How Coaches Assess Your Tactical Awareness

Tactical insight incorporates the anticipation, reading, and execution of certain clues that happen during possession and non-possession of the ball.

In Attack:

A. Player not in possession:

1.Makes himself available for the ball, perhaps by a diagonal run or a cross-over run.
2.Realizes when it is crucial to offer close support and when to stay away.
3.Recognizes the proper time to execute “take-overs” and “overlaps”.

B. Player in possession:

1.Has good peripheral vision, allowing him to recognize the correct time to switch the ball to the other side of the field.
2.Has good penetrating vision, allowing him to see and utilize players who are far down the field.
3.Recognizes the correct time to play directly, and when it is important to hold the ball (shielding or dribbling), or when to run at top speed past players opening up passing angles for his team.
4.Sees opportunities to play “one-twos”.

In Defense:

During the immediate pursuit, and desire to regain possession of the ball, the player should recognize:

1.When to race forward to intercept the pass.
2.When to mark the opponent tight in order to discourage the ball from being passed to him (pressure).
3.When, where, and how (posture) to tackle.
4.When to jockey the ball carrier and force them away from the goal (patience).
5.The quickest avenue of attack upon regaining the ball.

(by Roby Stahl, http://www.kysoccer.net/coaches/odp/tryout.keys/odp.how.coaches.assess.players.tactical.html )