TONE IT DOWN IS YOUR PLAYER TOO FLASHY FOR HIS OWN GOOD?
WEEKLY
SOCCER COACH Learn • Train • Develop • Enjoy
KICKING
& DIVING IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER IN TWO SESSIONS
MAKING CROSSES COUNT GETTING THE BALL INTO THE BOX
6 STEP GUIDE TO
BEATING CHEATS
DEAL WITH BACK PASSES HELP YOUR KEEPERS & DEFENDERS
February 20, 2013 • Issue 304
SOCCER GEAR
TRIED & TESTED JUST FOR YOU
JOE HART ENGLAND’S NUMBER ONE <
4
AWESOME TRAINING EXERCISES
THE BEST SOCCER DRILLS
EVERY WEEK!
SOCCER SURGERY YOUR COACHING PROBLEMS SOLVED BY EXPERTS
Contents
Prepare For The Conditions TONE IT DOWN IS YOUR PLAYER TOO FLASHY FOR HIS OWN GOOD?
WEEKLY
SOCCER COACH Learn • Train • Develop • Enjoy
KICKING
& DIVING
February 20, 2013 • Issue 304
SOCCER GEAR
TRIED & TESTED JUST FOR YOU
IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER IN TWO SESSIONS
MAKING CROSSES COUNT GETTING THE BALL INTO THE BOX
6 STEP GUIDE TO
BEATING CHEATS
DEAL WITH BACK PASSES HELP YOUR KEEPERS & DEFENDERS
< JOE HART ENGLAND’S NUMBER ONE
4
AWESOME TRAINING EXERCISES
THE BEST SOCCER DRILLS
EVERY WEEK!
SOCCER SURGERY YOUR COACHING PROBLEMS SOLVED BY EXPERTS
Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 304
Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford GU5 0AB, UK.
Telephone
+44 (0)1483 892894
Editor Chris Hunt chris.hunt@greenstarmedia.net
Head Coach David Clarke david.clarke@coach-soccer.com
Contributors James Evans, Alasdair Gold, Tim Hartley, Alistair Phillips Illustrations Mike Ronald Pictures Action Images, Tom Childers Production ATG Media Production
One thing’s for sure, it hasn’t been great weather for goalkeepers this winter. Changing weather conditions can cause problems. How will the ball bounce? Will it skid through or stop? What kit to wear? Rain is bad enough but I always feel sorry for my keeper when it’s really cold. The ball is more slippery, and cold arms and legs make catching and kicking much more difficult. Because a young keeper is standing around for long spells it is much harder to keep warm – just last month, right at the start of the match my U12s goalkeeper dived full length and ended up soaking wet. The temperature was very cold and we had to get him a change of clothing pretty sharpish. The opposition manager wasn’t happy that we asked for the game to be stopped, but it was face him or let my keeper freeze to death. His mum was worried but we had a change of kit and she had a clean base layer for him and he was soon back out there. So what can keepers do in the worst kinds of winter weather? For the prevention of injury on cold days, a warm up is essential and it gives your keeper a good opportunity to see how the pitch is going to play. And when they warm up, they should wear at least a waterproof jacket so they don’t get wet and cold before the game.
Designerss Jamie Leeson, Tom Scarr
In this issue...
Publisher Kevin Barrow
3
kevin.barrow@ bettersoccercoaching.com
Customer Services Duncan Heard duncanh@greenstarmedia.net
Managing Director Andrew Griffiths
IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER
The changing role of the keeper means working on kicking
4
BACK TO THE FUTURE
5
DIVE, DIVE, DIVE!
A game that helps your keepers to deal with back passes
(c) Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
An exercise to give your goalkeepers the confidence to dive
Click here to read the full disclaimer.
