SOCCER COACHING The complete soccer coaching experience
19 February/March 2007
International
Muricy Ramalho, Sao Paulo FC coach
Pepijn Lijnders, technique trainer PSV
The Sportilia Stage
Frans Hoek on educating goalkeepers
www.soccercoachinginternational.com A complete soccer coaching experience
Editorial No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 SoccerCoachingInternational is a magazine for soccer coaches all over the world from the publisher of TrainersMagazine, the Dutch magazine for soccer coaches. The Magazine will be released six times a year.
Contents
Chief editor Paul van Veen Beatrixlaan 21, 2811 LZ REEUWIJK THE NETHERLANDS E-mail: paul@soccercoachinginternational.com Publisher Sportfacilities & Media BV Visiting Address: Steynlaan 19H ZEIST THE NETHERLANDS Postal Address: Postbus 952, 3700 AZ ZEIST THE NETHERLANDS E-mail: info@soccercoachinginternational.com Phone: +31-(0)30 - 697 77 10 Fax: +31-(0)030 - 697 77 20 Project Manager Floris Schmitz f.schmitz@sportfacilities.com
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MURICY RAMALHO, SAO PAULO FC COACH: “2006 Brazilian Champion”
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PEPIJN LIJNDERS, TECHNIQUE TRAINER PSV:
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THE SPORTILIA STAGE:
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TRAINING SESSIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
30
PROF. BRANKO IVANKOVIC, HEAD COACH NK “DINAMO” ZAGREB:
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CHILDREN & FOOTBALL (2)
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FRANS HOEK ON THE NEW WAY OF EDUCATING GOALKEEPERS:
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COLUMN PAUL COOPER
“Technique is the basis of everything!”
Managing Editor and Translations Maaike Denkers maaike@soccercoachinginternational.com Graphic Design Anton Gouverneur studio@sportfacilities.comAdvertising Michel van der Neut sales@sportfacilities.com Editorial Staff Estevão Bertoldi Sanches, Paul Cooper, Guilherme Costa, Maaike Denkers, Frank Dunne, Anton Gouverneur, Bert-Jan Heijmans, Tom van den Heiligenberg, Frans Hoek, Pepijn Lijnders, Dušan Petrović, Paul van Veen Subscription Rates You can subscribe to this magazine through its website: www.soccercoachinginternational.com. The subscription rate are as follows: US and CND subscribers: $49,95 for the first year ($59,95 for years thereafter) UK subscribers: £28,50 for the first year (£33,95 for years thereafter) Subscribers from the rest of the world: € 49,95 for the first year (€ 59,90 for years thereafter) You will receive six magazines per year and access to all subscriber features on the website. This publication is purchased with the understanding that information presented is from many sources for which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to accuracy, originality or completeness. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering product endorsements or providing instruction as a substitue for appropriate training by qualified sources. SoccerCoachingInternational assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Copyright All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
ISSN 1571 - 8794
A complete soccer coaching experience
“Coaching the coaches”
“Training sessions from around the world”
“Winning every game in the Croatian Championship”
“Making it Happen”
“The different phases of educating goalkeepers”
From the Editor
Welcome to what is now the 19th issue of SoccerCoachingInternational, volume 4! In
the past four years SoccerCoachingInternational has grown to become one of the leading soccer coaching resources in the world. During this time we have updated our website on numerous occasions, adding new features every time. This trend will continue in 2007. We are working on a number of new products and features including a new member’s area, a player statistics system and much more. All these new features and service are of course included in the annual subscription rate. But the website isn’t the only part of our product that will be upgraded. Last year we worked on attaining several new partnerships with leading soccer oriented organizations around the world. One of these partnerships is with Cidade do Futebol, a digital platform which brings together the soccer professionals of Brazil promoting the most recent developments in several areas directly or indirectly related to soccer. As part of the partnership Cidade do Futebol will contribute articles and interviews with top Brazilian soccer coaches, both from the senior and youth levels. This year we will also introduce a new magazine feature called ‘The Brazilian Corner’ a platform for Cidade do Futebol to share their knowledge with us. This issue will feature Sao Paulo’s head coach Muricy Ramalho who talks about the recent organizational change he implemented and the advantages and difficulties this system has brought.
ches’ Association, in conjunction with the Italian Football Federation. Each year, the course is dedicated to a few core elements of coaching for a particular age group. The 2006 course was entitled “The Development of Football Intelligence in Youth Football: How to Coach the Application of the Fundamentals of Technique and Tactics” and focused mainly on the 10-16 age group. Our Eastern European correspondent, Dusan Petrovic, traveled to Croatia where he interviewed NK Dinamo Zagreb head coach Branko Ivankovic, while Paul Cooper stayed at home in Gloucestershire, England to write part 2 of his series on Children & Football. Back in Holland we asked Frans Hoek to share his vision on the new way of educating goalkeepers with us and last but not least we have a re-occurring feature ‘Training Sessions from around the World’ once again featuring 18 exercises divided into 3 zones: Top, Youth and Finishing. Once again 48 pages filled with soccer coaching information! I wish you lots of reading and surfing pleasure!
Yours in soccer, Maaike Denkers Managing Editor
From Brazil we travel to Holland for a detailed interview with PSV technique trainer Pepijn Lijnders, who shares his vision on technique and the individual. Our next stop is Italy, where Frank Dunne attended the Sportilia Stage a course held by the Italian National Coa-
A complete soccer coaching experience
Muricy Ramalho, Sao Paulo FC coach:
“2006 Brazilian Champion”
Despite not having players with ideal characteristics, coach Muricy Ramalho successfully implemented the 4-4-2 organization with his team. By: Estevão Bertoldi Sanches and Guilherme Costa
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
When playing in a 3-5-2 organization, Sao Paulo had a victorious season in 2005, in which they won 3 championships – Sao Paulo State League, Libertadores Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The tactical system, which was also used in 2004, was the perfect way to adapt the characteristics of the starting line-up players. However, in the past year, Muricy decided to ignore his players’ styles and changed the team drastically. With this formation won Sao Paulo the Brazilian Championship – something that had not happened since 1991.
approach at Sao Paulo demonstrates the coach’s personality. Persistent, confident and hard working, Muricy Ramalho was able to make the team adapt to his style.
Adaptation
“We do not have players with characteristics to play 4-4-2, but we decided to use this system anyway. We could not maintain the 3-5-2 because we were becoming too predictable. So I decided to change the formation and needed everyone’s help in order to make it work. Players did a great job and learned how to play in a different system. In our case, their styles did not help at all.” (See diagram 1a and 1b)
Different from most teams in the world, who try to find a system that best fit their players’ qualities, Muricy’s Sao Paulo had a rigid system and his players should be able to adapt to it. The
Muricy´s persistency was essential for this change in the system. He admitted that his players did not feel comfortable du-
Diagram 1b
Diagram 1a
Luisão
Aloísio
Leandro
Amoroso
Danilo Danilo Souza
Cicinho
Junior
Mineiro
Mineiro Josué
Josué Ilsinho
Junior
Alex
Fabão
Miranda
Fabão Lugano
Rogerio Ceni
Rogerio Ceni
2006 Brazilian Championship formation (4-4-2)
2005 Libertadores Cup formation (3-5-2)
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
ring the first few games. “We had to play against the players´ characteristics and it is not easy. The players were willing to do it, they worked hard, and they were competent. Their reward was the Brazilian Championship.”
Wing Backs The most difficult thing for Sao Paulo was adapting its outside midfielders, who became wing backs in the 4-4-2 formation. All the options that Muricy had – Souza and Ilsinho on the right side, and Junior and Richarlyson on the left – are offense minded players. They also like to run diagonally through the midfield and are not good markers. (See diagram 2) Diagram 02
Offensive move of outside midfielders in 3-5-2 (diagonal penetration)
“When Ilsinho came to Sao Paulo, for instance, he could only think about offense. We had a tough job teaching him how to mark. Before playing for us, he used to only surround the opponents, trying to reduce spaces. We taught him how to tackle the man with the ball, which not only force the opponents to make mistakes; it made him a more complete player.” One of the biggest problems for Sao Paulo´s 4-4-2 was the offensive attitude of the wing backs. “Ilsinho used to go forward all the time and Junior always penetrates diagonally if we let him do it. When we changed the system, we needed to force a defensive role for them. Now they attack alternately and stay in Diagram 3a
Outside backs marking opponent. Opposite back becomes third defender (4-4-2)
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Diagram 3b
Outside midfielders marking opponent’s outside back (3-5-2)
defense when we do not have possession. They were used to always mark the opponents’ wing back. Now our player on the opposite side becomes a third defender.” (See diagram 3) Muricy was insistent throughout the season to make his wing backs think defensively. “It is not possible to do it overnight. We had a few problems in the beginning but we were able to be persistent. We were a bit annoying, but repetition is what produces positive results in soccer.”
