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FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2 COACHING Improve the Technique of Creating Space FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2 Improve the Technique of Creating Space
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INTRODUCTION Mike Trusson, who is a very experienced Football Association Level 2 Tutor and has tutored on over 50 Level 2 Courses, has written the content for the Technique of Creating Space. Mike is also the owner of www.grassrootscoaching.com which has over 300 animated, interactive 3D coaching sessions and a comprehensive section on the FA level 2 practical coaching curriculum with videos and downloadable PDF’s. The graphical content has been designed using Coaches Chalkboard, which is a very simple to use online football training planning software tool, which is available FREE at www.grassrootscoaching.com/freefootballcoaching/ WHAT IS A TECHNIQUE A technique is a basic building block of football. For example the technique of creating space is the ability of players to time their movement so that they can create and find time and space on a football pitch. The more time and space a player has, the less pressure there is on them which results in more time for the player to get their heads up and make good choices and decisions. The more opportunities the player has to practice this technique in a game related practice, then the better the player will be at mastering these basic techniques of the game, which will improve the players confidence and the more chance they will have of improving as a player. A technical session is unopposed so that the players can practice these techniques without the pressure of a defender or opposition player, which allows them time to focus and have time on mastering the technique. But, players also need to be appropriately challenged in the practice. So in this session of The Technique of Creating Space, there are progressions that utilise the floating player, so that players have to react to find space when the floating player changes direction with the ball, There are progressions where players have to react to create space if one of their team create space with the ball and change direction and challenges which ask the players to think about clever movement to create space and when to stand still if they are already in space. We have also included challenges. Players love the competitive element of the challenges. But that competitive factor of the challenge will also make players hurry their passing and movement as they strive to compete. As a result the quality of the passing will decrease as players lose composure and rush to make the passes as quickly as they can. This allows the coach to help the players make decisions about the right time to create space, when to pass quickly, to pass first time and when to control and pass. As a result, the players’ performances through these challenges will improve. PROGRESSIONS Look out for the progressions to The Technique of Creating Space – The Skill of Creating Space and Small Sided Games to improve Creating Space In addition there are E Books available covering the Technique, Skill and Small sided games for all the FA Level 2 Practical Curriculum.
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1. ORGANISATION. Suggested area size. Inside area 25 x
15 yards. Circle areas of approximately 5 yards
in diameter as per graphic 3 groups, with a ball each of 3 players
on the pitch in different coloured bibs Floating player who can play with any
group Adjust the size of the area to suit the
age, ability and number of players. The practice can be adjusted for 8 - 14
players
EQUIPMENT
Supply of footballs, cones to mark out areas and bibs. PURPOSE
To improve the technique of Creating Space
2. START
Initially start the practice slowly, with only one group playing so that all the players understand the pattern of the practice, then progress to all 3 groups playing at the same time
The ball starts with one player in the group.
Another player from the group must look to make a run into any of the circle areas to receive the pass
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3. REACTION OF THIRD PLAYER
As soon as the second player has received the pass, the third player makes a run into a circle to find space and receive a pass
After passing the ball from a circle area, the passer moves into the centre area.
The pattern of the practice is repeated. All 3 groups playing at the same time, trying to pass to players who have made runs into the circles to find space.
4. TIMING OF RUNS AND
COMMUNICATION The player who hasn’t been involved in
the pass or receiving the ball – the third player should time their run so that before the pass reaches the player they are making their move into a circle to receive the next pass.
This pattern of third player movement – being one step ahead – should be encouraged
The third player can really help the passer by communicating to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures
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5. BOTH PLAYERS OFF THE BALL
LOOKING TO CREATE SPACE Encourage players, the passer and the
third player to make moves into the circles to create and find space.
Again, encourage good communication and timing of movement
The decision on who to pass to is down to the passer, but the passing should be accurate, well timed and weighted
6. PLAYER ON THE BALL
SHIFTING DIRECTION WITH THE BALL
Encourage the players on the ball to sometimes run or dribble the ball and change direction
The other players in their group should react to this change of direction or movement of the ball to adjust their movement to find space
The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures when and where they want the pass
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7. USING THE FLOATING PLAYERS
Any player in any group can pass to the floating player at any time.
The floating player must pass the ball back to the group who passed the ball to them
The floating player should where possible, turn with the ball and change direction or pass the ball first time
The players in the group who passed the ball to the floating player must adjust their movement into a circle to take into account the floating player turning with the ball or passing first time
The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures when and where they want the pass
8. CHANGING DIRECTION AND
CREATING SPACE WITH THE BALL
Encourage players to create space with the ball by using turns to change direction with the ball
Look out for a good reaction from other players to adjust their movement as the player on the ball creates space with the ball by turning and changing direction
The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures when and where they want the pass
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9. CLEVER MOVEMENT TO
CREATE SPACE Players should think about using clever
movement to find and create space For example, the white and blue team
in the graphic have used an in to out movement to create space to receive the ball outside of the circle area, after initially making a run into the area
The yellow team have used an out to in, timed movement to create space inside the circle area
The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures when and where they want the pass
10. CREATING SPACE BY
RECEIVING AND TURNING WITH THE BALL
Players should think about receiving the ball and turning to create space
The receiving player should be aware of the space around them to be able to turn and the position of their team mates prior to turning with the ball
Team mates should look to adjust and time their runs into space as the player is turning with the ball
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11. CHALLENGES
The challenge is for the first team to get a player to receive a pass in every one of the circles.