6 GET THE BETTER OF CHEATS
To subscribe to Soccer Coach Weekly call Duncan Heard on +44 (0)1483 892894 or subscribe online here
Six hints to help you get the better of match day cheats
7
BETTER CROSSING
Improve your players by getting them to cross like the stars
Nice weather for ducks but not for football
“When the weather is a bit unpredictable, make sure your players are prepared” Also, carry a spare towel so the keeper can wipe his gloves or dry his face if it’s raining. The most important thing is to try and get your keeper to remain focused for the whole game, so work out a little routine that he can do when the ball is at the other end of the pitch – something like jogging to the edge of the penalty box and then backwards to the goal line, but make sure he is keeping a close eye on where the ball is. Any routine is a good way to help focus and concentration on cold or wet days. The other side of play that can be hit by changing weather conditions is close control and dribbling. Running
8 CONTINUOUS CROSSING
A non-stop game to improve the crossing of your wingers
with the ball is hard if the ground is very wet so I always get my players to do some running around to get used to the conditions. If the ball is sticking in the soft ground they need to use more power with their control. However, on some pitches the ball will be much faster if the grass is wet. When the weather is unpredictable, my advice to you is to make sure your players are both physically and mentally prepared and that they have the right kit on for the conditions.
David Clarke
TIP OF THE WEEK
9 FEEL THE WIDTH
A complex drill that will help player develop three kinds of cross
10 SOCCER GEAR
We try out and test all the latest soccer gear for you
11
SOCCER SURGERY
Your problems solved, including advice for a team who want to hammer the ball up field
12 THE BIG DEBATE
Do you tell your player to stop the flashy tricks because he’s making opponents angry?
Team Talk Tactics In your team talk, keep the environment under control to gain the most attention. A circle of players helps to enclose the team. Some players will look around, others avert their eyes. You should take centre stage, rotate around the group and repeat the messages.
Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER Joe Hart saves from Italy at Euro 2012
Safe As Houses The FA’s National Goalkeeping Coach Martin Thomas discusses the changing role of the goalkeeper and assesses why Joe Hart is one of the best in the game
O
ne of the most profound changes to football over the last two decades is perhaps overlooked by many fans. When asked to name the player in their team with the greatest passing range, few would think of looking between the sticks. But when coaches think about how attacks really get started, there is a greater understanding of the vital role the goalkeeper plays. Few keepers epitomise this more than England’s current number one, Joe Hart. Even the language used in the media doesn’t properly sum up his role. When described as ‘Manchester City’s shot stopper’, it simply ignores the majority of his game – and the abilities of his fellow members of the goalkeeper’s union. As Martin Thomas, the National Goalkeeping Coach at the FA says: “When you look at the game statistics of a goalkeeper, 70 to 75 per cent of their actions are linked with distribution, and this is especially so since the back pass law changed in the early 1990s. “Keepers of today have grown up with the rule and have more natural football ability,” he says. “You’ll see that
goalkeepers are incorporated more in practice matches with the outfield players, they are more comfortable on the ball… in fact they are no longer seen as apart from the team, but a part of the team.” Thomas says the days of a keeper just belting the ball as far as they could and hoping for the best are long gone. That tactic is effectively just giving away vital possession. “These days it’s as if the keeper has a set of golf clubs in the locker and has short-, mid- and long-ball distribution… and with great accuracy. I prefer now to talk about a young goalkeeper’s ability to pass, not simply his ability to kick. And it comes down to them having a good, solid technique built in from a young age.” But as important as distribution is, that ‘shot stopping’ role cannot be ignored, and according to Thomas the fundamentals of movement instilled in youngsters is vital – the way a keeper dives to save is a learned technique in the same way as Andy Murray learned his tennis serve. “A good keeper doesn’t just throw
himself,” he says. “The principles are in place: they step in, load the quad, and dive slightly forward to cut that angle. Such techniques are pinned down in the early development stage.” Joe Hart himself talks about how when it comes to shot stopping, “the key is to try and be ‘set’ when the player is striking the ball”. Thomas says Hart is a great example of a natural sportsman who has honed his technique. “Of the young goalkeepers on the international scene, he’s right up there among the best,” he says. It seems that the role of the keeper cannot be underestimated. “Teams at the top have always had quality keepers,” says Thomas, “but for some sides – for example the Nottingham Forest title-winning team of 1978, or Everton in the mid-1980s – I believe great goalkeepers made the difference between winning the title or not.” That holds true at any level. Try the coaching drills on the following pages to improve the kicking and diving of your goalkeeper and soon you too could have a keeper who is as safe as houses! Issue 304
Words by:
Tim Hartley Activities by:
David Clarke
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER
Back To The Future A game that not only helps your goalkeepers develop their footwork skills when dealing with back passes, but it teaches your outfield players to make and receive them too
WHY USE IT
s 18yd
SET UP
You will need balls, cones, bibs and a goal at either end of a 30x30-yard playing area. Mark out two six-yard safe goalkeeper zones at either end. Each team should be made up of four players and a target keeper.