Role of midfielders
ferent moves in a regular game when we performed well in a small space.” (See exercise 1) During the small field practice, when building up from the back, one of the central defenders starts with the ball and always looks for one of the defensive midfielders. So both of the defensive midfielders – Josué and Mineiro – had a new role in ball distribution. Their physical condition was important for playing this role. (Diagram 4)
Muricy´s strategy to adapt Sao Paulo to 4-4-2, included practicing on small fields (half of the regular dimensions) with 11 players on each side and limited number of touches per player. “Players were closer to each other and spaces were reduced on the field. We could see that we would be able to make many dif-
“We started to use our defensive midfielders much more. In our 3-5-2, they used to cover our outside midfielders. We had two defensive midfielders with great qualities and who like to play offensively. These characteristics helped us when changing the formation. We stopped being a predictable team and we can now vary the way we play completely. This creates confusion for
Diagram 4a
Diagram 4b
Building up from the back (3-5-2)
Building up from the back (4-4-2). More participation from defensive midfielders.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
our opponents, and they spend a lot of time trying to adjust to our game. This is the time when we can dominate the match.”
World Cup break Besides winning the championship, the tactical variation applied by Muricy helped the team achieve the best attack of the com-
this and it became a significant part of our offensive game.” After finding the deliverers, Muricy created four moments for players to enter the opponent´s box. “We numbered players from one to four. The first one enters the box in the direction of the near post. The second player goes into the middle of the box, while the third runs in the direction of the far post. The last player takes a wider position in the box. We have options for direct crosses or someone passing the ball for the players behind.” (See diagram 5) Diagram 5a
Free kick 1
Diagram 5b
petition (66 goals scored) and also the best defense (32 goals allowed). “Repetition is the key to success. You will not be able to have things naturally; you must work to achieve something. It is an essential factor in success in soccer.” Muricy, however, stresses that persistency and changes in the formation were only possible due the fact that the Brazilian
Free kick 2
Championship had a break during the 2006 World Cup. “We had time to train and adjust the team in the middle of the competition. This was like a pre-season and this made adaptations possible.”
Free Kicks One of the adaptations created by Muricy was set plays for free kicks. Sao Paulo used to have only direct shots from the goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni – a great goal scorer in free kicks. But last year, crosses from Souza and Junior also became really impor tant. “Our team did not have great statistics in free kicks and repetition was our solution to improve it. We worked hard during the World Cup break. The first thing we looked for was the players who could take good crosses. We saw that Souza and Junior, both outside players, were the best ones. We trained a lot on
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Entering into the box in pre determined places was also a strategy used for defensive situations. Until 2005, Sao Paulo´s defenders used to man mark the opponents at crosses. “But this method increased the number of penalty kicks against us.” To improve performance on set plays, Muricy also changed the place were Sao Paulo trained. “We were used to practice only at our training center, which has a smaller field than our stadium, causing differences during games. We started to train twice a week at our stadium, and it also increased the number of long range shots.”
Article in collaboration with Cidade do Futebol www.cidadedofutebol.com.br
11v11 on half a field Organization: - Dimensions: half field with 2 goals - 2 teams (each team has 11 players) in a 4-4-2 formation
1 4
Progression:
3 9 5 2
6
7
8
- Simulation of a game on a small field with limited number of touches (maximum 2 touches per player).
10 11
7
10 8 5
6
11 4
2
9 3 1
Finishing and Ball Possession Organization: - Half field with 3 goals - 3 teams (each team has 8 players + goalkeeper) - Each team can score in two goals. For example: Team red can score on goals 2 and 3.
Variation: - Unlimited number of touches per player - Maximum of 2 touches per player - Teams can only score by header
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Photo: John Claessens
Pepijn Lijnders, technique trainer PSV:
“Technique is the basis of everything!” “I notice that many coaches still think that training technical skills can only be done during a warm-up or that it is only a small part of a larger whole. This thought process must be eliminated. Technique is the basis of everything. If you can see where you have to pass the ball to, but you don’t have the technical skill to pass the ball to the correct spot, then recognizing the correct moment is worthless. Without technique there is no tactic. At the moment I see a lot of tactical and result oriented youth coaches. They put up with the current technical level of the players and concentrate on developing team tactics and focus on results. I like to win as well, but want to win on individual qualities. The individual development must dominate. Coaches and the results must be subordinate to the importance of the individual development. For this reason the individual must dominate in training. I also believe we should spend more time on technique training, without changing course entirely by solely focusing on technique training. It must be a combination, today’s modern soccer coach is both a technical coach and a tactical coach.” This is Pepijn Lijnders full time technique trainer at PSV youth academy, coach of theU13s and the coordinator of the PSV youth plan. By: Pepijn Lijnders
Photo: John Claessens
Photo: John Claessens
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
“This is the training method at PSV, it includes everything. Just imagine that you have a player who can beat his direct opponent, who can at times (technically) maintain the ball, who can cross each ball both left and right and who also has a smart through pass? Wouldn’t that be great? Isn’t every coach looking for that type of player? Is it not possible to train these players yourselves? Since I have come into contact with the coaching profession I have been specializing in all areas of developing talent. At PSV we are trying to educate these type of players.” Educating “We want to educate dynamic, creative and unpredictable players. Players who can (technically) maintain themselves on the ball in every game situation and continuously create better situations for themselves and their teammates. Players like Kaka, , Zidane, Pires, Robben, Kalou, van Persie, Messi, Fabregas and Ronaldinho prove week after week in Europe’s best competitions that they are able to do this. They have the qualities to beat their direct opponent, to give that fantastic end pass at the last moment or initiate the deciding give and go combination. Every time they receive the ball they create space to shift the play, thanks to their amazing feel for the ball.”
Photo: John Claessens
Choices “And when the ball is immediately in the right position, they will have more time to make the right choices. That is why these kind of players often make much better choices. Technique reinforces, or in fact blurs, the tactics in a sense. Speed is constantly increasing in international competitions, mainly because the spaces are becoming smaller. This is why it is especially important to completely master the ball. This is an important task for us, as coaches.”
First phase “All these aspect can best be taught in the first phase of a soccer player’s career. In this phase it is very easy to technically improve players. Up to the age of 12 is the ideal learning age, this is why the major theme with the U12s at PSV is technique. We must use the available time optimally, so we are working on the qualities that can make a difference on a daily basis. Repetition of all techniques is necessary to further develop these techniques in relation to the lines and the team at an older age.”
Player type
Photo: John Claessens Photo: John Claessens
“Every line demands its own type of player. When you look at the European top level you quickly notice which players make the difference. In offense these are usually strong, creative dribblers with scoring capacity. In midfield these are usually linking players or play makers, who will not – even in difficult situations – lose the ball. Players who can transition with their first touch. This type of players wants to make the play, because they are so comfortable on the ball. At the back it is the type of player who is unbeatable in the 1v1 situation that make the difference. All these players have in common that they dominate the 1v1, they have character, personality and have complete power over the ball.”
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Photo: psvjeugd.nl
Complete
Tickle
“We as coaches have to make the players as complete as possible. In my vision there are three central themes: personality, technique and explosiveness. These are the three accents which must come back in every exercise and in every age category. In order to shape such complete players you must ensure for a solid basis in the first years of a players career. In our vision we try to use the qualities of top players in a smart way. After all, which player doesn’t want to be like a soccer star? They want nothing less than to master these technique and apply them in the game. Every player at PSV is given the opportunity to give 100%, to excel and to develop in all facets during every activity. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes: or better said must make mistakes. Only then you can become better. Arjen Robben recently said in an interview that the reason he has excelled it because he was never afraid to make mistakes in his youth.”
“During every training session a player might beat his opponent explosively 100 times. He may have to change direction a 100 times to get out of difficult situations. This way we are automatically training the players’ motor development, as we continuously tickle the explosiveness on the ball. Compare this to a possession game, meant to improve the team’s tactical aspects, whereby a player may only touch the ball once or twice?”
Initiative “Our players also have this opportunity, to take the initiative every time and to develop themselves optimally in dominating the 1v1. Coaches must give their players the opportunity to continue mastering what they have learned and to apply it to game situations. As a coach you will observe to how far along they are in the developmental process. Everything is about the players, they must solves problems by means of their own insight and creativity. Players must take the initiative, demand the ball and create personality. As coaches we must stimulate this, even if it turns out the wrong way. It will be fully trained when you start seeing all the games as practices and further develop your players in different game situations. We must and can demand the most especially from our best players with the objective that they will start demanding more from themselves.”
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Types of technical skills “In my vision I distinguish between five ‘types’ of technical skills and I linked them to top players. We have the 1v1 Robben (beat your opponent from the front), the 1v1 Zidane (cutting moves to get out of the difficult situations), the 1v1 Kaka (all first ball touches), the 1v1 Beckham (shooting technique and smart through passes) and the 1v1 Ronaldinho (all moves). We use top players who apply these skills weekly in Europe’s top competitions. The players recognize this, because they like to identify themselves with these players and want to be like them. Furthermore, it is very tangible for the players when they see what they have learned back at the top level. When I tell these young players we are training the ‘1v1 Robben’ it will mean more to them than when I tell them we are training the 1v1 frontal. We also frequently watch clips of top players in action before training. The players love watching the actions and moves in full stadiums. The theme of the corresponding training will be the top player we just watched on the video.”
For a detailed description of these five skills please visit the members area on our website.
Photo: psvjeugd.nl
Moves “Within these five technical skills you will come across various moves. Within the Zidane 1v1 you will have to, for example, think of moves such as the step-over (Deco) and the outside foot cut (Henry). And when we are doing the 1v1 Robben with the Ronaldo twice, the players will know they will have to beat their opponent with a double scissor move. I categorise all movement this way.”
about 10 different series with 15-20 movements in a row. Once the players perfectly master a series we will move to include an opponent who will provide resistance on all moves in the series.”