All the players in the team must receive a pass in one of the circles or make a run into a circle to receive a pass outside of the circle
They must pass to the floating player at least once and receive the ball back in a circle
They can go into a circle if another team are in the circle
12. KEY COACHING
Head up, spatial awareness of where the space is.
Timing of movement to create space. Try and make the movement early, be
one step ahead Look at the ball when making the move
to create space To get in space where the passer can
see them and where there is a clear passing channel
Clever movement – in to out, or out to in
Create space with the ball, by turning and changing the direction
The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures when and where they want the pass
Quality and decision of passing
13. PROGRESSIONS
Progress to the skill of creating space
On the next 4 pages there is an FA level 2 Coaching Session Planner Template. Please feel free to print it out and use. You will need to complete the details relevant to your session and needs.
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Coaching Session Planner
Candidate
Coach Date Produced
Coach Educator Time Available
Information on Players No. of Player Age Ability Level
Medical Info.
Particular Needs
Information on Facilities and Resources Location . Session Date
Facility Needs Goals, safe and suitable playing area. Toilets
Equipment Needs
Balls, bibs, cones, Poles for goals
Health & Safety
Check Players for injury and for personal health and safety. Suitable footwear, clothing, shin pads, jewellery, Complete pitch check and ensure first aid kit and mobile telephone are on site. Risk assessment carried out prior to session start.
Action Plan, Points from
previous Sessions:
Give good demonstrations and intervene as appropriate. Ask questions of players. Use Guide and Discovery style of coaching with players. Progress the practice to the players needs
Session Plan Session Aim
To improve the technique of creating space
Timings
Warm Up Activities
Gradual increase of warm up activities with the ball. Looking to increase the pace and intensity of the players movement to game intensity prior to the session. Looking to increase heart rate and blood flow. Also looking to tune the players in mentally to the upcoming session. Stretching of the main football muscle groups
10 minutes
Cool Down Activities
Gradual decrease of physical activity – run to jog to walk. Gentle stretching of the main muscle groups. Gravity led exercises to rid the body of lactic acid.
10 minutes
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Session Plan Session
Title Improve the Technique of Creating Space Timings
Key Technical Aspects/ Factors
Head up, spatial awareness of where the space is Timing of movement to create space. Try and make the movement early, be one step ahead Look at the ball when making the move to create space To get in space where the passer can see them and where there is a clear
passing channel Clever movement – in to out, or out to in Create space with the ball, by turning and changing the direction The receiving player should communicate to the passer, both verbally
and with hand gestures when and where they want the pass
Session Content
ORGANISATION
Suggested area size. Inside area 25 x 15 yards. Circle areas of approximately 5 yards in diameter as per graphic 3 groups, with a ball each of 3 players on the pitch in different coloured
bibs Floating player who can play with any group Adjust the size of the area to suit the age, ability and number of players. The practice can be adjusted for 8 - 14 players
PROGRESSIONS
Introduce challenges Progress to the skill of creating space
25 -30 minutes.
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LTPD 4-Corner Model Outcomes
When planning your session you will need to consider what outcomes you are trying to achieve in relation to the 4-corner model. You should aspire to identify outcomes for all 4-corners for each of your sessions.
Technical Passing Receiving Ball control First time passing Decisions
Psychological
Imagination Decision making Confidence Self Belief Spatial awareness
Physical Running Turning Balance Agility Changes of pace and direction
Social Decision making Fair play Communication Team work
Development of the Session
Some players are struggling to cope with the session, how would you adapt it to make it more achievable for them.
Make the area bigger to give the players more space and time. Slow down the practice to walking pace, and then increase the pace, as the players get better. Spend more time on the technique with the players.
Some players are finding the session to easy, how would you adapt it to make it more demanding for them.
Progress to two footballs quicker. Make the area smaller Introduce the challenges sooner
Identify what sessions you would ideally have coached prior to this session
Short Passing
Identify what the session content might be for the next session.
Forward runs / forward passing
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Coaching Session Self Evaluation
Candidate Coach Session date
Were the arrangements and organisation of the session appropriate?
Size and pitch appropriate for the age group. All equipment ready and organised
Was the health and safety of the environment and session maintained?
Risk assessment carried out prior to session start, no issues.
Did the session content deliver the outcomes of the 4-corner model?
Discussed with the players and let them come up with the answers, which they did very well?
Did the session content meet the player’s needs and expectations?
Pretty much. They can all master the technique of creating space. They need to focus on support movement and decision making
Was your coaching style and communication appropriate to the players?
I gave good clear instructions and used the EDI formula when coaching. I also asked players questions on their performance and used Guide and Discovery to help players find out their own solutions to problems
Did the player’s performance improve as expected?
There were improvements as individuals and as a group. Although one or two players need a bit more individual help
What feedback have you had from other people involved in the session?
I had pretty positive feedback from the players and the parents watching. I also asked a Level 2 qualified coach on their views and they were very positive about the session
If you were to coach this session again, what might you change?
I would have spent more time initially getting the pattern of the practice right, so that players understood what they were doing better. I could have stepped in and shown them this
The aim of the next session might be:
Forward runs / forward passing
Personal Action Plan: Particular points that you think you should address at the next/future sessions: Progressed quicker to the challenges, which the players really enjoyed. Observe more and coached sometimes from good practice when players had done well, rather than from coach from mistakes.
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PERSONAL NOTES:
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