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Simple combination plays are synchronized moving and passing combinations
completed by two or three players. The most common example of a combination
play is the wall pass. Other examples include switching plays, through
passes to space and three player combinations. Combination plays help beat
defenders and create defensive confusion.
Wall Pass
The wall pass is
a simple combination play. The player with the ball beats a defender by
using a teammate, like a wall, to bounce the ball behind the defender.
Attempt a wall pass when: 1) there is a beatable defender at the ball; 2)
there is sufficient space behind the defender; 3) there is a teammate
properly positioned to act as the "wall"; and 4) both players recognize the
situation.
The player
with the ball passes to the "wall" and sprints to the space behind the
defender to receive a return pass. The defender at the ball should be
beatable. The usual beatable defender is marking too closely. Other beatable
defenders are slow, approaching too fast, or ball watching. The attacker
also can make a passive defender beatable (too close) by dribbling to them
to decrease the space.
The first
pass should be made to the feet of the player positioned as the wall, using
the inside-of-the-foot pass (push pass) because of its consistent accuracy.
The wall player should be even with the defender marking at the ball. The
distance of the wall player from the ball varies with the size of the space
into which the return pass must be made. If the space is small, the wall
player must be closer to play the ball more quickly. The second pass should
be made to the space where the teammate is running.
Switching
Plays
Crossing movements characterize switching plays. A player to the right
of the ball before the movement began will end up to the left of the ball or
vice versa. Exchanging the ball during the movement creates a "takeover".
The crossing movement can be proceeded by a square pass - a "pass and
follow" combination.
Most
combination plays are designed to beat defenders, but not switching plays.
They keep possession, confuse or reshuffle the defense and exploit space
that exists in a square position.
The context
in which these plays occur reflects their different functions. They occur
when a covered square player sees space on the other side of the ball and
runs into it; when the player with the ball moves toward a square player;
when a player is trapped with the ball in the corner or near the sidelines;
or after a square pass, when the passer follows the pass and runs into a
space.
These
switching movements have many advantages. They are "onside" movements with
no risk of running into an offside position. For that reason, they are
especially useful when playing against the last line of defenders. Running
behind the ball also keeps the runner in good defensive position if the ball
is lost. They are confusing to defenders because they cross defensive lanes
of coverage.
Through
Pass to Space
The
player with the ball passes to a player running into a space closer to goal.
Three
Player Combinations
In a three player combination the basic play is a pass made to a player
running into space. However, there is additional complexity as three players
may work together to create the space and to disguise the run. More passing
options are available. A player must therefore be aware of what space is
accessible to their teammates and how to use them to get the ball to the
player running into space. Attention can be diverted away from the player
running into space by passing, by player movement or both.
Recognition
of a simple principle - get the ball to a player running into space makes
teamwork such as the three player combination possible.
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