SUCK IT UP Can Direct Criticism Be Positive For Young Players?
WEEKLY
SOCCER COACH Learn • Train • Develop • Enjoy
HOW TO BE A
MIDFIELD
DYNAMO develop CLOSE CONTROL AND PINPOINT PASSING
December 4, 2013 • Issue 345 $5.99/£3.99
GET THE REFEREE ONSIDE < AARON RAMSEY
ON THE BALL FOR ARSENAL
IMPROVE YOUR GOALKEEPER
WORK ON POSITIONING AND SHOTSTOPPING
9v9 MORE
FORMATIONS
ACTIVITIES FOR BUSY COACHES IN THIS ISSUE
coaching advice HOW to SUCCESSFULLY deal with the back pass
Contents
Where Do You Draw The Line? SUCK IT UP Can DIrECT CrITICIsm BE PosITIvE For Young PLaYErs?
Keep the crowd well away from the touchline
WEEKLY
SOCCER COACH MIDFIELD
DYNAMO
December 4, 2013 • Issue 345 $5.99/£3.99
GET THE REFEREE ONSIDE < AARON RAMSEY
DevelOP ClOSe CONTROl AND PINPOINT PASSING
ON THE BALL FOR ARSENAL
IMPROvE YOUR GOALKEEPER
WORK ON POSITIONING AND SHOTSTOPPING
9v9 MORE
FORMATIONS
ACTIvITIES FOR BUSY COACHES IN THIS ISSUE
CoaChIng advICe HoW To suCCEssFuLLY DEaL WITH THE BaCk Pass
Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 345
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, Andy Greeves, Luke Nicoli, Alistair Phillips, Illustrations Mike Ronald Pictures Action Images, Nick Webster Production ATG Media Production Designer Jamie Leeson Publisher Kevin Barrow kevin.barrow@ bettersoccercoaching.com
Customer Services Duncan Heard duncanh@greenstarmedia.net
Managing Director Andrew Griffiths (c) Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Click here to read the full disclaimer.
To advertise contact Elisabeth Cammell on +44 (0)7908 153871 Download media pack & contact here To subscribe to Soccer Coach Weekly call Duncan Heard on +44 (0)1483 892894 or subscribe online here
SoccerCoachWeekly.net
I really like the idea of the respect line that the English Football Association has recommended clubs use to keep parents and supporters at bay during youth matches. It is a line that gives parents a clear and visual guide as to where they should be standing when a match is being played. I hate it when the big boot of a parent stops the ball on the touchline when one of the players is close enough to keep the ball in but can’t because of the proximity of the supporters. So, as far as I’m concerned, any rule that keeps them at a distance is one worth upholding. At the older age groups that play 11-a-side, the respect line means the linesman has a clear run and a clear view, without a baying crowd claiming it was their ball before it had even gone out of play. But the line also has a place at any age group in youth football. So it was a slight surprise to my right hand man last week when I complained that the respect line was too close to the pitch and wasn’t working. I wanted to move it further back because of the chaos the opposition parents were causing during the match. We were playing our local rivals and there was an army of mums on the touchline, several of whom had dogs with them. To be fair, we don’t ban dogs at our ground, as long as they are under control, and at this match they
In this issue...
3 MIDFIELD DYNAMO
One of the biggest surprises of this season has been the return to form of Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey
4 CORRIDOR OF POWER
Use this session to get players to improve close control and passing
5
SHOOTING COMPETITION
6
KEEP THE REF ONSIDE
A fun, two-touch shooting contest for your players
Six tips to ensure the ref is on your side from the kick-off
7
TRAIN YOUR KEEPER
Get your keeper playing like USA and Everton stopper Tim Howard
Picture: Nick Webster
Learn • Train • Develop • Enjoy
HOW TO BE A
“The respect line gives supporters a clear guide as to where they should be standing” were all on leads. But they were right on the edge of the pitch, and I guess dogs don’t see the respect line in the same way as their owners. What annoyed me was that when my team had a throw-in along the side of the pitch occupied by these supporters and their dogs, my players were not interested in taking the throw. To put it simply, they were scared of the dogs. So at half-time I decided to move the respect line further back. I banged in a couple of corner flags and slung a rope between them and told the parents the respect line had moved. To be fair to the parent, they stayed
8 GOALIE WARS
This handy training game teaches keepers how to come for the ball and react quickly to start a counterattack
well behind the new line and the dogs on their long leads could not get close enough to scare the players. Which leads me to the question of how we decide where to draw the line with parents as spectators? The answer is simple – it’s a decision that must be taken on the day, once the match has started. So, don’t be afraid to move it back and keep the parents at bay.