“We are working on the qualities that can make a difference on a daily basis”
Functional technique “Training players is obviously more than just cutting and turning in between cones or practicing moves in a square. All aspects of the game must return to a training session. We start every training session with exercises in which we can perfect the technical coordination. Every exercise has an equal amount of repetitions with right and left. In all, exercises have elements such as receiving, passing with the inside of the foot and taking the speed out of the ball with a wall pass. These can be repeated about 100 times at a high level and with high pace. This will automatically perfect the functional technique. I never use cones as resistance, this is always done by players. Players block, passively defend and above all help and stimulate the player on the ball to reach a higher level.”
Technical coordination “I often train the technical coordination in a series of moves right after each other as well. The variation of different moves, right after each other, makes the players even more technically skilled, creating even more power on the ball. Furthermore it will make him more agile. In one of those series I often take one or two movement which the players must execute more frequently one after the other in order to perfect the movement coordination on both the left and the right side. Eventually there should not be a difference between right and left. We currently have
Theme “We use a theme in every training session and go into depth with that theme. A theme can be Robben, Kaka, Beckham or Zidane. Furthermore, we also have one month in which a theme will come back in every exercise in order to continuously repeat certain details. We spend a lot of time on perfecting all techniques in simple exercises with the U9s and U11s, which they can later apply to more complex exercises such as 2v1, 2v2 and 3v3. With the older players we use more complex exercises in order to keep it challenging for them as well.”
Resistance “We interchange these exercises with 100% game exercises that fit within the theme. When we are dealing with the Robben theme this can mean that we use an exercise in which the attackers try to beat two defenders who are defending the line. In this exercise the attackers can automate the moves they just perfected on defenders who are defending at 100%. This way they will learn how to initiate their moves and increase their speed at the right moment. After all beating your opponent is not about which moves you initiate, but more about the right moment of initiation and increasing speed. In this phase I tackle the basis of defending as well. Once a month defending in 1v1 is the central theme. The players will then have the opportunity
No. 19 – Februari/March 2007
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Photo: John Claessens to apply defending techniques within all attacking facets in the following weeks. These defending accents will then be further trained, as this will also contribute to the offensive training. The stronger the defender, the more variations the attacker will need.”
providing cover, running action, creating free space, etc. I have been playing these exercises since the U13s.You can, for example, organize the threesomes in positions: such as the left wing, the right wing or the three central players together.”
Finishing
Tournament
“I try to match every exercise to finishing. Such as left and right instep kicking, chipping, turning and shooting, etc. Once a month all finishing exercises with high crosses are central. We spend the entire training session on volleys, heading and even bicycle kicks. The players love it as they are allowed to let themselves go and volley the ball into the back of the net up to 200 times that session. Even this session has a methodological build up. We start with a player who volleys from a throw, the from a chip and then from a turning cross. The same thing applies to heading and bicycle kicking. From this theme, which obviously falls under the 1v1 Beckham, we have four flat goals. The best time to train this in spring after it rained.”
“Sometimes we end the session with a tournament, with a final and an election for ‘ player of the tournament’ chosen by the players and the coaches. Every time there are different bonuses to motivate the players to reach a higher level and to accentuate the learned skills. We try to continuously vary with different organizations of games that will give the players the opportunity to further develop the skills.”
Small sided games “Small sided games should be used in training, as it can apply the learned skills to a game specific situation. An example from the 1v1 Robben is to play 3v3 with goalkeepers. The players play a 1:1:1 formation and try to attack the spaces. This is a fantastic exercise at the end of the session whereby players can train at game oriented play. The players do not have a set position, but they must change so that all positions are occupied at all times. The objective is that players create space for each other by means of thought through running actions, so that the other player can attack it (with overview). Having a good view is important in your attacking actions, you must be able to create free space for other players at all times. In these small games it is easy to teach the tactical basics. Here you must be thinking of keeping all positions occupied, keeping the lines,
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007
Organization “Whenever I give the training session I will always be assisted by the trainers and coaches or the interns of that team. In the middle of the field there will be a ‘demo field’ where I will demonstrate or give pointers from. All players and coaches will gather around the field, where I will use different players to demonstrate something. With this setup it often happens that we train with 30 or 40 kids at the same time. The moments in which 4 or 5 of them demonstrate something with confidence and character in front of the entire group are the best moments. After a good demonstration everybody will be clapping and chanting!”
Fun “The experience and fun that players radiate determine how effective a training session is. You will see players increase their level during every session. At the end of every passive exercise we will play a game to determine which player has the best execution. We do this to motivate the players collectively to achieve
an even higher level. We pay attention to the following three aspects. First of all on stimulating each other, secondly on the personality of the player; how he demands the balls and how he processes them and last on the technical execution in combination with explosiveness. Every group will have an individual champion. Players have to evaluate each other, especially what went well. Players have to know exactly what they are good at. They have to learn to accept positive criticism from each other and above all they must understand that they need one another in order to excel in their own qualities.”
“Eventually there should not be a difference between right and left”
Goals “We use flat goals at every training sessions, these goals can be located on a separate technique-training-field. The flat goals are goals in which you can score from both sides. We have exercises in which the balls circulate instead of the players. The attacker who has just got out of a difficult situation twice and managed to shoot the ball on goal doesn’t have to get his own ball, but must immediately become a defender. Every team will have 20 balls and I will have another 20. So when I am training the second year U13s and the first year U15s together we will have 60 balls for approximately 25 players. The flat goals provide a fantastic and ideal starting point to commence the training. I am constantly looking for organizational exercises in which the players can give 100% and whereby the labour/rest ratio is perfectly balanced.”
Self activity (1) “While some clubs start one touch play from the age of eight years old, our players will explosively beat one, two and sometimes even three opponents about 100 times even before the training starts. This, in turn means that the defender will also be places in a situation whereby he will have to try to steal the ball 100 times. The moment the U9s through to the U15s arrive at the ‘Herdgang’ (PSV’s training complex – ed.) they will immediately start training themselves without any coach or trainer present. I try to teach these kids that they don’t need anybody, not even a coach, to become better players.”
Self activity (2) “We have eight different self activity exercises where the players train themselves before every activity over a period of two weeks. All 1v1 facets are processed in exercises 1 through 6. Exercises 1, 2 and 3 are exercises with passive resistance, with a partner functioning as the opponent. Exercises 4, 5 and 6 are active exercises with 100% resistance. The players may choose themselves which exercise they want to do in exercise 7. Exercise 8 is a street soccer exercise (3v3/4v4/4v3) which they are allowed to do over a period of 4 weeks instead of 2. After all our objective is that the players learn how to apply in complex situations. They must become responsible for their own development. We create the developmental conditions, and they decide themselves how far they take it. This greatly stimulates the self activity process. I enjoy watching how the players pick this up every time. They can’t wait to learn and perfect the techniques of the top players. They are friends, make each other better, but also want to do better than their teammates and become the best. They are training as if Koeman, or the Barça, Arsenal or Man United scouts are watching them.”
Photo: John Claessens
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“They are friends, make each other better, but also want to do better than their teammates and become the best”
Homework “Up to the U12s we give the players homework which is checked the following week. From the U13s up to the U17s I try to make them aware that they should use the time before and after the training session to practice and perfect certain techniques. The U17 striker must understand that he will become even more dangerous when he can execute the scissor move on both the left and the right. The homework will get more specific with the older teams, aimed at their position on the field. The homework usually involves a certain series or out of one or two move which they must perfect both left and right sided. Every youth player will receive a small size 3 ball and a jumping rope at the beginning of the season. All homework assignments I give them can be done with either a small or a normal sized ball. They can then try these homework activities during small sided games on the street. The following week I always use an exercise which involves the homework activity. We decided to give these small assignments, because a lot of players would ask us for new moves after every training session.”
Enthusiastic
Photo: psvjeugd.nl
Photo: psvjeugd.nl
“The players reacted very enthusiastically, so we decided to design a complete schedule for them to perfect themselves in technical coordination during the winter and summer breaks. The schedule has four exercises which they should practice during four days of the week; they may choose their own exercise for the other three days. The schedule is made up of two move series which we teach them during the week prior to the winter or summer break; a juggling series with challenging technical exercises and a series of exercises involving a jump rope. It turned out to be a coordinated program which will help us to make the players even more dynamic. They will improve their footwork in order to execute the exercises with even more explosiveness. This last break we gave them the Aissati and Afellay series. By giving the series names the kids are motivated to learn them. After all these kids want to be like Aissati or Afellay (2 of PSV’s first team’s young talents).”
Development “Every player must have a certain recognizable characteristic by means of which we as coaches and teammate scan recognize him. An identity, game after game. Subsequently we want the players to further develop the characteristics they master. This development doesn’t stop at the age of 18; its an ongoing process. You need a lot of patience and we need to in every day; win on individual quality. As a coach you should ask yourself every day whether or not the player had the opportunity to develop themselves optimally. This is an ongoing process. You learn every day both as a player and as a coach as long as you continuously take every opportunity to develop yourself. I continuously take every opportunity to develop myself as a coach.”
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Photo: psvjeugd.nl
Pure soccer “You can apply the vision described above to all levels and age groups. It is an all encompasing practical vision with technique as core subject, but geared on the technical, tactical and personal development of both players and coaches. Especially for amateur clubs, where there are usually only 2 training session a week it is important to utilize this time optimally.”
