under 4s - under 16s getting your players...

run without the ball passrun with the ballshot

GET ONSIDE!

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE


GET ONSIDE!

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

Some coaches admit to struggling with the offside law from time to time, so it’s no wonder our kids can become confused. Many tutors find that the easiest way to coach it is purely through experience and practice.

This session helps attacking players understand the elements of getting onside to receive the ball, while defenders can practise positioning too. Even for teams who don’t play offside, this move can provide a great way of rehearsing team structure.

How to set it up:• This session, played in a third of a pitch, requires cones, balls, and a full-size goal.

• Mark out a coned line (the offside line) five yards outside the penalty area.

• Players start in two lines a few yards further back.

Getting started:• From one of the lines, the first player dribbles the ball forward and shoots from inside the area.

• You now call out “get back onside” - the player must get back behind the offside line.

• Now serve a second ball which he runs on to and fires at goal.

• Serves should be varied to the left and right of the player. Also play the ball early (effectively calling the player “offside”) if you feel he hasn’t attempted to retreat quickly enough.

• Now the first player in the opposite line starts, and so on.

Developing the session:• Create a 40x25-yard area with a 10-yard zone in front of the goal at each end.

• The game is 5v4 – the overload is used to help one team beat the offside trap.

• Defending players cannot move into their offside zone until the ball enters it.

• Similarly, an attacker in possession must thread passes into the offside zone and cannot dribble into that area.

• If an attacking move doesn’t result in a shot within five seconds of the ball being played into the zone, the ball must be recycled back over the offside line before the attack can continue.

• Once your players have become accustomed to the timing of movement and passing that’s so integral to the offside law, develop into a standard game on a 45x40-yard pitch.

Why this works:This session enables a player’s brain to understand the passing

and movement involved in obeying the offside law. Defenders have to recover through-balls played in behind them, attackers need good movement off the ball, while midfielders require vision and good passing.

January 4 2012 Issue 245Under 4s - Under 16s WEEKLY

Getting your players onsideA practice that rehearses players in the elements of the offside law

Getting your players onside

WELCOME…

Soccer Coach Weekly 1


GET ONSIDE!

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

...to the first issue of Soccer Coach Weekly in 2012. Most

coaches want to take a look at how they approach the game at

this time of year, so why not have a look at our 20 top tips to great

coaching behaviour on page 3? Elsewhere, we’ve got your regular weekly mix of training

ground advice and ideas. Have a great year…

1 The first player

shoots, then cuts

back behind

the offside line to be served a

second ball

2 In the 40x25-yard

game, players cannot

dribble into the offside areas and must pass

into that space

3 Developing into the

final game allows

players to use the

offside law without

restrictions


GET ONSIDE!

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

30-40m

player A

player B

player C

direction of pass

WEEKLY


SAID LIKE A PROWARM-UP

Go left or go rightSAID LIKE A PROa WARM-UP

Wall passing and shootingHow to set it up:• Create a 20x20-yard playing area with a goal (and keeper) at one end.

• At the other end is a line of players – the shooters.

• In the middle, on four cones placed in a 10x10-yard square, is the other team – the wall passers. In the example given there are five wall passers.

Getting started:• The shooting player enters the area and makes two quick wall passes.

• The shooting player then dribbles out of the area at top speed in order to shoot at goal.

• Immediately a new shooting player enters the area and repeats the practice.

• After a set time period, the teams switch roles.

Why this works:This warm-up is effective because the attacking team is being

encouraged to communicate, pass well, drive into space and hit the target. Wall passes can be made with any of the central players, meaning they need to stay aware and be ready to play a part.

KEY

ELEM

ENTS • Passing

• Control

• Shooting

• Awareness

direction of passdirection of rundribble

Wall passing and shooting

The shooting player makes two quick one-twos before

shooting at goal

direction of passdirection of rundribble

TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Keep on kickingGetting young players to cross a ball with height and distance

can be difficult. Follow these tips and they will perform the technique effectively.

Kick the ball when it is movingIt is important to stress to all your

players that when they are going for distance or want a high crossing ball they must always kick a moving ball. Players should only practise kicking a stationary (dead) ball for corners and free kicks.

Move the ball into positionThe technique you need to teach your

players for long kicking starts with them pushing the ball to the side, slightly in front of the body.

Kick through the ballIf your player is right-footed get him to

place the left foot alongside the ball. Tell him to keep his head down looking at the ball and kick through its centre, trying to get his toe under it. The ankle should be locked with toes pointing towards the ground. His body should be leaning slightly back, and he needs to kick through the ball. Make sure he only lifts his head after contact.

Practice movePractise this technique by using three

players - A, B and C (see diagram). B passes into A, who kicks long to C. C passes back to B. Each player swaps places with the person they passed to.

“When players are going for distance or want a high crossing ball, they must always kick a moving ball.”


WEEKLY

THE ART OF COACHING CHILDREN

Role model 20 top tips for accomplished coaching behaviour

Coaches are held in high regard in the game by players and parents alike, but it is important to brush up on what we say and how we say it to ensure that our own behavioural standards are being maintained. After all, we demand the same of our players!

