SoccerCoachWeeklyIssue 260 Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Overload options

1SoccerCoachWeekly Essential tools for your team

Attacking awareness with an eye on the defence

As coaches, we teach kids to look for and exploit overload situations – they’re the best opportunities for scoring goals and putting opponents under real pressure. But we should remind our players that overloads can be a threat as well as an advantage, namely if possession is lost when pushing forwards.

This directional practice is great for rehearsing the basics of overloading in certain areas, encouraging communication, teamwork and passing. But players must be aware of the danger that results when a move breaks down.

How to play it• Set up as shown in the diagram – a 25x15-yard area with two zones 10 yards in depth, and one of five yards. There is a target goal at one end and two two-yard coned goals near left and right touchlines at the other.

• The coach passes to any one of the four attackers. As a group, they move into the second zone, attempting to make their way past the two defenders in a 4v2 overload.

• If they make it through, two attackers can move into the third zone – a 2v1 overload – where the aim is to score a goal.

• If the ball goes out of play, players return to their original positions and the coach restarts play.

• If the lone defender wins possession, he can combine with his team mates, potentially forming a 3v2 counter-attacking overload coming back in the other direction. If one of the pair of defenders wins possession, they counter in a 2v2. Defenders can score in either coned goal.

Technique and tactics• Players must be constantly aware that while this practice is directional, it’s transitional as well. That means attackers pass forward whilst staying aware of defensive duties at the same time.

• Defenders playing against the overload aren’t expected to win possession, but if they do, they must counter quickly and positively.

• We can develop the practice by putting the playing area into grids in order to set up overloads within overloads.

Four attackers begin in the bottom section with three defenders in front of them

Having attacked 4v2 in the middle section, a 2v1 overload in the top section produces a shot on goal

But when the defenders win the ball, they counter-attack quickly looking to score in either coned goal

TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Steven Lapere Aldershot Town Under-10s

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player movementball movement shot

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SoccerCoachWeekly WARM UPWednesday, April 18, 2012

Overlap one-twoHow to play it• This warm-up gets players on the move, quickly enhancing their understanding of combination play in preparation for a match.

• Set up on a 30x30-yard area – this is a 6v6 possession game which is, at first, played with the ball in players’ hands.

• The coach launches a high pass into the area which the players attempt to take control of. A player in possession of the ball cannot move, but can pivot in order to send passes around the area.

• Teams score a point by successfully constructing a third-man run pass – in other words the player who starts the move combines with two others, making a run and receiving the ball back.

• It’s the other team’s job to intercept passes. They’ll also take possession if their opponents mislay a pass.

• To add a second scoring element, players can make one-twos. However, the return pass must be instant, with the ball being tipped to an opponent in one action.

• The first team to score 10 points is the winner.

• When players are comfortable, re-run the warm-up with the ball at their feet.

Technique and tactics• This warm-up relies on good teamwork, and with that, good communication.

• Players both in and out of possession must stay alert to supporting runs since they are at the heart of this practice.

• The more creative players can be with their passes, the more chance they’ll have of constructing point-scoring manoeuvres.

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Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, UK. Email: david.clarke@coach-soccer.com Tel: +44 (0)1483 892894 Head Coach: David Clarke Editor: James Evans Publisher: Kevin Barrow Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths

Customer Service: Duncan Heard Designer: Steve Southern Contributors: Tony Barnetta, Michael Beale, Matt Brown, Will Jones, Steven Lapere, David Lewis, Steve Watson © Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach

Whites link up well to construct a successful third-man combination

Here, a quick one-two is made, with the receiving player sending the ball on in one motion

To win possession, defenders must be quick to step in and intercept

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player movement ball movement

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SoccerCoachWeekly FOOTY4KIDSWednesday, April 18, 2012

Tikka TakkaHow to play it• Set up as shown in the diagram - an 18x12-yard playing area with two-yard wide goals made with cones on both sides.

• Divide your players into two teams of five. Three players from each team play inside the area. The fourth and fifth players on each team work as support players on the sidelines.

• Players score by stopping the ball between the cones or flags on your opponent’s goal line.

• Players are encouraged to include at least one pass to a supporting player in every move. A supporting player on the sideline who receives a pass must dribble the ball into the playing area or pass to a team mate. The player who passed to the supporting player swaps places with him.

• If a pass to a supporting player is misplaced, the other team is awarded possession.

• Supporting players cannot interfere with each other or try to intercept passes.

• When a team scores they retain possession but now attack in the opposite direction.

• Play for five minutes.

Technique and tactics• Passing and moving is central to the success of Tikka Takka, which improves first touch, helps in spotting passes that split defenders, and encourages good movement off the ball.

• Look for and highlight a good first touch, effective communication, speed of movement, and the playing of penetrating passes.

• The supporting players should always be encouraged to move up and down the line, calling for the ball.