“A lot of coaches know technique is the basis of everything, but in order to implement this vision with their club it is important to have sufficient support from the people with enthusiasm, will and character. A lot of coaches still don’t think about the individual development of the players, but about team tactics and results. In order to change this a club should educate their own coaches, who will need to familiarize themselves with the material. These coaches should receive demonstrations and clinics on the field, so they can see their players improve technically and personally within one training session.”
Photo: John Claessens
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
In addition to the recognized coaching badges of the Italian Football Federation and the Italian Olympic Committee a number of informal courses are run throughout the year by the federation, by local coaches’ associations and by clubs. In recent years, one of the most popular and most successful has been the “Stage for Youth Football Coaches.” By: Frank Dunne
The Sportilia Stage:
“Coaching the 18
No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
The ‘Stage’, or course, is run by the Emilia-Romagna branch of the National Coaches’ Association, in conjunction with the Italian Football Federation. It is held every spring at Sportilia, a modern multi-sports complex in beautiful surroundings in the hills near the border between the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The fifth edition of the course was held in May 2006. From 2004 to 2007, the technical and tactical sessions are run by coaches from Inter Milan. The guest coaches in 2006 were: Massimo De Paoli, coach of Inter’s U15s; and Angelo Pereni, a highly-experienced club coach; and Vincenzo Pincolini, one of Italy’s top fitness instructors.
Stage 2006: football intelligence Each year, the course is dedicated to a few core elements of coaching for a particular age group. The 2006 course was entitled “The Development of Football Intelligence in Youth Football: How to Coach the Application of the Fundamentals of Technique and Tactics” and focused mainly on the 10-16 age group. The teaching took place over three days, beginning Friday afternoon and finishing on Sunday afternoon. It was divided into theoretical sessions in a lecture hall and practical sessions on the pitch. The sessions included: fitness preparation for 6-10s and 11-14s; coaching technique for 10-16s; the physical development of the young player in the U15s; coaching individual tactics for 10-16s; coaching ball possession by the team and by team units; coaching the offensive transition; and counter-attacking at high speed. Massimo De Paoli’s “Castle”, is an example of how the two kinds of teaching (theoretical and practical) were integrated. De Paoli is widely regarded as one of Italy’s top youth coaches – his U15s at Inter won the national title in 2006 – and he is also in demand as an instructor of coaches for his ability to communicate his ideas with clarity and enthusiasm. He is the type of public speaker who would be a millionaire if he dedicated his life to the circuit of management and motivation conferences. Instead, he prefers to talk football.
coaches”
De Paoli’s introduction to his coaching session was typically offbeat. He had been driving down to Sportilia from Milan on the Friday afternoon, he said, when he saw a sign for the city of Sansepolcro, home to the Italian Renaissance artist Piero Della Francesca. Instead of stopping at Sportilia, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, he headed on down to Tuscany to spend the afternoon admiring Della Francesca’s work.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Most coaching manuals will tell you that younger players have a low attention span and that this should be taken into consideration when planning coaching sessions, but De Paoli warns that “the low attention span is often used as an alibi by coaches. If the attention of young kids is waning it is because they are not motivated and that is usually down to poor communication. Young kids love football, they dream about football and if you can get on their level and tap into those dreams you can motivate them.”
Conquering the castle: how to attack space
“I had prepared a load of slides to show you, explaining various tactical schemes but looking at Della Francesca’s paintings made me think about the power of the imagination and how important it is to coaches working with youngsters. It’s no good reading coaching manuals if you are not prepared to give your heart and soul to the coaching of children. There are many youth football coaches out there and they always have to ask themselves: what motivates me as a coach? Is it a career? Is it rivalry? Is it wanting to show that I know best?” So instead of a slide-show lecture, he would describe a game called “The Castle”, using it to explain how football tactics can be taught to young players in a way that captures their imagination. It was based on a very simple idea and was communicated using a small number of key words. The most important thing, De Paoli said, was for the coach to really visualize in his mind the imaginary world he was describing and to make the players see it too. Poles would be used to represent the ‘guardians’ of the castle. Plastic markers would create the ‘gateways’ into the castle. If the young players were made to ‘see’ guardians and not poles, see gateways and not plastic markers, they would perform the activities with a greater degree of motivation. It all comes down to the capacity of the individual coach to inspire, to make players see what he or she sees. “It’s no good practising a 3v2 if we are not able to create the perceptive framework which enables players to really see the numerical advantage.”
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
The ‘castle’ to be conquered is the space between the opposition’s midfield four and the back four – the most vital space on the pitch in the construction of attacking plays. The key words were: castle, gateway, blind zone, width, depth, short, and long. The gateways are the spaces between the areas in which opposing players operate and through which the right kind of pass has to be found. The blind zone is the area beyond the opposing back four in which a player will be offside if the ball is played to him. Width means spreading the ball horizontally and depth means getting it forward vertically. A short pass is one which is played to the feet, a long ball one which is played in front of a player who is in movement. Four poles are placed in a line across the pitch about 4-5 metres apart and about 4-5 metres from the edge of the penalty area. These represent four defenders. Another four poles are placed in parallel about 10 metres further forward, towards the half-way line. On either side of each of the eight poles are two plastic markers, each about one metre away from the pole. This metre represents the defender’s area of activity, i.e. the distance he would be able to stretch to intercept a pass. Four midfield players are lined up facing the first row of poles. A further four players are stationed close to the defensive poles, with their backs to goal. The two wide players will operate as opposition full-backs closing down the wide midfield players. The two central players operate as attackers. The activity is developed sequentially (see diagrams). In the first part of the exercise, one of the wide midfield players advances along the flank and his blocked off. He turns and plays the ball backwards, from where it is moved quickly along the line to the other wide midfield player. The players are being
Throughout the exercise, the two forward players take it in turns to make runs towards the player in possession, one coming short and then dropping back, then the other coming short. De Paoli points out that a great deal of the work of a forward lies in continually making yourself available for a pass which frequently doesn’t arrive. It’s easy to see when the player is beginning to get frustrated with the lack of service. Either he stops making the runs or he starts complaining to his team mates. The great forwards, he says, are those that will make those runs for 90 minutes knowing that the right pass only needs to come off once to create a goal-scoring opportunity. The young ‘warriors’ have tried to take the castle from the side but have been repelled. They have to keep the ball and find another way in, this time through one of the gateways. Instead of looking for width – by moving the ball horizontally along the line – they will go for ‘depth’, attacking through the middle. This time, when one of the attackers comes short, and calls for the short pass (to his feet) he will be served with the ball. Because the striker will be marked nine times out of ten, he will probably be unable to turn and attack the goal, so at first the forwards look to lay the ball back to one of the two central midfielders. In both cases, the forward pass and the lay off, De Paoli wants the ball to be played accurately along the ground bang in the middle of the two plastic markers – if the players don’t ‘see’ the gateways, the pass will be less accurate.
guided in using the full width of the pitch to find alternative points of attack. De Paoli emphasizes that all four players are continually active, even the three who don’t have the ball, because they are continually adjusting their position in accordance with where their team mate in possession is moving. So, for example, as the wide midfield player (Player A) moves up the flank, his nearest team mate (B) moves across to cover him, the other central midfield player (C) moves across but drops a metre or so deeper, while the other wide midfield player (D) slides across in line with Player B. When A is blocked off and switches the movement with a pass to B, the ball is moved from B to C (B may carry the ball forward a few paces before laying it back to C) and then on to D and the line of players makes exactly the same covering movements but in reverse.
In the final part of the exercise, one forward comes to receive the ball, the second forward gives him a shout that he is unmarked and instead of laying the ball back he turns and finds his team mate with a pass. Now the two forwards have got the ball in the heart of the castle and they have to get out the other side to score. There are a number of options. If his team mate calls ‘long’, the forward in possession can play an immediate through ball bisecting the two central poles, for the second striker to run on to. Or the second striker can come towards the ball and look to play a one-two, putting the first striker in with a ball behind the defence. As before, the pass through the defensive space must be accurate and correctly weighted, the pass and the run beyond the back line must be timed so that the receiving player does not move into the ‘blind zone’ too early (thus being caught offside) and the move must be finished with a decent strike on goal.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
“The Castle” Organization
Blind zone
Blind zone
Blind zone
Castle
In one half of a full-sized pitch, four poles (‘guardians’) are placed horizontally across the pitch, 5-6 metres apart. Four more poles are placed in line with the first set but just beyond the goal area (the space between the two sets of poles is the ‘castle’). On either side of each pole, about 1m away, is a plastic marker (the plastic markers between each set of poles create the ‘gateways’). Four players are stationed between the half-way line and the first set of poles, four players just in front of the second set of poles.
Castle
Castle
Gateway
Gateway
“The Castle” Build up
Blind zone
Blind zone
Blind zone
Castle
Castle
Castle
Gateway
Gateway
C
B
A
The move begins with player A taking the ball into a wide area. As player A moves wide, player B moves across, player C moves across but also moves backwards a few steps, and player D moves across. Player A is furthest forward, players B and D on the same horizontal line and player C is behind them. As player A takes the ball forward he is closed down by the wide player opposite.
