How to Play Possession Football

"Possession is nine tenths of the law" is an English proverb often associated with football--the name most of the world gives to the game Americans call soccer. To an extent this is true, but as the game developed during the 20th century, other contrasting styles emerged that suggested this adage may not necessarily be true. There is, however, no doubting that a team's chances are greatly increased if it has the ball--after all, you can't score without it. Playing possession football is an art form in its own right. There is an emphasis on accurate passing, good movement a good work ethic and teamwork.

Instructions

    • 1

      Retain the ball. This may seem an obvious instruction, but the first rule of possession football is having your players focus on controlling the ball closely and finding teammates for easy passes. This is often why you will see defenders passing the ball among each other and sometimes back to the goalkeeper. Often this is a ploy to draw opponents towards the defenders in order to open up space through to the midfield. One of the quickest ways to lose possession of the ball is by opting for a speculative long pass rather than choosing a simple, shorter pass.

    • 2

      Advance the play forward. While possession football is relatively straight-forward at the back, you will not score unless you move the ball up the field. Having drawn opponents on to you with patient build-up at the back, you should start to find spaces in midfield.

      Search for an easy forward pass into the midfield and make it. One of the keys to successfully completing this pass, as well as any further passing moves heading into the attacking third of the field, is good movement. However, don't force the situation and always remain patient. If you rush, the attacking move it will often break down.

    • 3

      Move for your teammates. Now that the ball is in midfield, the next pass will be more difficult. If you are holding possession in midfield, you will be under more intense pressure with opponents trying to close you down. The strong movement of your teammates will ensure that you have a next pass to make. Essential to your next move will be positive forward runs. The difference between possession of the ball in midfield and a genuine attacking opportunity can be a good pass out of midfield. Indeed, the world's best midfielders can unlock a defense with an excellent ball and send a teammate in for a chance on goal.

    • 4

      Pick out the pass that turns midfield possession into a goal-scoring chance. Goal-scoring opportunities can be created from midfield either with a ball through the middle or by getting the ball out wide and subsequently crossing it into the box. Work the ball into the box and get a scoring opportunity.

    • 5

      Track back if you lose the ball. No matter how hard you work to control the ball, you will occasionally lose it. One key to possession football is that your players must be willing to work to win the ball back as soon as possible.

      If your attacking move breaks down, you must fight to close down your opponents. Restrict their opportunities to pass the ball and win it back. Once the ball is back in your possession, start again from the back and develop another attacking move while controlling possession.