The offside trap has to be practised as a unit, they must move in unison with eachother. I think it is more than speed, it has to do with the intelligence of the defenders, in that they have to read the strikers and midfielders well, our defenders have to have that instinct in order to read the opposing team and what they are about to do.
The offside trap is vulnerable against players who can play with their backs to defenders and beat defenders one on one, simply bc the offside trap creates space between the defence and the goal, a hard-working forward, which is aggressive and links with the midfield and could also beat his man and turn would have no problems with the offsie trap. However a forward who waits for the mid to pass him the ball and is not moving with and without the ball, cannot exploit those defensive holes bc when the striker moves, so to does the defence.
I don't think TT needs a stopper if we have a solid back 4 who knows how to play together and in unison. We need players who are intelligent defenders and could link with the midfield to build the attack.
The offside trap is effective if the defenders movement as a unit are well timed, good coordiantion in training and on the field of play, good communication amongst the defenders and also if the keeper is not off his line, leaving himself vulnerable. The player who is trying to pass to the striker must be dispossesed to begin with, we need a workman in the midfield to do this but also a workman who is able to hold possession and also pass well. I think the key is having a utility player in the mid or defence bc of his ability to pass and possess the ball.
The dutch were big proponents of using the offside trap, when my cousin clayton played for ajax, it was a signature for them to trap their teams every game but at crucial times of the game, in the first 10 mins, than again before half-time, at the beginning of half time and at the ending of the game. The Dutch football program in general have what I would say perfected the offside trap but when they play teams like brazil, who have forwards that run and can dribble and beat their defenders, it is harder to employ bc strikers who have good movement with and without the ball creates space for themselves and their teammates, negating the effectiveness of the offside trap. However, in the 1974 world cup the dutch capitalized on the offside-trap and reaked havoc on the brazillians.
I think in order for the trap to be effective you need to attack the ball itself, rather than just running upfield, running through the passing lane and in effect cut it off from the opposition, the purpose is to win back the ball and launch a counter attack, in essence. Putting pressure on the mid is always key in executing the offside trap. The dutch have done it the best, next to the germans, I wonder what wim's approach will be with the current team, bc we need defenders who can dribble, pass and possess, a utility man may be the answer.
God is de BOSS....
