SWEET NOTHINGS SHOULD YOU BAN FIZZY DRINKS AT TRAINING?
WEEKLY
SOCCER COACH Learn • Train • Develop • Enjoy
SCORE WITH BOTH FEET HELP PLAYERS SHOOT WITH EITHER FOOT
GOALIE ADVICE GET YOUR KEEPER OFF HIS LINE
THE BEST Training SESSIONS EVERY WEEK!
April 24, 2013 Issue 313 • $4.99/£2.99
COACH WITH PASSION
IS IT A PROBLEM TO BE TOO FIRED UP ON THE TOUCHLINE?
DEFENDERS Made INTO STRIKERS GET CENTRE BACKS ON THE SCORE SHEET <
ROBIN VAN PERSIE DEADLY WITH EITHER FOOT
SLOW DOWN YOUR DEMOS
99 MORE
v
FORMATIONS
CASHING IN IS IT RIGHT TO REWARD YOUR MAN OF THE MATCH?
Contents
The Quietest Coach SWEET NOTHINGS SHOULD YOU BAN FIZZY DRINKS AT TRAINING?
WEEKLY
SOCCER COACH Learn • Train • Develop • Enjoy
SCORE WITH BOTH FEET HELP PLAYERS SHOOT WITH EITHER FOOT
April 24, 2013 Issue 313 • $4.99/£2.99
COACH WITH PASSIOn
IS IT A PROBLEM TO BE TOO FIRED UP ON THE TOUCHLINE?
DEFEnDERS MADE InTO STRIKERS GET CENTRE BACKS ON THE SCORE SHEET
GOALIE ADVICE GET YOUR KEEPER
<
THE BEST TRAInInG SESSIOnS EVERY WEEK!
ROBIN VAN PERSIE DEADLY WITH EITHER FOOT
SLOW DOWn YOUR DEMOS
OFF HIS LINE
99 MORE
V
FORMATIOnS
CASHING IN IS IT RIGHT TO REWARD YOUR MAN OF THE MATCH?
Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 313
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 Dan Abrahams, James Evans, Andy Greeves, Luke Nicoli Illustrations Mike Ronald Pictures Action Images, Nick Webster Production ATG Media Production Designer Jamie Leeson
I was on a soccer training course with other coaches recently and we were going through sessions that each of us had put together. As the day wore on the physical side of actually playing in everyone else’s sessions began to take its toll and our ability to understand what was wanted dropped to such an extent that we were probably at the level of an Under 10s team. The final session was from a coach who was not particularly good at communicating, so we had to listen hard to make sense of what he wanted us to do. In the tired state I was in, all I thought I needed was a coach who would bark out instructions that I could follow without thinking. I wanted the traditional image of a coach, the ones I played for when I was a kid – a demanding, loud and dismissive character, screaming until achieving obedience from a group of harried players. That’s how I started out – coaching with fear, standing on the side of the pitch bellowing out orders to my little foot soldiers. But that didn’t last long. I soon realised that sort of coaching was not developing my players. Yes we won things, but the only thing that was fun was the winning, so I changed. Let’s go back to the course and the coach who wasn’t communicating very well. As the session began to become clearer in my mind I realised that it
Arsene Wenger: the ‘quiet man’ of Arsenal
“The one thing I certainly learnt was that a quiet coach is sometimes the loudest of all” was good, it was different to the other sessions and it was fun. In fact, it was very interesting to play and the time spent working on it went by quickly. The coach didn’t speak much but although his communication was poor, the way he created and ran the session meant that the communication between those of us taking part was very good. And by the end, the enjoyment we had all experienced was self-evident. Was he therefore a good coach? Only time will tell, but if I was a betting man I’d put my money on him becoming one. We don’t all want to come out of coaching courses exactly the same and if the children enjoy your sessions, then
you’ve won half the battle already. The clear message from this is don’t try to be something you’re not. Success comes in many different forms and if you are not a good communicator, it doesn’t mean that you are not a good coach. Think simple – if you can’t be heard by a group of enthusiastic boys, use a whistle to get their attention. One thing I certainly learnt from that coaching course was that a quiet coach is sometimes the loudest of all.