6yds
s yd 30
Did you know that 70 per cent of what a goalkeeper does in a game is with the feet? But gone are the days of the big boot up field from a back pass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a keeper is now part of the possession game and back passes are no longer just an emergency way out.
A pass to the goalkeeper must be part of any attacking move
6yds
The keepers cannot pick the ball up but can run with it in the safe zone. They have 10 seconds to pass the ball
A poor pass from the keeper results in the opposition winning the ball but they must pass back to their own keeper before starting an attack
HOW TO PLAY
Play 4v4 but the keeper must play a part in every move and teams get double points if they can use the keeper twice in the move. Every time the ball goes dead, the keeper plays it back in.
A back pass should be on the ground to the side of the goal to prevent own goals if the keeper miskicks
TECHNIQUE
Being aware of the keeperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position and the distribution of the ball from the keeper is vital to the success of the other players taking part. Players will learn how the position of the back pass, and also the weight of the pass by both the outfield player and the keeper, helps to keep good possession.
Progress the session by removing the safe zones and putting pressure on the goalkeepers
Player movement
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER
Dive, Dive, Dive! Try this exercise to give your keepers the confidence to dive without the fear of hurting themselves. It will also help them to get up quickly ready to save a follow up shot
WHY USE IT
Getting young keepers to dive is a huge step in their development. It helps them to save shots that are heading for the corners of the net. Having the right technique helps to stop keepers getting hurt on hard ground.
The server aims at the first cone and the keeper saves. The server then aims at the cone on the other side 3yds
s 10yd
SET UP
You need cones, balls and a goal. Players should work in pairs and swap at regular intervals between server and goalkeeper. The server needs to stand around 10 yards away with a supply of balls.
The keeper returns to his feet immediately, ready to make the next save
The keeper stands on the centre of the goal line and begins by diving towards one cone, knocking it over
HOW TO PLAY
In the first part the server passes left and right to get the goalkeeper diving both ways. In the progression of the exercise he must dive one way and knock a cone over, which is the signal for the server to pass to the other side. Keepers must be quick to get up and save the second ball.
TECHNIQUE
Young keepers need to know how to dive so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get hurt. Using this exercise will give them the confidence to dive during matches. Make sure they dive slightly diagonally forward. Remember the order of landing from a dive: ankle, outside of knee, hip, side of upper torso and shoulder.
Player movement
He must then get to his feet and try to save a shot by the server to the opposite side of the goal
The keeper should catch the ball if possible or he must push it behind for a corner or wide so an attacker does not have an easy tap-in
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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THE ART OF COACHING
Get The Better Of Cheats In Six Steps Despite the best efforts of football’s governing bodies, some teams bend or even break the rules to give themselves an advantage. Here are some handy hints to help you get Words by: Alistair Phillips Picture by: WoodleyWonderWorks the better of match day cheats… STEP 1 RUN A CLEAN TEAM
STEP 2 STICK BY THE RULES
STEP 3 REMAIN DISCIPLINED
Make sure your own team is squeaky clean and that all players understand the rules of the game and the expectations of players as stipulated in your FA’s Code of Conduct. If you have to take any form of action against a team that does turn out to be cheating, it will be taken much more seriously if you and your own players have a reputation for fair play.
Prior to kick off present the opposing coach with your list of your registered players. By doing this you should encourage them to do the same thing and you will be able to check they are using only properly registered players. It also sets out your stall as a stickler for doing things the right way and as someone who holds the rules of the game in high esteem.
If a team you are due to face has a bit of a reputation or you have experienced problems when playing them in the past, remind your players of the need to remain disciplined at all times. Tell them not react to any heavy challenges or verbal provocation during the game but to inform you of any problems they have at half-time and at the end of the game.
STEP 4 CHECK WITH THE REF
STEP 5 DON’T INFLAME THINGS
STEP 6 ALWAYS SHAKE HANDS
When the referee arrives, make sure you introduce yourself and go through a few points briefly before the game. Ask that he punishes bad behaviour and foul play, perhaps letting slip you have had some problems with this in previous games. Then go to your opposing coach and relay the contents of your chat, making sure they are happy with this in advance.