David Clarke
TIP OF THE WEEK
9 DEALING WITH ANGLES
A session to teach your keeper how to turn dangerous angled shots away to safety
10 FORMATIONS
A guide to the formations for 9v9. This week we look at 4-2-1-1
11
SOCCER SURGERY
Your questions answered, including advice for a coach whose players can’t deal with back passes
12 THE BIG DEBATE
Two soccer coaches debate whether direct criticism can be positive for young players
Take Criticism On Board Criticism is worth listening to if it comes from one of your players, as they will always have opinions on what you are doing. Their views may have merit, so listen to their feedback carefully and learn from what they say. It may help you to adjust and improve your training sessions.
Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
2
CREATE A MIDFIELD DYNAMO Roy Hodgson and Aaron Ramsey scores Strachan against Gordon Dortmund prepare for battle
Do It Like Ramsey One of the biggest surprises of this season has been the return to form of Aaron Ramsey. Try our coaching sessions to turn your players into midfield dynamos like the Arsenal star
W
hen Aaron Ramsey joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old in 2008, Arsene Wenger had earmarked the young Welshman as the heir apparent to Cesc Fabregas. His early appearances certainly showed flashes of the Spaniard’s brilliance: the ability to drift past players in midfield, excellent close control, pin-point passing and the confidence to shoot from distance. However, a poor challenge from Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross in 2010 caused a double fracture of the midfielder’s leg, which kept him out of action for nine months. While Arsenal fans greeted his return with encouragement and delight, the Welshman’s continued struggle to recapture his form led the fans to turn their support into cries of frustration. There was a concern that Ramsey would never fully recover, either physically or mentally; yet towards the end of last season there were signs of the Welshman returning to form. A regular run of games helped and this season Ramsey has finally emerged from the shadows to become an early contender for the Premier League’s
SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Player Of The Year. While the Gunners possess arguably the most creative midfield in the league, with Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil, Ramsey has been one of the first names on Arsene Wenger’s team sheet. With Mathieu Flamini also providing the anchor role, Ramsey has been given the licence to break forward far more. With his ability to drive through midfield with excellent close control and balance, the former Cardiff youngster has often found himself in advanced positions. Last season he might have had one touch too many, or tried to find a team-mate with a near-impossible pass in this situation, yet his newly-found confidence has seen him shoot this season – often to devastating effect. With 13 goals scored for club and country by the first week of November (when six was his previous best for a season), many of them have been drives from in and around the box – and his importance to the side was best summed up in the 4-1 defeat of Norwich City. Having captained Wales that week against Belgium, he started against the Canaries on the bench. Arsenal
were toiling until his introduction in the 37th minute inspired the side to a comfortable victory. He found the target himself by pirouetting past two challenges before firing home, while a nonchalant flick at the back post set up Ozil to score another. There is a concern that Arsenal lack the firepower in attack to win the title, but with Ramsey in such emphatic form, the goals may well come from elsewhere this season. If you want your team to possess a midfield dynamo like Aaron Ramsey, try running the sessions on the following pages and see how they shape up.