D
“The Castle” Option 1
Blind zone
Blind zone
Blind zone
Castle
Player A turns back towards his team mate, and hits a pass to player B. B either takes a couple of paces forward and passes to C or passes straight away. C passes to D who looks to take the ball forward in the wide right area. These horizontal movements, left to right and right to left, are then practised for 4-5 minutes. All the time that the ball is moved along the line of four players, the two central attacking players, E and F, take it in turns to make runs towards the player with the ball.
Castle
Castle
6
1 Gateway
Gateway 3
2 4
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
“The Castle” Option 2
Blind zone
Blind zone
Blind zone
E F
2 5 4 A
When player A is cut off, he turns and plays the ball to B. B has two options: he can move the ball along the line to C or look to play a ball into the feet of one of the attackers who has come short to receive it (and calls ‘short’). When E first receives the ball he assumes he is tightly marked to plays the ball back immediately to either B or C. When B or C receive the ball, they have the same options: continue to move it along horizontally or look for a short ball forward. These movements, alternating vertical forward/backward passes with horizontal passes, are repeated for 4-5 minutes. All balls forward and backwards (into and out of the ‘castle’) must pass through the ‘gateways’.
3 1
D B C
“The Castle” Option 3 When player E has the ball, his team mate F, can choose to let him pass it back but now can also call for a pass. When F calls for a pass, he comes in short, player E turns and plays a hard early ball along the ground to his feet and then makes a run towards goal
4 4 5
F has two options: he can turn and attack the goal or he can look to play a one-two with E and then attack the goal. The timing of the runs beyond the last line of poles must be correct to avoid being caught offside. The move should be finished with a convincing strike on goal. All balls forward and backwards (into and out of the ‘castle’) must pass through the ‘gateways’.
F 3
E 2
A
1 D
B C
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Training session from arou This re-occurring section will once again feature 3 so called zones: the ‘Top Zone’, ‘Youth Zone’ and ‘Finishing Zone’. Starting with the ‘Top Zone’ below:
Juggling race (AFC Ajax) Organization: - Two groups gather around midfield (as illustrated) - Both groups try to collectively reach the end line juggling the ball with their head - If the ball touches the ground they have to start over again - The group who reaches the end line the fastest wins - The losing group will receive a ‘punishment’: push-ups, sprinting, etc.
Variation: - Juggling with feet - Juggling with head and feet
Warm up (Lokomotiv Moscow) Organization: - 5 players, 1 in the middle, the other four around him (as illustrated) - The player in the middle start by run up to any of the four players - This player throws the ball to the player in the middle, who heads it to the next player - This player catches the ball and throws it back to the incoming player in the middle, who heads the ball to the next player, etc. - When the player in the middle has received the ball from all four players around him he switches places with one of them
Variation:
4
1
2
3
- Volleying the ball instead of heading it
Sprinting (Werder Bremen) Organization: - Two groups - One player of each group starts by lying on their back at cone 1 with their hands and feet in the air - On the coach’s signal they get up as fast as possible sprint to the last pole and zigzag around the rest of the cones and sprint to cone 2 (as illustrated)
Variation: - Instead of each player competing against an individual player from the other group, have groups compete as a whole. Players don’t start lying down, but start with a sprint to the last pole. When they reach cone 2 the next player in their group may start.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
coach
und the World TOP ZONE Finishing (PSV Eindhoven) Organization: - 2 players (winger and striker) - The winger starts in the middle by passing the ball towards the corner flag to the incoming winger (1) - The winger receives the ball in his path (2) - The striker simultaneously runs to the penalty area (3) - The winger crosses the ball into the penalty area at incoming striker (4) - The striker finishes on goal (5)
Goalkeeping 1 (Chivas) Organization: - Two cones are positioned in front of the goal - The goalkeeping coach and another goalkeeper are positioned on the flanks - The goalkeeper runs to the cones and touches them (1) - He then runs backwards back to his starting position (2) - The goalkeeping coach then crosses/shoots the ball on goal, the goalkeeper makes a save and throws the ball to the other goalkeeper on the other side of the field - From where the same exercise is executed
Goalkeeping 2 (Chivas) Organization:
6
1- The goalkeeper runs to the cones, positioned at the end of the six yard box, and touches them 2- Another goalkeeper picks up a ball, which are located diagonally behind the goal, and runs behind the goal to the other side 3- This goalkeeper throws the ball to the goalkeeping coach or player on the penalty spot 4- Coach/player heads the ball (lob) over the goalkeeper towards the goal 5- The goalkeeper simultaneously sprints back to his goal to save the ball 6- The goalkeeper behind the goal gets another ball
2
1
5
4
3
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
YOUTH ZONE Warm-up: cutting and turning Organization - Start from both sides simultaneously - Cut the ball at cones 1 and 2 - Use a passing move at cone 3 and cut again at cones 4 and 5 - All players are moving
Coaching - Coach on body and foot work - Illustrate several cutting moves: inside, outside, drag, step over, behind standing foot, drag-back - Passing moves: scissor, side step, Zidane, Drag and step over, Ronaldinho - Increase fun element by positive coaching
Duel 1 against 1 with a cross Organization - Beat opponent and cross to the two attackers - Use the action from the warm up above - After the cross start defending in the other organization - The 1 against 1 duel is played in front of the goal, ensuring the crosser has to look where he is passing to
Coaching - Minimal resistance for defenders at first, gradually increase resistance - Make running actions in front of goal - React enthusiastically after a successful action
Small sided game 7 against 6 Organization - The goalkeeper starts by passing to one of the outside midfielders - Play 3 against 2 on midfield up to one of the midfielders has been played free - This midfielder passes to the outside midfielder, this can be done in two ways - A through pass when the defender is covering closely - A pass into his feet whereby the attacker turns inwards, when the defender is covering further away - After a while you can also play 3 against 3 on midfield
Coaching - Allow the players to problem solves by themselves at first, help them later on - Ask questions to create clarity
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YOUTH ZONE Eye-hand-foot coordination Organization - Both players have a ball - Variation 1: throw balls simultaneously with a bounce to one another - Variation 2: roll ball to each other, without the balls bumping into each other - Variation 3: One player throws his ball into the air, receives the ball from the other player, throws it back and catches his own ball - Variation 4: both players pass the ball with the inside of their foot to one another - Variation 5: One ball is thrown, the other is passed - Variation 6: One ball is passed, the other is lobbed
Attention and reaction games Organization - Two teams, one of each side - The players are numbered 1-4 - Whenever the coach calls out a number those players print to the center ball and play 1 against 1 - May score on both sides - Coach can also call more than 1 number and teams then play 2v2 or 3v3
Variation - Also possible in line soccer or with 1 goal and 1 goalkeeper
Crossing the ball Organization - Three teams with 3 to 5 players - One teams must try to cross by means of dribbling - The other teams aim at the ball of the crossing player - Count the number of hit balls, which teams has the least hits?
Coaching - Pass at the right moment - Passing technique, with the inside of the foot - Ensure your ball reaches the player across from you, so the crossing players can continuously be attacked
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
FINISHING ZONE Dribble-cross-shoot Organization - Player A dribbles the ball towards the cone at the end line, goes around the cone and passes to incoming player B, who finishes on goal. - Meanwhile player A sprints towards the groups of other player B’s and joins them - The player B who just finished on goal get his ball and dribbles to the other group (player A’s) and joins them - Execute clockwise and counter clockwise
Dribble-cross-control-shoot Organization - Player C dribbles to cone B, cuts at the cone and crosses towards cone A - Player D runs in without a ball, controls and finishes on goal. He gets his ball, dribbles behind the goal to E and passes to the last player in group C - Player C who crossed the ball, gets the ball at F and dribbles in through the cone to group D
Finishing with 2 goals (1) Organization - Two big goals diagonally across from each other (approx. 40 meter apart) - Every player has a ball - The players are divided amongst two cones - The players dribble towards the goal and shoot before reaching the imaginary line between the two cones (at 15 meters from the goal)
Variation - They have to execute a fake and the shoot
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
FINISHING ZONE Finishing with 2 goals (2) Organization - Two big goals diagonally across from each other (approx. 40 meter apart) - Every player has a ball - The players are divided amongst two cones - The players pass to the wall passer, who turns short and shoots on goal - Every player rotates 1 position
Variation: - Execute both clockwise and counter clockwise - They receive the pass at medium height in the air
Finishing with 2 goals (3) Organization - Two big goals diagonally across from each other (approx. 40 meter apart) - Every player has a ball - The players are divided between two cones - The players pass to the wall passer, who passes back immediately and the ball is finished on goal
Variation - Finish with left and right foot
Finishing with 2 goals (3) Organization - Two big goals diagonally across from each other (approx. 40 meter apart) - Every player has a ball - The players are divided between two cones - The players pass to the wall passer, who asks for the ball - The wall passer passes the ball back, initiates a run towards the goal right after the pass and receives the ball back in his run - He directly finishes on goal (without controlling the ball)
Variation - Execute both clockwise and counter clockwise
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
NK “Dinamo” Zagreb, Croatia is a team with great history, tradition and hard demands for every coach: “You must win every game in the domestic competition!” SoccerCoachingInternational talked to Prof. Branko Ivanković, a serious coach in the hunt for serious results with rival HNK “Hajduk” Split breathing down his neck. By: Dušan Petrović
Prof. Branko Ivanković, head coach NK “Dinamo” Zagreb:
“Winning every game in the Croatian Championship” 30
No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
“As a player, I was a midfielder; a very offensive midfielder. My soccer philosophy as a coach closely simulates my style and philosophy from my playing years. As a player I liked offensive soccer, but with respect for defense, strong organization and high discipline. I demand from my team that they attack, and create many goal scoring opportunities. This is the only way we can score more goals and in turn win more games. I pay the same attention to the defensive phase – creating a strong and disciplined organization with good communication. Also, my midfielders and attackers must cover a lot of space and help defenders in defending their own goal.”