David Clarke
Publisher Kevin Barrow kevin.barrow@ bettersoccercoaching.com
In this issue...
Customer Services Duncan Heard
3
duncanh@greenstarmedia.net
Managing Director Andrew Griffiths
SHOOT WITH BOTH FEET
As van Persie has shown, players score more goals if they use both feet
(c) Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
4
CALL AND SCORE
A drill to teach players to shake off markers and shoot with both feet
Click here to read the full disclaimer.
5
CHANGING DIRECTION
To advertise contact Peter Coltart on +44 (0)1483 892894 Download media pack & contact here To subscribe to Soccer Coach Weekly call Duncan Heard on +44 (0)1483 892894 or subscribe online here
A testing training exercise that gives players shooting opportunities with both feet
6 COACHING WITH PASSION
Does coaching with passion work or is it short-term motivation?
7
ATTACKING CENTRE BACKS
Goal scoring central defenders can offer an extra attacking threat
8 BACKS FORWARD
An end-to-end game that will give central defenders valuable attacking experience
TIP OF THE WEEK
9 FREE TO ATTACK
Encourage young central defenders to join the attack with this game
10 FORMATIONS
Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of formations for 9v9 soccer
11 SOCCER SURGERY
Your queries answered, including advice for a coach whose keeper won’t come off his line
12 THE BIG DEBATE
Two coaches debate whether they would ban sweets and fizzy drinks at training and matches
Slow Down Your Demos Practise skills demonstrations as often as you can. Make sure you do it slowly and deliberately, to ensure all of your players are able to both see and understand how to do each skill. If you can’t do it yourself, get a player to do it but make sure they do it slowly.
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TWO-FOOTED STRIKING Robin van Persie: best foot forward
Shoot With Both Feet Players can increase the number of goals they score if they have the ability to shoot with both feet. And as Robin van Persie has proved, this is a skill that comes with practice
G
iven the pace and power evident in the modern game, being able to use both feet is a distinct advantage. If you’re being closed down quickly in midfield, shifting the ball from one foot to another can get you out of the tightest of situations. The same can be said of defenders, but it’s in attack where being competent with either foot really makes a difference. Take Robin van Persie for example. He can drift from one side of the pitch to the other knowing that whatever foot he uses, either to bring the ball under control or to have a go at goal, it will be equally effective. This is a big advantage for his team, as they can mix up their attack, taking opposition defenders into areas of the pitch they would rather not venture. The Manchester United star has also mastered the ability to feign a shot with one foot before quickly moving the ball to the other to strike. This not only wrongfoots his marker, but often the goalkeeper too and the results can be devastating. Most of van Persie’s goals come from distance but you cannot underestimate the advantage of being two-footed in
and around the six-yard box. When the ball flashes across the face of goal and there is no time to make a split-second adjustment to the favoured foot, he knows that whatever foot he uses will give him just as good a chance. Being two footed, however, doesn’t always come naturally. It can take hours of practice to perfect. Robin, for example, was completely left footed when he joined Arsenal in 2004. “Although a great talent, he was very left footed,” recalls his former team-mate Martin Keown. “Arsene
Wenger said he was the most left-footed player he ever worked with so it is quite an achievement that he has scored so many goals since with his right foot. “Every time I’ve seen him lately, I’ve noticed that his right foot has improved and I’m delighted because I and other people at the club encouraged him to use it more. It has become an extra weapon.” Using both feet clearly gives you an edge, so try out the drills on the following pages and you too could follow in van Persie’s footsteps.
Words by:
Luke Nicoli Activities by:
David Clarke
4 GREAT TWO-FOOTED STRIKERS
Cristiano Ronaldo Cutting in from either flank, the Real Madrid star’s sheer power in either foot makes him unstoppable at times.
David Villa Close control with either foot make Barcelona’s David Villa one of the sharpest strikers inside the box.
