This week’s main session is influenced heavily by techniques seen on the Barcelona training ground, a place where teamwork, communication and ball control provide the natural order. It’s a fun game that gets players keeping the ball close whilst moving as a unit. On the face of it, the premise is simple - a group race where one team tries to get a ball around a cone quicker than the other. The problem is the teams must hold hands in a circle and keep the ball moving with one or two touches as the whole group negotiates its path around the cone. How to set it up: • For this game, you will need cones and balls. • Separating your group into teams of four, create an appropriate number of channels – in the example shown, we’ve used eight players and two channels. In each channel there are two cones, placed 15 yards apart. • Each team has one ball. • Each team begins on the left cone, and players hold hands with one another so as to form a circle. Getting started: • On your whistle, teams must keep the ball in the middle of their group and pass one-touch as they move to the cone, then around it. (For younger age groups allow two or even three touches.) • The first team to get around the cone and back to the start wins. • If the ball goes out of the circle players must go back to the start. • The distance between the cone and the players should alter according to their age and ability, so vary the length and see how they get on. The longer the distance, the more difficult the task. Developing the session: • This is for super control freaks, particularly older players. Try your players with the same set-up but this time they must not let the ball bounce on the ground. It’s an elaborate ‘keepy-uppy’ game where each group must keep a ball in the air between them, get around a cone, then back. They can use their heads, feet, legs, and any other part of their body except their hands. • You can also nominate one player as the ‘captain’. He has to guide the group of players by pushing, pulling and talking to them. Why this works: This is a good team bonding game that requires skill and technique. Coordination and communication are vital because although players are moving in one direction, some are going backwards, some forwards and some sideways... yet all need to keep an eye on the ball. Players will buy into this too because they find it really good fun. TOP TIP: Boys being boys, the prospect of holding hands with one another may not be too popular, so why not tell them to hold sleeves or wrists instead. The effect will be the same – players linking as one circle so as to perform the task. July 6 2011 Issue 219 Under 4s - Under 16s WEEKLY Dynamic dribbling A team game of top technique as performed by the world’s finest players... Dynamic dribbling WELCOME… Soccer Coach Weekly 1 2 Now players must keep the ball in the air as they repeat the task ...to the latest issue of Soccer Coach Weekly. We’ve got a main session that’s inspired by those dribbling wizards of Barcelona FC, plus tips on shielding the ball and retaining possession. See if your players can put into effect the elements learned in a brilliant small-sided game on page 5. Enjoy the issue! 1 Teams hold hands, keeping control of the ball within the circle DRIBBLING THROUGH HISTORY... Ever wondered how far ‘dribbling’ terminology dates back? The earliest implied reference to the art of dribbling seems to originate from medieval football games in England. Even in ‘The Canterbury Tales’, which dates back to the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer alludes to the action which is to “rolleth under foot as doth a ball”. And a Latin account of a game in 1487, that took part in Nottinghamshire, England, relays a clear idea of dribbling: “The game at which they had met for common recreation is called by some the foot-ball game. It is one in which young men, in country sport, propel a huge ball not by throwing it into the air but by striking it and rolling it along the ground, and that not with their hands but with their feet... kicking in opposite directions”.
Transcript
This week’s main session is influenced heavily by techniques seen on the Barcelona training ground, a place where teamwork, communication and ball control provide the natural order. It’s a fun game that gets players keeping the ball close whilst moving as a unit.
On the face of it, the premise is simple - a group race where one team tries to get a ball around a cone quicker than the other. The problem is the teams must hold hands in a circle and keep the ball moving with one or two touches as the whole group negotiates its path around the cone.
How to set it up:• For this game, you will need cones and balls.
• Separating your group into teams of four, create an appropriate number of channels – in the example shown, we’ve used eight players and two channels. In each channel there are two cones, placed 15 yards apart.
• Each team has one ball.
• Each team begins on the left cone, and players hold hands with one another so as to form a circle.
Getting started:• On your whistle, teams must keep the ball in the middle of their group and pass one-touch as they move to the cone, then around it. (For younger age groups allow two or even three touches.)