System of play “As a player I grew up with the 4-2-4, 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 systems, which were popular systems of play at that time. As a coach I started with the 4-3-3 system, after that I changed to the 3-5-2. Nowadays my favorite system is the 4-2-3:1. This system allows you to switch to a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 when necessary. So, essentially I have three systems for the price of 1 and I can alternatively opt for the 4-4-2 with a diamond.
like another great Croatian club, wants to win the Championship every season and qualify to play in the European competitions. We dominated almost every game. One of our major tasks is winning and competing at the highest level. This is limits me in the selection of players. I had to change both the playing style and the player selection criteria, to the highest standards. I have changed the structure and DNA of the team. We promoted 5 young players between the ages of 19 and 21 to the first team. These are all modern players, with big potential to grow to the top European level. These and other players, who all possess great speed and power in duels play a key role in re- building the team, which in turn gives is a better chance of good results in the European competitions. One of my primary tasks was to incorporate modern players into the team and create a solid and good selection.”
Micro training period “When we talk about a micro training period we refer to 7 consecutive days, from Saturday to Sunday. We have a weekly cycle with strong intensity training sessions involving conditional and tactical aspects.
4-4-2
Sunday
In a 4-4-2 system midfielders are placed in a diamond shape, which allows more offensive play and good cover of the field which can adapt to a 4-1-4-1 and 4-1-3-2 during the same game. These systems, can easily be adapted depending on the situation on the field and the game. Certainly I not change systems without an order. My main system is the 4-2-3-1, which transforms to a 4-3-3 in offense and a 4-5-1 in defense. This system gives me more power in offensive actions and more security in defensive actions.”
Sunday is usually recovery training, involving a 25-30 minute run with stretching and fitness training concentrating on the abdomen and back. I also sometimes run field training with situation exercises and supporting recovery games, such as foot-tennis or a heading game on two goals. I can also use, depending on the condition of players, tactical exercises in small spaces with finishing on goal. Afterwards we play a game on a reduced field with 2-3 touches for approximately 60-70 minutes. Prior to this we have a 30 minute warm-up session with stretching, fit-pulse exercises of the muscle groups depends on the program of the next training. This Sunday training is at 50-60% output.”
Problem solving “When I arrived at NK “Dinamo” Zagreb, I encounter a lot of problems in the team. Players were mentally weak and the team was in poor condition, because the club had not been able to meet their targets and main goals the previous season. When I started, I immediately implemented the 4-4-2 system with a diamond in midfield. I was able to do this, because I had a players group that was able to match all the demands for that system. Additionally the system was the best fit for my players’ characters. I increased the level of preparation and in that period we won all our games in the Croatian Championship. NK “Dinamo”,
Monday “Monday is still a relatively light training day – training at approximately 70% output. It simply involves training situations without hard physical exercises, with the objective to spare players for the Tuesday training session which demands much more intensity. Monday’s are focused on situational exercises with light intensity and the correction of mistakes in play with easy and light preparation for the next game.”
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Tuesday “On Tuesday we have two high intensity training sessions. Up to Tuesday we only have 1 training session per day. Of course players, who didn’t play at the weekend, are given extra work on power during the Sunday and Monday training sessions. Tuesday morning we usually have a speed training session; training speed in special situations with the defenders training on one side of the field and the midfielders and attackers on the other side. The training involves situational exercises, such as organization of defense, clearing out of defense, counter attack, fast finish and fast transition back to defense. Same exercise for midfielders and attackers, but from their lines. During the afternoon training session we have a high intensity training with high output, tactical-technical exercises or a game 11v11 with 70% output and special tasks for some players during the game. After ever y training we have tactical-technical corrections with the objective of solving problems and correcting mistakes.”
Wednesday “We have another recover y day on Wednesday. During the morning session our players will get a massage and go to the swimming pool or we have easy training with foot tennis, a two-touch game in a circle 5 against 2 or 6 against 2, and sometimes we play basketball. Whenever the players are ver y tired we will give them the afternoon or the entire day off.”
Thursday and Friday “Towards the end of the week we are approaching the next game and train at about 70-80% output covering the tactical preparation for the next game. NK “Dinamo” is a team which rarely adapts its system of play to the opponent, which is in line with my personal coaching philosophy. We have our system and with this system there is little necessity to adapt to our opponent. It allows us to solve ever y problem during the game with minimum damage and changes to our lines, allowing us to neutralize the opponents play. Our system allows us to pretty much neutralize ever y opponent’s system of play. Due to the fact we play with 4 lines, we can eliminate systems with 1, 2 or 3 attackers and with few surprises. Par ticularly in the Croatian Championship and Cup we have little necessity for adaptation, we are the dominant team in ever y game and our opponents must adapt to our system of play.”
Tasks “All of my players have their own position on the field, and I don’t usually give any special tasks to my players, except when it is absolutely necessary. I am always trying to choose the best players for every position in my lines. Players who have the ability to satisfy all components of every task, without changing their position on the field and with minimum changes in the line. I use a zone defense in which my defenders have the task to cover their zone and direct opponents in the zone. In midfield I demand that my players dominate the game and make the play. Whenever we are playing against a very strong and high quality opponent I prepare some special tasks for my players which correspond to the organization and system we use. I usually prepare an informational package about the opponent for my players before the game, so they are aware of all their strength and weaknesses and know how to use that information to
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their advantage, increasing both scoring and winning chances. When I select the players for a game I try to attain a good balance on both sides and on the center of the field.”
training process reduces the stress level and sometimes even eliminates it completely. Through good motivation training with repetition I can create good motivation for competition. Also I try to explain to them that losing a game is not a disaster, but they have to play with maximum motivation and be responsible in every game. We recently started working with a psychologist and finished the first phase of organizing and preparing the psychological profiles for all players. We are now psychologically preparing the players on their duties during training and games. We don’t plan to have the psychologist work directly with players, but we, as coaches, will work with the psychologist, who will teach us how to react to specific situations which could happen throughout the competition.”
Psychological preparation “Another highly important task for me is the psychological preparation of the players. First of all I think that physical preparation has to be a high priority. Physically strong players are mentally strong and well balanced players. Through the preparation process I try to build a wining mentality and prepare them to handle the stress during the entire competition. I try to eliminate the pressure by means of a good preparation, with a dose of motivation for every training session and good tactical preparation for every game. Good motivation and relaxation during the
Isolation “Depending on the game I think it is good to protect players from the pressure from the public, press and friends. Before a game isolation is good for players, so they can think and prepare for the upcoming game in peace. But, sometimes isolation can be very hard for players as well, so I decide to allow them to stay at home with their family at night. This creates a good balance between isolation during the day for concentration and tactical preparation and being with their loved ones at night.”
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Finishing 1:1 Organization:
GK 1
- Goalkeeper starts the play - Players are separated into two groups (attacker and defenders) - The attackers are positioned in the center circle, the defenders at the corner of the penalty area. - Goalkeeper one has all the balls and is position 5m to the side of the goal - Second goalkeeper is in the goal and is waiting for the attacker. - Players rotate their roles (attacker Ăą defender). Keepers change
GK 2
Duration: 15-20 min.
Intensity: 80-90%
Repetition: 15-20 times
Rest: Between every repetition 1,5 min.
Progression: - Attackers should finish on goal after beating the defenders 1v1
Passing to the other color Organization: - Two teams with different colors move in a space of 30m x 30m and play 7v7, 8v8 or 9v9 - Objective 1: player who receives the ball must always pass to a player of a different color. It is possible to give them other tasks, like one or two touch play, run after a pass. Ăą Objective 2: Wall pass with a player of the same color then pass to a player with another color with half-active pressure
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Intensity: Middle
Purpose: Technical-tactical demand on receiving and passing while linking with the same color player, fast moving with changing of rhythm, wall pass training and giving the ball to the third player, fast reaction and communication between the players.
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Playing from 16 m to 16 m. Organization: - Two teams (8v8, 9v9) play in the area between the two penalty areas - Team in possession (teams play on one half between center and 16m) have to pass the ball to the other side where the goalkeeper is positioned in the penalty area after 5 touches (or more). The goalkeeper receives the ball and has to pass it back, in one touch, to a player from the team he has just received the ball from
GK 2
- After passing the ball the steam has to move to the other side of the field.