Diego Forlan His father Pablo was a two-footed World Cup player for Uruguay and the Internacional striker has followed suit.
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Mario Gomez An ability to shoot with either foot helped the German to 40 goals in 44 games for Bayern Munich last season.
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TWO-FOOTED STRIKING
Call And Score This session will help your players learn a lot about communicating with their team-mates, about shaking off their markers and about shooting with both feet
WHY USE IT
This session is about making decisions in the penalty area, communicating with a team-mate and using both feet to score. It also gives all players an understanding of winning 1v1s in important areas and helps them to learn where to run to receive the ball in dangerous areas.
The attacker has to choose which way to run and has to beat the defender to the ball, using tricky movement to send him the wrong way John!
A ball is played to the attacker when he calls for a pass and he must get on the end of it to score
SET UP
Use the penalty area of your pitch for this session. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used seven players. You will need bibs, plenty of balls, cones and a full-sized goal.
The attackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second run must be to receive the ball from the other side. The defender must try to block any shot
HOW TO PLAY
This is all about using both feet to score. The attacker must choose the direction of his run from the edge of the penalty area and trick the defender to create space. He must call for the ball from one side and, after making his attempt on goal, the same attacker and defender go back for a second ball and call for a pass from the other side of the goal.
TECHNIQUE
Paul!
The attackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second run is harder because the defender knows which side he is going. Here the attacker calls early for the pass
Run a third ball from a central angle, played behind the defender. The attacker must hunt it down and try to score
This is a great game for getting attackers to lose their markers and get into positions to score on both sides of the pitch using both feet. As the attacker has to call for the ball from a different side on his second run, it is harder for him as the defender knows which side the attacker is aiming to score from and will attempt to block.
Player movement
In the final sequence we use only one server because it is run in just one direction. The other server joins in as a second defender
Ball movement
Shot
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TWO-FOOTED STRIKING
Changing Direction Run players through this testing exercise that not only offers shooting opportunities with both feet, but also develops their ability to change direction when attacking goal
WHY USE IT
6yds
A B C
s yd 15
SET UP
Set up an area of 20x15 yards. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created a goal 1.5 yards wide on the left side and placed two cones on the other side, one two yards diagonally in from the top right hand corner and the other six yards from the goal. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used four players.
D
ds 5y 1.
Changing direction when approaching goal is a great way for attackers to create some space and move to where they can take a shot. If players are running in straight lines, play becomes too predictable.
Start with player D in goal and as each player in turn comes to shoot they then take over in goal, with the keeper joining the other players at the start
s 20yd
Player A runs onto a pass from player B and dribbles with the ball using good technique and taking a touch every step Player A must push the ball past the cone and hit a right-footed shot
HOW TO PLAY
Start with player D in goal. Player B passes a ball about five yards in front of player A for him to run on to. He dribbles the ball around the cone in the corner, then to the right of the second cone before hitting a right-foot shot at goal. Once A has shot he goes in goal and D goes back to the start and the routine begins again. Later reverse the way the players run and make them shoot left-footed.
Look for good technique in the turn. Players can use different turns like the outside hook turn and use different parts of their foot
Switch the goal and the turning cone and have players shooting with their right foot
TECHNIQUE
This session needs timing and touch and requires players to look up and take account of a situation. Tempo is essential and players can build on the turn with both a left and right foot finish.
Player movement
Ball movement
Shot
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THE ART OF COACHING
Keep a clear mind
Don’t panic Forget big gestures Focus your passion
Can You Really Coach With Passion? Paolo Di Canio celebrated his first win as Sunderland manager with a passionate, fist-pumping dash down the touchline. Sport psychologist Dan Abrahams examines whether you can really coach with passion and offers four tips to harnessing emotion 01 FORGET THE BIG GESTURES
02 TRY TO KEEP A CLEAR MIND
03 FOCUS PASSION ON IMPROVEMENTS
04 DON’T PANIC, USE POSITIVE PASSION
Passion is displayed in different ways. If you want to coach with passion, you may not have to adopt the traditional fist-pumping, dashing onto the pitch kind of behaviour that is the clichéd image of the passionate coach. Many quiet, unassuming coaches are highly passionate about their craft. They might not roar commands from the sidelines, but they can still use tone of voice, speed of delivery, and body language to get their point across in a passionate way. An emotive word can demonstrate far more passion – and make a greater positive impact – than an overblown gesture.
