Soccer coachw274

SoccerCoachWeeklyIssue 274 Wednesday, July 25, 2012

1SoccerCoachWeekly Essential tools for your team

TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Midfield in motionBuilding from the back, the ball is fed through the safe middle zone towards goal

As players become more comfortable, reducing the size of the central zone serves to keep them on their toes

TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly

When play is turned over, whites must vacate the safe zone as greys attack

Give players the confidence to play through the middle

It’s understandable for some players to want to bypass the crowded, pressure environment that is the centre of the park. But hitting long balls forward or always concentrating play to the wings makes teams predictable and boring.

This is a practice that will boost confidence and remind players that getting the ball into midfield and using it smartly can often be the best way to attack.

How to play it• You need balls, bibs, cones and goals.• Mark out a 50x30-yard area with three zones of 20, 10 and 20 yards. • There are two teams of six, plus two keepers.• The team in possession is allowed up to 20 seconds in the central (safe) zone. They can stay in or break out, but if still in the zone when time elapses, the opposition can go in and try to win the ball.• If the team in possession loses the ball in any area of the pitch, its players must vacate the central zone. • The size of the central zone is key to the challenge and skill of the game, as players will discover, so after six minutes increase or decrease its size to see what effect it has on the game.

Developing the session• You can advance the session by allowing one opposition player to go into the central zone. This puts more pressure on midfielders.

Technique and tactics• The safe zone encourages and incentivises play to go into midfield, with players getting used to receiving on the half-turn or practising controlling technique. • Whilst doing this without the fear of being tackled, the pressure to survey options and pass on remains. And the margin for error increases when the central zone is shortened.

30yds

10yds 20yds20ydsSAFE ZONE

5yds 22.5yds22.5ydsSAFE ZONE

player movement ball movement

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

SoccerCoachWeekly Essential tools for your team

Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, UK. Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1483 892894 Head Coach: David Clarke Editor: James Evans Publisher: Kevin Barrow Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths

Customer Service: Duncan Heard Designer: Steve Southern Contributors: Michael Beale, Paul Brook, Bradley Cinc, David Lewis, Tom Sandell, Mike McTagart, Steve Watson © Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

Zig-zag warm-upHow to play it• Set up an area big enough in size to accommodate your squad.• Create a pattern of mannequins (or poles) as shown in the diagram.• At first, players work as individuals. Going one at a time from each end, they must complete a set of four runs, on each run showing the mannequin inside or outside (see below).• Get them to angle their approach to the mannequins and ensure they work at realistic match pace.• Make sure they hold the pressure for 2–3 seconds on each mannequin.• Next, players work in pairs.• The first player gets tight and shows the mannequin inside, while the second takes up a supporting run.• Players then progress forward, switching roles when pressuring the next mannequin.

Technique and tactics• The approach that we want to see is for players to sprint forward to the mannequin.• Closing down quickly, each player must slow as he reaches the target.• Showing inside or outside deals with guiding an opponent in a certain direction. This may be to direct them into an area where there is cover, or to create a doubling up scenario where two players can negotiate a route past an opponent with a clever and quick overlap to one side.• In pairs, we’re looking for seamless communication and quick movement between targets.

Players work as individuals at first, showing the mannequin inside

Then as pairs, one shows inside or outside while the other makes a supporting run

Players switch roles as they progress through the area

Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach

SoccerCoachWeekly WARM UP

PACE AND

POSITIONINING

IN ONE!

player movement

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SoccerCoachWeekly FOOTY4KIDSWednesday, July 25, 2012


Take a riskThe objective of this game is to practise

attacking and defending skills in a variety of different situations – for instance, 2v1s, 3v2s, 4v1s, and so on. It’s great for players aged between seven and 12.

How to play it• Using 12 players, set up an area measuring 20x20 yards, with a goal at each end, as shown.• Divide your players into three teams - one team of four attackers and two teams of four defenders. Keepers are optional.• The defenders are spread around the playing area as shown.• The attacking team gets eight balls, and uses one for each attack.• They then have to decide how they want to attack. If they choose to go 1v1 (one attacker v one defender), and succeed in scoring, they get five points. Here are the other permutations available:

2v1 = two points per goal3v2 = four points per goal4v2 = three points per goal

• So as attackers enter the playing area, they shout ‘1v1’, ‘2v1’ etc, and the corresponding number of defenders leave their position by the goal and try to stop them scoring. • If the attackers score, they immediately turn and attack the other goal in a new set-up.• If again successful, players leave the area and attackers restart with a new call.• Similarly, if the attackers miss or the defenders succeed in getting the ball and returning it to the coach, the attack is over and the next ball is used. • When the attackers have used all of their balls, the teams change over. • When all three teams have been attackers, the team with the most points wins. • You can alter the game by making goals bigger or smaller or by putting a time limit on attackers, before which they must despatch a shot on goal.

