Tools, Tips & Techniques
How to tackle
07 July, 2010 issue 167
Under 4s - Under 16s
Win the 50:50 ball How to tackle
Winning the 50:50 ball is about having balance and strength. Your players should concentrate on being strong over the ball and play through their opponent so the ball becomes theirs, says David Clarke
The player on the left is too far away from the ball leaving a “dangling foot” which will be weak in the challenge. The player on the right has his head over the ball and the knee and ankle are locked solid to form a strong base to win the ball. Balance and technique I’m often asked how to make players stronger in the 50:50 challenge – it’s down to balance and technique. Players don’t need to be big, they have to be in the right position.
The ball is there to be won when an opponent: l Is off balance. l Has allowed the ball to run too far in front of them. l Has been sent a pass that is not accurate. l Is looking at the ball and not aware of what is going on around them.
Use the technique In these situations your players should use the following technique: l Plant the non-tackling foot firmly on the ground to provide an anchor. l Let the tackling foot make contact with the middle of the
ball – like a side-foot pass – and be in an L-shape. l Get all their strength and weight behind the ball. l Head down over the ball. l Eyes on the ball. l Bend the knees; l Lock solid the knee and ankle – for strength to avoid injury. l Be well balanced. l Show a committed attitude. Tell your players to try not to make contact with the top of the ball because they will find it tough to put any force behind the challenge, and also risk missing the ball and fouling the opponent.
Avoiding injury Watch out for the “dangling foot” which can lead to injury for your players. Dangling feet are a sign that the player is unsure or too timid to go for the ball.
Coach development
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
The art of coaching children Using body weight for core strength training Strength is a core part of any youth sport and is important for players like goalkeepers who will need to withstand physical pressure from opponents.
Weights not suitable for young players For junior players (up to the age of 15) the use of weight training is usually not advisable, due to safety factors. Here’s an alternative exercise to develop core strength.
The bridge to side bridge
Purpose: To develop the core strength required to effectively control the movement of the limbs in skills and explosive movements.
1) and conduct the bridge with a flat body position. After a set time (say 40-60 seconds) move them onto their side position (picture 2) and hold for a set time (say 40-60 seconds again). From here, go back to the prone bridge for the set time before moving on to the 1 side bridge again, but this time on the 2 other side. Continue for 3-6 minutes in total. Benefits: Core strength and control, vital in completing explosive skills in match play.
How to do it: Start the player in the prone position (picture
David Clarke’s touchline tales Putting yourself in the position of a parent One of the great things about the summer break from league games is that I can go and watch my own children playing in some of the many tournaments that take place at this time of year.
The other goes into his shell. He hates it when he has to play in teams where I am not the coach. He becomes a sulky child, and never plays to his potential, hiding on the pitch and spurning opportunities that come his way. (“Why can’t you be the coach? He doesn’t play me in the right position, and no one passes the ball when I play there.”)
Off comes the tracksuit and I can go and just be a ‘normal’ parent watching the game. I get a totally different perspective on what is happening. Gone are the pressures that influence a lot of what I do and instead I get to feel what the other parents feel when my son is subbed, or gets moaned at, or plays in a position I don’t think he should (“What? Right back! He’s too slow to play there!”).
It helps me to realise how the parents of my players feel when their children are playing (or not). It’s important that I make them and their sons feel they are a vital cog in the team, however accomplished they are at the game. This is a good reminder that not all players need to be coached in the same way. Some like to joke with you, some need to be spoken to out of the limelight and some need a reassuring chat that they are doing things the right way. The difference in children is highlighted by my own experience with my two boys. I know how they react to situations so it is easy with them. With other children you must get to know more about what makes them tick so you can react to that knowledge and get the best out of them.
It gives me time to watch my children and concentrate on how they have advanced since I last watched them as a parent as opposed to being a coach. My two boys take the experience of playing under a coach other than myself differently. One enjoys it and gets cheeky with the coaches, but plays really well exploiting the freedom of playing without his dad at the helm. 2
07 July 2010
Player development
weekly
11
Technique
Under 4s - Under 16s
22
How to push pass
When a young player kicks the ball, they often do it wrongly and wonder why they can’t kick in a straight line. Steve Watson from footy4kids looks at the most common faults and how they can be put right
11
22
33
Eye on ball, head steady Non-kicking foot next to Inside of kicking foot looking down on it. ball, toes point forward. turned to ball.
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Common faults
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44
Ankle locked, kick ball keeping eyes on it.
foot is presented to the ball (3). l Strike the middle of the ball firmly (keeping your ankle locked and your eyes on the ball) and follow through (4).
l The ball goes airborne. Reason: the ball is being struck below the midline and the player’s head may be behind the ball. l The ball is ‘scuffed’ along the ground. Reason: the ball is being struck above the midline. l The pass isn’t accurate. Reason: the kicking foot is floppy or the non-kicking foot is not pointing at the target. l No power in the pass. Reason: the non-kicking leg may be too straight or the non-kicking foot is being planted too far away from the ball.
How to practice the push pass Please don’t have your players standing opposite each other in rows, mechanically passing the ball backwards and forwards. For one thing, it’s very boring. For another, it doesn’t happen in matches. So don’t do it in training! Much better to play a simple game - Run to the Empty Cone. How to play l Split your players into groups of three or four. l One ball per group. l Each group works in a small area that has one more cone than there are players. l The first player passes to one of the others and runs to the empty cone. l Watch for and praise correct technique. l Insist on an immediate run after passing. Don’t allow your players to walk! l As soon as your players get comfortable, reduce the number of touches or spread the cones further apart.
Skill - the push pass How to teach it Demonstrate the following sequence slowly, making sure all your players can see what you’re doing. l Keep your eye on the ball and head steady over it (1). l Plant your non-kicking foot next to the ball, keeping the knee slightly bent and the toes pointing where you want the ball to go (2). l Turn your kicking foot outwards so that the inside of the 3
07 July 2010
1
Games workshop
weekly
Under 4s - Under 16s
Small-sided game Warm-up
Warm-up circle
Warm up circle
Use this warm-up so players are listening and reacting to different situations.
How to play it l Get each player to stand behind a cone. l You stand in the middle of the circle.
C
The players react and move to your call, as follows: l Go left – players side step continuously to the left. l Go right – players side step continuously to the right. l 2 left or 1 right – players move 1 or 2 cones to the side called. l Middle – players run into the coach and jockey backwards out. l Go – the players sprint across the area and switch places with the player opposite.
Get your players fit for soccer
start
Players should be on their toes ready to react.
Five minute fitness 6
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.
1 sec
2
5 sec
2 sec
1 5 yds
start
7 yds
How to do it l Tell your players to run the course alternating between sprinting and jogging. l At each cone players must count the number of seconds shown on the diagram (right). l Start at 1 then stop at 2 for 5 seconds; 3 for 4 seconds; 4 for 3 seconds; 5 for 2 seconds and stop at the last cone for 1 second. l One circuit counts as a single repetition. l Repeat 3 to 8 times depending on age and fitness.
5
15 yds
12 yds
Sprint, jog, sprint, jog
3 4 sec sprint
10 yds
3 sec 4
jog
In this fitness drill the players must jog, sprint and count the seconds at each cone.
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: david.clarke@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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07 July 2010