Tools, Tips & Techniques
09 September 2009 issue 124
Under 4s - Under 16s
Attack the cross CROSS, SHOT, GOAL! The simple way to attain one of the fundamental aims of soccer. Attackers need to sharpen their instincts with exercises that focus their minds on scoring goals, says David Clarke
Get your attackers scoring more goals How many times do you see a goal scored from a good cross or a corner with a firm header or from a player running into the penalty area from a deep position? This fast moving crossing game tests attackers’ ability to shoot with their head or with their feet. The players are constantly moving and getting into the right position to take advantage of the balls played in to them. It creates situations that attackers will face in the matches they play.
A two goal passing and moving game 1 Player A passes to player B then runs around the cone to goal 1
A
B
How to play it Check out the diagram. You have to make sure your players are doing this at pace and thinking about where they are running and the accuracy of the ball they are passing or shooting. l Set up a pitch 30 x 30 yards or use the penalty area of your pitch. l Place two cones about 10 yards apart that your players have to run around. l Have your main group of players – you need at least two – stand top left with a few balls. l The coach, or a server, stands top right with a few balls. l You need a player standing at B who crosses the ball. l Two goals and two goalkeepers – keep changing the goalkeepers. l The first player in the group (A) passes to B then runs around the cone into a position to score in goal 1. B then runs towards goal 2 and shoots from a pass by the coach. A replaces B who goes back to the group and we start again.
How to advance the session
1 2 Player B crosses to A who heads at goal
2 B
A
1 3 Player B runs to goal 2 shoots from cross by coach - player A goes to position B to start over
2 B
You can advance the session by adding a defender by each goal to try and get to the ball before the attacker. Make the session competitive by using two groups of players and see who scores the most goals in five minutes.
2
A
1
direction of pass shot/header
direction of run
“You have to be clever when it comes to sport in general and football in particular” Thierry Henry, attacker
Coach development
weekly ~
Under 4s - Under 16s
Laws of of thecoaching game made easy The art children
Are coaches, players or parents at your club struggling with the laws of the game? This series will break them down into easy to digest chunks.
The assistant referees
Law 6: The assistant referees In youth soccer assistant referees are usually a parent from each team to run the line stand by their own left back. They switch sides at half time so they stay with their left back. Referees will usually tell the assistants exactly what they want signalled – to signal the assistants raise their flags. At 7-a-side and mini soccer this will usually be to signal which way the throw-in should go and point out any misconduct the referee does not see. At 11-a-side when offside comes in to play the assistant referees are more important to the match proceedings. Two assistant referees may be appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate: l When the whole of the ball leaves the field of play. (Law 9.) l Which team is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in. l When a player should be penalised for being in an offside position. (Law 11.) l When a substitution is requested.
Assistant referees will signal for throw-ins in small-sided games and offsides for 11-a-side matches.
l When misconduct or any other incident occurs out of the view of the referee. (Law 12.) l When offences have been committed whenever the assistant referees have a better view than the referee (this includes, in certain circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area). l Whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and if the ball crosses the line. (Law 14.)
David Clarke’s touchline tales Stopping parents bribing your players to score goals We had a new player join us last season, he was a good player, strong and athletic but slow out of the blocks. He told everyone he was an attacker when he first arrived. So did his dad. I had invited him along to train with us and he looked good. We put him into situations to test his skills and he looked for all the world like a good central defender. I’m not a coach who forces players into positions, I prefer them to find their own ideal position where they like playing and feel comfortable. But this was the U14 squad and by now players usually have found where they play best. After he had turned up for a few sessions we had a pretty good idea what position he would play for the next season. He looked like someone who could bring something to add to our team. 2
He could play well in the central defensive role that we wanted to play him. He was a good tackler and could read situations where there was danger to the goal and he covered well. He was also very happy playing there – but his dad had other ideas. The problem started when we played a friendly. He was continually trying to join the attack and move forward with the play. At corners he wouldn’t come back and was leaving space at the back which was being exploited by the opposition attackers. I called him over exasperated by this change in his character. He told me his Dad had promised him £5 for every goal he scored! This was ruining our formation... Dad’s wagers can cause chaos, make sure your players’ parents all know that bribes are not acceptable! 09 September 2009
Player development
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
Technique
Look and control An important part of passing is getting young players to control and look up, giving them more chance of playing a good ball, says David Clarke
Pass and be aware 20 x 20yds
A couple of weeks ago (SCW, issue 122) I explained how getting players to pass on the run was an important part of their development. Control at speed is also part of that development helping to make the complete player. In youth soccer it is the speed of movement and control which gives a player the edge over other players. You can get players taking control of the ball by using the exercises here. Use them for all age groups.
How to play it
20 x 20yds
Set up a 20 yard square with four cones 6 yards apart in the centre. You need four players on the cones and one player on each side of the square. This is an important starting point for players just beginning to pass and control the ball with movement, but you can also use it as a warm-up for more advanced players. The players outside the square pass to their partners next to the cones who move forward to control and return the pass. The players then move on one cone. The inside players must move quickly, passing and moving to the next cone. After 10 passes get the outside and inside players to swap roles.
10 x 10yds
How to advance it Diagram 2 advances the session by removing the cones and allowing the players outside the square to move up and down their side of the square. The players in the centre have a ball each. Players in the square must jog around then sprint, pass to an outside player, control the return and sprint away. Play for five minutes then swap roles In diagram 3 tighten the square to 10 yards. Use four players outside the square but only two inside. The players inside can pass to any of the four outside but passes must be fast and sharp. Players inside the square must control quickly and pass to the outside players who return the pass first time.
direction of run
3
pass
dribble
09 September 2009
Games workshop
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
Small-sided game
Two goal with target man
KEY BALL MOVEMENT
SHOT ON GOAL
PLAYER MOVEMENT
This game is about quick passing and playing the ball into the feet of the attackers and receiving a return pass to get a shot in on goal
Set up l Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum). l Two end zones, 10 yards in from each goal-line. l Two teams of four players. l Two goalkeepers.
1. One player from each team must stay in the end zone.
Rules l Each team selects one player to be the “target man”. This player stands in the attacking end zone. l The aim of the game is to make a pass into the target man and then receive a lay off pass in order to shoot at goal. l After a shot is made the shooting player swaps position with the target man. l The game is played for a set time period. l If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: 1. The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch. 2. The players take a roll in. 3. The players take a throw in. 4. The players make a pass in. 5. The players dribble in.
2. The team in possession pass to the player in the end zone.
THE MATCH DAY PLANNER IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT: www.bettersoccercoaching.com/MDP.pdf
3. The attacking team must receive a return pass in the end zone.
Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, UK. Email: info@coach-soccer.com Tel: +44 (0)1483 892894 Fax: +44 (0)1483 894148 Editor David Clarke Publisher Kevin Barrow Managing Director Andrew Griffiths Customer Service Representative Duncan Heard © Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
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09 September 2009