Others prefer to send the ball into the box hoping to keep the possession when it "lands" or retrieving it on the second play. At training stage we have an obligation to teach players how to play by holding the ball. I will say that when you opt for the second option -direct play- you must do more than telling the gatekeeper to  "kick a long shot" or to throw the ball to the mass of players and opponents themselves concentrated in the center of the field awaiting the arrival of the ball. The idea is a bit more complex and can and should be trained.

What do we have to keep in mind and train to play from the goalkeeper in short and keep possession?

We will explain the roles following attack phases: the ball is close to my goal; the ball is in the middle of the field; and the ball is near the opposing goal.

Actions during attack in the initiation phase:

In this situation the attacking team must deploy his players to free spaces of the opponent even if near the player with the ball, to create constant support with two main objectives: keeping ball in possession, and advance with it towards the opponent's goal. Players should learn and be able to:

1. Deploy to free spaces to support the goalie.

2. Stand ready to efficiently distribute the ball as quickly as possible.

3. Move to get rid of the defenders' mark, to create permanent aids (angles and passing lanes) to players holding the ball.

4. Protect the ball with control aiming it to free spaces and passing lanes and away from the opposing players' control.

5. Pass and move the ball from the "busiest" defense zones to areas where there are attackers better placed in open spaces and are able to move the ball towards the opponent's goal

Actions in attack in the Creation phase:

The attacking team must find the best way to reach the last third of the field in the best possible conditions from there and in the new phase shoot at goal, since the ball is in the middle of the field and the opposing team should be positioned near its own goal, the gaps have been reduced and is now more difficult to move forward and keep possession of the ball.

Players at this stage should be able to:

6. Perform movements seeking spaces and even creating them for themselves and/or their peers. Moving defending players to "useless" areas to create "useful" lanes where to play.

7. Occupy the space at the right time.

8. Passing the ball to players who are coming to the spaces created to keep the ball and make advance.

9. Keep the ball, protecting, driving and passing it.

Actions in attack in the Completion phase:

The attacking team must shoot for goal.

This phase is the most difficult because the opposing defense will normally be structured and organized, covering key spaces and will be ready to intercept and/or recover ball possession. The attackers must perform actions at very high speed to create mismatches and imbalances in the opposing defense to break the defensive line either with a player and the ball or through shooting. Players must be able to:

10. Quickly pass the ball to positioned players to shoot on goal and / or overwhelm defenders.

11. Create situations of numerical superiority to break the defense.

12. Overwhelm defenders with dribbling.

13. Passing the ball to players ready to shoot on goal

14. Shoot to goal from different positions using the feet.

15. Head to goal from different positions.

16. Shoot to goal when the ball comes by a block from the goalkeeper or rebounds from goal posts, opponent or team mate.