Svetozar Cica, FC ‘AJAX’ Novi Sad
The ‘Cobra’ tactics SoccerCoachingInternational’s Dusan Petrovic talked to FC Ajax Novi Sad’s Svetozar Cica about what he calls the ‘cobra tactics’. Besides supervising and coaching the players, Svetozar is also the founder of FC Ajax Novi Sad. Here he talks to Dusan about the spirit of the club, his cobra tactics and player selection.
supervision of Svetozar Cica. Many famous players have played for him in Yugoslavia; including Mateja Kezman (PSV Eindhoven Holland, FC Chelsea England, Atletico Madrid), Savo Milosevic (FC Parma Italy, FC Aston Villa England, FC Zaragoza Spain), Dundjerski Ljubisa (FC Atalanta Italy), Leo Lerinc (FC Red Star Belgrade ).
Dusan Petrovic
Cobra
FC Ajax Novi Sad in Serbia & Montenegro was founded following the spirit of the club in Amsterdam. The club was established in the town of Novi Sad which has a population of about 500.000 people. The founder of the club, Svetozar Cica holds a degree in training and he established a complete soccer school (academy) through the club. He is the principal coach for all age groups (five groups from the ages of; 7-10 years, 10-12 years, 12-14 years, 14-16 years and 16-18 years). He is also responsible for the organization of the technical staff, the selection of players as well as selecting the coaching supporting staff. Preparation of the players in the club is accomplished in particular ways and with individual effort from everybody under the
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“In order to describe the organization and the system of the game, the team is symbolically represented as a cobra and as a snake jumper at the same time. While it is resting, that is in defense when defending the access to the goal, the team is twisting and rolling itself, trying to make it impossible to break through. However, when in possession, the team suddenly dashes out of the coil, blinding and overtaking the opponent with great speed, approaching the opponent’s goal with the minimum of three, perhaps only two moves.”
Modern Soccer “The modern game of soccer demands more and more from players. When thinking about modern soccer we come across two terms we are frequently confronted with: ‘total football’ and ‘universal player’. In the past sprints during the game were
about 10-26 meters, at the most. Today sprints are across distances of about 30, 40 and sometimes even 50 meters. Systems of training have improved from year to year, with constant new and rich soccer tactic in all variations. If we look at how attackers play nowadays, with frequent moving and changing positions, we realize this kind of play was not possible until we changed the way we looked at the system of training.”
Modern selection of football players “This new model of European soccer also dictated a change in the way we select players. The selection process will be more effective only when the developed training program and plan is respected. Those programs and plans must be based on scientific research connected to the first selection factors, the physical demands of a growing young body, its anatomic, physical and psychological characteristics. Fitness and ability to play is the first selection principle, then speed and high degrees of muscle and nerve reaction. The speed ability is very important and is 95% genetic.”
list in one particular area or field. You cannot categorize coaches as youth coaches or adult coaches. For example, a carpenter who knows how to make small chair also knows how to make a big chair. The only different is the size. The same thing applies to soccer, the only difference is the intensity during training and the coach has to adapt the level of intensity and amplitude to age of the player.”
Stabilization of football habits “The psychological mechanism of football is quite complicated. Resistance which soccer players have against new material should be limited. The resistance is the main obstacle, which should be treated. Training helps to remove tension and solve such resistance. Such conflicts could be removed by dynamics created by training.”
Social surroundings “Players must be maximally concentrated and psychological
First programmed football steps – Svetozar Cica, FC “Ajax” Novi Sad Group
Beginning of training
Type of training
First group
7-10 years
Playing-with two goals Free playing Free creative training
Second group
10-12 years
Directive playing Oral direction Free creative training
Third group
12-14 years
First specialization Individual training Free creative training
Fourth group
14-16 years
Second specialization Confirming gained knowledge on higher level Free creative training
Fifth group
16-18 years
Third specialization - The highest level training
Carpenter “There are a lot of different systems of training in different conditions. A coach’s role in this is very important, because the system of training changes almost every year. The coach has to be knowledgeable in many different areas and not a specia-
prepared for every training; this is basis for elevated levels of concentration during the game and in turn contributes to the best possible result of that game. Players need a stable personality and high levels of emotional energy. At Ajax Novi Sad we work on achieving this level of concentration during every training, and try to elevate the personality of the players to a much
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of the exercise by the coach is a way to keep the level of concentration raised during the exercise. In addition it also shows the players that the coach knows what he is doing, as we know actions often speak louder than words. Successful training sessions and games are based on the authority of the coach and the trust between players and the coach.”
Tactics & System
“The opponent should be cleverly attacked while they are still on their own half so that the players are not be able to lead the ball easily.” higher level. However, another important factor in achieving this level of concentration and psychological stability during the training and the game is the social setting. As a coach it is sometimes hard to deal with and/or solve problems which arise due to the social surroundings.”
