Perceiving the Field

This week, we focus on perception.

You will hear me and the coaches saying, “Perceive the field” quite a bit to a player who anticipates getting the ball or is defending in a situation where they’re down numbers ex. 1v2, 2v3. 

To “perceive the field” is to first use the eyes to scan what is going on during the game at a particular moment. Once we understand where our teammates are, where the other team is, where the ball is, and where the space is, then we can anticipate where the ball may be going or have a direct influence on where the ball should go. The latter part of this has to do with space. 

If we’re on offense, we want to create more space, meaning the offensive team should spread across the field and give options for the player on the ball. If we’re on defense, we should try to make the field as small as possible, closing down options down the middle and forcing the ball towards the outside of the field. We will practice this during small-sided games this week. 

Perception allows our players to be a step ahead of the game. They can take their first touch into space, cover an open space that the other team may counter attack into, see someone open and move the ball quickly to them, read the body language of another player, and/or communicate with teammates to cover open spaces. 

If you or your son are looking for examples of perceiving the field outside of practice, watch Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, RB Liepzig, Ajax, and/or Atalanta throughout the week. 

In this article, you can read and watch how Man City’s recognition of space through perceiving the field leads to a goal. 

See you tonight. 

Michael