Clearing the Ball

Clearing means ensuring that the ball remains "clear" of enemy intervention for a crucial period of time. Kicking the ball out of bounds will usually provide important seconds to an outnumbered defense waiting for reinforcements. Remember that a clearance, as well as any strategy is not bound to a particular technique but rather to a specific function. A defender may shield the ball so that it goes out of play without even touching it. In that case, he is ensuring a clearance without actually kicking the ball.

General principles
The first principle of clearing is ensuring that the enemy has been depleted from contact with the ball. This in itself does not justify why a player may clear the ball. Clearing is used primarily in situations where no other (sensible) options are available to a particular player dealing with the ball. For example, if a defender with weak physique is pressured he may prefer to clear the ball rather than try shielding it. Other situations where it may be suitable to clear the ball are when the enemy team has gained momentum in their attack.

Types of Clearances

Technical backup
Clearing the ball into safety is a method applied simply when not enough skill is possessed to handle the given situation. Goalkeepers for example, frequently clear crosses when unsure about catching the ball. Therefore, we must view clearing as a tool applicable in situations where one is not confident enough in his skill. Typically, the direction in which the ball is cleared should be away from enemy concentration. This would cost them longer time to recover the ball. In extreme situations, the ball may even be kicked or played out of bounds.

Killing momentum
Another good application of clearing is as a method of killing enemy momentum. This would mean that a smart defender may clear the ball not only to stop an enemy attack, but to diminish their drive. It is usually better to clear the ball out of bounds when trying to disturb the enemy's momentum. Psychologically, it is hard to restart an attack with the same fervor after a defender has kicked the ball over the stadium's grandstands.

Tactical Impact
When clearing the ball, it is difficult to be choosy about the precise direction of where to direct the ball. It is however, reccomended to play the ball to an area saturated with a prevailing number of teammates. This increases the chance of preserving possession while playing the ball into safety.

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