Words by:
Luke Nicoli Activities by:
David Clarke
“I didn’t expect him to score so many goals, but he has especially improved with his passing and his technical quality. That is the most important because he was always in good positions in the box” – Arsene Wenger on Ramsey’s return to form this season Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
3
CREATE A MIDFIELD DYNAMO
Corridor Of Power If you want your players to work on their close control and pinpoint passing, use this advanced training session to have them playing like midfield dynamos
WHY USE IT
This session helps develop players who can control the ball in tight areas, can pass accurately over short or long distances, and can create space to make a killer pass to score a point – much like Aaron Ramsey does for Arsenal.
The player who gets the ball must look to pass in either direction to keep possession for his team
The game starts with a pass from the coach into one of the players in the central zone
SET UP
Used the whole of your normal pitch and use cones to create a ‘corridor’ down the centre of the pitch between the two penalty areas in line with the edge of the six-yard boxes. Have an end zone in each penalty area. Split the section between the two penalty areas into five zones. We’ve used 20 players. You need balls, bibs and cones.
Each time a point is scored the coach feeds another ball into the players in the central zone
Teams score a point by passing the ball through to one of the neutral keepers
HOW TO PLAY
Play a 9v9 plus neutral keepers in the end zones. Split the players as shown – they must stay in their areas. Play starts with a pass from the coach to one of the players in the centre zone who can attack in any direction. If the ball is intercepted or goes out, the defending team gets the ball but must score by getting it to the keeper in the opposite half. If a point is scored, the coach restarts play with a pass in the centre zone.
Here the player in the central zone spots a pass to set up a point-scoring chance for his team
TECHNIQUE
This is an advanced session with lots of close control and possession in both light and heavy opposition areas. Accurate passing is needed with long and short options.
Player movement SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
4
CREATE A MIDFIELD DYNAMO
Shooting Competition Split your players into teams and get them vying with each other to see who can score the most goals in this fun two-touch shooting contest
WHY USE IT
This session coaches twotouch shooting, one of the weapons Aaron Ramsey uses on the edge of the area to control and fire in a shot. This is a fun game that gets players competing against each other in teams.
Players have two touches, controlling the ball with their first touch and then firing in a shot at goal with their second
The team starting as the servers must play balls in at different heights and speeds. The coach judges if it is a foul serve or not
SET UP
Use your penalty area for this session. We’ve used 13 players and you will need a goal, plenty of balls and some cones.
HOW TO PLAY
Split the squad into three teams of four. One team are the servers and the other two play against each other. Four balls are played alternately to the two teams from the servers beside the goal. Each player gets one pass and has two touches to try to score. Whichever team scores the most goals stays on and the other team become the servers. Get the servers to pass with different heights and speeds.
Here the server nearest the goal fires in a pass to the striker
Each player has one chance to control and shoot – the team with most goals stays on
TECHNIQUE
Great for two-touch skills where the first touch sets up a shooting chance. Technique is important as each player only gets one chance to shoot and must concentrate and try hard not to be the one who misses. It is a great session for a warm-up on match day. Don’t be too hard on players who miss because it can be a difficult exercise for youngsters to get right
Player movement SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
5
THE ART OF COACHING Make yourself known to the referee before kick-off
6 WAYS to
Make Sure The Referee Is Onside
01 INTRODUCE YOURSELF
02 TAKE HIM TO THE TEAM
03 GET ON WITH THE GAME
As soon as you see the referee arrive at the game, stop what you are doing and make a beeline towards the official, introducing yourself straight away. Make sure the ref knows your name and vice versa. Maybe draw their attention to anything that they might want to consider such as the state of the pitch – it might be a touch frosty or soggy for example.
Take the ref to your players early for the pre-match formalities, such as checking boots and shin pads. While this is being done, remind players to respect the ref’s authority so he can hear you doing it. Familiarise him with your players by name in an informal way. If he’s aware that your team are a good bunch, you go into the match with a ref having only positive thoughts about them.
During the game, keep any issues you might have with the ref’s decisions to yourself. If you need to talk to him urgently, have a quiet chat at half-time to clarify things. When doing this, always politely seek an explanation, no matter how wrong you feel he is. The referee won’t do you any favours in the second half if you’ve torn into him, or told him that he’s got things badly wrong.