Be vocal if you see any cheating during a game but in a way that will not inflame the situation. Remind your team to play to the whistle if a decision goes against you and try and establish eye contact with the referee when you do this. If things have got really bad, speak to the ref at half-time but remember to invite your opposite number into the conversation if you do so.
At the end of the game make sure your players shake hands with all opposing players. Listen out for any ‘under-thebreath’ remarks and, if you hear any, act on it by reporting what you hear to your opposing coach first. The match may be over but your opponents will remember this before you play them next time. Remember to congratulate your team for playing by the rules.
Remind your team to always play by the rules
Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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BETTER CROSSING Leighton Baines, this season’s most prolific crosser
Make Crosses Count A well-timed cross into the box is one of the finest sights in the game, but if you want your players crossing like Baines or Beckham, it’s a skill you have to work at in training
W
ith so many goals scored from crosses, it is vital that your young footballers are able to put the ball into the box at the right place and the right time. Effective crossing can make all the difference to the threat your team offers opponents. A well-placed incoming ball can cause confusion in the goalmouth and it gives your attacking players something to aim at. With the Premier League currently jam-packed with fine crossers, your players can look for inspiration to any number of stars, whether it be Gareth Bale, Leighton Baines, Ashley Young, James Morrison, Anthony Pilkington,
Top TIPs For Crossing When your wide player is going to cross the ball, he must think about how best to exploit the space available. Before pulling the trigger, he should always ask himself the following questions… > Where is the goalkeeper? > Where are the defenders? > Where are his attackers? > Which area should he hit?
Matt Jarvis or Antonio Valencia. All have proved themselves to be a real threat this season when crossing the ball into the danger zone. The best crossers of the ball have their own distinctive styles. Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, for instance, hits the touchline and curls the ball in, while at Manchester United Ashley Young often cuts inside onto his right foot before unleashing an inswinger. Leighton Baines has a style similar to Bale and this has proved to be so successful for the Everton left-back that by the halfway point in the season he had already crossed the ball more times than any other player in the division. Ashley Young crosses
Another wide player who has impressed so far this season has been Gareth Bale’s Tottenham team-mate Aaron Lennon, whose final ball has improved beyond measure under the new coaching regime at Spurs, demonstrating how time spent on the training ground can improve a player’s crossing technique. Lennon and Bale have whipped more than 130 crosses into the box between them this season already. It’s clear that no matter how much of a goal-machine a striker appears to be, he is nothing without good service. It’s one of the game’s most beautiful sights when a wide player beats a defender on the touchline and curls in an inchperfect cross for his onrushing teammate to slam past a motionless keeper. If you want your attackers to be blessed with this kind of service, try working your players through the drills on the following pages. Crossing is an important skill, so give it the time it deserves – they could end up crossing like Beckham, or Baines, or Young! If you do your job well in training, your attackers will find it straightforward turning those perfect crosses into the net. Issue 304
Words by:
Alasdair Gold Activities by:
David Clarke
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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BETTER CROSSING
Continuous Crossing If you want your players to hone their crossing skills, try this non-stop game aimed at helping them get the ball into the box at the right time
WHY USE IT
ds 5y server
s yd 25
The session is a good work out to help teams experiment with angles and different heights of playing a ball into the box from the wings. The crossers are unopposed so they can concentrate on the technique and get good crosses in. It’s a fast and continuous session.
The first set of attackers must move the ball wide to the wing player in an unopposed zone who can cross in
s 40yd
SET UP
Clever timing of the runs will make the defender’s job of marking almost impossible
Create a playing area 40x30 yards including a five-yard crossing zone. You don’t need to use keepers even though we’ve included them in our session. But you do need four teams of two players and a server. You also need balls, bibs, cones and goals.
HOW TO PLAY
The server plays the ball to the attacking pair, who must get the ball to the crossing zone for a cross into the two attackers. After the attack the team defends and the previous defenders break out to attack the other end.
