Hi, I am new to coaching soccer but am not new to the game. I figured I would throw in a little bit about offense since there seems to be a lack of knowledge on the issue. One of the biggest mistake I see in a lot of games is that players fail to realize their roles(on offense/attack) when they do not have the ball. It seems to be a common practice to just get 'open' for a pass and try to get the ball as often as possible. The problem with this idea is that it tends to push everyone in one area an limits the amount of movement that is able to be made with the ball. The biggest issue I try to enforce is to spread out as much as possible without breaking up passing options. A lot of times you will see players bunching up to create passing oppourtunities when in fact all they are doing is drawing not only themselves but also the opposing defense closer together, creating a bigger chance of losing the ball. It seems most players don't feel like they can be useful unless they have the ball, another common misconception. There are in fact seven basic principles to playing good offense that involves a lot more than just the person with the ball and those who could be passed to. They are: 1) Creating space- this the principle of principles. The only way to get through most defenses (without having to depend on breakaways) is to create space. The rest of the principles that follow will give ways of doing this. 2) Challenging- exactly what it sounds like. Many times just challenging the defense up front can open up a scoring oppourtunity simply because it opens up the possibility that a player can just outplay a person on defense leaving the defender out of position(creating space/lane to the goal) 3) Wall pass- a triangular pass requiring two attacking players. This is one you see a lot whether you realize it or not. One attacking player challenges a defender but makes a quick, short diagonal or square pas to attacking teammate. The player then sprints past the defender to receive the ball back. Though this play does not necessarily create space, it utilizes the space between the outplayed defender and the next defender. 4) Take overs- simply put, player A (with the ball) crosses paths with player B (without the ball), where player B takes over the ball. This is a very effective way of putting a defender in a position to make a choice(unless of course the defender is completely left in the dust) between covering the person with the ball(B) or the player who could recive a second pass(A). 5) Crossovers/split runs- exactly what they sound like. When you have two players who either cross paths or run in opposite directions. A little tougher to coordinate but very effective at creating space in front of the goal. 6) Decoy run- this is simply when a player (without the ball) runs back to another player (with the ball) in an attempt to either A-draw a defender with him/her or B-leave the defender and allow for a chance to pass. 7) Overlaps-again, exactly what it sounds like. A player simply runs behind the person with the ball either creating a passing oppourtunity or creating space by drawing a defender out of position.