04 DO IT BY THE BOOK
05 ACT QUICKLY
06 SAY THANK YOU
Throughout the match make sure you follow the correct procedures for things like substitutions and the treatment of injuries. Clearly indicate to the referee that you’re making a change or about to enter the field of play, not just because it helps them do their job, which they will thank you for, but because it’s in the rules. Make it quite clear you are conforming.
If any of your players show dissent or get involved with opposing players verbally, make sure you tell them this is wrong. With younger players and particularly with the rolling subs option, take them off for a while to have a quiet word before sending them back on once your point has been made. If the ref sees you acting to help him, he’s less likely to dish out punishment.
Shake hands with the ref at the end of the game. Single out something he has done well, such as playing an advantage at the right time, and take the chance to commend him on the way he acquitted himself. If he had a shocker, remain polite and question the key decisions you feel he’s got wrong. Always leave on good terms, as you might have him again soon.
SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
6
Words: Alistair Phillips
There is nothing worse than alienating the referee before the kick-off, so why not follow our guide to ensuring match officials are on your side from the start
TRAIN YOUR KEEPER x Tim Howard: a man of many clean sheets
Keep Like Tim Howard Tim Howard has a record to be envied, but if you work on your keeper’s positioning and shot stopping your team could also boast a clean sheets record to be proud of
T
im Howard has made quite an impression as a goalkeeper in the Premier League and for the USA national team in his 16 years as a professional. The 6ft 3ins stopper has made 96 appearances for Team USA and is one of just 13 goalkeepers to have kept over 100 clean sheets in English football’s top division since the beginning of the Premier League in 1992. Unlike some goalkeepers who tend to flap at crosses and put their defences under pressure as a result, Howard is a dependable ‘number one’. His positioning when defending set pieces or dealing with crosses is excellent, meaning he is able to get a clear route to either catch or punch the ball firmly away to safety. The training exercises on the next two pages will show you how to coach your goalkeepers to improve their positioning and deal with crosses better. As part of this, you can teach them to organise their defence so that their team-mates do not inadvertently prove an obstacle en route to the ball. Howard really excels when it comes to shot stopping and there are few keepers around with better agility and reflexes.
SoccerCoachWeekly.net
He has attributed this to the fact that he constantly works on strengthening his core. “That’s what gives me the ability to react faster and the stability to control my body better,” he has said. He has also cited boxing as a useful exercise to accelerate hand speed, to improve footwork and to make his punching of the ball more powerful. Physical exercise and work on the core should be accompanied by training drills that will replicate situations your keepers are likely to face in a game. Overleaf you will find practices that you can use to help work on the positioning of your stoppers – this positioning will
help narrow the angles for a striker when he is attempting to score and give your goalkeeper an advantage, both in one-on-one situations and in dealing with general shots. Getting your goalkeepers to get their positioning spot-on will require lots of work, as it isn’t a skill that always comes naturally. As goalies like Tim Howard regularly demonstrate, you constantly need to move and adjust positioning to command your penalty area, make saves and claim crosses. Correct positioning is fundamental to success for your keepers and it relies on instinct and no shortage of practice.
Words by:
Andy Greeves Activities by:
David Clarke
TOP TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR KEEPER’S POSITIONING Improve your keeper’s fortunes by using exercises that focus on their positioning…
> Work with your keepers on crosses and agree on sections of the penalty area where they should and shouldn’t come to claim the ball. For example, when dealing with corners, keepers may not want to come too far into ‘traffic’, as this will decrease their chances of getting a clean connection with the ball. > Short sprinting exercises are good for occasions when your keepers will need to race out of their goal in a 1v1 situation to narrow the shooting angles of an oncoming forward. > As a coach, you can observe your keeper’s movement from behind the goal to give you a better perspective of elements of their positioning that can be improved.
Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
7
TRAIN YOUR KEEPER
Goalie Wars This handy training game not only teaches goalkeepers how to come for the ball, but it helps them learn when to distribute the ball quickly to start a counterattack
WHY USE IT
When keepers catch the ball they can distribute quickly and set up a counterattack. This session has keepers on their toes trying to catch crosses, distribute quickly and save shots.
The goalkeepers go headto-head in the penalty area and must deal with crosses, with the emphasis on defending their goal
SET UP
Use your penalty area, with a goal at each end. Cone off across the six-yard areas. The session uses two keepers and two servers.
HOW TO PLAY
The goalkeepers compete for high crosses played into the combat area. They must judge whether they have a good chance to beat their opponent to catch the cross or punch it clear. If they catch the ball they have five seconds to distribute it into the opposition goal with a throw; a punch into the opposition goal also counts. The priority is for keepers to defend their own goal. Servers should alternate crossing in four balls each and vary the area they cross into â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for instance, nearer one goalkeeper, or right in the middle so that decisionmaking becomes important.
If the keeper catches the ball he has five seconds to try to throw it into his opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net from where he catches the ball
Here the goalkeepers challenge for the ball and a punch away scores a point
The servers take it in turns so the balls come in from both sides. Make sure they vary the position of the cross to lure both keepers to come for the ball
Here the keepers have both gone for the ball and one catches but he is not quick enough with the throw and the other goalie recovers to save
TECHNIQUE
The session teaches keepers to understand how their starting position in relation to the ball and the goal helps them to move and collect the cross, or punch with power and accuracy. Recovery lines also come into play if they go for a ball and lose out.
Player movement SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
8
TRAIN YOUR KEEPER
Dealing With Angles Teach your goalkeeper how to turn dangerous angled shots away to safety by using this competitive end-to-end training game
WHY USE IT
ds 5y
SET UP
Use half your normal pitch. Mark out four boxes as shown in the diagram: 5x5 yards at one end and 10x10 yards at the other. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used 18 players. You need balls, bibs, cones and two normal goals.
Here a chance is created and the striker tries to beat the keeper at his near post
s yd 10
One of the hardest shots to save are those from angles that the goalkeeper has to turn away from lurking strikers while making sure the ball goes out of play. It is a great test of a keeperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s positioning and their ability to get down to low shots.
Teams play a 9v9 and must try to get the ball into one of the shaded boxes to shoot at goal
s 10yd
5yds
The squares at one end of the pitch are smaller, making the shooting angle tighter to the goal
HOW TO PLAY
Split your squad into two teams of nine including keepers. Sort out your 9v9 formations so one team plays 3-3-2 and the other 2-4-2. Players can only shoot from the coned squares, which makes sure that the shots are always at an angle for the keepers to save. Otherwise normal rules apply.
TECHNIQUE
Here the goalkeeper must push a shot across his body wide of the far post The attackers should try different angles, like this dribble into the box and shot from the edge closest to the keeper
Angled shots from both sides of the pitch help goalkeepers to position themselves so they are covering as much of the goal as possible. This is also a good workout for teams wanting to find space on both sides of the pitch in order to create openings to shoot from the boxes.
Player movement SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Ball movement
Shot
Run with ball Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
9
FORMATIONS
ATTACKING 4-2-1-1
In this formation the classic four at the back can work well in stopping any counterattacks
The only width in this formation will come from the defenders pushing up and supporting play out wide
The midfield pair are very central and are vital to linking up with the two attackers or playing out wide to an advancing defender
By stretching the defence the midfielders and wide players can make use of the spaces with good passes
The attackers must work together to put defences under pressure by having one pushing high up in the final third and one dropping back
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 4-2-1-1 n FORMATION: 4-2-1-1
PROS: This is strong in defence, with four across the back providing plenty of cover to stop quick attacking teams. It is good for playing out from the back with plenty of options for the keeper to find defenders. It’s also good for high and low attacks to split defences. CONS: The focus is on support from behind, so fast breaks will need speedy fullbacks to move quickly or the focus of the attack will be very central.