When the first attackers have played, the coach immediately plays a ball to the previous defenders for them to attack the other end
Ask the wingers to supply a variety of crosses at different angles, heights and speeds to encourage different runs
TECHNIQUE
Arriving in the box at the right time is important for the session to work – if the attackers are waiting for the player to cross before they run it will be easily defended. Putting balls into the box is good practice for match days.
Player movement
The server should also supply different passes to the two attackers to encourage different balls into the wingers
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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BETTER CROSSING
Feel The Width A complex drill to help players develop three different kinds of cross. Soon they will be firing in the ball like David Beckham, Ashley Young and Leighton Baines
WHY USE IT
s yd 30
The session aims to coach players to score more goals from crosses and to show that changing the pace of play and the angle of attack are key instruments in unlocking the opposition. Using wide areas is an important part of attacking play.
In this 9v8 overload players are locked into the zones, apart from the fullbacks
SET UP
Create a playing area that is wider than long by using the width of the pitch you normally play on (mini, 9v9 or full size) and half that size for the length (so mini would be 30 wide x 15 deep and full size would be 60x30). Split it into six equal squares. You need a goal, balls, bibs and cones. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using 17 players in a 9v8 overload.
s 60yd
Here the fullback has played into the winger and the players combine for a cross from outside the box like David Beckham would fire in
The fullback plays into the winger and carries on running to receive a pass and cross the ball from the byline like Leighton Baines
HOW TO PLAY
Players are locked into areas, except for the fullbacks who look to join the attack and create situations to cross the ball.
TECHNIQUE
Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for three different types of crosses here: the David Beckham cross, just entering the final third; the Ashley Young cross, cutting inside and swinging it across; and the Leighton Baines cross, running to the byline and whipping it in.
Note the different types of finishing from crosses, like control and pass or in this case a headed shot. Attackers must provide a finish to the cross
Movement and exploitation of the space left by the attacking fullback creates space for a counterattack
Here the winger has whipped in a ball just like Ashley Young does. He has aimed it for his fullback to attack
Player movement
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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SOCCER GEAR
Get Kitted Out What equipment to buy is one of the many challenges facing a coach every week. We sent Alistair Phillips out to give the best of soccer product a bit of a test run
Mitre Tactic Training Ball RRP: £10.99 Web: www.mitre.com
A popular and versatile ball perfect for training sessions and match day warm-ups. It’s amazing how many teams you see warming up before matches using the Tactic. It’s a very versatile all-round, all-surface ball that for some reason, kids seem to love as well as coaches. I’ve mixed them with other brands and Mitre models and it’s surprising how many seek out the Tactic. The softer/tackier outer gives them a great feel when striking the ball or handling it if you’re a keeper. My only concern with the slightly softer feeling outer was that they wouldn’t last very long, but here we are two thirds of the way through the season and having used them since August, they’re bearing up very well. I will probably need new ones come next August but that’s pretty standard for any model of training ball with the amount of use they get. The Tactic holds its pressure really well, so you’re not constantly having inflate, though I do occasionally deliberately deflate mine slightly for training sessions involving shooting practice, which makes them really fly off the boot.
Uhlsport Tri Safe Flex RRP: £9.49 Web: www.uhlsport.com Shin pads that offer comfort and protection. It’s uncanny how often someone turns up for training or a match minus their shin pads, so having a spare pair is essential. The Tri Flex Safe lives up to its name by offering excellent protection while being comfortable to wear. The pads come in a range of sizes but adjust superbly so you can rest assured that as long as your sizing is in the right ballpark, they’re pretty much guaranteed to fit anyone in your team. Three anatomically moulded hard-shell plates provide the technology that gives the much needed protection, while what is noticeable about the padded ankle protectors compared to other models is the comfort. It might be of secondary importance to protection but it can’t be underestimated, particularly when you need something that might potentially be used by different players.
Fox 40 Junior Coaching Board RRP: £11 Web: www.fox40whistles.co.uk A tactics board to aid your sessions. This is basically a small white board with marker pen. The size (20cm x 25.5cm) is ideal for holding up and away from yourself towards a group and the simple pitch layout allows you to convey basic tactics quickly and effectively. The reverse works as a clipboard for any additional notes.
