and self-confidence levels.

Overconfidence and Low Confidence in Performance

If we look at the graph above, we can see the relationship between overconfidence and low confidence. The graph shows:

If a player experiences overconfidence, their performance tends to decline.
Conversely, a player with low confidence will be unable to perform at their best.
It can be said that if the pressure on a player is too low, there will be no significant development.

In this context, high-frequency pressure in training and games will have a positive impact on improving a player's performance.

Note:
This should be mentioned in every training session: we must be brave enough to break through the psychological barriers (pain barrier).
However, one thing to remember is that pressure and performance have their limits, as illustrated in the graph above. This is the primary role of the coach and team officials—to monitor, enhance, and maintain peak performance as long as possible, thereby gradually building the player’s mental strength through increased self-confidence.

F.1. What does this mean for football?
For sports that require area control (zone marking) like football, building a sufficient level of confidence for the team starts with each individual player. Over time, it gradually progresses to smaller units and eventually to the whole team. This will allow the team to build better connections between the lines.

F.2. Self-confidence has limits (upper – lower limits)

Upper limit: This refers to a player's ambition, where the player sets high goals and strives to achieve them.
Lower limit: This is the feeling of hesitation (laziness), lack of commitment, and fear of failure in training or matches.

F.3. What is the ideal situation?
A player must have ambition, supported by adequate performance, and eliminate the fear of failure.

The coach's and officials' role is to always try to achieve realistic and constructive ambitions. Mistakes (losses) in every game should be accepted rationally and used as a learning opportunity.

F.4. Elements of Self-confidence
Increasing self-confidence cannot be easily placed on every player. It requires adequate training and continuity. The three things needed to enhance self-confidence are:

Technique: A player must be able to perform dribbling, passing, and shooting with clear objectives.
Insight: A player must be able to quickly observe the playing area and immediately determine the priority of their action, whether it’s to back up or support.
Communication: Training a player to communicate the game situation with their closest teammate and take active action.

These should be supported by an understanding of each player’s main role and a good game plan so that players can quickly determine their priorities with calm, thoughtful reactions.

Achieving this condition is called "focus." To use focus effectively, the player should be aware of their position in relation to the ball, allowing the entire team to anticipate situations more realistically (with a reasonable reaction, not an exaggerated one). Example: when too many players cluster in one area of the field.

One important thing to eliminate "feeling of pressure" is by reducing feelings of hesitation and fear of failure (whatever the final result). If a player feels relaxed and confident going into a match, this is a sign that they can release the "feeling of pressure."

However, it’s crucial to remember that when a player is under pressure on the field, their psychology should not flip into "reptilian brain" mode, which prioritizes instinctive reflexes.

How to prevent the above scenario:
Games should begin in small units, always focusing on the game plan. By following the game plan, a player is seen to have considered the risks involved (risk management). If they lose the ball, their response will be realistic when applying pressure to the opponent.

If the above conditions can be met, this is called "tempo." When a team manages the tempo well, self-confidence will naturally increase, and the team will be able to control the game.

Each game is unique because football is a "chaotic game." The more we can confuse the opponent, the more we can control the game. The level of self-confidence and calmness will be the key to success for players who are aware of it, and thus the team will avoid "chaotic" play.

Summary

Competitiveness or the feeling to compete: Players with high competitive spirit will always strive to showcase their abilities in every event (training or match). This is essential because such players will never easily feel defeated. We need this mindset.
Self-confidence is the number one asset—a mental skill that every player must have. It can be simply described as the confidence to perform excellently in every game. Essentially, these players have already become winners. They think and act with great confidence, and sometimes the aura they project can make their opponents feel defeated even before the game starts.
Composure: This refers to the mental readiness to manage stress. It’s about addressing mistakes by saying, “Don’t focus on the mistake you made, think about how to fix it.”
Focus: Keeping attention on the planned course of action and following through is crucial. For example: if Plan A fails, a focused player will quickly shift to Plan B without confusion. This is the fundamental commonality of an athlete’s response.

G. Formation Implementation

G.1. Basic Formation Pattern

Offensive Position
This formation prioritizes support from wingers and offensive midfielders.
The role of the Libero (Defensive Midfielder) is to cover the open space left by the offensive midfielder during attacks.
The single striker should move laterally across the field, utilizing support from the two wingers and one of the offensive midfielders.
In the second offensive line, utilizing the lateral movement of the striker, the midfielder and wingers can position themselves to block shots (using walls or passes).
Defensive Position
The Libero’s movement is prioritized as the first interceptor (before the defenders), supported by two central defenders (one functioning as a sweeper), making the Libero’s role crucial as a breaker of opposition attacks.

Weaknesses

During offense, there is inefficiency in utilizing attacking space. If players fail to use the width of the field effectively, this can lead to congestion in front of the penalty box.
Wingers tend to make movements along the outside of the field.

G.2. During Offense

Group 1:
One of the central defenders acts as a sweeper, providing coverage and support to the breaker.
Group 2:
The gap between Group 1 is filled by the breaker and the wingbacks.
Group 3:
The striker moves laterally, staying alert for through passes. Both wingers and midfielders must also function as second-line shooters.

G.3. During Defense

There should be no congestion in Group 1 to avoid chaos and excessive responses when clearing the ball.
Players in Group 2 are responsible for maintaining readiness and speed in case Group 1 successfully regains possession of the ball.
Players in Group 2 also serve as the first line of defense, acting as interceptors during an attack.