THE SKILL OF TEAM COMMUNICATION

Mike Freitag | June 16, 2020

In the game of soccer there are a number of skills that at player must develop – finishing, passing, defending. However; there is one skill that is really lacking in today’s game. As simple as it is, today’s player neglect to use it and that is - communication. The simple task of disseminating information to teammates seems to be difficult for today’s players.

It may be that players are not confident enough to instruct a teammate, it may be that players don’t like to be directed, or perhaps it is that the players do not know what to say or who to tell it to.

Often coaches in their pre and halftime talks plead with their players to talk on the field. These days, our youth correspond mainly with their fingertips by texting. We need them to communicate on the field. Unfortunately; they can’t take their cell phones on the field with them. The problem is deeper than that. Players are not aware of the talk for which they should be accountable. They do not know what to say and to whom to say it.

Players need to take the responsibility to communicate information to teammates in several important categories:

1.    Organization – Players should take on responsibility for helping teammates with their positioning to establish proper team shape to be effective both offensively and defensively. Teammates need to disseminate this information for the good of the team plan.

2.    Teamwork – Teammates need to share information to have success in situations that they are involved in together. Sharing directives and information will help solve the task at hand.

3.    Awareness – Sometimes players need to be the eyes for your teammates and share with them things you see and that they don’t.

4.     Motivation – At times you may need to pick individuals or the whole team. Generate positive vibes when things are not going well.

5.    Accountability – There are times when your teammates need to be held held responsible. 

6.    Options – Let teammates know that you are an option or that there in another alternative for them. A little info may help them make a better decision.

The following is a breakdown by position of who the players should be talking to during the game and what they should be addressing.

Normally players talk too much on the wrong side of the ball. It seems players only talk in a game when they want the ball. Players talk too much offensively. Communication offensively is mainly done by the eyes and body language. Talking offensively gives away one’s intentions. 

However; defensive communication is a must. It coordinates a team’s actions, players’ thoughts and actions defensively have to be in sync. Often, it is done in small groups or pairs. 

Below are some ideas of the communication responsibilities for each position. Using the numbering system from US Soccer will explain players positions. If you are unfamiliar with the numbering system it is listed below:

#1 GOALKEEPERS – The goalkeeper perhaps is the player that needs to talk the most. They are responsible for organizing the troops in front of them. Some of the best goalkeepers hardly make a save because they use their mouths. They need to hold the players in front of them accountable, especially of their defensive responsibilities. 

Who?– Their main communication is to 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 but they also need to direct all players about their roles on set pieces (corner kicks, free kicks). Too much chatter, cheerleading, can make their important directives go unheard as they can be blocked out by teammates During the run of play they need to be a constant ‘mother hen’ to the back line in front of them. So they should be in constant communication with players 2,3,4,5.

What?– Talk to the back line to push up, to drop, to shift, or make them aware of open opponents. They need to make sure players are in the correct position on defensive corners and free kicks. Keepers should also make teammates aware that they are a passing option. They definitely need to let their teammates aware of when they come for the ball.  Common words uttered by goalkeepers are “out”, “clear”, and “keeper”.

#4 & #5 CENTER BACKS – Center backs much like the goalkeeper should talk a lot in a game because they are behind the team and have a good view of everything. They should organize the players in front of them and hold them accountable for their defensive responsibilities.

Who?– The most important communication is between themselves. They must also communicate with the midfielders in front of them #6, #8, and #10 as well as the wide back they are playing alongside. 

What?– Similar to the goalkeeper they need to organize and hold player in front of them and around them accountable for their defensive responsibilities and shape. Between the two of them they need to know who is shutting down the ball and who is giving cover. They must call their name when attacking a head ball. They need to instruct fellow defenders on which way to force defenders – “left” or “right” when giving cover. When passing the ball forward they should connect a message with the pass such as “man on” or “turn”. They need to make teammates aware of open opponents. They must communicate with fellow back line players when they pass on a player to mark. They may need to instruct teammates to step up when pulling an offside trap. 

#2 & #3 OUTSIDE BACKS – From their wide positions the outside backs give information to the players in front and around them. When a ball is on the far side from their position they almost act as a sweeper behind the team instructing the players in front of them and protecting the weak side with directions.

Who?– They will mainly communicate with the wide forward in front of the #7 or #11. They will give them info to help them defensively. Communication with the near center back #4 or #5 and the central midfielders #6 and #8 is also vital.

What?– They need to tell the wide forward when to pressure the opponents outside back or when to drop. Tell players in front of them where opponents are. From their position they need to make center backs aware of diagonal runs from wide opponents. Offensively they need to make teammates aware when they or open wide or are overlapping.

#6 DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER – This has become one of the most important players within a team. This position in a lot of ways has become the director. Besides being the player on the ball a lot they must direct the midfield and frontrunners in their offensive and defensive play. Talk from this central position is important in pulling the teams play together.

Who?– The #6 needs to communicate with everyone since they are the hub pf the team with everyone l around them. They are the link between the offense and defense and involved in both. Just as one will get instruction from behind - #4 and #5, the #6 needs to be the eyes for his fellow midfielders #8 and # 10 and the forward line #11, #9, and # 7. They dictate whether the team should high pressure or drop off. Probably their biggest job is holding attacking players in front of them accountable to their defensive responsibilities.

#7 & #11 WIDE FORWARDS – Communication in this position may be more on being focused to listen than talk. They need to be conscious of what is being said to them from players behind, mainly #2 and #3. They should have discussions with players around them on what kind of balls they want and synchronizing movements.

Who?Must listen to players behind to help with defense. Should have discussions in games and in practice to get on the same page on movement, likes, and tendencies to be better coordinated offensively. These will most likely be #9, #10, #8, #6 and whoever is on their side #2 or #3. 

#8, #10, & #9 PLAYERS – These positions are being grouped together because their voice communication is not as important as their body language and visual cues. That is not to say that they may occasionally need to give a shout for the ball. What is important for these positions is to become close and talk about situations so that they are on the same page to achieve success.

Who?– Again this triangle of attacking players needs to talk to each as well as sorting things out with the wide players #7, #11, #2, and # 3. They need to be on the same wavelength and let the providers aware of their tendencies and the type of services they like. This attacking communication is perhaps the hardest to achieve because most of the time it must be done without talk. It is done by body language or ESP. The real talk should be done in practice so that they can read each other in the games without words.

Players’ communication on the field must be positive. Positive means that it will be beneficial to the team. The tone often can sound negative, but players need to filter the message and realize what is being said and not how it is said. With that said, the giver of the information should try to offer it in a positive manner. The player directives mentioned above must be executed throughout the whole game, but there are times that you must lift the team with your words and also hold players accountable. 

In closing, the bottom line is that communication on the field is vital to a team’s success. Players need to develop communications skills and coaches need to encourage and teach them it’s importance.