Here are 20 top behavioural tips - some for you to use to inspire your players, some to inspire yourself. Remember, getting your team in the right frame of mind means giving it the best chance of earning real rewards, but that’s as much about your performance as your players’.

ONE: Greet every player by name as they arrive for practice and matches. It’s the easiest way to make them feel wanted.

TWO: Take an interest in your players. Find out what they like doing when they’re not playing soccer.

THREE: Acknowledge effort. You want your players to give 100% so say “well done” when they do.

FOUR: Give your players responsibility. You don’t have to run every training session, let them choose what to do sometimes.

FIVE: Be kind. Never criticise a player in front of his team mates.

SIX: Let your players have their say. You want to create a feeling of hunting down a shared ambition. Empower your players by allowing them to put forward their ideas and goals.

SEVEN: Give players individual, achievable targets. For instance, if you have a player who doesn’t like to tackle, set him the target of making two tackles in a match. That way all your players can be winners.

EIGHT: Make every player a key member of the team. There’s something special about every one of your players. Tell them what it is.

NINE: Give yourself some time off. Don’t get enveloped by youth soccer. You need to stay fresh and that means by taking a break at times. Your kids don’t think about soccer 24/7, so why should you?

TEN: Ask for help. Always look to delegate roles and responsibilities to other parents, fellow coaches or casual helpers. You can’t do it all yourself.

10 tips for match dayONE: Remember, it’s just a game of soccer. And that the opposition are a bunch of kids, like yours, not the Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan. Be nice, say “hello” to them and ask how they are.

TWO: Rotate your captain. All young players like to be captain for a day. It’s a great experience that’s easy to reward, and it ensures no-one gets too big for their boots.

THREE: Be friendly. Shake hands with the opposition coach before and after the game. It’s irrelevant what you think of him or her. Like you, they are giving up their spare time so that children can play soccer. If nothing else, respect them for that.

FOUR: Do not try to control your players’ movements. Leave the decisions to them and if they make a mistake, so what? It’s a learning opportunity, not the end of the world. Let your players express themselves on the pitch.

FIVE: Don’t shout! Coaches who holler “pass!” or “shoot!” or “get stuck in!” need to have their mouths professionally zipped up. How would you feel if someone was trying to tell you what to do all the time? Make sure players’ parents understand this too.

SIX: Share your attention. Don’t keep shouting the same player’s name. It’s embarrassing for the child and can sound as though you’re picking on them or being overly praising.

SEVEN: Always try to encourage. Touchline comments should really be confined to encouragement only. It’s not always possible, but aim for it. Say “well done”, “nice pass”, “relax” or “look around’”. And praise good work by both teams, not just your own.

EIGHT: Winning isn’t everything. You don’t need to tell your players that they should try to win the game.

NINE: Keep things in perspective. When Duane Thomas, NFL Rookie of the Year, was asked how he felt about playing in the ‘most important game of the year’ – the Super Bowl – he replied, “If it’s so important why are they going to play it again next year?”

TEN: Make sure every player starts matches - don’t start with the same line-up each week.

If you do some or all of these you’re going to look like a real coach and a good guy. And that really would be an excellent result. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination!

10 tips for the training ground

Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, UK. Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1483 892894 Fax: +44 (0)1483 894148 Editor: James Evans Publisher: Kevin Barrow Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths

Customer Service: Duncan Heard Designer: Steve Southern Contributors: David Clarke, Paul Dargan, Chris Galea © Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

WEEKLY


This is a great game for angles of defence and changing roles in attack.DAVID CLARKE’S TOUCHLINE TALES

Using player-centred coachingThere has been much debate recently about player-centred coaching and the

benefits it has for young footballers.Player-centred coaching is about focusing

and targeting soccer to the ages and skills of your players. But in addition, it supports players’ independence by giving them a controlling influence over the session. They feel the session is theirs, which improves communication with the coach, increases motivation and accelerates understanding and appreciation of what’s being taught. From that, a player’s ability to solve tactical problems within the game is enhanced.

This does not mean that the coach has no control – far from it. The role of the coach is to set a challenge that’s centred on their skills, and he’ll still need to guide the players through the process of solving problems. But there is created an environment in which players share responsibility for individual and team performance.

So, for example, I will mark out the playing area, but within that area give the players

cones to create boxes or gates that are going to be used. I will guide my players if they make squares or gates too big or small, but they can alter the parameters as the session commences.

I will present them with questions related to what they’ve laid out and might recommend a set challenge, but am looking for them to correct any mistakes made. For instance, the challenge might be to dribble a ball through four gates. If a player misses a gate, I’ll watch him to see if he makes amends for the error without me pointing it out. The challenge is the same, but the player is in control.

For a scenario that is less game-like, I might look to work on technique and skills... such as players having a choice over which channel they go down in 1v1s – a long, thin one, or a short and narrow one.

Or I might move to a setting with four coned off parts of an area where players cannot be tackled - wing channels on either side of the pitch, for instance, where a player can run without opposition before putting a cross in.