• The first team to get around the cone and back to the start wins.
• If the ball goes out of the circle players must go back to the start.
• The distance between the cone and the players should alter according to their age and ability, so vary the length and see how they get on. The longer the distance, the more difficult the task.
Developing the session:• This is for super control freaks, particularly older players. Try your players with the same set-up but this time they must not let the ball bounce on the ground. It’s an elaborate ‘keepy-uppy’ game where each group must keep a ball in the air between them, get around a cone, then back. They can use their heads, feet, legs, and any other part of their body except their hands.
• You can also nominate one player as the ‘captain’. He has to guide the group of players by pushing, pulling and talking to them.
Why this works:This is a good team bonding game that requires skill and technique.
Coordination and communication are vital because although players are moving in one direction, some are going backwards, some forwards and some sideways... yet all need to keep an eye on the ball.
Players will buy into this too because they find it really good fun.
TOP TIP: Boys being boys, the prospect of holding hands with one another may not be too popular, so why not tell them to hold sleeves or wrists instead. The effect will be the same – players linking as one circle so as to perform the task.
July 6 2011 Issue 219Under 4s - Under 16s WEEKLY
Dynamic dribblingA team game of top technique as performed by the world’s finest players...
Dynamic dribbling
WELCOME…
Soccer Coach Weekly 1
2 Now players must keep the ball in the air as they repeat the task
...to the latest issue of Soccer Coach Weekly. We’ve got a main session that’s inspired by those dribbling wizards of Barcelona FC, plus tips on
shielding the ball and retaining possession. See if your
players can put into effect the elements learned in a brilliant small-sided game on page 5.
Enjoy the issue!
1 Teams hold hands, keeping control of the
ball within the circle
DRIBBLING THROUGH HISTORY...
Ever wondered how far ‘dribbling’ terminology dates back? The earliest implied reference to the art of dribbling seems to originate from medieval football games in England. Even in ‘The Canterbury Tales’, which dates back to the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer alludes to the action which is to “rolleth under foot as doth a ball”. And a Latin account of a game in 1487, that took part in Nottinghamshire, England, relays a clear idea of dribbling: “The game at which they had met for common recreation is called by some the foot-ball game. It is one in which young men, in country sport, propel a huge ball not by throwing it into the air but by striking it and rolling it along the ground, and that not with their hands but with their feet... kicking in opposite directions”.
TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
WEEKLY
Soccer Coach Weekly 2
SAID LIKE A PROWARM-UP
Go left or go rightSAID LIKE A PROa WARM-UP
Multi-function circuitHow to set it up:• This warm-up is performed in an area measuring 20x15 yards.
• Within the area place a goal, plus a number of cones, as shown in the diagram, so as to create six designated stations.
• Arrange your players around the six stations as illustrated.
Getting started:• This circuit works on dribbling, short and long passing, skills, shooting, reactions and speed.
• Each task requires a different action, and players move around the area as they work.1. The player dribbles halfway towards the next player, makes a pass and then sprints to the next position.2. The receiving player makes a pass inside to the central player.3. The central player completes a skill, shoots at goal and then reacts to receive a pass from you.4. The central player then sets the supporting player.5. The supporting player makes a long pass and then sprints to support.6. The player receives the long pass, opens out and passes behind the goal to the next player.7. The player behind the goal controls and passes back to the start position.
• After each pass the player must sprint at top speed to the next position.
• The practice continues for up to 15 minutes.
Why this works:This is a training ground pick ’n’ mix of practices and ideas. Players will switch from
precise dribbling to running at pace to despatching a shot at goal, showing all of the versatility needed in a real game.
As a warm-up, it takes a while to prepare and players will doubtless need time themselves to adapt to the different tasks, but you can practise this for up to 15 minutes because your squad are constantly being asked to answer to different challenges.
dribble shootplayer movement pass
7
1
2
4
3
5
6
Multi-function circuit
KEY
ELEM
ENTS • Passing
• Dribbling
• Reactions
• SpeedPlayers take on a variety of
challenges and tasks as they move around the area
C is for ‘confidence’
dribble shootplayer movement pass
7
1
2
4
3
5
6
Why individual mental strength equals team advantage in 1v1sFeeling panicked by pressure
Before your players gain confidence on the ball, you can expect flawed passing, simply because they will get flustered at the first hint of pressure - and might even feel panicked by an opponent who is a fair distance away.
