Tactics and strategy

There are mainly two ways of building a team(and lots of approaches to these varying from team to team). Both set-ups have two forwards and two backs. The difference lies in the assignments of the keeper/wing-pair:One way to do it is to have one designated keeper and one combined keeper/wing, the other set-up just have two combined keepers/wings. The wing is still called left-wing or just left. This dates back to the days when the set-up involved left-, centre-,and right-wing, a set-up now abandoned because it was based on a too stringent and two-dimensional way of thinking. Still the word 'left' is used as short for the outfield-player who supports the keeper in defence.

The tasks of the different players depends on the phase of play, offensive(ball within team) or defensive (opposition has the ball). The following treats the main tasks assigned to the players, divided according to the abovementioned phases. This is a general and basic form of strategy, and we are not interested in revealing our more detailed magic.

Keeper in defensive play:
Main responsibility is naturally to prevent the ball from entering the goal (the 'bucket'). If player carrying ball comes in along the bottom, keeper sits in front of the goal, using feet to fend of opposing player. In case of several 'attackers', or they are already close to the bucket, the keeper presses his back down on the bucket by swimming hard. He/she acts as a lid.

Keeper in offensive play:
Keeper stays behind in the surface, always able to stop a single would-be-goalgetter. The team is then safe from being totally surprised by fast rushes, and the keeper is rested and ready for long time submersions.

Wing in defensive play:
During defence, the wing acts as a keeper. The two changes place since there always must be a keeper by the goal.

Wing in offensive play:
An offensive wing performs like the forwards(below).

Back in defensive play:
The back s the one to cut off the attackers, acting as a buffer around the goal-area. This is most easily done by taking position a tad below an imaginary line between ball-carrying attacker and the goal. It is important that the two backs also interchange, so that there's always one down and in action and one up breathing.

Back in offensive play:
A back is supposed to be offensive and active also when his team is attacking. An important role is to channel the ball to players in a good position. This requires some overview of the play, and the back is usually close up but behind in the attacking formation. This overview actually makes the back the first to see the openings, thereby giving him/her the highest potential for 'stealing' a goal. Also here it is important for the backs to interchange.

Back in the moment the opposition obtains the ball:
This is one of the most critical moments in a match. This is the time when a back could really make a fool of him-/herself. The back in the surface should always stay behind and retain an overview of the situation, and ready to stop a charging player. It is important that the back doesn't come too close to the other player, so that he/she prevents passing of the ball past him-/herself. Keep them an arms length away. The other back who was active in the attack, must quickly return to secure behind the 'stopping' back. Remember to stay in the surface but on the line between ball and own goal. If the stopping back is outplayed, the second stoops down to cut them off. The backs are now in rhythm for the interchanging, defending and securing/breathing. Under pressure, swap places quickly, rest when in control. By this method, the backs can stall the opposition until a complete defence can be set up by the whole team.

Forward in defensive play:
The forwards' task is mainly to try and snatch the ball. That is, to be in the centre of events all the time. The forwards does not follow strict interchange. I defence, the usual tactics is for the forwards to 'fall the enemy in the back' so to speak, while the 'enemy' is occupied trying to get past the back or keeping clear of the backs 'bullying' and teasing. Another important task is the 'forechecking', staying close to an opposing player so that he/she can't be played. If an attempt to pass the ball to such a forechecked player, the forward might snatch the ball. This method requires speed, a good eye for the game and a lot of practice. It's a hard but incredibly effective job.

Forward in offensive play:
The forwards also here have a free position in the play. It's important to help the other players by making oneself 'playable', thereby tying up some of the oppositions defence. At least one of the forwards should place him-/herself up front in the formation, but close enough to receive the ball. then the ball can be played past the back and the defence might break(see 'Back in defence'). When the team is in a good position for a score, be there! More of your own players crowding the bucket, means lesser room for the defence.