Just as performance is part emotion and part intelligence, so is coaching. But passion must be mediated at all times by the intelligent brain – the part of you that reasons, that solves problems and that recognises errors in play. It was Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson who said he never let his heart rate go above the 100 mark for fear of making poor decisions. This may be a little extreme but it demonstrates the importance of keeping a clear mind for sound judgements. Passion can be a great vehicle for motivation – but not at the expense of entering the fog of excessive emotion.
Everyone wants to win but being passionate about winning is nothing new and it’s certainly by no means unique. Passionate coaches should direct their passion into the process of coaching, into improving players and developing a team. Passionate coaches should love to build on the knowledge base they have, as well as update their skills in the mental, physical, technical and tactical components of the game. Passionate coaches should leave no stone unturned to find ways to improve their players and team. Finding that one per cent extra that gives your team the edge is what coaching is all about.
At the beginning of the season I sat in the stands at a Premier League club watching one of my clients play. I also spent time watching the behaviour of the coaching staff on both benches. I noticed a contrast in the coaching behaviour. The coaches on the bench of the losing team were frantically waving players this way and that and were barking orders. This behaviour demonstrated panic, not passion. Your players can see this. Panicking on the sidelines will make them panic too. Focus your passion on positive behaviour rather than mistakes and negative score lines.
Sport psychologist Dan Abrahams has worked with many leading footballers, including Scott Parker and Carlton Cole. He is the author of the book Soccer Tough: Simple Football Psychology Techniques To Improve Your Game Issue 313
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ATTACKING CENTRE BACKS Sergio Ramos scores against Barcelona
Turn Defenders Into Strikers Goal scoring central defenders like Sergio Ramos and Jan Vertonghen can offer an attacking threat to catch opponents by surprise
P
remier League history boasts many vital goals scored by centre backs en route to winning the title. Who can forget Tony Adams’ unstoppable volley for double-winning Arsenal versus Everton in 1998 or Vincent Kompany’s header for Manchester City at home to local rivals United last season? It shows that having a scoring centre back in your team can be a real asset, not only giving extra support to your front men at set pieces, but also shaking things up in the penalty area and enabling your team to take the opposition by surprise. While the Premier League can currently boast it’s share of prolific centre backs, such as Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen, Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and John Terry, perhaps Europe’s best goalscoring defender plies his trade in Spain. So far this season, Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos has netted seven times for club and country, with his four goals in La Liga including that vital late winner against Barcelona last month. In fact, he has scored nearly 50 goals already in his professional career. As well as his many headed goals when
joining the attack for set pieces, his most notable goals have included a long-range free-kick for former club Sevilla against Real in his debut season, and a goal for Madrid away to Getafe in 2007 when he ran the full length of the pitch to slide in a move he had started on the edge of his own penalty area. If you want to turn your central backs into strikers, take note of the training sessions on the following pages. These will not only show you how defenders can be an attacking threat in the air at set pieces, but also how they play a part in forward movement to score in open play. To illustrate the variety of goals a central defender can score, show your players Jan
Vertonghen’s strike against Swansea last month. Fed a beautiful ball by Bale, he scored with a perfectly timed run into the penalty area that culminated in the deftest stab past the keeper. Catching the Swansea defence off guard with his confident movement from the back, and leaving his central defensive partner Michael Dawson to cover, the key to the goal was his unexpected run into an area of the field that his opponents wouldn’t have expected to find him. Try using the training sessions on the following pages and encourage your centre backs to score their fair share of goals, just like Sergio Ramos and Jan Vertonghen.