Key coaching tip Until your players
can hold a ball 1v1 in a grid for a count of around 7-8, they are not going to have enough confidence to hold up the ball and do well during matches.
An important skillIf you teach your players anything, it should
be how to keep possession, and how to prevent their opponent from
stealing the ball. Once they realise that
they have this skill in their locker, their confidence
will increase, they’ll raise their heads, and will be more adept at finding another player to pass to.
If you get your players to hold on to the ball in 1v1 training situations every
week they will have the confidence to do it in matches too. And getting this right can often have a profound effect on how your team plays and the rewards you can gain. It may well be worth designating 10 minutes to 1v1 situations in every training session.
Keeping hold of the ballThe idea is simple: In your coaching
sessions, start with two equal-sized players with a single ball in a grid measuring about 3 yards square. Have them work on holding the ball by using simple rolls, pullbacks and other touches to shield the ball.
See if one player can hold possession for up to 10 seconds, then give the ball to his opponent.
“If you teach your players anything, it should be how to keep possession, and how to prevent their opponent
from stealing the ball.”
Soccer Coach Weekly 3
WEEKLY
You can’t set about changing an approach to developing young
athletes before understanding the process of child development and acknowledging more beneficial approaches may exist.
Our article last week, entitled ‘The player development revolution’, highlighted the findings of an extensive analysis of youth soccer organisations. In it, we also encouraged coaches to think critically about the evidence for change, exposing antiquated teaching methods and poorly prepared leaders. Moving on, it’s important for us to give a clear example of player development, identifying some of the key components of a player development approach.
What is ‘player development’?Player development is an education
model designed to enhance the performance of young players. The model considers the cognitive, emotional, physical and psychological readiness and maturity of an individual and provides a pathway to manage the athlete’s progress.
A player development model treats fun and learning as key outcomes and provides the very best opportunity for an individual to succeed and maintain their interest and commitment to the game.
The features of a Player Development Model include:
1. Philosophy - A consistent finding of our research has been that many programmes have some elements of a player development approach, but in most cases there is very little connection between the moving parts. Therefore, the starting point is to agree and adopt a common philosophy.
In the second of an exclusive series of articles, David Newbery and Tony DiCicco, from USA coaching organisation SoccerPlus, help define the key components of player development.
SAID LIKE A PRO
1. A significant reduction in the number of players leaving youth soccer between the ages of 5-12. In some large leagues, this equates to 100 or more players sticking with the game.
2. In addition, upwards of 90% of players score higher in technical assessments when comparing results from the last week of the process to those achieved in the first week.
3. Over 90% of coaches use developmentally structured activities, and are in possession of a session plan at every practice. This consistency is crucial for kids.
4. Using the programme, a full 100% of players between the ages of 4-18 are assessed, and parents receive feedback in the form of an individual written report.
5. Every coach is formally assessed at least once per year and this information is being used to provide coaches with greater support and education.
6. Organisations are increasing volunteerism, something which is crucial to the welfare of youth football going forward.
SoccerPlus has become synonymous with providing excellent advice, leadership and services raising performance standards of players and coaches and leading to organisation success.
To learn more visit –www.SoccerPlus.org /services or contact David Newbery, [email protected]
2. Coaching education - There must be a coaching education component. Programmes should develop an ‘in-house’ system of workshops, practical sessions, mentorship and coaching evaluations. The use of webinars, videos and e-learning are excellent ways to supplement more traditional teaching methods, and are a convenient way to support coaches unable or unwilling to dedicate more time to a volunteer role.
