Awareness

Awareness is the extent to which players are aware of a game. It is the most important skill every player should master as it defines their capability to make better decisions on the field.

Soccer awareness includes the following criteria.

Look / Observe

Look is a psychological aspect (because it is in the thinking and identifying options phase of the continuum); and it can be a tactical aspect (but still in the mind, not the end product and thus the tactical decision), determining the best tactical solution for the next phase of play by observing what is around them (own players, opponents and where the space is).

Skill

The term skill refers to an ability to select and implement an appropriate and effective response from a range of possibilities. In other words, a skilled player knows “what to do” and “where to do it” and represents the execution of the technique.

Skill has psychological; technical, physical and tactical aspects of the continuum, psychological through thinking about the best option available preferably in advance of the ball; technical in terms of the technique of the player with the ball, physical in terms of the actual body involvement and tactical as in the end product, being keeping possession by good decision making and picking one of the best options available.

This is the end product of the technical part of this process.

This can be a one or two touch pass (or more touches if the need is there), a dribble, perhaps a 1 v 1 confrontation; a turn, a cross, a shot or a run with the ball.

Communicate

Communicate is a psychological aspect, the same as the “look” in terms of the thinking and identifying options phase of the continuum, the passing player communicates with the receiver, the player on the ball (receiver) has seen what they need to do, they communicate this to their teammates, and/or, the teammates off the ball have seen what options there are, as the ball is travelling, and have communicated this to the player on the ball (or communication from both parties).

Positioning

Positioning is a psychological aspect (knowing where and when to position) and a physical aspect (the actual body movement) of the continuum. It entails, foot preparation, body position and moving into space to receive. Mind and body preparation is a vital part of this ensuring the mind is prepared beforehand; and the body position is correct and prepared beforehand with the right foot preparation also and the player is in open space to receive.

Control

Control is a technical aspect (first touch control) and a physical aspect (using the body) of the continuum.

Technique

Technique is both technical and physical aspects of the continuum; and is the “how” to do it, the decision of “when and where” to make the technique work is in the next “skill” phase. As mentioned in control, mind preparation, body position and foot preparation can affect this one way or the other.

Tactical mobility

After the ball has been technically received and the skill has been implemented, we are considering the ensuing positioning of the player “off the ball”.

Mobility (movement) is certainly psychological (as they have to think about where they need to go next in the phase of play for movement OFF the ball to be of best use to the team); but also physical as it is a physical motion; and it can also be a tactical aspect as the player needs to know “where” to move to in a tactical sense.

Mental transition

Transition is psychological first, the player has to want to do it and think about where they need to do it, and physical as it is a physical motion.

When transition is mentioned in these continuum’s it is always in the “positive sense” meaning the player works hard to win the ball back after losing it; and there will be levels of this that the coach has to identify with each player, as some players work harder than others in this particular facet of the game. This can apply to teammates off the ball also.

Teammates “off” the ball

To make all this work, the other players “off the ball” must be in tune with what the player “on the ball” is trying to do and must move to help them and it must be done in both the terms of communication and field positioning.

If this does not happen then all the good work of the player on the ball may be wasted because there is no one open to play to in the next phase of play; or the player on the ball may be forced into making an individual move or play until a support opportunity from a teammate opens up.

You can equate the aspects of “mobility”, “transition” to “off the ball” players also.