Footy Eye
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The score and the clock

Game state is the score and the time left, and the same decision can be right or wrong depending on both.

A team leading late should value the ball and its shape over a second goal: a safe pass to the corner flag, a foul in the middle of the pitch, or keeping possession can be better than an attack. A team chasing a game has to take risks it would never take at 0-0.

Reading game state means asking what this decision is worth right now, not what it would be worth in an ordinary minute.

What to look for

  • The score and how many minutes are left
  • Whether losing the ball here gives them a chance
  • Taking the ball into the corner when protecting a lead
  • Speed of restarts when you're chasing the game

The common mistakeGoing for a spectacular second goal in stoppage time and losing the ball for their equaliser.

Worked plays

28 plays from Footy Eye's training pool, with the best read and why.

  1. Play 1

    The situation
    You’ve just gone ahead. A minute after the restart, you pick it up in midfield.
    Best read
    Keep it — circulate, take the sting out
    Why
    The riskiest ninety seconds in football come right after you score — heads drop on one side and rise on the other. Keep the ball, make them chase, let the goal settle. Chasing a second straight away is how a lead becomes a draw.
    The other options
    • Thread the pass — go for a second The pass is cut out, and they counter with your shape still loose.
    • Drive at their shaken back line You run into their closing midfielder, and he wins it.
    • Hit the channel and push everyone up It runs through to their keeper, and your pushed-up team is stranded.

  2. Play 2

    The situation
    0–0 in the 90th. You’ve worked it wide in their third, but the cross isn’t on.
    Best read
    Recycle it and keep them penned in
    Why
    At 0–0 in the 90th the giveaway costs more than a half-chance is worth — lose it and their break meets your committed line. Recycle, keep them pinned, make them defend one more wave. A hopeful ball into the box is just a giveaway with a better excuse.
    The other options
    • Force the cross through two defenders The cross hits the first defender, and they break at your committed line.
    • Shoot from the tight angle Their keeper gathers it easily and starts the break.
    • Clip a hopeful ball into the box Their centre-back heads it clear, and they break upfield.

  3. Play 3

    The situation
    A goal down, seven minutes left. You carry into their half and their back line is still scrambling.
    Best read
    Play it forward now — release the runner
    Why
    Game management cuts both ways: the clock is your enemy when you’re chasing. Down late, the safe, slow options are the trap — every recycled pass is a second gone and a defender back in his slot. Read the score, not just the ball, and go while the gap is open.
    The other options
    • Slow it down and keep possession Their back line gets set, and the chance is gone.
    • Work it back and rebuild patiently The ball goes back, and every defender is in his slot.
    • Take a touch and wait for support Your support arrives, but so does their whole back line.

  4. Play 4

    The situation
    One-nil up, eighty-fifth minute. Your centre-back hammers a clearance forward and you’re the only man up, their line still high.
    Best read
    Run the channel and hold it up high
    Why
    With a lead this late your job is territory and time, not a chance. Chasing into the channel takes you away from both centre-backs, and even losing it there wins a throw in their half and buys thirty seconds. Running straight in behind is the ball their keeper is off his line to eat.
    The other options
    • Drop into midfield to protect the lead Nobody’s up, and the ball comes straight back at your defence.
    • Stay central and compete for the header Their centre-back wins the header and it comes straight back.
    • Sprint straight in behind at goal Their keeper, already off his line, gathers it and they go again.

  5. Play 5

    The situation
    Eighty-five minutes, a goal down. They have a goal kick and no hurry to take it. You’re the centre-forward.
    Best read
    Go man-for-man, make them beat you long
    Why
    You’re short of time, and a block gives them permission to spend it. Match them all, leave the keeper as their only free man, and either you win it high or it goes long into a duel you can keep contesting. Keeping a spare man means they always have one too.
    The other options
    • Hold your mid-block and stay organised They take their time, pass it around, and the clock runs down.
    • Push up, keep a spare man behind They find their spare man, play out, and the minutes tick away.
    • Save your legs for one last attack They keep the ball at the back, and the last attack never comes.

  6. Play 6

    The situation
    A goal up, twenty minutes left, two of you behind the ball. Their striker lurks behind you. The pocket pass is on.
    Best read
    Shift it until someone gets back
    Why
    Usually the pocket pass is right; the question is what it costs on the day it isn’t. A lead to protect and two behind the ball means one interception releases a striker already facing the right way. Shift it, let a body get back, and the same pass is there four seconds later, far cheaper.
    The other options
    • Play the pocket pass now It’s cut out, and their striker breaks at your two defenders.
    • Carry forward and join the attack You join the attack, leaving their striker loose behind you.
    • Go long into their corner, squeeze up Their defence gathers it and plays for the striker behind you.

Train it

Short untimed sessions with the reasoning after every answer.

Train The score and the clock

Test it

Ten plays, twenty seconds each, one Football IQ from 60 to 140.

Take the Football IQ Test

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