3. Curriculum – The curriculum forms the foundation and should be the backbone of the approach, and is built on three questions:
a) What are we trying to achieve? b) How do we organise learning? c) How do we know the aims have been achieved? 4. Qualities - Evidence from our work,
supported by sports programmes across the globe, promotes an approach to player development based on understanding an individual’s growth and maturation alongside the acquisition of skills, techniques and knowledge.
5. Assessment - Assessment plays a major role in determining if our approach to teaching and learning is working. So we must perform player and coach evaluations regularly, and from that, a review of the programme itself. And if we wish to offer our young players the very best opportunity to succeed, we must have a long-term focus.
What are the outcomes?There are significant benefits to players,
coaches, parents and administrators of youth organisations in implementing a true approach to player development. The following outcomes are real and are being experienced by local soccer organisations who have signed up to the idea of change, in the form of a Soccerplus programme:
The developing world
CoachingEducation
InhouseTraining &Licensing
Planned Coaching Annual, Season, Session
Curriculum PlayerDevelopment
Aims &Outcomes
Stages ofDevelopment
Methods &Content
End of StageCompetencies
Common Philosophy Player & Coach Development
Player, Coach & Education Assessment
PROFILEDavid Newbery For over 20 years David has studied and worked in youth education, soccer development and coaching. A former University Professor and CEO of a Youth Sports Company, he is the Director of Player & Coach Development of SoccerPlus. Tony DiCicco Tony is the most successful coach in USA Soccer history, most notably leading the USA Women’s national team to 1996 Olympic and 1999 World Cup success. He is the Head Coach of the Boston Breakers professional women’s team.
A common philosophy requires simultaneous development of coach education, curriculum and player development to achieve assessable results
SCW SURGERY
Q I’m returning to youth coaching after a break of five years and am slightly
nervous. I have my Level 1 coaching badge and want to go further, but I’m worried the game moved on. Stuart Andrews, Montrose.
A To a large extent, football is football, but you’ll probably find that the game is less
competitive than before, and comes with a more defined blueprint in terms of the roles of coaches and the expectations of players.
I don’t think this is a bad thing, and for whatever reasons you left the game before, I’ve no doubt you’ll enjoy being back. Soccer, with every passing year, is becoming much more structured, and that applies to the qualifications as well, so if you’re looking to build on that Level 1 you’ll need to brush up on a few things, primarily, your FA Emergency Aid and Safeguarding certificates, as both of these will have expired after three years.
That won’t stop you from starting to make the moves towards Level 2 – it’s a big step, after all, so in many ways the sooner you get started the better. Good luck, and welcome back!
Q I hear many of my fellow coaches talking about futsal, but I can’t see what
all the fuss is about. Can you enlighten me? Terrell Baron, Memphis, USA.
A I think some people are disillusioned with futsal because it’s one-dimensional (in
terms of being purely focused on technique) and actually goes against the idea of taking fewer touches in matches.
I’m not sure concentrating on technique is such a bad thing, but it’s true, using the smaller ball (combined with the fact it is heavier) means kids are indeed taking more touches. But the point here is actually to improve the quality of touch over time.
We all know that the futsal revolution is based on technical play, so by offering more touches in training you are, in essence, rehearsing the art, and over time the number needed to control the ball will become less. Thus, when transferring the essence of futsal into competitive matches, players will actually take fewer touches.
Essentially, it’s something you’ll just have to try out to see if it works. I was also sceptical about how such a similar version of the game could really make that much difference, but I was seeing the results within three or four training sessions.
Q We’re a fairly new junior soccer club and are experiencing some issues regarding
competitive play. At what age group should coaches always ‘play to win’, and should all members get equal playing time? Sean Phelan, Kent.
A This is a debate that looks set to run and run, but until individual associations make a
stand on whether play up to a certain age should be uncompetitive, we’re all in the dark really.
Certainly the emerging philosophy is that play should be uncompetitive up until the age of about nine or 10. The theory is that kids play for fun, and most don’t care about league tables or trophies before that age. It’s hoped the FA’s extensive youth research (which is set to be published in September) will offer some weight to that and other theories, and from that, a proposed plan of action going forward.
