Target Men and Playmakers: Part 3: Supply To Head Target Man

A quick explanation for those who don’t know

The target man and the playmaker are two types of players who are very similar in one way and quite different in another. They are similar because they both become a player that your team will generally look to pass to. They are different due to the roles they play in your team; the playmaker will receive the ball and look to dictate tempo and spray creative passes around the pitch. The target man will look to collect balls from your other players, either to their head, their feet or in front of them to run on to; becoming the focal point of your attack.

Target Men

Like the playmaker there are three types of target men and they all will give your team something to aim at; there is the target man who will look to win headers and flick on’s, the type that likes to receive balls to his feet and use his touch and strength to hold up the ball and the final type is the striker with raw pace and will look to latch on to long balls played over the top. In this article we will be looking at the supply to head target man.

Some attributes to consider before using this target man

Off the ball, finishing, composure, - any target man will need to be good off the ball and obviously will need the quality in front of goal.

Heading, strength, jumping, bravery – these attributes are going to decide how good your target man will do in the air.

Using your target man effectively

Now you know some important attributes, you need to know how to employ the play maker into the heart of the team.

ST

This target man is the type who is going to be the focal point of your attack and will basically give your team something to aim at via headers, flick ons and generally bringing over team-mates into play. This usually encourages a direct/long style of play, often used by the less technical teams, especially down the lower leagues. Peter Crouch is a fine example of a good supply to head target man, when he plays he is always getting headers and flick ons and setting up other players.

Forward runs: Mixed – you may find this unusual for a striker but this instruction will encourage your striker to come deeper than forward players so he can receive high balls to get flick ons.

Closing down: Rarely – your striker will always need to be available to receive balls and with the burden of closing down he will be caught out of position, hence becoming unavailable.

Creative Freedom: Little/Mixed – giving you target man to much creative freedom will make him less effective, because he will move into channels and try to much when he basically needs to keep it simple.

Mentality – you want your striker to have a mentality fairly lower than other attacking players so his headers and flick ons are effective to other players. If you are playing with two strikers, I recommend your target man should be 2-4 notches below the other striker. If you’re playing with wingers then it should be at least 1 notch below them.

Through balls: Mixed – he is an attacking player so there should be a lot opportunities for passes though the middle.

Passing style: Short/Mixed – when you striker has the ball at his feet you ideally want him to keep it short and simple, but try and keep it close to your overall passing style.


One more thing:

Don’t try and use this player if he doesn’t have the right the right attributes. For example, if your target man has crap off the ball skills then he will never be able to get to right place and lose his marker. Also don’t try and play a short/mixed style of play if you want to use a supply to head target man as he requires high, direct balls played towards him.