Talking, or writing, about Offensive Game is very subjective, as we may understand it in an immense variety of crucial behaviors to implement our vision into the team. Regardless, we must understand the high complexity of the Offensive Game, as it requires all the organization, training, synchronization and recognition of behaviors from all the players – just like at the Defensive Game – but we must add the ball. 

And there’s only one in the Game, and everyone wants it.

Therefore, this differentiate element has an immense importance.

Always, the ball.

The literature will present us with different principles of attacking in football, specially with the national influence of each Football School or History. It is completely different to understand, even from the most generic picture and characteristics, a South-American player in comparison with an European, African or Asian player. Same thing happens within Clubs from same countries, where different characteristics are expected from some Clubs more than others. And, again, we must adapt to the coming changes when working internationally, or trying to better understand other League requirements or needs, because the names can change, concepts may vary, but the question remains the same: what to do when in possession of the ball?
Naturally, the question already states the alignment needed between Offensive and Defensive Strategies in the Game Model.

I hope to cover all the main concepts here! 

The essential concepts that guide a team’s Offensive Strategy have always the same objectives, which are to better position players in attacking positions and, ultimately, to help create scoring opportunities. 

These concepts, or principles, include Progression, Offensive Coverage, Positioning, Movement, Space, and Timing, each of which contributes to effective attacking play:

• Progression:
  Progression is the beginning of Teaching Football, in its the most raw version, as it starts with having the ball at your feet and progress (“driving”/“travel”) with the ball towards the opposition goal. Here starts the right pattern creation, with the preferred areas of the foot to progress with the ball, how to receive, pass, etc. This concept involves the idea of advancing the ball strategically to the attacking areas, regardless of where is recovered. It involves building up the play methodically through passes and ball movement, ideally transitioning from defense to attack while maintaining possession, and at the higher levels of understanding the key elements include ball circulation, controlled passing, and maintaining a structured shape during transitions.
  

• Offensive Coverage:
  Offensive Coverage refers to the arrangement of players to provide multiple passing options and maintain control of the ball. The concept involves players positioning themselves to offer support and passing options/lines to teammates in possession, even if not in positions that would take the ball, and the team, closer to the goal immediately. This Principle reveals a higher understanding of playing Football and may take longer to understand, when compared with Progression, as it may not have an immediate impact on achieving the goal, but it’s crucial for the team to have players available at all time to receive the ball. Therefore, key elements include players’ awareness of their positions and spacing to facilitate passing and receiving.
  

• Positioning:
  Positioning is a modern concept, linked to the “Positional Game” that entails players taking up positions on the field that exploit the weaknesses in the opponent’s defensive shape. When adapted to younger ages, the concept must involve the understanding of what involves Positioning and why we are doing. Starting with the explanation of “Width and Depth” (or in simple terms, “Big field/Small field” referring to when in possession or out of possession, respectively) and how that will impact our own game, as well the oppositions game is very important. Normally, in all age groups and levels, as soon as you stop the Training Session to ask “Where is the Space? Can you show me?” and offensive players move to the space, the players defending start to move as well. But the ball is not moving! And this is a massing opportunity to reinforce the importance of knowing the Game, how to enjoy the space and respect the positioning as it provokes reactions from the opposition team, that will create even more space to better receive the ball and move forwards. Consequently, positioning involves players finding spaces between defenders, occupying areas that pull defenders out of position, and positioning to create overloads in critical areas, and the key elements include finding gaps, maintaining width, and creating triangles of support.

• Movement:
  Movement is very connected to the acknowledgement of the Game, as frankly all of the Principles in different stages of importance throughout the Player Path. To understand the dynamic action of players without the ball to create space and disrupt the opponent’s defense, requires understanding of the Game. And its your responsibility as a Coach to explain why do we need movement, why we as a team need well-timed runs, synchronized interchanges of position, and coordinated off-the-ball actions. After understanding the importance of explaining the why of explaining the Game as each one of us believe in it, the key elements to train must include diagonal runs, overlapping runs, and quick changes in direction. For me, most importantly, I would say that the concept of Contrary Movements is, by far, the most relevant element here.
  But will talk about that another time!
  
• Space:
  Space management is, again, about the improvement of the Game knowledge of your Players, allowing them to improve their understanding on the importance about recognizing and exploiting available spaces on the field, for you and for colleagues. Players must understand the need to be aware of both the space they occupy and the space they can create or exploit. Naturally, the key elements for training include finding and attacking open space, manipulating defenders to create space, and exploiting gaps in the opponent’s defense.
  

• Timing:
  Timing is crucial to executing attacking plays effectively. Timing is, also, the most difficult aspect of the Offensive Game, because it involves decision-making which is, for me, the most relevant element that distinguishes a Football Player and, consequently, the Game Model. This principle involves well-timed passes, runs, and movements that disrupt the opponent’s defensive organization, and the definition on “well-timed” may vary from player to player, because they are all in different situations throughout the Game and facing different pressing from opposition. Therefore, we must train them to be synchronized, to manage expectations in order to facilitate the decision-making process of each player. Timing is also the last achievement that we can aim for and the last to come on the ladder of Football understanding, and is very much correlated with the other 5 Principles and Concepts here presented.

Understanding and implementing these principles effectively can lead to a cohesive and potent attacking style. Coaches and players need to work on these aspects during training and matches to improve their offensive capabilities, as well as to be more prepared for different Defensive Strategies. Naturally, a well-coordinated attacking team that combines these principles can create goal-scoring opportunities more often and maintain a sustained threat against the opposition’s defense.

However, this is very, very difficult.

And takes time. Normally, a good amount of time.

Ok, if you’re at top level, you’ll find players understand it easier. 

All of it. 

Because they already have installed the great majority of the specific behaviors required for a quicker adaptation to different strategies, therefore, the new elements will only increment their knowledge. 

In addition if you can add, as always, with satisfactory results and you’ll be in the sky!!

But don’t take this for granted, any of it, either winning or losing.

It takes all of you and the result might not be good, and definitely not perfect. 

But you cannot flow with the wave.

Be consistent about your decisions, be confident of the path that guide you to stand for your opinions and, eventually, results will join you sooner or later. 

Thanks for reading!
See you!