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The Assist Before the Assist: Off-Ball Playmaking

Tactical Rant on the players who create chances without touching the ball.

Cam Jolley

Cam Jolley

Co-Founder & Academy Coach, Coach Central

This piece makes a point I want every player in my group to understand — you can be a playmaker without being the passer, because the run that drags a defender and opens the cutback is what actually created the goal.

The reframe

Arvind's argument is that a lot of the most valuable assists are the easiest passes to execute — a simple cutback, a square ball — and what made them possible was somebody's movement. The run into the channel, the striker pinning a centre-back, the winger timing a run against the full-back. The creative work happened off the ball. The pass was just the last, easy step.

Why I love this for a whole team

Because it means every player can contribute to creating goals, not just the two or three with the best feet. The kid who is not the flashiest passer can be the best mover on the team, and that has real value I can name and praise. It widens who gets to feel important in the attack, and honestly that is good for the group and good for development. I want players walking off feeling like their movement mattered, even on days the ball did not find them.

How I'd use it this week

After your next game or scrimmage, publicly credit one run that created a chance — not the pass or the finish. Watch how it changes what players value in the days after.

Takeaways

  • Many of the best assists are easy passes made possible by someone's off-ball run.
  • Playmaking isn't only for the best passers — movement creates chances too.
  • Naming and praising off-ball contribution widens who feels valuable in the attack.

Read the original

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