Weak Side III

The game we are analysing today is the third game of five in the OkLiga final between Barça and Noia. It ended 4-1 for Noia, marking their first win in the series.

As a reminder, follow these steps:

1. Take a look at the video
2. Read and think about the analysis.
3. Match the analysis with the video. It starts at 7:05.

Transition

At this stage, we all know that a transition is not always a counterattack. Gabarro (Noia Nº27) restarted the game from his penalty box, supported by Xavi Costa (Noia Nº6). Barça’s defence is very high, typically called a 40-metre defence. The other Noia players are positioned, one on the opposite side and the other in front of the goalkeeper, making the floor “deeper”.

offensive transitions and counter attacks are not synonyms

Space

When Gabarro reaches Barça’s half, Xavi Costa drags his defender and Gabarro’s just cutting in, creating space for a pass to Ivan Morales (Noia Nº97), who moves from 9 to 3 on the opposite side (getting the weak side).

Creating Space

Morales stops the ball at 3, with his defender next to him and another defender supporting. Xavi Costa, who cut in really deep (dragging two defenders with him), offers support in 4, thereby opening up the play for Noia and gaining the attention of all the defenders.

Weak Side

Noia’s strategy is both simple and complex: they attract all the defenders’ attention to one side. More specifically, all the defenders are focused on areas 3 and 4, where there are only two Noia players. Morales slowly skates to the top corner, looking for a block that never comes but creates enough space for Xavi Costa to pass.

During this, Gabarro remains on the weak side near the middle of the floor, waiting for an opportunity. This comes when Llorca (Barça Nº44) turns his back on him. Gabarro begins skating next to the wall, maintaining his direction until he stops the ball at 3. He then aggressively enters the penalty box, executing a shot with a defender at the second post, scoring the third goal for Noia.

1. Simplicity: This opportunity arose from good positioning on the floor—nothing fancy, nothing special. Blocks are used as tools, not as the sole strategy, actually there is not a single a block
2. Creation Areas: The team is mindful of where they can create and where they cannot, using these areas to gain an advantage.
3. Cutting In: The most powerful move for them is cutting in, dragging defenders and creating space.

Grab a stick & keep skating!!