Words by:
Andy Greeves Activities by:
David Clarke
TIPS FOR ATTACKING CENTRE BACKS Ensure your attacking centre backs keep their play simple by making quick, short passes around their own half, but they mustn’t be predictable and should try to recognise the right time to make a difference to the game. They should… > Advance higher up the pitch and join in with the midfield > Pick out risky passes to the forwards and follow with support play > Attack all aerial balls with power, purpose and timing > Shoot when the opportunity arises > Support attackers with good movement around the box
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Vertonghen celebrates
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ATTACKING CENTRE BACKS
Backs Forward An end-to-end game that will give central defenders valuable attacking experience and teach them to get back quickly to defend against counterattacks
WHY USE IT
This is a fast, technical game that forces central defenders to support the attack and get themselves on the score sheet. It also shows them how hard they have to work to get back to defend if the ball is lost.
Set up an area of 50x40 yards with a normal goal at one end and two target goals at the other. We’ve used 12 players. You will need bibs, balls and cones.
HOW TO PLAY
Play a team of six against a team of five plus a goalkeeper. The team of six has three central defenders and the team of five has two central defenders who are the only players on the team that can score – but they must also play in a tactical role as defenders.
s yd 40
SET UP
The team defending the target goals line up in two rows of three. The three at the back are the only players who can score – put them in different coloured bibs
The formation for this team is a keeper with a back four. The two central defenders are the only players who can score – put them in coloured bibs
s 50yd
Here the ball is played wide and two red defenders support the play, leaving one to cover at the back. A good cross is needed for a scoring chance
The movement of the front three should create some space for the defenders to move into
TECHNIQUE
This is a good workout to teach defensive responsibilities when in attack. Attacking defenders can be the winning difference in teams because often the opposition will fail to pick them up in open play. There are different targets at each end of the pitch that will test the goal scoring prowess of your players.
When a team wins the ball from the attacking team, their defenders must move quickly out of defensive positions and into the attack
When the counterattack is on, one of the ‘scoring defenders’ must get into a position where he can score in the small goals. The opposing defenders must try to get back to defend
Player movement
Ball movement
Shot
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ATTACKING CENTRE BACKS
Free To Attack Young central defenders are often slow in coming forward, but once they have played this game you won’t be able to stop them joining the attack
WHY USE IT
Sometimes something different from one of your players is what is needed to win a game. Giving centre backs freedom to roam could be the key to success for your team.
The central defenders in the centre zone are neutral, waiting for the chance to join the attack and create an overload for whichever side is attacking
5yds
SET UP
s yd 40
Set up an area of 50x40 yards with a five-yard central zone. We’ve used 16 players in this session with two keepers and a 3v3 at both ends of the pitch, and two neutral ‘central defenders’ in the centre zone. You need bibs, balls, cones and two full-sized goals.
s 50yd
The central defenders can only be released by a pass into the attacking half of the pitch and only one can be released at a time
Here the central defender has played a one-two with a teammate and set up a chance to shoot and score for three points
HOW TO PLAY
The aim is for each team to win the ball and play it to one of the players in the centre zone who creates a 4v3 overload in favour of the attacking team. You want this player to try to combine with the other players to score a goal. If the ‘central defender’ scores it is worth three points and if any other player scores it is one point.
The players in the other half of the pitch must be aware and ready for the ball to come back in play on their side
TECHNIQUE
Getting your defenders to join the attack can build overloads that will give your team an attacking advantage over the opposition.
If a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, it restarts with a goal kick into the players in the opposition’s half of the pitch
Player movement
Ball movement
Shot
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FORMATIONS The left and right-sided midfielders must support the attack on the wings, pulling the opposition defence wide and sending in good crosses to the lone attacker
ATTACKING 3-4-1
The two fullbacks must push up in support of the midfield, to provide cover for a counterattack or give an outlet if the winger or central defender gets boxed in
The central defender must play like a sweeper when the team is attacking in order to give cover along the backline for any long balls out of the opposition defence
The fullbacks must give an outlet for the keeper on either side of the pitch, with the option to play into the central defender if the fullbacks are covered
With only one in attack the central midfielders have to push up in support, one alongside the attacker and the other deeper, looking for any loose balls in the attacking third of the pitch
Player movement
Ball movement
9v9 Formations With more teams playing 9v9 at Under 11 and Under 12, we take a look at the formations your side could play for this team size. This week we look at 3-4-1â&#x20AC;Ś n FORMATION: 3-4-1
PROS: Strong in defence, it uses an interlinking system when repelling attacks. It is also strong in midfield and will not get overrun by other formations on the 9v9 pitch. It has good support via the wide midfielders both in attack and defence. CONS: Lightweight in attack, this is a tiring formation for one striker unless a rotation system is put in place. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also hard on the wide midfielders, who have to support the attack as wingers and get back to act as wing backs in defence.
