The Recovery Run: Why You Should Never Chase the Ball

Imagine this. Your team is attacking. Suddenly, you lose the ball. The other team gets it. This is called a transition.

What do you do next?

Most players do what we call "chasing the ball." They run right at the opponent who has the ball. They run as fast as they can, eyes glued to the ball.

But here is the problem. The ball moves faster than any human can run. If you chase the ball, the opponent will just pass it past you. You will end up tired, out of breath, and left behind.

There is a better way. It is called a recovery run.

A recovery run is a smart sprint. You do not run to where the ball is right now. You run to the spot where you need to be to protect your goal. It is the secret to helping your team defend, even if you are an attacker.

The "Run to the Goal" Rule

When your team loses the ball, do not look at the ball and run toward it. Instead, turn around and sprint toward your own goal.

Why? Because the other team wants to score in your goal. That is where they want to go. If you run straight toward your own goal, you are taking a shortcut. You will get to the dangerous space before they do.

Once you get back near your own penalty box, you can stop running. Now you are in front of the goal. You are between the ball and your net. In soccer, we call this being goal-side.

When you are goal-side, you have the advantage. The attacker cannot run straight to the goal because you are standing in the way.

Run in a Straight Line

When you make a recovery run, you want to use the fastest route. The fastest route is always a straight line.

If you chase the ball, your run will look like a big curve. You will follow the ball as the other team passes it sideways. Curved runs take much longer. They make you tired, and they do not help your team.

Instead, run in a straight line back to the center of the field. Even if you play on the wing, you should run back toward the middle. The middle of the field is the highway to your goal. By running to the middle, you block that highway.

Three Steps to a Perfect Recovery Run

To make a great recovery run, follow these three steps:

• Step 1: Sprint straight back. Do not jog. Do not watch the ball. Put your head down and run back to help your defenders.
• Step 2: Peek over your shoulder. While you run, turn your head quickly. Look for the ball and look for open players on the other team. Doing this helps you see where the danger is.
• Step 3: Slow down and shape up. Once you get back in line with your defenders, slow down. Turn your body so you can see both the ball and the players you need to guard.

When to Chase and When to Run Back

How do you know when to chase the ball and when to run back? It depends on how close you are to the ball.

If you are very close to the ball—like two or three steps away—you should try to win it back right away. This is called pressing.

But if the ball is far away from you, do not chase it. The opponent has too much time. If you run at them, they will just pass around you. This is when you must make a recovery run.

Think of yourself like a safety net. If your teammate gets beat, you need to be behind them to help. You cannot help if you are still chasing the ball from behind.

Next time you lose the ball in a game, do not chase the player. Turn, sprint to the middle of your own half, and prepare to defend. Your coach will love your hard work, and your team will let in way fewer goals.