8v8 at under 11

8V8 AT UNDER 11Strategy towards teaching tactical intelligence using the

8v8 Philip Joe Cauchi

December 2016

Introduction

Plan for under 11 should not

be in isolation

but integrated

within a club

strategy

Having a Strategy

■ A Strategy allows for continuation of work and for a smooth transition from one age category to another

■ A parties involved should be aware and agree upon this strategy (Technical Director, Head Coach, Coaches, Physical Trainers, etc…)

Our Journey with a direction

One common aim

The Plan

Yearly Plan■ Eight Blocks building progressively upon each other■ Four training sessions each block; i.e. a total number of Thirty Two (32) training sessions

dedicated towards developing the 8v8 ■ Use of Jerome Bruner’s spiral curriculum model■ Thus we have Two main Sets of Four blocks each■ Blocks are based on the Team Functions

– When in possession of the ball (Build-up and Scoring)– When opponents are in possession (Prevent the build-up and prevent scoring)

■ We have our principles of play (game model based on the club philosophy)■ From these principles, aims and outcomes are established for each block ■ Only ONE aim in a block (Players are still 10 years of age)■ Different sessions/exercises with the same aim and outcomes

Training Blocks

Set A

Build-Up

ScoringPrevent Build-UpPrevent Scoring

Season

Set B

Build-Up

ScoringPrevent Build-UpPrevent Scoring

Revisit previous learning, explore and

extend on it. Starting from simple learning experiences

to more complex ones. The player is

exposed to new problem-solving

tasks created by the coach in training thus enhancing his/her current

tactical intelligence.

BLOCKS

The Spiral Curriculum

Foundations

Block 1 – Basic Tactics based on any of the Four

Team Functions

Block 2 – Revisit and Progress on Block 1

Team Function

Yearly Plan

Block 1 Build-Up Secure possession to play deepBlock 2 Scoring Finishing at goal

Block 3 Preventing the Build-Up

Make play predictable and eliminating opponents’ depth

Block 4 Prevent Scoring Deny opponents space to finish at goalBlock 5 Build-Up Constructive build-upBlock 6 Scoring Attacking with overloads

Block 7 Preventing the Build-Up Win the ball high up the pitch

Block 8 Prevent Scoring Defend from the flank

Yearly Plan

Block 1 October

Block 2 November

Block 3 December

Block 4 January

Block 5 February

Block 6 March

Block 7 April

Block 8 May

Typical Training Week

Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 MatchWarm-Up + Coordination Warm-Up + Coordination Warm-Up + Speed/Agility

Saturday/Sunday

Game 1 – 1v1 Game 1 – 3v3/4v4 Game 1 – 8v8Practice 1 – Individual Technique

Practice 1 – Applied Technique Practice 1 – Tact on Game 1

Game 2 – 2v2 Game 2 – 5v5/6v6 Game 2 – 8v8 (Prog on Game 1)

Practice 2 – Individual Technique


Game 3 – 3v3/4v4 Game 3 – 8v8 Game 3 – 8v8

Session 3 totally dedicated towards Tactical Intelligence using the 8v8

Typical Training Week

Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 MatchWarm-Up + Coordination Warm-Up + Coordination Warm-Up + Speed/Agility

Saturday/Sunday

Game 1 – 1v1 Game 1 – 3v3/4v4 Game 1 – 8v8Practice 1 – Individual Technique


Game 2 – 2v2 Game 2 – 5v5/6v6 Game 2 – 8v8 (Prog on Game 1)

Practice 2 – Individual Technique


Game 3 – 3v3/4v4 Game 3 – 8v8 Game 3 – 8v8

Build-Up

Planning and MonitoringWeek Individual

SessionsSmall Group

Sessions8v8

SessionMatch

1 1 2 3 12 4 5 6 23 7 8 9 34 10 11 12 45 13 14 15 5

Where are we now?

Where do we want to be?

Any adjustments to the Plan???

Programme

Outcomes

Established Aims and OutcomesBlock 1 Block 5

Team Function:

Build-Up Build-Up

Aim: Secure possession to play deep Constructive build-upTeam Outcomes:

1. Offensive tactical shape (width and depth)

2. First option to play deep3. Movement without the ball to get

open/create space4. Retain team balance

1. Offensive tactical shape (width and depth)

2. 1, 6, 5 and 4 create a rhombus3. First option to play deep4. Movement without the ball and positional

rotations to get open/create space5. Quick circulation of the ball and switching

the point of attack6. Retain team balance

Individual Outcomes:

1. Stance 2. Quality and direction of passes3. Use of tactical dribbling – dribble

to commit defender so to free teammate from marking

1. Stance2. Passing/receiving using both feet3. Counter movement to get free of marking4. Tactical dribbling


Team Function:

Scoring Scoring

Aim: Finishing at goal Attacking with overloadsTeam Outcomes:

1. Passing angles2. Width in attack (surround penalty

area)3. Support and cover behind the ball4. Quick circulation of the ball5. Attitude to finish at goal6. Immediate pressing upon losing

possession

1. Width in attack (surround penalty area)2. Attitude to finish at goal3. Overload penalty area to provide options4. Deep runs from midfield5. Passing combinations to go through

defences – wall-passes6. Immediate pressing upon losing

possession


1. Stance to receive and finish quickly2. Accuracy before power

1. Disguise in 1v12. Changes of speed and direction with and

without the ball3. Attacking the ball 4. Accuracy before power5. Stance to receive and finish quickly


Team Function:

Preventing the Build-up Preventing the Build-up

Aim: Make play predictable and eliminating opponents’ depth

Win the ball high up the pitch

Team Outcomes:

