structure is the concept behind properly striking a ball, heading a ball accurately, tracking back along a line to the post, always looking for the open player on a breakaway run, making the right run, burying a penalty kick upper "v", time after time after time. structure is calculated play, careful observation, rigid standards, and planned execution.
often players are taught the "right" way to do each skill in soccer. the "right" way is subject to the biases of their coach. many coaches attempt to create a teamload of players that react to each set of problems in similar manners every time. for instance, a coach may teach his/her players to keep the ball on the ground, to play short passes, to keep possession of the ball, to always build up slowly to a scoring opportunity. this builds sound tactics and consistent play in a team. it is very effective in creating a smoothly operating team. the structure becomes the gospel of the team. structure lacks style.
style is the concept behind doing the unexpected, taking chances, dribbling the ball with three defenders pressuring you and getting through them, hitting a long lofty shot on goal from the centerline and scoring, or coming off your line as a goalkeeper and stealing the ball at the center circle. style is flash, risk, creativity and magic.
there are players out there with style. eric wynalda has style. mia hamm has style. these players are not afraid to take chances, to try something new, to overcome obstacles by stretching the rules. style makes a player dangerous. style lacks structure.
sometimes structure becomes too important and the style is hidden, buried, repressed. structure can destroy style. structure alone becomes boring. structure alone becomes anticipated. structure alone becomes predictable. a team without style becomes stagnant. a team without style is uninteresting to watch as a spectator.
sometimes style becomes too important and the structure is lost. style can undermine structure. style alone is out of control. style alone becomes totally chaotic. style alone becomes inefficient. style alone becomes ineffective. a team without style becomes purposeless. a team without structure is uninteresting to watch as a spectator.
what am i getting at you ask? well, puppy breath, the answer is simple. you need both. the balance of style to structure will vary from coach to coach. however, there is definitely a harmony, a balance to be found by all.
sometimes we get so consumed with one school of thought that we forget to look at the whole picture. let me illustrate this.
i had two photography instructors when i was at canine college. (yes, they do teach photography at canine college. even though it was an elective, like cat-biting and postal worker chasing, it was still offered none-the-less.)
one instructor, we will call her ms. "h", was very good at teaching style. she was more concerned about taking chances, being creative, and having a strong concept behind the photograph than the technical aspects of creating a perfect print. she made me think in new ways. she made me overcome problems with new tools. she made me loosen up and have fun. the other instructor, we will call him mr. "w", was very good at teaching technique. he was more concerned about proper exposure, proper printing, and complete control over the tools and instruments of the trade than he was with the content of the photograph. he made me think in new ways. he made me overcome problems with mastery of the tools. he made me pay attention to detail and methodically create perfection.
it was my exposure to both schools of thought that allowed me to come to the perfect mix of structure and style. i had classmates that also had both instructors. some of the classmates leaned to the ms. "h" side, and some towards the mr. "w" side, but it was their exposure to both instructors that allowed them to reach the balance that best suit their needs. in coaching, it is important that players are structured. there should be a common objective to strive for when playing in a team environment. it is important to be part of the system. finding the balance is the key.
one way to look at the balance is by mapping it across the field. in the defensive third of the field (the area in front of your own goal), structure is more important than style. things should be methodical and formula. mark goalside. don't dive in. track back to the nearpost. don't take chances. always play it safe.
in the attacking third (in front of your opponents goal), it is better to lean to the stylish side. be creative. take chances. take a defender one-on-one and make'em sweat. take a shot on goal even if you have only a half-chance.
in the middle third of the field, the balance should be equally structured and stylish. another consideration is to change your game occasionally. if your team strategy is to play the ball to the center forward with long, low, through passes... try to play the ball out to the wings every once in awhile and allow them to take the ball to the line and cross back across the goalmouth. or if your midfielder relies heavily on a one or two touch passing game... it would be great to encourage him/her to dribble the ball through the middle every so often. this kind of random change in plan will create chances and wreak havoc on unexpecting defenses.
as with everything, a bit of experimentation is always helpful, especially for youth teams. try to expose the youth players to as many different situations and styles as possible. and as usual, stress fun and participation over winning.
if you think that structure doesn't effect style, ask yourself if you spent the entire time that you read this column being irritated that there were no capital letters. if it really bothers you a lot... loosen up, you just missed a great article. ciao for now.