Duration: 4 minutes
Intensity: High
Purpose: - Fast moving, creativity, passing, play organization, fast reaction
GK 1
5:5 + 5:5 Organization: - Two teams play 5v5 duels ìman to manî on half a field with two touches of the ball. They canít pass the ball to the goalkeeper. - The second group of players run in circles around the playing field at a given pace, which is dependant on the ball possession of the teams on the field. - When one team on the field has possession ñ their opponents who are running in circles, run at a fast pace until their team on the field steals the ball. - With a change in possession on the field there is also a change in pace off the field, as the other team will now be running at a higher pace
Duration:
GK
2
1 5 4
8 10
6
7
20 minutes
9
Intensity:
3
Very high,
Repetition:
4 5
3
8 times 2
10 9 6
8
7
Purpose:
1
Duel play, changing the rhythm of running, finishing and adaptation on pressure and lactate acid. GK
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Children & Football (2) In the second of two articles we look at how younger children need time to develop a love for the ball and a gradual understanding of the game. It is not something that can be rushed and what the child can and can’t do should be closely monitored at all times. By: Paul Cooper
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Children are joining football clubs at younger ages. Four and five years old are often the norm. The most important issue is that very child has access to a ball each. It is playing with the ball that will give them their initial love of the game. The more the child touches the ball the quicker they progress. At four and five children don’t understand the concept of a match, teams and a direction to play. They only understand that they want to have a ball. It is important to ignite children’s imagination and the most important word is ‘play’.
Formula One Racing Cars This is a game that young children love to play. It is great fun and allows children to really use their imagination. The game is structured so that the children have a lot of touches of the ball and learn that they have to vary the pace when running with the ball, and be in control at all times.
The Formula One Circuit You can have great fun with this. With marker cones mark out an oval track, the length can be what you like as they can always do a couple of laps. When the kids get a little more used to the track and the game you can start adding chicanes and other such goodies. Have a marked out area at the end with traffic cones and have a linesman’s flag as the starter’s flag for the beginning and end of the race. Every child has a ball and lines up at the start. The children then go through a pre-race check. • Fill the racing car up with petrol (5 toe taps) • Do up the chin strap on their helmet (imaginary) • Check their helmet (two taps with their hands to the right side of their head and two to the left side) • Start engines (5 ball dances)
The flag is then lowered and they are off. Any spare coaches or helpers act as Fire Marshall’s placed in strategic positions around the circuit. If a driver crashes off the circuit (his ball goes over the cones) he/she has to do 3 toe taps with the ball before they are allowed back onto the circuit. The children and even sometimes the coaches are close to passing out with excitement. The race ends with the head Marshall waving the flag. The children cross the finishing line in their positions. The children who finish at the back in the first race go to the front of the grid for the second race and this continues for however many races you have. This allows the kids to have greater fun as the race is much closer. The children quickly learn that it is not necessarily the driver who is fastest that wins but the player with the best control. The game, as well as being great fun teaches the children: • When to run fast with the ball, with bigger touches of the ball (when the road ahead is clear and your are on a straight) • When to slow down and have the ball closer to your feet, taking lighter touches. • How to have fun whether they are first or last in the race.
Traffic Lights This is a tried and tested game, but with some additional fun bits added on. You can use this game on the Formula One Circuit. This is ideal as this can be the road. This is a simple game where the children all have a ball each and are driving a car. This is the ball, which they have to keep under control at all times for fear of crashing. They must keep to the road and the coach shouts out three instructions at various intervals. • Red Traffic Light – Drivers must stop with their foot on the ball.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
• Yellow Traffic Light – Drivers must chance direction (they can do a turn here, inside hook, drag back etc :) • Green Traffic Light – Drivers must move off and start to dribble from a stationary position. The kids love this game. After they have done the traffic light part for a few goes, we go to the different types of vehicles and what speed they can go at.
We have: Grannies Shopping Trolley (We also say silly things like she has just had a hip replacement operation so is especially slow – kids can have a wicked sense of humour and love this. If there are any grannies watching the session it might be more sensible and PC to make it a skate board or a push bike. – This speed is of course very slow.) The Mini – This speed is medium. The Racing Car – This speed is incredibly fast. The best way is to set the scene. “We are now pushing Grannies shopping trolley which is really slow. Then we get into a mini which is a bit faster. Now we get into our racing car! Fast, fast, fast” Mix them up so they go from the Mini to Grannies shopping trolley and visa-versa and end with a red traffic light to make them stop.
The Exploding Volcano You can use the same circuit as the other two games but put out at random a large quantity of marker cones. These are mini
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
volcanoes. The children all dribble the ball up and down the circuit being very careful not to touch the volcano and have their foot burnt off by hot larva. At various intervals all the volcanoes erupt at the same time leading to a cataclysmic chain reaction that will destroy the whole of the circuit within ten seconds. The children have ten seconds to get into the nuclear bunker (the race start line) to avoid being burnt to death. (Again the kids love this scenario, as gruesome as it may seem to us squeamish adults). Lots of fun with this game as well.
Imagination and dribbling. In the space of twenty minutes the young children have been taken from the crazy world of the Formula One racing circuit to driving around the roads of Great Britain, in different vehicles to fleeing from a network of exploding volcanoes. How much fun is that? And it is all done with a toy at their feet, the ball. Children at four & five don’t really understand the concept of a game. They know that people score goals and dribble, but have no real idea, who is on their team and which way they are kicking. For this very young age group we play a game, which in reality is not really a game at all but a marvelous, anarchic free for all.
The Free for all game Set out a pitch with two goals, have plenty of balls and let them go. Some children just want to go in goal, and you can have three or four children in one goal. Others just like to run with the ball. They dribble from one goal to the other, skipping past children lying on the ground, kids trying to tackle them and other balls being kicked. They score in the far goal, and then make the journey back to the other goal avoiding all the previously mentioned obstacles. Other children just like the challenge of winning the ball. They try and tackle as many players as possible. As there are plenty of balls on the pitch they don’t fret for too long and can’t find another quickly. I have had a number of coaches hanging their heads at this spectacle, wondering what on earth has happened to the beautiful game. It is all about running with the ball at this age group as who would be daft enough to pass the ball to someone else and lose the ball! The fact is the children are not yet ready for rules, but gradually from five onwards they understand that there are rules they need to obey and football is not a complete free for all. The key here is to still make it fun and bring in a little more shape and organization as they grow older. In a future article I am going to explore 4v4 games that fit in between the games and early days as described above and the 4v4 games that have been written about in past editions of the magazine and that are familiar to most coaches. Football coaching is all about what can the children handle at what age and ability level. If you understand that and how children think at these ages, you will be able to give them the tools for a life long love of the game.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Frans Frans Hoek Hoek on on the the new new way way of of educating educating goalkeepers: goalkeepers:
“The different phases of educating goalkeepers” › Frans Hoek observed and analyzed the way in which goalkeepers are coached and concluded that goalkeepers training is too isolated, mainly with a goalkeeping coach and with the head coach rarely interfering , because after all that’s what the goalkeeping coach is for. Partly due to this we are not educating good goalkeepers anymore (a good goalkeeper is a keeper that satisfies the requirements of today’s game). In this article Frans highlights how goalkeepers should be trained, guided and coached. “I split the training into three phases. These phases correspond with the natural developmental phases of children in play behavior.” This part of the series features Frans’ vision on training and coaching goalkeepers. By: Frans Hoek and Paul van Veen
“The training must mirror the game as much as possible, as you are training for the game. You may opt to play the obvious 11 versus 11 in a training session, which surely has advantages. However, for a training situation it has too many disadvantages. How often can you really mirror a game situation in an 11v11? In training you must attempt to bring the goalkeeper (and the players) into the situation you wish to train as often as possible. You will look at who the lead players are in this situation and simply lead up to the point where you have created a situation you can coach.”
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Key phases “Obviously you cannot train all age phases the same way. I divide it into three key phases, whereby the last phase is trained based on the 11v11 situation. However, in the first two phases you are already working towards the eventual 11v11 situation. This is a must for the future and something they have to work towards. The players will not notice much of this; you shouldn’t bother a 5-year old with that. In the first phase it’s about mastering the ball, also for goalkeepers. The ball has to listen to you; it has to do what you want it to do. This first phase starts with 4, 5, 6 year olds and never really ends.”
Mastering the ball “This phase is very individual. A five year old kid with a ball at his feet or in his hands is not thinking about playing together yet. A kid this age simply thinks about shooting at goal. He thinks: that ball is difficult to control, it must start to listen to me and he starts to play with it. Little by little it must start to become a little more structured; I have to play the ball that way and shoot at that goal. Along the way this kid is going to come across another player who wants to steal the ball from him, which quickly creates 1v1 situations. This will be a natural process, which does not only apply to the players but also to the team as a whole. I want to make a side note for goalkeeping; I will elaborate on this later as well. In this phase it is about a general feel for the ball, also for the goalkeeper. For the U10s it is about skills with the ball, which applies to feet and/or hands.”
Player and goalkeeper “In this phase everyone is a player and everyone is a goalkeeper. You must develop this by means of a rotation system. In an exercise, I can, for example, be a player who has the ball and you are a defender who has to try to steal the ball from without using your hands. But, you can also create a situation whereby the defender can use his hands. This situation makes it harder for the attacker, as you are giving the defender more options: they may use their hands and feet. You can gradually build this up. You have attackers and defenders who can only use their feet and defenders who may also use their hands. This is all part of phase 1.”
Playing together “From phase 1 you enter phase 2. This is the phase in which the kid wants to and can start to play together. For example, you and I against the other player who wants to steal our ball. That player is the defender. This will incorporate other elements. The attacker can then choose whether he wants to go alone or pass to the other attacker, who likewise has the same choice. You will have to make choices every time: how do you work together with this other player? Do you opt to use him as a distraction for the defender or do you pass him the ball? That is the core of phase 2: learn to work and play together.”