In the meantime you have to plot your own course through the politics, but I’d always recommend that all kids have equal time on the pitch – as much for their own development as any element of playing to win.
This week’s coach: Jan Billing Group: 9 to 12-year-oldsJan is a newly-qualified Level 3 coach from Birmingham...
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 Fax: +44 (0)1483 894148 Editor: James Evans Publisher: Kevin Barrow Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths
This is a great game for angles of defence and changing roles in attack.DAVID CLARKE’S TOUCHLINE TALES
New recruits and new problems...I always feel sorry for professional players when their teams announce
they are on the lookout for someone new in their position. It must be almost heartbreaking when that happens.
As a coach, I have to realise that this crushing blow to a player’s confidence and ego doesn’t just happen in the professional ranks; it happens at all levels of the game. At youth level players are not going to read in the papers that we’re looking for someone new, instead this threat will just appear at training.
At our club, we’ve recently run some trials for new players - some teams are going from 7-a-side to 11-a-side so we need to recruit. On one of the trial days one of our coaches came to me and said there was a boy I must see because he was rather special in his position. He was a goalkeeper, and we all know how difficult it is to get good shot-stoppers. There were a number of small-sided games going on and he was certainly impressing - diving at the feet of the attackers, calling defenders into position and commanding his box.
However out of the corner of my eye I could see the dad of our current keeper, and he was taking note of my obvious enthusiasm for this potential intruder. The parents of the new player came to talk to me about their son and the possibility of him playing for the team. ’He would want to play for the A team’, they told me, ‘and expects to play every week’.
After the trial, myself and a few other coaches discussed the problem...
Was he a better goalkeeper? At this stage, probably, but in future, who knows?
Would he fit into the team? Yes, he was a nice lad.
Were his parents okay? Well, there was possible trouble if he was dropped for some games.
Our present keeper was popular, he never missed a game and was keen to learn and progress. His parents were very supportive and had been members of the club for a long time.
There was no way we would make him move over for another keeper at this stage in his young life.
We told the parents of the trialist that we would love their son to join the club but we couldn’t guarantee he’d be club ‘number one’ - he would have to earn it. So he would start in one of the other teams but would still be guaranteed to play every week. This wasn’t enough for them so he didn’t join.
In my view, we definitely made the right choice. There is a lot to be said for loyalty and support, both from the side of the coach, and the player.
“‘He would want to play for the A team’, they told me, ‘and expects to play every week’”
This continuous drill is played at match speed with the teams switching from attack to defence regularly. The players will arrive at different angles and at different speeds, which makes each attack unpredictable.
How to set it up:• Create a playing area measuring 25x25 yards.
• This small-sided game requires a good supply of balls and two goals.
• Place a goal on two sides of the square.
• Split your squad into two teams. For each team, players go 2v2 (not including keepers, who remain on the pitch at all times).
• Teams start from the opposite touchlines to the goals.
The rules:• Each team attacks the goal they are facing as a two-man attack, then turns to defend the other goal.
• No matter what the end result of the attack (a goal or no goal), the attackers now turn to defend the other goal.
• A new team of two attackers now come in and the move continues.
Why this game works:This drill ensures that players practise defending and attacking from
different angles. It tests their speed and challenges levels of fatigue because they are immediately back in action (as defenders) having just themselves attacked.
SMALL-SIDED GAME
Crossways
player movementrun with ball
ball movementclearance
player movementrun with ball
ball movementclearance
The white team defends
2v2 and makes the challenge
1
Crossways
Soccer Coach Weekly 5
WEEKLY
player movementrun with ball
ball movementclearance
player movementrun with ball
ball movementclearance
The failed attackers
adjust their position to defend an attack on their own
goal
The attacks change in direction,
forcing constant
repositioning from
defenders
2
3
SKIL
LS
• Attacking
• Defending
• Awareness
• Teamwork
This game was taken from 64 Small-Sided Soccer Gamesby Michael Beale. The manual contains a vast range of
competitive scenarios to develop attacking and defendingskill. Get your copy here: www.coach-soccer.com/64ssgs
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