n DEFENCE
This is strong right across the back and it can stand up to both counterattacks and wing play. It has players in numbers to cover any defenders going to press the ball wide or higher up the pitch.
very effective, feeding mainly off balls played central from the midfield – if the fullbacks are quick they can play balls from the wing. The higher attacker of the two must patrol behind the defence.
n PLAYER DEVELOPMENT It’s great to have a back four to work with so that you can develop their play to take forward into the 11v11 game. Coaches can really go to town
on working with the defenders to help them understand the fundamentals of working in a back four – and that will help them as they move through the age groups. It is also good for coaching high and low attackers to work together to get behind a defence. Remember, it is always important for players to experience every position in a formation in order to help with their development.
DEFENSIVE 4-2-1-1
Words by:
David Clarke
If a wing back goes to press out wide, the players can move across to fill the space
The back four can squeeze the attacking space, making it difficult to penetrate
n MIDFIELD
The midfield has to work hard with just the two central midfielders linking the defence and attack. It relies on fullbacks coming to give support out wide and has to be strong to drop back when the team is defending.
n ATTACK
It relies on the high and low attackers to work together to pull defences apart. If the players can get this right it will be
SoccerCoachWeekly.net
Midfielders drop into deep central midfield just in front of the back four to press in that area and protect the space in front
The attackers must press the opposing midfield and defence, forcing errors to help win the ball
Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
10
Soccer Surgery
Your Problems Solved THIS WEEK: Advice for a coach who wants his keeper to come out of his goal, and a coaching blueprint for back passes
Q“ My defenders
and my goalkeeper are often panicked by back passes. What advice can I offer to help them handle back passes with confidence?
A
Sweeper keeper Hugo Lloris
”
Back passes will put pressure on both defenders and keepers, but finding a way of using the tactic well can really help your side out of potentially tricky situations. The fear factor experienced by your team is not helped by the numerous back-passing gaffs that we see on our television screens, but these are the exceptions to the rule, even at youth level. Of course, the key to back passing is ensuring good communication between defenders and their goalkeeper. Players can and should communicate their passing intentions before the ball is played, and then the pass should be positive and firm. It’s also a very good idea for the defender to play the ball outside the width of the goal – that way if the keeper misses the ball, the cost is likely to only be an opposition corner rather than a goal. When faced with a back pass, the keeper needs to decide quickly whether to contain the ball, lay a short pass, or hit it upfield, but all of these elements can be practised using appropriate passing drills. In my experience though, repetition, communication and understanding between players is the only way to really perfect the notion of the back pass – and therefore time and practice are therefore your greatest assets. Good luck! Answered by Alex Morgan, a level 2 coach from Swansea
Q“I love the ‘sweeper keeper’ role of Spurs
stopper Hugo Lloris, but am I being irresponsible in getting my Under 14s keeper to try it out?
A
What you’re doing here is actually really good. I think we’ve all seen youngsters being less than impressed by the content of traditional coaching manuals and print-offs, because what really inspires them is being able to emulate the actions of their heroes. Huge Lloris has made a name for himself this season for being lightning quick off his line. Very often that leads him to come a long way out of goal, ‘sweeping up’ the danger from behind Tottenham’s defensive line. It’s an original way of playing that has shown itself to be really advantageous, so why shouldn’t you want to try it out yourself with your players? With the goalkeeper position, it’s very often
”
one of ‘all action’ or ‘no action’, so involving your stopper in what is essentially every opposition attack is a great way of alleviating some of the keeper boredom that can be associated with successful sides. All I’d recommend is that you experiment with this idea and don’t force the keeper to come out of goal if he doesn’t want to. Remember too, the idea behind this tactic is that he is a sweeper, not a ‘rush goalie’, so you may want to mark an imaginary line he cannot advance past. Answered by Toby Trott, a goalkeeping coach from Luton
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… Back passes can go astray
SoccerCoachWeekly.net
editor@soccercoachweekly.net
Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
11
THE BIG DEBATE
Can Direct Criticism Be Positive For Young Players? THIS WEEK’S DEBATE: As sports coaches we’re conditioned to treat youngsters with ‘kid gloves’. But should we give the next generation of soccer players a bit more credit and hope that criticism might spur them on to bigger and better things?