Trust “Psychological mechanisms of soccer players are very specific. Coaches are often confronted with resistance from the players when they have to accept something new. This is difficult and an important factor to eliminate during the training. The coach has to understand that the purpose of training is not to entertain players, parents and attending fans. Training is hard work, for coaches and players alike and it is not a show. Very important aspects of training are the dynamics of the exercises and the work-rest ratios. A demonstration
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“If we want to attain the best result we have to use maximum capacity from our team. Sometimes only one great player could be the foundation for standard of value, and show us the road to where we have to go. Some time ago it was Johan Cruijff, today it’s Ronaldihno. Training systems are changing every year and are being developed to perfection. With this change we create the possibility to change systems of play, with new and fresh tactical variants. If we now, for example, analyze the attacking system of play, with frequent moving and positional changes, we can conclude that it was not possible without changing the training system. When we look at tactics, we have basic characteristics by means of which we mark every tactical system. Those characteristics are going to enable and realize all tactical systems during the game:
Passport Svetozar Cica Date of birth: 01.03.1957 (Duboki Dol, former Yugoslavia)
Player experiences: FC FC FC FC FC FC
“Novi Sad”, Novi Sad, Serbia & Montenegro, “Velez”, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, “Sloboda”, Tuzla, Bosnia & Herzegovina, “Maribor”, Maribor, Slovenia, “Leotar” Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, “Belasica” Strumica, Serbia & Montenegro
Education: Graduate: Superior Football Coach, degree obtained in Novi Sad, University of Physical education in Novi Sad.
Coaching career: FC “Vojvodina” Novi Sad, first team coach (reaching the UEFA Cup in 1996). FC “Vojvodina” Novi Sad youth Coach (no defeats) FC “Cement”, Beocin, Serbia & Montenegro FC “Agrounija”, Serbia & Montenegro FC “Toplicanin” Prokuplje, Serbia & Montenegro FC “Novi Sad” Novi Sad, Serbia & Montenegro FC “Al Wahda” Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Svetozar Cica has coached many famous Yugoslav footballers that play all around Europe and has been equally successful with adult and youth players. He is an universal coach, and founder of various football schools in Yugoslavia, including FC “AJAX” Novi Sad in 1999. Svetozar Cica is known in Yugoslavia for his work with youth players. He is characterized as a coach with great football knowledge and has great pedagogical influence on youth.
• Every in advance prepared action must to respond to the possibilities of every player in the team, • Every player has to be prepared to change the tactical system quickly and to adjust this system according to the opponent. Sometimes without command of the coach. • Rich with all tactical and technical elements. Team has to be rich with new elements and technically prepared to use them. • Abilities to surprise, using unexpected actions at unexpected moments.
ative, imaginative and interpretative. By means of the tactical system we are preparing the road, which players use during the game, but on that road they could find many problems and difficulties. Those problems could be solved only with talent for creativity, imagination and unexpected solutions. The coach has to find the balance between the tactical system and creativity. Players with a rich imagination and good preparation could solve all tactical problems which arise.”
“In accordance with those basic tactical characteristics, we can see that every tactical operation has a frame, which provides the players with guidelines and a wide array of freedom in the interpretation of football. This relation, at first glance, may seem illogical, because we are asking from the players to play within a strong tactical system, but also asking them to be cre-
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Training 1 This training is practiced during competition, usually in the middle of the week with a total duration of 90 minutes.
Work on durability of fast running
Introduction and preparation phase – 20 minutes Introduction phase – 10 minutes - Jogging around the field - Stretching of main muscle groups - Complex exercises for flexibility
Objective: Three players start from the center of the field and cross and run out on the wing position, finishing with a shot from the center position. After finishing on goal that same player runs back very fast and repeats the action two times more. This exercise asks for very fast running and is repeated nine times with a work/rest ratio of 1:2. There are three groups of three players (A, B, C).
Organization:
- Preparation of basic phase of the training - Duration: 45 seconds - Fast running with a work/rest ratio of 1:2.
- Player B passes the ball to player A, then player B changes positions with player C and sprints into the free space. - Player A passes the ball to player C, and sprints to the first goalpost. - Player C passes the ball to player B in free space, and quickly runs to the second goalpost. - Players then sprints back to their starting positions.
Organization:
Progression:
- Player B passes to player C, and quickly runs around him - Player C passes back to player B, who brings the ball back to the starting position and passes to player A. B and A execute same exercise again
- Change groups after three attacks - Three attacks are equivalent to approx. 300 m of sprinting, - Exercise is repeated 9 times which is a total of approx. 2700 m of sprinting.
Progression:
Coaching:
- Exercises 45 sec. – then rotate player’s positions - Each player executes the exercise 3 times
- Stimulate action to achieve higher level and let players move and pass faster - Control and fix mistakes.
Basic phase – 60 minutes
Final phase – 10 minutes
Preparation phase – 10 minutes Objective:
- Slow running - Stretching
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Training 2 This training is practiced during competition, in the middle of the week (Tuesday or Wednesday) with a total duration of 70 minutes
Introduction and preparation phase – 20 minutes
Basic phase – 40 minutes Work on sprint durability
Introduction phase – 10 minutes - Jogging - Stretching - Complex exercises for flexibility
Preparation phase – 10 minutes Middle intensity sprinting
Organization:
Organization: - Two players from both sides are starting simultaneously - Sprinting: • From starting line up to the middle line and back (100m), • From starting line up to the 16 m line and back (30m), • From starting line up to the 5m line and back (10m), • From starting line up to the 16 m line and back (30m), • From starting line up to the middle line (50m) where is the finish. - Repetition 3 times with work/ rest ratio of 1:1
- Sprinting: • 1 repetition is: 20m, 20m, 30m, 30m, 40m, 40m, 60m and 60m • Total: 20m, 20m, 30m, 30m, 40m, 40m, 60m, 60m x 10 times = 3000 m - Work/rest ratio 1:1 – 20 minutes - Players from group A start simultaneously, after they finish group B will start
Final phase – 10 minutes - Jogging – 5 minutes - Stretching – 5 min.
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