Fox 40 Classic Eclipse Whistle RRP: £7.50 Web: www.fox40whistles.co.uk Control your coaching sessions with this distinctive whistle. They key thing about a whistle is that it makes a noise – and a loud one with minimal effort required. A good one can stop players in their tracks quicker than any amount of shouting. The Classic Eclipse does that to the tune of 115 decibels and provided you don’t blast it right in someone’s ear, it won’t damage small eardrums either.
Reusch Argos Pro S1 Ortho-Tec Junior RRP: £45 Web: www.reusch.com Gloves that offer protection and make the job of your keeper easier. It’s always wise for a coach to have a spare pair of gloves in the bag for training or match days, just in case the first choice keeper is injured. These Reusch gloves are expensive but worth it because they do everything a good goalie glove should in terms of making the player’s job easier. From a coach’s point of view you can hand these out secure in the knowledge that not only are they comfortable and easy to get on and off quickly, they boast just about the best finger and thumb protection it’s possible to get in a glove. Remember, if you’re protecting them, you’re protecting yourself too.
Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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Soccer Surgery
Your Problems Solved THIS WEEK: Advice on how to stop your team hammering the ball up field and an expert opinion on helping players deal with the death of a coach
Q “ One of our
coaches passed away and the kids reacted differently. How should we deal with those struggling to come to terms with it?
A
”
Answered by Giorgio Severo, a London based bereavement counsellor
The quick way to get the ball up the pitch
Q“ How do I get my U9s to understand the
need to pass the ball around more? They are so direct and simply want to hammer it up field
A
Most likely this comes down to two things – confidence and teamwork. They are both issues that frequently need addressing in young players, though implement them now and you will see positive results very quickly. Players of the age you describe don’t have the vision or the skill to search out 25-yard passes, so you can rule out the idea that they are playing a tactical long-ball game. More likely, the player on the ball is treating it like a hot potato and is keen to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The fear is the longer he holds onto it the more chance he’ll get tackled, and that could mean looking stupid. Combine this with the idea that the player in possession may be lacking team-mates making themselves available for a pass, and you can
”
see why hammering the ball up field becomes an attractive option. The solution is to construct possession passing games in training. As an example, play 5v5 in a 15x15-yard square, with each team scoring a point for making five consecutive passes. The player in possession will quickly learn to keep his head up in searching out team-mates, while the other players will stay on the move looking for a pass. Practise this in each training session and even before a match, and you’ll soon see an improvement in your team’s ability to construct a slick passing game. Answered by Tom Nightingale, a Community Football Officer from Torquay
GET YOUR SOCCER PROBLEMS SOLVED If you have a coaching problem or a training dilemma that you want the experts at Soccer Surgery to cure, send your queries to Soccer Coach Weekly…
editor@soccercoachweekly.net
Issue 304
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Picture: Tom Childers
Kids are tremendously resilient, often much more so than adults. Adults perceive there to be a set range and timeline of emotions – a grieving process – that should follow a sad event such as this, but those assumptions are based on our own adult experiences. The mind of a child works differently, so you need to consider a few things first. The child may not know as much as you about the illness or events surrounding the death. They will be less aware of the situation of loved ones left behind. And their understanding of death itself is probably quite fluffy and inoffensive. For all of those reasons, most kids are generally very resilient when dealing with a death and can be quite philosophical about it. There will be some who are more affected by events. In terms of what you can do as a coach, your time with these kids is limited, so you certainly want to involve the parents of those children in helping to manage the grief away from training. You should also ensure you talk about the coach who passed away at each training session and game, so that children know there is an emotional legacy that lives on and the person isn’t forgotten. Bring humour into references involving him/her, and even infer that they are still watching, albeit from afar. When something like this happens it’s a difficult time, but open up conversations and emotions and let the person live on in the team environment as much as you can.
THE BIG DEBATE
Do You Tell Your Player To Stop The Flashy Skills THIS WEEK’S DEBATE: One of your most skilled players possesses an array of tricks designed to make opponents look foolish. But as he makes opposition coaches and players irate, should you tell him to calm things down?