NO, CRITICISM IS BAD
YES, CRITICISM IS HEALTHY
Adam Church Hangleton Juniors
“Criticism is part of a child’s life. They are criticised at school, at home, and even amongst their friends. A sanitised soccer environment isn’t a realistic one and it does them no favours”
“
I think we wrap our kids in too much cotton wool. We’re afraid that they’ll buckle under criticism, so we hold back. And doing this is stunting their development, because how much are they really developing when they’re in a comfort bubble? You look at all of the great sportsmen and most have had to overcome setbacks and adversity. A small amount of criticism isn’t going to have any long-lasting effect. The key point here is how the criticism is delivered and, ultimately, what we feel it is to achieve. Criticism can be legitimately levelled providing it is accompanied with advice or a solution to the problem. It’s like saying one is the poison and the other the antidote, so the child immediately recognises
HAVE YOUR SAY
the fault and can correct it. It’s also wrong to think that criticising a child is uncovering a horrible truth that the player hadn’t already recognised. Kids aren’t stupid and very often they would prefer a fault to be raised and solved rather than letting it fester away. I believe in honesty with my players and expect the same in return. We have a policy where we all say what we think, so criticism is a really important mechanic for us in terms of friendship and trust. Criticism is already part of a child’s life. They are criticised at school, at home, and even amongst their friends. The sanitised soccer environment isn’t a realistic one and, in the long run, it does them no favours.
”
Can Direct Criticism Be Positive For Young Players? Vote at www.facebook.com/SoccerCoachWeekly or Tweet your opinion to @SoccerCoachWeek or email your thoughts to editor@soccercoachweekly.net SoccerCoachWeekly.net
“
Steven Hanrahan Dublin Greens Under 8s
“Players are savvy enough to recognise the things they do well and the things they do badly. What good does it do to flag up the negatives? A good coach should only look at the positives”
“
I think a coach who believes criticism is a good thing probably hasn’t seen at first hand the very real negative effects that it can have on a child’s confidence. I’ve witnessed some kids crawl into their shell for a sustained period during matches when a coach has barked what really amounts to abuse from the sidelines. We are actually dealing with very delicate young souls when we coach kids – they are not adults and they shouldn’t be subjected to the same treatment we might apply to the professionals on a match day. Players are savvy enough to recognise the things they do well and the things they do badly – what good does it do to flag up the negative parts? A good coach should only look at the
positives, because highlighting those positives should eventually enable the player to brush up on technique and erase the things he’s not succeeding at anyway. I’ve seen coaches who criticise without even meaning to. Usually it’s a case of them wanting to look for the positives, but simply not possessing the vocabulary or the intelligence to pick out the good bits. I feel too that coaches who intentionally criticise are usually those who were criticised themselves as players – they are merely ‘passing it on’. Players who are criticised pursue a risk-free way of playing, only entering situations where they are less likely to lose the ball, make a bad pass or lose a tackle. This creates a team of fearful players, as well as stunting development.
HOW YOU VOTED
”
Here are the results of a poll we ran in a previous issue of Soccer Coach Weekly, when we asked the question: Would you prefer to score more or concede fewer?
66% said score more 34% said concede fewer Issue 345
SOCCER COACH WEEKLY
12
smart coaches use…
e Click her da a o l n w o to d e m a g e e fr by MICHAEL BEALE
COACH YOUR PLAYERS THE DUTCH WAY
The world's best-selling coaching manual Improve players' technique • Boost performance • Have fun! www.coach-soccer.com/64ssgs/index.asp