Tools, Tips & Techniques
16 September 2009 issue 125
Under 4s - Under 16s
Do your players know what they have to do?
It may seem like a strange question, but I met a coach this week who asked me why his players stood around during matches looking like they didn’t know what to do. The problem was they hadn’t been told what was expected of them. Take time to write down what it is you want each one of your players to do during a match. If they aren’t doing it, it’s probably because you haven’t told them, says David Clarke Job descriptions are an important part of any team situation. When you start a new job you don’t just sit down and know what to do, you have to be told. Much like a worker on a manufacturing line each person does their bit to get the end product. A finely tuned machine is the one that works best. In soccer each individual player has basic tasks whether in possession of the ball or not. These tasks form their job description.
In possession: Attackers - Score goals or make goals. Midfielders - Always ready to receive a pass from the defence, then a pass to the attackers. Defenders - Quality passes into the midfield, not just kick and hope. Balls from the back start a lot of attacking moves.
Do your players know their tasks? Attacker SCORE OR MAKE GOALS DISRUPT DEFENDERS
Midfielder
Defender
Opponents in possession:
Attackers – Disrupt build-up play from the back and block passes from defenders into the midfield. Midfielders – Stop their immediate opponents. Defenders – Stop attackers scoring.
Extra jobs mean opportunities These are a player’s basic tasks. Of course, it is very difficult for young players because in a youth match the ball is constantly changing possession and often moving much faster than the players. This is where the extra jobs come in. Players must do the bread and butter jobs and then look for other opportunities to help. Perhaps a midfielder covers for a player who has moved out of a defensive role and into an attacking
IN POSSESSION
LINK UP PASSING PLAY TACKLE OPPOSITION
GOOD PASSES FORWARD STOP ATTACKER SCORING
OPPOSITION IN POSSESSION
one, or they see an opportunity to shoot rather than pass to the attacker. One of the best ways to coach basic roles in matches so that all players get to learn all roles is using the small-sided games system. In this system you have the basic tasks for all positions, even the goalkeeper. And you have the necessary structure to also coach the extra jobs players need to make a successful team.
“I had one of the most important things a footballer can have, which is knowing your strengths as well as your weaknesses. I always tried to conceal my weak points.” Diego Simeone, former Argentinian international, played for Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Lazio, now developing a career in coaching
Coach development
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
The art of coaching children The five essentials to giving children feedback Here are five key elements for good delivery and content. 1
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Use questions
Players learn much better if they have to think for themselves rather than being spoon-fed. Use questions to find out if the player knows what they are doing wrong and why.
Well-timed
Feedback must be given while the event is still fresh in the player’s mind. Speak to players during training and give them individual feedback before letting them carry on. After matches speak to individuals before they go home, don’t wait until the next training session.
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Solution based
Once you have established what the player is doing wrong you must give them solutions to the problem. Even better is to use questions to help players come up with 2 Accurate the solutions themselves. This is a very powerful way of developing a player’s knowledge, problem solving and self You must be clear about what you have seen and the feedback you want to give. If you think you have seen a recurring esteem. error watch the player closely so you are sure. Players will often be unaware of repeated mistakes they are making. Don’t forget the feedback sandwich If you are going to give some negative feedback, pack it 3 Positive and honest between two slices of positive. For instance, “Good effort in getting into the penalty area quickly, John. Don’t Your players must be able to trust you and the feedback you are giving them. They will very quickly see through you if you pull the defender’s shirt – that gave them an easy way out in a danger area. Remember you are a good tackler are not totally honest. Ensure they understand exactly what you don’t need to foul the player.” they are doing and why it is wrong.