Development “In this second phase you slowly start to develop the game in a natural way. Because the moment in which we have to play the ball together, you must not only master passing the ball in order to get it to me, but you must also know when to pass it. You should not do this too early, as the defender will still be too close to me. However, you must also not do it too late because the defender will be too close to you, allowing him to block the ball. On top of that you must also know what speed to pass the ball at and in what direction. This is also dependant on the situation. The receiver must also be in the right position to process the ball correctly. And then you have to deal with receiving the ball. This is a very natural process.”
Shots “From a goalkeeping point of view you know that when they start to play together, they will also start shooting on goal. So, goalkeeping will be developed in the 1v1 duels, as they will be allowed to use their hands and feet to save shots on goal. This is also a very natural development which corresponds to the age specific characteristics. This will be elaborated further in, for example, the 8v8, whereby the goalkeeper will have to execute all handlings specific to this situation, for defense, offense and transition.”
Systems “The third phase is learning to play in systems. There are a lot of systems, such as the 1:4:3:3, 1:4:4:2 and 1:3:5:2 and all their variations. Players must master these systems and this is covered in the third phase. In Holland we tend to educate players on one system. At the top level we will then be confronted with other systems, especially in international games and this causes problems. When you introduce various systems to these kids in their early years they will learn their strengths and weaknesses per system. However, they will also learn to play against various systems and recognize the opportunities of those systems. This creates a natural education in the game and the development of goalkeeping, and the goalkeeper will develop along with this. This is again is based on defense, offense and transition. Think about a player with a lot of room behind the defense or with little room behind the defense or when the goalkeeper has the ball and there is an over load situation in defense or a 1v1 situation.”
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
The training comes from the game We concluded earlier that the game is the basis of the training. In order to clarify this we use an example from a real game. We opt for a back pass after a goal kick. By continuously simplifying it we eventually create a trainable situation. Our goal is to come to a good build up from which chances are created and the chance of loss of possession is minimized.
Situation: The back pass after a goal kick Objective: To come to a good build up from which chances are created and the chance of loss of possession is minimized
Diagram 2: The best and easiest thing is obviously to score directly from a back-pass. This is however not realistic.
Diagram 3: We take one step back from diagram 2. The best option is then to give a decisive pass from which we can directly score.
6
5
4
Diagram 1: The situation: the back-pass after a goal kick
3
2 1
Diagram 4: We take another step back: the pass from which the cross comes which leads to a goal.
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Diagram 5: Or the ‘Dutch’ way: scoring by means of an organized build up from the back
Diagram 6: Warm-up Orientation 1
Diagram 7: Warm-up Orientation 2
Diagram 8: Warm-up Orientation 3: 5 against 3
Diagram 9: Learning Orientation 1: 6 against 5
Diagram 10: Learning Orientation 1: 6 against 6
Diagram 11: Executive Orientation 1: 8 against 8
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
Subs – who needs them?
Every Child -
Every Moment
Every weekend across the country, thousands of children are standing or sitting by the side of a football pitch, we need to get kids playing for the full duration. Children’s football has become too organized and too much like the adult game. The more organized and sophisticated the leagues become the less it becomes the children’s game. By: Paul Cooper
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No. 19 – Februari/March 2007 A complete soccer coaching experience
There are many people working hard to get children playing football. There has been a huge explosion of youth football leagues, clubs and teams which is excellent. However we need to stop and have a long hard look at what is on offer and ask ourselves “is it the best it can be for kid’s football?” We have done some initial research looking at leagues and I will use the findings of one league as an example. • Registered Players – 2856 • 100 – 7 a side teams • 88 – 11 a side team • 1668 players start games. • That leaves 41% on the sidelines or not playing.
He says he can’t bring them on because most of the games are too close and he can’t afford to bring his players off.” Older brother of an U7s player (7s a-side) “My son is 13 but, like me, only short – he’s about the height of a 10 year old. He doesn’t let this get him down; indeed he uses it to his advantage and is never intimidated by derogatory remarks. However, despite his excellent stamina and speed it does mean that he is at a disadvantage on the football pitch. He’s on an under 14 team, he turns up at every practice, is punctual for every game and respectful to the manager and coach. However, due to the competitive attitude of the manager and the league he very rarely gets a game. I feel so disheartened for him as he sits patiently on the subs bench week after week hoping to get a game. I admire my son for his perseverance and loyalty and just wish he could get a game. He simply wants to play but is deemed not good enough.” Parent “My son joined an FA accredited football team a few years ago, when he joined, my son had to train for a whole season with no chance of a game, which he accepted, just to get into a team. He really enjoyed the training, but obviously it was hard not playing at all. Anyway the next season, a few kids moved on up, and my son got his hard earned place. My son played a full season, he really enjoyed it. The next season he went back to the team, to find that he was effectively off the team, as he wasn’t progressing as quickly as the manager wanted, remember my son is only 8! Anyway obviously he was devastated, and even seven months later my son won’t even talk about it! Parent
A more child friendly game
Most leagues now have roll-on, roll-off subs at mini-soccer age groups and some of the eleven- a -side age groups. That is a step in the right direction. However because leagues start as young as U7s (this is a ‘friendly’), coaches looking to win games only take one or two subs as they maintain that bringing on too many subs can upset the balance of the team and effects results. Often it is the same kids that are either left out of the squad or on the bench every week.
Personal experiences Here are some extracts from emails sent to the recently launched giveusbackourgame campaign which looks to bring the fun back into kid’s football and may explain why so many kids are not getting a game.
My solution would be to initially look at the U7s-U10s age groups. One of the biggest problems is that the leagues become to regimented which reflects on the type of games played. Firstly I would get rid of the white line marker and mark pitches with cones. This is much more flexible and a pitch can be marked out in a couple of minutes that is suitable for the number of children, their age and ability. Say there are 2 clubs; one has 13 kids and the other 9. They could play 2 4v4 games side by side (with children refereeing their own game). That leaves 6 children (1&5 from the 2 teams) who play 3v3 on a third pitch at the side and rotate on and off the main 2 games. This is what young children need on ‘match days’, the informal format would also mean that it does not resemble the adult game and in my experience the adults naturally back off. Every child – Every moment.
“The same players play every week even though there is a squad of 13 to choose from.Some boys sit on the bench week in week out because the coach says they are not good enough.
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Various Wenger: “Arsenal have saved the Premiership!” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger took a swipe at Manchester United's "delaying tactics" after Thierry Henry blew the title race wide open with an injury-time winner January 20th. Henry pounced with a magical header in injury time to give Arsenal a stunning victory over leaders Manchester United. And Wenger said: "With 10 minutes to go United were almost certainly champions - but you can't say that now.” This result will open it up for everyone else. Maybe a little less for us and Liverpool . . . but you never know. "United played well and scored a great goal but they wanted to kill time with Van der Sar's delaying tactics near the end and that turned against them. "There are now four outstanding teams at the top of the Premiership and the whole world can see the quality in this league." Wayne Rooney's second-half goal looked set to put United nine points clear. But Robin van Persie leveled before Henry's header in the third minute of stoppage time. And Gunners
boss Wenger added: "We kept on fighting right to the end because we wanted to win this game so much. "In the first half we gave United too much respect but this team are developing into hungry young lions. "We took over after the interval and though they scored on the break it was all us in the final 20 minutes." United boss Ferguson refused to be downhearted, insisting: "It is not all doom and gloom. "We are still six points clear with one less game to go and an even better goal difference than Chelsea. "We lost two goals from a position I didn't think we would. "But we have some important away games to come and this will be a good lesson. "We won't make the same mistakes again. "The teams at the top are always going to drop points at some stage of the season. It happens. It's how we cope that is important. "True champions come back and show their worth. I expect us to do that."
Gullit: “Jose must cope with injuries” Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit believes that Jose Mourinho has spent enough on his squad to cope with the loss of key players. Chelsea's attempts to overhaul league leaders Manchester United have been compromised by injuries to the like of goalkeeper Petr Cech, defenders John Terry and Khalid Boulahrouz and England midfielder Joe Cole. But Gullit insists there should be adequate cover. He told the Daily Mirror: "When you are in charge of such a high budget, I'm concerned that he keeps talking about missing this player or that player. If you have one of the highest transfer and wage bills in Europe there should be enough quality within their squad to fill any gaps." He added: "And I find it curious that he keeps mentioning John Terry being injured. "From a punter's perspective it doesn't look good when you complain about financial restriction if you have spent almost £200 million on players."
McLeish set for Scotland role Alex McLeish is reportedly close to being confirmed as Walter Smith's replacement as Scotland boss. The former Rangers and Hibernian manager is expected to accept an offer on the table from SFA chief executive David Taylor after beating off competition from Gary McAllister to secure the national post. McLeish has been out of work since leaving Rangers at the end of last season and will now be charged with the task of continuing the fine work Smith carried out before his decision to switch to Ibrox. Former Liverpool star McAllister was also 46
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thought to be a front-runner for the job, whilst Smith's former assistant Tommy Burns withdrew from the running earlier in the month. Kilmarnock manager Jim Jeffries was also on the SFA's shortlist but McLeish is now set to take the reins of the team who are currently ahead of World Cup finalists France and Italy in Group B of Euro 2008 qualifying. McLeish won 77 caps for Scotland as a player and has managed Motherwell, Hibernian and Rangers in the SPL.
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