• Stopping the ball inside the other team’s goal line (rather than scoring in a goal), means sound technique must be used right up to the moment of scoring.

The player in possession passes to a supporting player and swaps positions

The ball is fed through the centre as defenders close in and press...

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... but they are too late, and the attacker stops the ball over the line for a point

Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk

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player movement ball movementrun with ball

Eight ways to make your coaching sessions calmer, disciplined and more productive.

1. Have high expectationsIt’s vital to have high expectations and to

communicate them to your players.As a minimum, you should require

concentration, effort and hard work. If you are prepared to settle for anything less then that’s what you’ll get.

2. Tell your players what you want to achieve

Your objective for a coaching session should be each player’s objective, too. So tell your players what you are trying to achieve, why it is necessary and what you want to see by the end of the session.

Be specific, check they understand the objective before you start and revisit the objective of the session with your players while they’re cooling down at the end.

3. Agree a set of rules BEFORE you need them

Ask your players what they think the rules should be. If you simply impose an arbitrary set of rules you cannot expect your players to buy into them.

You also need to agree what will happen if a player breaks them. The sanctions for breaking a rule should be progressive and logical – a quiet word first, then sitting out an end-of-session game, then missing the next match. Past that, a player might even find themselves banned or asked to leave the club.

4. Get some eyes in the back of your head!

Be observant and challenge inappropriate behaviour immediately. If you ignore it, hoping it will go away, you are sending a message to your players that you don’t care what they are doing.

5. Be consistent and don’t use your ammo up too quickly

Rules and sanctions must be applied consistently, regardless of who the offender is. But don’t overreact to a little bit of misbehaviour - your players will quickly realise that you don’t have anything left for when things really get out of hand!

6. Draft in another coachAsk a colleague to take one or more of

your sessions and watch how your players react to the change.

7. You are not your players’ friend, you’re their coach

By all means be friendly but don’t fall into the trap of wanting to be liked. That’s not what you’re there for.

8. If you’ve got bad apples, get rid of them

Do not put up with persistent misbehaviour or laziness when players have had ample opportunity to improve. Moving a player on is not an easy thing to do, but you (and the rest of your players) will feel a lot better when the bad apples leave.

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SoccerCoachWeekly TOUCHLINE TALESWednesday, April 18, 2012

Football’s ABCs

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You think it’s something you never need to think about – surely an awareness of ‘the ABCs’ is something that kids have comfortably tucked in their locker when they first arrive at your door.

Think on things a different way, though. Consider the idea that growing bodies and changing shapes mean that, in terms of how they play the game, players sometimes have to readjust their ABCs... or even learn them all over again from scratch.

This has happened to one of my Under-11s. He had a considerable growth spurt last summer and turned up for the new season playing like Bambi on ice. His dimensions are radically different and, by his own admission, he has struggled this year after really impressing last term.

His dad told me his feet have grown two sizes, with the need for new boots twice in the last six months! Even with the

right size shoes on, his balance was all over the place and he could barely turn without falling over.

But I think he is finally coming to terms with his new size. Sure, to the untrained eye he looks like a player who has never played before because of his body language, and the way he sometimes controls (or miscontrols) the ball.

But this week there were the first indications the coordination that made him one of our best players last term is starting to come back. Against quality opposition, he was my Man of the Match on Saturday from central defence – being sure in the tackle and really

ambitious when bringing the ball out. He scored twice showing great control and movement, and was at the heart of everything we did well.

ABCs are vital to youth players. They are the basis of everything they do in a match and at training. It may be that you have players in your team who suddenly look awkward on the pitch, and that may be due to growing bodies that knock out their sense of balance meaning some of the basics have to be learnt all over again.

If you’re coaching kids of ‘that’ age, keep an eye on them, because you may be able to spot what’s going on before they do. It’s your job to get them get comfortable again with their bodies, reassuring them as they go. There’s a fair chance they’ll be as puzzled as you are as to why they cannot do what they used to, so be patient and they will eventually catch up.

“He had a considerable growth spurt last summer and turned up for the new

season playing like Bambi on ice.”

The path to productivity

David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly

Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk

Be fair but firm with your players, and you’ll get great results

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SoccerCoachWeekly SMALL-SIDED GAMEWednesday, April 18, 2012

3v2 targetsHow to play it• Using a half pitch, set up as shown in the diagram. You’ll need to ensure that players are lined up alternately at the three stations.• To start, the attackers (dark shirts) make clever runs in order to find space to receive the ball. The start player, who begins centrally in a line just in front of the halfway line, passes into one of his attackers, then makes a supporting run. They now combine 3v2 to create a shooting opportunity.• After each turn, start players retreat, joining the back of the central group, while attackers remain on the pitch ready for the next phase.• In that next phase, attackers become defenders and vice versa - the start player is now light-shirted.• At the end of this phase, both attackers and defenders swap with the other pair waiting on the edge of the box.• After five minutes rotate players so everyone has a turn at different stations.

