Over the past year or so, I’ve watched hundreds of amateur indoor soccer games while scouting players for my Anaheim Bolts. One of the many things I’ve noticed is how often players on the attacking end of the field don’t get to the back post–one of “basics” in indoor soccer! They play the indoor game with an outdoor mindset–meaning they don’t take advantage of the no-offside rule to get behind the defense.

At the pro level, teams score 2-3 goals each game by simply moving off the ball and getting to that back post. Throughout my playing career, I scored many “easy” goals by making this basic move.

It really is as easy, simple and basic as it sounds, but it takes the constant repetition of drills and encouragement from coaches to instill the proper mindset into their players. I use this simple drill to teach my players.

The Drill: Three-Player Attack: a forward (or target player), and two midfielders

Diagram A: Midfielder 1 (M1) passes the ball across the field to Midfielder 2 (M2) and moves directly to the back post.

Diagram B: M2 executes a “give and go” with Forward (F).

Diagram C: M2 passes or dribbles the ball to M1 at the back post for a scoring opportunity.

As in any drill, it should start very basic, with no defenders or pressure, to build confidence as well as establish the mindset of getting to the back post. As the players begin to understand their objective and roles, the drill can advance by adding defenders and, eventually, creating a game-like situation.

Diagram D demonstrates that just by getting a player to the back post, we have created three options for a scoring opportunity!

Option #1: M2 passes the ball to M1 at the back post.
Option #2: M2 shoots.
Option #3: M2 passes the ball back to F using the dasher boards.

I’ve heard over and over from many of the great coaches I’ve played for that soccer is “a simple game that we make complicated.” This drill is as simple as it gets, and it has helped our players and team create innumerable scoring chances. I hope it helps you, too!