n DEFENCE
n ATTACK
With only one player to get the ball to, attack is the weakest feature of this formation. The striker will need support from central and wide midfield players.
n PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
A defensive formation that works well against strong opposition, the team sits deep to soak up pressure and wins the ball to counterattack. Success relies
on the midfield/defence combination, which is a good learning curve for players because the midfield formation and to some extent the defensive system will adapt to the 11v11 game. It can be tough on the striker but it is good for learning how to hold the ball up. It is certainly a good development formation for working on Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere style midfielders and Didier Drogba style target attackers.
DEFENSIVE 3-4-1
Words by:
David Clarke
Fullbacks drop and tuck in to keep wingers out wide and tighten up the backline
An interlinking combination between midfield and defenders means that if players hold positions and coordinate movements, they will be hard to pass through. Have the outside midfielders covering the fullbacks if they are under attack from wide players.
n MIDFIELD
The midfield is the powerhouse, pressing opponents and dropping to support the defence when the team is out of possession. It pushes up in support when the team is on the attack. It is also strong enough to hold its own against any attacking formation, but must work hard, especially the wide players.
The lone attacker must put a lot of effort into pressing the ball high up the pitch to make it harder for the opposition to get good passes away
Left and right midfielders tuck in to squeeze space in midfield, stopping attacks and making it hard for passes to be played through the defence
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The central defender must stay slightly higher up the pitch than the two fullbacks, making a triangle with them and a triangle with the two central midfielders
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Soccer Surgery
Your Questions Answered THIS WEEK: Expert advice for the coach of a nervous goalkeeper, and an opinion on where to draw the line when it comes to incentivising young players
Q “ We’ve just
How to coach keepers to come off their line?
welcomed a wealthy sponsor to the club and he wants to give a cash prize to the Man Of The Match. Is this allowed?
Answered by Daniel Farmer, a Level 3 coach from Southsea Performance rewards
Q “ How can I make sure my goalkeeper comes out for the ball more? He sticks so solidly to his line, it’s almost as if his feet are glued there
A
There is a common problem when it comes to youth goalkeepers, who often fall into one of two categories. You’ll get the keeper who plays for a weak side, who will spend match days desperately trying to fend off the attentions of opposition strikers. Although this type of keeper may not want posted on Facebook how many goals he conceded in his last game, he is at least constantly involved and learning. What’s more, the pressure is off because the expectations of his performance, and that of the team, are pretty low. Compare that to the keeper whose side sweep away all before them, and it can be a lonely existence at the back with very little to keep him occupied. When the ball does come his way, he usually takes the safest option, not wanting to spoil his copybook by taking any risks. And often – although not always – these are the keepers who end up holding back.