1. First defender applies pressure on the ball

2. Angle of approach to force play away from dangerous zones

3. Compactness and angles of coverage4. Overload ball zone

1. Compactness and angles of coverage2. First defender dictates play 3. Overload ball zone4. Marking of potential receivers5. Win the ball and counter


1. Marking of space and opponent 1. Marking of space and opponent2. Frontal marking – cut off potential

receivers


Team Function:

Prevent Scoring Prevent Scoring

Aim: Deny opponents space to finish at goal Defend in numerical disadvantageTeam Outcomes:

1. Immediate pressure on the ball2. Force play away from goal3. Overload ball area4. Cut off passing options

1. Pressure on the ball2. Force play away from the middle3. Overload ball area4. Tight marking inside the penalty area

close to our goal


1. Body shape (stance)2. Attitude to win the ball

(aggressiveness)3. Tackling (timing)4. Marking/Covering space

1. Body shape (stance)2. Attitude to win the ball (aggressiveness) 3. Tackling (timing)4. Marking/Covering space5. Frontal marking to cut off passing lanes6. Anticipating passes

Training 8v8

Training Reference Guide for 8v8 ■ Game

– Should always be an 8v8 Positional Game or as close as possible – No interruptions except during recovery with one or a maximum of two

outcomes recap– Re-enforce outcomes during training (coach calls outcomes)

■ Practice– Use of positional rondos as a first option or a cut-down version of the 8v8– Could be done with comodini – Attacking/defending in different numbers and situationsGames should always refer to

positions and bear a direction/reference

Moment: In PossessionTeam Function: Build-Up

■ Team Task: Secure Possession to play deep■ Methods of Training: Positional Play (Game) and Rondos (Practice)■ Area: From 40m x 25m to 50m x 30m

Relevant practices: 4v0, 4v1, 3v1, 5v2,

6v2, 3v3+3 with Transition,

4v4+2, etc.

Game 8v8+2

Variations:

Easier: Play 7v4 in favour of the redsHarder: 1. Play without neutral players2. No neutral players but one

player may move up one sector to attack

3. Play 7v5 in favour of the reds but blues may move anywhere

Game 8v6 with Gates

Progressions:

1. Play 6v6/8v8 with one or two neutral players

2. Play 6v6/8v8 with no neutral players

1 point

2 points

Practice Positional Rondo – 2v2+3 Using Width

Practice Positional Rondo – 2v2+2 Using Depth

■ Team Task: Constructive build-up■ Methods of Training: Positional Game (Game) and Rondos (Practice)■ Area: From 40m x 25m to 50m x 30m

Relevant practices: Small-Sided

Possession Games – 3v3+2, 3v3+2

flank players, 4v4+2, etc.

Game Seek Depth

Practice Positional Rondo – 3v3+3

Practice VariationCan be progressed to a game by

adding a goal where the blues can score if they win the ball

Build-up into the Final Third

Moment: In PossessionTeam Function: Scoring

■ Team Task: Finishing at goal■ Methods of Training: Positional Game/Practice with Consequence (moments of transition)■ Area: From 25m x 35m to 35m x 40m

Relevant practices: Shooting 1v0, 2v0, 3v0, 2v1, 3v1, 3v2,

etc.

Game 3v3+2 Neutral Flank Players

Variations:

Easier: Play with a neutral 4Harder: 1. Reduce area of play to 25m

x 20m2. Play without neutral flank

players

■ Team Task: Attacking with overloads■ Methods of Training: Positional Game with Consequence (moments of transition)■ Area: From 25m x 35m to 35m x 40m

Relevant practices: Finishing 1v1, 2v2, 3v1, 3v2, 3v3, with

recovering defenders, etc.

Attacking 5v2Practice

Decision to either pass (whom?) or dribble (where and how?)

Attacking 5v4 with Recovering DefendersPractice

Game Create Overloads to Score

Variations:

Easier: • No zones and Red team plays with

an extra two players; example 8v6 (2 and 3 with reds)

Harder:• Play with numerical equality in each

zone (example: 2v2 in each zone) but a player of the team in possession is allowed to enter the opponents’ zone to create a 3v2

Moment: Opponents In PossessionTeam Function: Prevent the Build-Up

■ Team Task: Winning possession high up the field■ Methods of Training: Small Sided Games (Game) – Rondos (Practice)■ Area: From 40m x 25m to 50m x 30m

Relevant practices: Defending 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3.

Game

Winning the ball and scoring in

front of this line = 3 points

Together we Press!

Variations:

Easier: 1. Pressing team with numerical

advantage2. Narrow the areaHarder:3. Pressing team with numerical

disadvantage4. Pressing team defends another two

mini goals

Practice Positional Rondos – 3v3+4

Variations:

Easier: Play without a 2 and a 3Harder: 1. Blue team scores by passing

to target neutral2. Play with normal goals and

neutral players (moments of transition)

Moment: Opponents in PossessionTeam Function: Defending

■ Team Task: Deny opponents space to finish at goal■ Methods of Training: Small Sided Games (Game) – Rondos (Practice)■ Area: From 30m x 40m to 35m x 40m

Relevant practices: 1v1, 1v2, 2v2, 2v3, 3v4, 3v3 and 4v4

Game Protect our Land!

Variations:

Easier: 1. Every time the red team wins

the ball out of the penalty area = 1 point

Harder: 2. Red team plays in numerical

disadvantage

Game Protect our Bases!

Variations:

Easier: 1. Reduce the bases (mini goals) to

3 or twoHarder: 2. Red team plays in numerical

disadvantage3. Red team have to win the ball

within an established time limit

Practice Group Defending Rondo 4v4+4

Thanks for your interest, opinions and participation!!!

8v8 at under 11

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