Technique and tactics• This game is all about reactions – how quickly can defenders respond to the situation that quickly develops in front of them?• Attackers, meanwhile, are under pressure to score, and will want to make each chance count.• The game also provides a good experiment in decision-making, enabling attackers to assess a situation – the relative tiredness of opposition defenders, for instance – and come up with an overload (or 1v1) plan in response.

Four attackers start to the left of the pitch with a group of four defenders behind each goal

A 3v2 is called – attackers and defenders move quickly into the area

A goal is scored and the attack immediately switches to the other end

Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk

20yds

20yds

player movement ball movement

3v2

2v1

Six ways of showing mercy in one-sided soccer matches:

1. Tell your players to take no more than two or three touches of the ball before passing

Children who are playing in a team that is considerably superior to their opponents often become reluctant to pass, trying fancy tricks, outrageous shots, or lengthy dribbles towards goal. This does their development no good, so why not impose a maximum touches rule instead?

It might be smart to do it discreetly though, so as not to offend the losing team.

2. Require a minimum number of passes before shooting

In other words, play ‘keep away’. Ask your players (again, discreetly) to make four or five passes before they can take a shot at goal.

3. Move your players aroundThe lack of things to do means your

keeper will be getting bored, so switch him with an outfield player. Similarly, move

defenders into attacking positions and put your strikers into defence.

4. Use your subsThis type of match is an ideal

opportunity to give your subs as much playing time as possible. As soon as you see that the match is going to be one sided, take off your ‘star players’ and give those weaker ones a chance to enjoy themselves.

5. Allow the other team to have additional players

If you’re in a winning position at half time you can have a quiet word with the opposition manager and see if he wants to put an extra player or two on the pitch in the second half.

6. Stop the match (the mercy rule)If the match turns into a shooting

gallery during the second half you can stop the game, balance the teams by mixing them up and play any remaining time as a friendly.

Whatever you decide to do, it is imperative that you respect the opposition and always keep the English FA’s Code of Conduct for grassroots coaches in mind: “Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning”.

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SoccerCoachWeekly TOUCHLINE TALESWednesday, July 25, 2012

With a ball, or without?


Do you start pre-season with or without the ball?

This was the question I asked a group of coaches of various ages this week. You may be interested to know that 75 per cent of them told me they always did the first couple of weeks’ training without the ball.

Of the others, two coaches actually berated me for asking the question! “Why do you even mention training without the ball?” one of them asked. “Having the ball is central to the way the world’s greatest team, Barcelona, plays the game.”

“But”, I responded, “isn’t fitness as important? How long would an unfit player last playing the Barcelona way? And does fitness training require a ball?”

As coaches, we hope that players’ fitness levels throughout the summer are maintained, but in this day and age the reality is that many are at home on their games consoles, fuelled by pizzas and

soft drinks. The result is they can become sluggish and unresponsive, and often turn their noses up to any form of voluntary exercise!

So what’s the solution? Well, for me, the solution is to mix it up... to do both!

Because what’s certain is that with or without the ball pre-season must be fun, or you might find your players will be back in front of their consoles before you can say ‘Lionel Messi’!

I always ensure there’s a game element in every pre-season training session - be

it a small-sided game or a full-on match. But before then there are lots of 1v1s, 2v2s and 3v3s, so every player is getting a fair share of the ball.

And for the bits without the ball, this can be comprised of many things – games, shuttle runs, other exercises, or even other sports.

But whatever I choose, my pre-season focus is always on the individual. Team mechanics may not even be possible when some players are away on their holidays, and concentrating on the individual reinforces the idea that every player starts the new season with a clean slate

So next time you hear a heated debate about whether or not to involve the ball you might want to follow my explanation – give your players as much fun as possible so they enjoy coming back to the game they love. Whether they have a ball or not shouldn’t really matter.

Showing mercy in matches

David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly

Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk

“Of the others, two coaches actually berated me for

asking the question! “Why do you even mention training

without the ball?” one of them asked.”

A one-sided game is an ideal opportunity to give ‘weaker’ players a run out

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SoccerCoachWeekly SMALL-SIDED GAMEWednesday, July 25, 2012

Wide pitchHere’s a great small-sided game that fulfils two

crucial pre-season functions – it ensures every member of the team is active and involved, as well as letting kids get back into their football with what they love doing best: scoring goals!

How to play it• Create a playing area measuring 30x20 yards, with goals on the longer touchlines, as shown.• The game is 4v4 plus keepers.• Play for 10 minutes.• If the ball leaves play, you have a few restart options:

1. The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch2. The players take a roll in3. The players take a throw in4. The players make a pass in5. The players dribble in

Technique and tactics• The game is played on a wide pitch that is short in length. This encourages teams to shoot from distance and pass into wide areas in order to create crossing opportunities.• It’s also great for building up reaction times after the summer break, given that players will transition very quickly between offensive and defensive roles.

