When you're playing striker and a middie comes dribbling straight up the field toward you, do you run towards the goal? Run to the side? Circle behind? What is the best movement to gain tactical advantage?
I've been playing defense and midfield for 40+ years and suddenly a team thinks I can strike in a 4-2-2. This is the one situation where I am always confused about what to do.
Checking to the oncoming teammate and then circling behind your marking back always presents options for a touch and go or a through ball. Either way you can keep the defense on their heels. I've always found that start and stop explosive redirection.
Heck, I might even lung as if I were going to take off toward goal, check back read my teammate and where the defender is and potentially circle behind for a through ball. It really depends on how your teammate wants to play the ball and what space and opportunity you can create with your activity off the ball.
Good ideas. Points me in the right direction, which will be put to test tomorrow.
The theoretical is much different from the actual, when all of the sudden a teammate turns and accelerates towards you from 15 yards away. I've got to change the reaction from "frozen in horror" to "create more advantage". The action has got to become automatic.
Think about "shape" and the other options around your teammate. If your teammate is slashing up the field you might just make a short lateral movement showing your attacking teammate to go at your defender forcing him to make a choice - mark you or step up to defend.
If he steps up to confront your teammate ask for the ball and you then have a potential touch and go 1-2.