tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post2694464790080866809..comments2024-01-17T05:39:39.990+00:00Comments on The Power of Goals.: Do Interceptions Matter to Teams ?Mark Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15514407542599931686noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059983310325678283.post-73687262460424722522012-06-05T13:25:57.038+01:002012-06-05T13:25:57.038+01:00I like this post.
Another reason why strikers/att...I like this post.<br /><br />Another reason why strikers/attackers do not intercept so much could be because if defenders are put under pressure they will most likely blast the ball over the sideline or (if they dare) pass it back towards the goalkeeper - it is highly probable that the chance of an opponent being behind the line of defence and between them and the goalkeeper is very small (though it would result in a spectacular interception!)<br />Anyway ... the defender blasting it over the sideline gives his team a chance to move back and into a defensive position as usually it takes ages for the opposing team to take the throw in. Thus a loss of possession isn't really a bit deal, from a throw in one would imagine it fairly easy to regain possession or at least slow any attacking intent the opposing team may have by making them throw backward etc.<br />You don't often see an attacking player kick the ball out of bounds because he is under pressure, you normally see them try to keep a ball in and maybe bounce it off an opposition player out of bounds.<br /><br />Two things pop into my head as I write this ...<br />1) Teams/coaches should really insist that players take the throw in asap to capatalise on pressure situations that force the other team to play the ball out of bounds ... not wait for the right/left defender to come up and take the throw in.<br />This is done a bit, but in my opinion when watching games, it could be done more often.<br /><br />2) Might it be interesting for an attacking team to actually deliberately play the ball out of bounds as far forward as possible if a player comes under pressure without any options of getting rid of the ball? A throw in is many times slower than an interception in changing the direction of play. This will give the ball losing team time to set up a pressure situation at a throw in instead of having to chase down the ball carrier.<br /><br />There were two interesting interceptions over the last few friendlies that I saw.<br />1) Holland - Bulgaria - extra time of second half Heitinga plays a cross field pass (central defence to left back) that Bulgaria intercept (striker I think) and directly results in a goal and a loss.<br />2) Holland - Northern Ireland - first half Robben intercepts a central defence pass out wide which directly results in a goal for a 4-0 score.<br />Both interceptions were players seeing where a pass was going to go and sprinting to intercept ... both cases there wasn't much pressure and the defender thought they knew what they were doing. :)<br /><br />Anyway, again, like the post, got my mind working, good stuff. :)bartnoreply@blogger.com