20yds

20yds

player movement ball movementrun with ball shot

The coach feeds the ball to the black team to begin attacking the white goal

The wide pitch should encourage your players to shoot from distance


It should also encourage your players to get wide and get crosses in on goal

Steven LapereAldershot Town Under-10s

A PERFECT

PRE-SEASON

PRACTICE!

30yds

20yds

run with ballball movementshot

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SoccerCoachWeekly YOUR SAYWednesday, July 25, 2012

TACKLED: Up for the cup?


Are summer tournaments worth the effort?

PUT IT TO THE VOTE: Which of our guest coaches do you agree with? Visit our Facebook page or email your thoughts to David Clarke at [email protected]

This week Paul BrookManchester Saints

Q I’ve heard some horror stories about what heading

the ball can do to young kids. Mine are Under-13s and are surprisingly keen on heading, but should I let them? Mike McTagart, Glasgow

A Opinion has been divided for a while as to whether heading

the ball poses a threat to young kids. Really, it depends whose evidence you look at, but the vast majority of research now leans towards the fact that heading is perfectly safe as long as players use the correct technique.

Essentially that means heading the ball with eyes open and mouth closed, attacking the ball rather than letting it attack you, and heading it with the thickest part of the skull, namely the forehead.

Here’s the simple test to go by - if your players are old enough to understand those instructions then they’re probably old enough to head the ball!

But there’s a duty of care that still needs to be taken even if your kids are clued up. Always build up practice by using smaller footballs first, and make sure they’re properly inflated.

And of course, if a player doesn’t want to head the ball, don’t make him!

TACKLED: Results

Here’s the result of the poll we ran in Soccer Coach Weekly 272 asking if we should insist that our players are immaculately presented on match day.

SCW Surgery

YES

42%NO

Tom SandellMansfield Youth League Under-12s

Summer soccer tournaments are a great way for players to try out a different form of the game – different team sizes, different pitch sizes, different playing times. It provides a new challenge that some might only experience once or twice a year, so why not go for it?

People say that competitiveness shouldn’t be encouraged in youth soccer, but it’s impossible to get away from it where summer tournaments are concerned. Teams come from all around for one thing – to win. We should embrace that.

It’s an opportunity for teams to test themselves against clubs they wouldn’t normally face. Sides quickly suss each other out in league matches, but tournaments provide a whole new set of challenges.

Tournaments provide a great team-bonding exercise. Given the scheduling of matches, with teams very often playing games in quick succession, kids are really relying on each other to give their all for the cause.

And where going overseas is concerned, tournaments can also offer players (and coaches) a great way of seeing how other teams play the game – different styles and approaches on show, and a great opportunity to pick up coaching points and advice from peers.

Tournaments are also a great way to keep players involved in the sport over the summer. They can act as a mid-point between the end of one season and the start of the next, so are a decent bridge for staying in touch with the squad, keeping them focused, and giving them something that will retain their interest and player development before pre-season training kicks off.

“It’s an opportunity for teams to test themselves against clubs they

wouldn’t normally face.”

Bradley CincFoxborough Youth Soccer, USA

Certainly in the US, the cost to parents of sending their kids away with the team to a number of tournaments is starting to become prohibitive. That leaves a split in the team ranks between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’, which is bad for team morale.

And with most kids away for periods of the summer when most tournaments occur, the team dynamic is spoilt by absentees.

More and more now I’m hearing stories of poorly organised tournaments, run by companies who cancel fixtures, abandon due to sub-standard pitches and fail to respect player safety. Because anyone can run a tournament, we’re finding that anyone is, and that’s a dangerous situation.

Generally speaking, tournaments are fantastic for one group – the winners. Players in most other teams come away with regrets or dents to their confidence.

I know many teams who have found the competitiveness in tournaments completely at odds to the approach that is prescribed for youth soccer players. Fuelled by the heat, the pressure, and in many cases pitches that are boarded in, I’ve often seen players and coaches go over the top in pursuit of glory.

Tournaments are often played on pitch sizes completely different to those in the regular season. That makes the transference of skills irrelevant, implying that the only real ‘take out’ from a tournament is the idea of winning it, which is something we try to pretend isn’t important.

And in the US a big problem has been the move towards tournaments as an excuse not to train. The assumption appears to be that players can develop their skills quickest by practising ‘on the job’, as it were. My fear is that tournaments are becoming a way of lazily ridding ourselves of what should be the essential elements.

“Generally speaking, tournaments are fantastic for one group – the winners.

Players in most other teams come away with regrets or dents to their confidence.”

YES NO

58%

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