I’m always interested to see what effect player-centred coaching can have – from those 1v1s to 4v4s for general all-round choices, or even 8v8s to offer experience in more specified roles. Whatever the task in hand is, I will always guide players so they experience every position, but by and large they’re fashioning the challenges themselves.

The crucial thing for me is, of course, getting the challenge as relevant as possible to my players. But it’s also about identifying the point at which guiding a player turns into interfering with the process.

Player-centred coaching, and empowering the footballers who play under you, is certainly something that develops gradually, but players love the freedom and, as a coach, I believe I am beginning to see real rewards.

SCW SURGERY

Q Two of my players were attacked during a league game last season and

now we’re due to face the aggressors again. None of my team want to play. What should I do? Malcolm Scott, Rugby.

A Quite simply, if your players don’t want to play, you don’t play.

They play for your club for enjoyment, as soon as that turns into something else – fear, no doubt, in this case – then morally, you’re on really thin ice if you push them into the fixture, because that’s not what your job is.

The best thing you can do is forfeit. I assume the league committee were aware of events from last season’s encounter. If so, they may not forgive your team’s non-attendance at the game, but the chances are they’ll understand why you’ve taken that stance.

What will it mean in real terms? Well, you’ll relinquish the points and may even get docked points, you’ll personally have to answer to the committee, and there may be a fine... though I suspect the players’ parents will chip in.

What will you gain? Well, the respect of your players and their parents, plus the peace of mind that you have your team’s best interests at heart, and that is what you’re there for.

Q A former player of ours has had a year at a pro club’s Academy but now

wants to come back to play with his “real mates”. If I accept him back might he end up regretting it? Tony Bartlett, Swindon.

A You’ll never know, and that’s probably for the best. The player is ultimately the one

who dictates who they play for and when.I think an interesting point here is that many

Academies are like the clubs themselves – some good, some bad. I’ve worked in a few where the coaches were really no better than those at grassroots level, and I came across many players who really began to resent the elitist and somewhat sanitised approach to the game in the detachment of a pro Academy.

It’s probably worth asking your player what he really wants out of the game. He can obviously play to a decent standard, and if you feel he’ll regret his decision, encourage him to stick it out for a bit longer.

But if his career ambitions are away from the football pitch, then maybe he’s right to be asking why he’s in a place where he’s not enjoying his football. Chat things through with both he and his parents – I’m sure, between you, you’ll reach the correct decision.

Q I’m pretty certain a lad who played against us last week was at least one

year older than everyone else. Should I report him to the league and potentially create friction, or keep quiet? Lewis Taylor, Eastbourne.

A Well rules are rules and, in my mind, there’s no reason why you should let an

opposition coach have an unfair advantage. It’s not as if you’d let him have 12 players on the pitch at the same time, so why should he get away with a player who has an age (and, no doubt, skill) advantage?

In most organised leagues it’s the coach’s responsibility to check registration cards before the game – did you do this? If not, you’ve only yourself to blame in this instance, but that doesn’t stop you from taking action.

If I were you, I’d have a quiet word with the opposition coach first. Don’t make a big deal of it, just raise the topic and ask him to confirm the player’s age. His answer, and the action he will take if the player is overage, will help you decide if you want to take it further.

Got a question for SCW Surgery?Email it to us at [email protected]

This week’s coach: Mark Monkhouse Group: 12 to 15-year-oldsMark is professional Academy coach at an npower League One club

GO!

GO!


WEEKLY

This drill works on reactive speed and forces the players to work at match pace in order to be successful.

How to set it up:• This small-sided game is played in a 20x20-yard area.

• You will need poles (or cones), balls and a goal.

• Set up the three poles in a triangle shape midway down the area. Poles are 10 yards apart.

• Split your players into two lines, with one line acting as defenders and one line as attackers.

Getting started:• One player from each line moves forward into the middle of the triangle. The players pass the ball back and forth.

• On the coach’s whistle, each runs around the pole that’s nearest to him, leaving the ball behind.

• Upon returning to the ball, the attacker must shoot first time, unless the defender makes it back first, in which case clearing the ball wins him the duel. The defender can also choose to take up a position to block rather than attack the ball, should he wish.

• Once the phase ends, bring in the next two players.

• Play for 10 minutes then switch team roles.

Why this game works:This fast-paced challenge requires players to show alertness and good

reactions in making the most of a 1v1 situation, with both needing to choose their quickest route around one of the poles.

Once that happens, the defender must decide whether to attack the ball or to get in line ready block the shot. And given that the attacker has to shoot first time, his awareness of the defender’s position is as important as his approach to the ball.

SMALL-SIDED GAME

Race to block

The players pass the ball

back and forth

Race to block

GO!

SKIL

LS

• Reactions

• Speed

• Agility

• 1v1s

The players

pass the ball back and forth

1

On the coaches

shout they race

around their

poles

The defender recovers

in time to block the

shot

2

3

This game was taken from Perfect Defending by Michael Beale. Perfect Defending contains 67 easy to coach drills and games to develop marking, tackling and blocking. Get

your copy here: www.coach-soccer.com/defending

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