NO, LET HIM SHOW HIS SKILLS
YES, TELL HIM TO EASE UP
Mark Stuart Pitshanger, London
“He’s setting out with the intention of getting one over on another lad, not using his skills for the benefit of creating a chance for his team”
“
I think this comes down to a debate about whether it’s in the spirit of the game to attempt to make opponents look silly or foolish. From the way you have described the player he seems to be setting out with the intention of getting one over on another lad. He’s not using his skills for the benefit of creating a chance for his team, more just for the sake of it. I’m afraid this sort of approach doesn’t sit well with me. Soccer is about respect and this isn’t respectful. Players like this often end up paying a penalty for showing off. I can guarantee that one day the player will come up against someone who takes a real dislike to being made to look stupid, and that’s when tackles (or worse) go
HAVE YOUR SAY
flying in. If this was my player, for his own sake, I’d be telling him to calm it down a bit. You may also find that team-mates of a really flash player can tire of this overcomplicated approach play. When a centre-forward has found space and is screaming for the ball to be crossed from the flank, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing a winger beat his man, cut back, beat the man again and cut back again when a simple cross was all that was required. The player’s development is going to suffer as well. If he’s doing the complex stuff instead of the basics, his game isn’t being built on the right platform. The fundamentals must be practised throughout a player’s development.
”
Do You TELL YOUR PLAYER TO STOP THE FLASHY SKILLS? Visit our Facebook page and log your vote at www.facebook.com/SoccerCoachWeekly or email your thoughts to editor@soccercoachweekly.net
“
Arnbjørn Mørch Haderslev City Soccer, Denmark
“Some players have great pace, other have a height advantage. Just because this player’s advantage is seen to be a flashy one, why discriminate against him?”
“
If you have a player like this in your team you have to make sure he plays to his maximum potential. It really is a gift for a player to have this array of skills and tricks, therefore these skills should be brought to the fore and encouraged. Remember, it is not only the player himself who can benefit from the skills. Surely those nutmegs, feints and juggles have a great effect on the whole team in terms of creating space, losing opponents and setting up attacking moves? Therefore, if you punish the player and tell him to calm it down, you are probably holding back the benefits that the rest of the team will enjoy. At the end of the day there are other players on the soccer field who use their own
personal advantage, even if that advantage is less noticeable. Some players have great pace, while other players have a height or build advantage. Just because this player’s advantage is perceived to be a flashy one, why should he be discriminated against because of it? I’ve always found too that confidence plays a massive part in youth soccer. It’s important in terms of what happens on the field, but it’s also very relevant when players take that confidence and apply it to other parts of their development away from the soccer pitch. If you have a player who has the self-belief to pull off these remarkable tricks, I think you should nurture that confidence and make sure the player applies it in other areas of life.
HOW YOU VOTED
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Here are the results of a poll we ran in a previous issue of Soccer Coach Weekly, when we asked the question: Would you call players in for extra training?
91% said yes 9% said no Issue 304
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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67 EASY TO COACH DRILLS FOR MARKING, TACKLING & BLOCKING Perfect Defending
Kids are brought up to think scoring is everything. That’s why the drills in Perfect Defending are written to make learning to defend fun!
– 67 easy to coa
ch drills for markin
g, tackling and blo
cking
Individual defendin
g
Front and back This drill forces the players to react to the two most frequent defending and attacking situatio ns.
The se
t up 67 Easy to Coach Drills for Marking, Tackling & Blocking Area: 30x30 yards Equipment: 3 cones, 2 balls, 1 goal
The steps
1. The goalkeeper passes to player 1 wh o attacks 1v1 against player 3. 2. Immediately afte r this attack, the coa ch passes to player 3.
Player 3 races out to
defend against player
1.
3. Player 2 must now run out and stop pla yer 3 from turning to sho ot. For the next attack, player 1 becomes pla yer 2 and player 2 becomes pla yer 3.
What to call out
• “Pressure” • “Force away from goa l” • “Stop the turn”
Premier League Academy Coach Michael Beale’s manual will help your team keep more clean sheets.
Player 3 now turns to
KEY
Player Movement
“It’s just as simple as the stuff in the FA Level 1 handbook but more interesting and easier to understand too.”
Player 2 is out quickly and makes a tackle to the attack. stop
SOCCER COACH
Click here t conce o d fewer e goals ! WEEKLY
WEEKLY
WEEKLY
What they say:
No risk
2.
Ball Movement
SOCCER COACHSOCCER COACH
Des Clark, Reserve Team Manager, Surrey Athletic, UK
attack against player
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