Soccer is the most popular team sport in the world. It incites passion in players, pundits and supporters and leads to enormous loyalties to followers. It is the simplest of games, but one upon which tactical skills can be layered as we might find in the closest of chess matches.
But the aspect of soccer that lifts the crowds to their feet, gets them cheering and, usually, offers the greatest thrills to players and supporters alike is when a team attacks. The superb piece of individual skill, the piercing pass that splits a defence like a bread knife breaking a closely bound loaf, the shot, or header that screams into the net. That is what is at the heart of soccer.

And the game is definitely changing to see offensive philosophies overtake more defensive formations as the principals by which top teams orchestrate their play. From the great Arsenal sides of the late 1990s and early 2000s, under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, through the development of tikka-taka play of the noughties’ Barcelona team, through the high pressing, strong attacking style of the likes of Pep Guardiola, who of course started with the Spanish giants, and Jurgen Klopp, the best club sides have built their success on offensive play, trusting themselves to outscore the opposition in any given game.

And that has all been to the benefit of the fan, who see more goals - the tactical 0-0 or hope for a goal from a set piece to barely enliven a boring, safe soccer display are largely now removed to the closet of soccer’s history.

This book will look at offensive plays. It will offer insight to coaches, players and supporters, young and old, and provide drills and analysis that can both help us to better understand the game and produce higher quality in attacking moves ourselves, or with our teams.

We hope that you find it interesting, and informative. And that it makes your team, your coaching or your own offensive play more effective.