The 5 W’s

When analyzing the game, you can do so by assessing the 5 W’s.

When planning your training sessions, you also do so by reframing the 5 W’s.

Who. What. When. Where. Why. (simple analysis for example here)

Analysis

Who - #3 and #2.

What - Keep getting beaten to the end line, and the opponent gets crosses in behind.

When - After opponent has broken into our defensive third.

Where - Wide channels.

Why - Opponent winger was wide on the sideline. Our #2 and #3 would be too narrow to defend the quick ball wide.

Picture the scenario in the game - opponent has the ball, moved into our third and quickly plays a pass wide. Our defenders are narrow and are unable to get wide enough, quick enough to defend the direct drive to the end line.

Training

Who - #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 (recognizing it isn’t just the winger, I need to include the rest of defensive line, including GK and see the #6 could influence any forward play with their positioning).

What - Preventing opponent from playing in the wide channels and getting to the end line for crosses behind us.

When - After opponent has broken into our defensive third

Where - Wide channels.

Why - Defensive pressure from the #6 makes play predictable so #2 and #3 can anticipate a wide pass and immediately pressure, forcing play backwards and preventing the opponent from driving to the end line. The #1 supports from behind with communication about pressure and covering defenders on the weak side.

Outcome - I take the game moment, whether part of a greater cycle or some specific training moment, and break it down OBJECTIVELY. This is what happened. This is how we are going to train a different behavior.

End of training - Did we see the desired behavior? If not, why not? Is so, will it transfer to the next game?

The 5 W’s keep your analysis objective. Use them.