”
Countering the desire to ‘play it safe’ is difficult, but there are a few things you can do. The first is to ensure the keeper becomes more involved, so you must condition the defenders to pass the ball back to him. Also tell your stopper that he should not retreat back past his six-yard line unless an opposition player enters the penalty area. Indeed, get the keeper acting as a sweeper to clear up balls both inside and outside of the box, and remind him that when in his penalty area, he has a key advantage over any outfield player – the ability to use his hands. Keepers of all standards need timely confidence boosts. When they get one, and with the right coaching, you’ll see them progress quickly and positively. Answered by Thomas Scarr, a fully qualified Football League goalkeeping coach
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
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Picture: WoodleyWonderWorks
A
”
I may be speaking out of turn, but this sounds like a classic example of a sponsor coming in and wanting to impress two things on your team – firstly, his ego, and secondly, his generosity. At the end of the day, neither of these things will win your team matches, even if they do offer your benefactor a sense of importance. There are so many reasons here why you must refuse the offer. Your league, I am sure, won’t allow cash prizes, and money is one of the few things in childhood relationships that can provoke bitterness and resentment, especially if one player continuously wins Man Of The Match awards. Similarly, other players may disagree with the decision and you could quickly find yourself with a revolt on your hands. Also consider what the player’s parents might feel about a seemingly anonymous sponsor paying out cash to a minor. Recommend to your sponsor instead that maybe he should donate a small amount of money to the team – for new footballs, kits, petrol costs etc – after each victory. He’ll still get the kudos, and you’ll in turn be able to provide something that has considerably more relevance for the squad as a whole.
THE BIG DEBATE
Would You Ban Sweets And Fizzy Drinks? THIS WEEK’S DEBATE: While it’s great your young players are active at their soccer sessions, should they really be swigging fizzy drinks and eating sweets during breaks? Would you support a ban on these items at soccer, in favour of water and fruit?
NO, DON’T BAN SWEETS
YES, BAN SWEETS
Steve D’Arcy
Coventry Youth Soccer League
“I can’t think of anything worse than a gassy drink sloshing around inside a kid’s tummy. It’s a perfect recipe for a stomachache!”
“
What’s the point doing all of the positive stuff in youth soccer – running, technical skills, awareness, teamwork – if all that good work is going to be demeaned by letting them rot their teeth with sweets and carbonated drinks? It’s a mixed message and it seems completely wrong to me. I have heard the theory about jelly babies acting as an excellent stimulant to players in that they provide a short sugar boost. That may be great, in theory, but something such as a banana will offer a slow release of natural sugars, which will contribute much more to a player maintaining stamina and concentration over an increased period of time. I can’t think of anything worse than a gassy drink
HAVE YOUR SAY
sloshing around inside a kid’s tummy. It’s a perfect recipe for a stomachache! What’s more, carbonated drinks won’t quench thirst, and certainly won’t replace the necessary salts that are lost through sweating. Water would be a much better alternative. I think players need to accept the fact that where the training pitch and match days are concerned, these are unique environments with their own rules. If you want players to subscribe to the team ethic, then they need to know there are special boundaries that must be adhered to. For that reason, a ban on sugary drinks and sweets can work as a very useful starting point, just as those items would be banned in school as well.
”
Would You BAN SWEETS And fizzy drinks? Visit our Facebook page and log your vote at www.facebook.com/SoccerCoachWeekly or email your thoughts to editor@soccercoachweekly.net
“
Adam Porte
Green Tree FC, Northampton
“Kids participate in football because of their passion for the sport. They don’t come along because they want to be dictated to on diet!”
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I think this is one of those subjects that needs to be kept in perspective. I would argue that a quick sugar rush is beneficial to players, but without even moving into the nutritional side of things, my personal opinion is that sweets and soft drinks, in moderation, never hurt anyone. Rather than look on those items as the enemy, why not make those sugary products some kind of reward? If you want kids to jump through hoops for the team, then give them something tangible at the end of it so they can really get a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. We know that, until the age of about 13, kids aren’t especially competitive, so giving them a fizzy drink as a treat at the end of a training session
or a match is a great idea. We need to remember too that these are kids. They participate in football because of their passion for the sport. They don’t come along because they want to be dictated to on diet. A coach looking to lay down a marker in terms of drinks and food will soon find himself fending off enquiries from players as to what counts as a fizzy drink or not, or whether biscuits are allowed even if sweets aren’t. A coach should be concerning himself primarily with a player’s performance and development. When that player graduates up through the age groups, is he going to be remembered as the lad who scored the winning goal, or as a kid who gave up fizzy drinks at practice?
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 let players assess your coaching?
87% said yes 13% said no Issue 313
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
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