Technique and tactics• Quick interplay from attackers is crucial, with overlaps and supporting runs the key to fashioning goalscoring chances.• Attackers and defenders must be quick to switch between roles with each new phase.

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It is important that the stations are lined up in alternating teams

The forwards pull off of their markers to receive the ball

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The forwards then combine 3v2 to score

Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach

GREAT REHEARSAL

FOR COUNTER-ATTACKS player movement ball movement

run with ball shot

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SoccerCoachWeekly YOUR SAYWednesday, April 18, 2012

TACKLED: Put in a tricky position

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Will JonesCommunity Coach, Dalston, London

Positions are important from any age because they create structure. Only from that structure can kids begin to build the technical and tactical elements that are so important in the game. In any walk of life, skill flourishes within a set structure.

Contrary to popular belief, assigning players designated positions on the pitch does not preventing them from moving. Indeed, we’d rotate players in positions so that they get a feel for operating in other areas in the pitch, but they are relatively fixed in each role so that they can begin to build their understanding of the game.

Unless you have designated positions, kids will follow the ball around like a swarm of bees. It’s a chaotic set-up that serves no purpose – it’s useless to the kids because of the chaos, and the ball is being moved around like in a rugby scrum, so there are no real coaching points that can be applied to it either.

In a ‘swarm’ set-up, it’s only the faster, stronger and more determined children who will end up playing the game. Others will simply end up chasing shadows and empty spaces.

Without positions, players do not learn about teamwork.

By designating positions, players have responsibility for an area of the pitch, and that’s important. In my experience, kids like knowing they have a place. It gives them a sense of purpose and responsibility.

Players have to embrace the set-up and, unlike in a game with no designated positions, they know they cannot hide.

Should Under-7s have designated positions on the pitch?

“Unless you have designated positions, kids will follow the ball

around like a swarm of bees.”

Tony BarnettaFulham Elite, Under-8s

For kids as young as Under-7s, the most important thing is not position, but for them to be taught how to become comfortable with the ball in their possession. At that age, it’s all about familiarity, control, handling and touch. The bare basics of mastering the art of controlling and kicking the ball must be the main thing. Children of that age are simply not developed enough to be able to grasp those elements combined with instructions over set-up and formation.

In any sport, mastering the basics comes first before team play, and soccer is no different.

In the heat of the game, young kids won’t stay in formation. Excitement will always see them drift out of position, and it’s a fruitless task trying to get them to move back.

Kids of that age shouldn’t be involved in matches that have big team numbers – in other words, matches that require formations. I rarely see any matches exceeding 4v4, and in those games the most important element is movement, passing and possession.

Young kids don’t want to stand around while the ball is in another area of the pitch. They’ll quickly get bored. Their natural instinct is to get the ball and dribble it - wherever it takes them!

Learning technical skills at a young age is far more important than positional or tactical skills.

Most Under-7s are simply too immature to learn positions or the requirements of positions, and rotating them around the pitch will only serve to confuse them more.

“In the heat of the game, young kids won’t stay in formation.

Excitement will always see them drift out of position.”

YES NO

PUT IT TO THE VOTE: Which of our guest coaches do you agree with? Visit our Facebook page or email your thoughts to David Clarke at david.clarke@coach-soccer.com

This week Matt BrownBerwick Youth Soccer

Q I have a player who gets easily upset during matches. I’ve

asked him what the problem is and he has no explanation for it. I’m not sure what to do. He’s normal in every other way and his parents are similarly at a loss to explain it. Any advice? Troy Andrews, Mansfield

A Well you’ve done the most rational thing in asking the child what is

causing the upset.If he’s not sure himself – and you

believe him – then maybe you need to look further afield? You say that his parents cannot figure it out either, but do they actively support him in matches or when training? Are there qualities that he sees in other parents (being vocal on the touchline, for instance) that his own don’t display?

It could just be that the player is getting so wound up with nervous excitement that it spills out during the game in this way. Remember, for many kids, football is the highlight of the week, and arguably the most important social pursuit they have. It might only take one or two small things on the pitch to cause his nerve to leave him, and that can open the gates for all sorts of emotions.

So if you think he’s just overwhelmed by the occasion, why not tell him to relax more? Take the pressure out of the situation, or use substitutes to rotate him on and off the pitch so he never has the chance to build up too much emotion.

I wouldn’t recommend leaving him out or restricting him just to training – kids can be fragile in one instance but tough, resilient battlers in another, so stick with him and he’ll overcome this unusual phase, I’m sure.

TACKLED: Results

Here’s the result of the poll we ran in Soccer Coach Weekly 257 (March 28) asking if you thought it was a good idea to grade your players’ performances.

SCW Surgery

YES

NO

85%

15%