David Clarke’s touchline tales Why players must concentrate when playing ‘famous’ opposition I love cup games. It gives coaches a chance to pit their wits against totally unknown opposition or opposition from higher leagues. Last season we were drawn against a youth team that was linked to a Football League club with all the resources that brings. My players were excited by the prospect of playing against them, and when they watched them warming up in their club tracksuits and recognisable team strip I could sense a buzz running through them. They were nudging each other looking across at the other team and excitedly whispering in each others’ ears. It was hard to get them to concentrate. When the game kicked off we were sitting back and letting the team come on to us. My midfield were holding off challenges and the 2
team were easily getting past them putting all the pressure on our defenders. We held out for the first 20 minutes but looked a shadow of our normal selves. Two diagonal through balls played a long way through the midfield ended up at the feet of the attacker and he made no mistake. At half time the boys were finally listening. I wanted the midfield tighter on their players and higher up the pitch to cut out the through balls and make the most of our possession. The opposition were surprised when the through balls were no longer working. My midfielders were like tigers, tight on the player on the ball and quick to intercept any through balls. We got the game back level, and it went to penalties – but that’s a story for another day!
16 September 2009
Player development
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
Player positions
A midfield surge can create chaos
Get your midfielders to hold on to the ball when space opens up in front of them and surge in to it to give them a good chance of shooting or passing a through ball to the attackers, says David Clarke
Midfield is an important position
Fast 3 v 3 and long dribbling
Central midfielders are the pivotal players that your whole team revolves around. They are the ones who get in tackles to stop the opposition and protect the defenders. They also play an important role in putting balls through to the attackers.
20x20 yards
I like to see my midfielders using space in front of them if the opposition defence is holding off. Surging into space causes the defenders to lose their position and leave attackers unmarked as they try to stop the midfielder.
Midfielders can also shoot A midfielder on the charge has a lot of momentum and is often in the ideal position to shootl, with the attackers following up for any rebounds that may come from the goalkeeper. Often the opposition will not be expecting a move and shot from midfield and will be caught out.
direction of pass dribble
Surging into space will also draw the defence out from their safe haven marking any lurking attackers. Once your midfielder has drawn them out they can put balls into an attacker’s feet to create goal scoring chances.
direction of run
The dark players win the ball and dribble to score.
How to play it The team in white start out with the ball and have to play keep-ball. If one of the midfielders in the dark shirts wins the ball, they can pass to a team mate to try and create an opening so they can surge out of the square and score by dribbling through one of the small goals on either side. Only one player from either team is allowed to move outside the square – the player with the ball and a player from the defending team. The game restarts with the white team after a goal or the ball has been cleared. Play for 10 minutes then swap the roles of the team and see who scores the most goals in the time.
I use this game to give my midfield players the confidence to run with the ball into space created by the movement of their team mates. It is a small-sided game which has all the elements of a midfield battle during a match.
How to set it up Set up a 20 yards x 20 yards square using cones. Make two small goals 10 yards away to the left and 10 yards to the right. This is a 3v3 game, so depending on numbers of players, you may need to set up two or three grids. 3
16 September 2009
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Games workshop
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
Small-sided game Warm-up circuit
Running with the ball
Running with the ball
Focus on keeping the ball under control This is a great warm-up to get your players ready for a match or training session.
Key elements Running with the ball under control, looking up and passing l Arrange your players into two groups who work at the same time. l The players must dribble with the ball and then make a diagonal pass to the next group. l When running with the ball the players must get the ball as far out of the feet as possible and look up in order to see what is around them. l The practice is repeated for a set time period.
dribble
direction of pass
direction of run
Players must run with the ball, look up and pass.
Five minute fitness
Step jumps
Five minute fitness: Step jumps
This five minute fitness drill can be used during your training sessions for a quick break to help coaching points sink in, or as an incentive for a drinks break.
How to do it l Stand beside a cone or soft object to be cleared. l Bring knees up and jump vertically but also laterally off ground and over the marker. l Land on both feet and jump back in the other direction. l Ground contact time should be minimal - don’t dip into a full squat position. l Repeat for 15 seconds and a total of 6 sets. l Rest 30 seconds between sets.
Facing forwards players should jump sideways over the cone and then jump back again. Keep this going for 15 seconds.
Players jump quickly and lightly on their feet.
DOWNLOAD THE MATCH DAY PLANNER AT: www.bettersoccercoaching.com/MDP.pdf 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 Š Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
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16 September 2009