SoccerCoachWeekly. The skills corridor. David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly. Wicked 1v1s for your players. How to play it

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1 Issue 270 Wednesday, June 27, 2012 The skills corridor TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly Wicked 1v1s for your players I like to give my teams a skills workout every few weeks in order to stay fresh, and individual skills are at the heart of this. In Euro 2012, we ve seen some fantastic, match-defining 1v1 situations, and these are best practised by using what I call the skills corridor. Set up as shown, creating three channels 15 yards long 10 yards wide at the top, 30 yards wide in the middle and five yards wide at the bottom. At the far end of the middle channel, place a small goal (two yards wide) on each side at an angle, plus additional cones to act as obstacles. Split your players into teams of three. The first trio of players move off. The central player must find a way around the central cone to shoot at goal. The other two players go around to the left and right. The player going to the left has a wide area to go 1v1 with the cone so he can push the ball past and run on. The player who goes right has a much tighter area to negotiate, so against his cone must use quick feet and a skill that means the ball stays close to him and protected. The teams get a point each time they get past a defender or run the ball through one of the goals at the far end. For the next run-through, tell the players they must touch each side of the channel at least twice in their approach. And this time give the three players a skill you want them to use to beat the defender: step-over, feint, drag-push, knock the ball past the defender and run around to get it, or something else. Developing the session Replace the cones with defenders. Now dribbling players must put the skills and techniques already practised into pressurised 1v1 situations. You can also add players along the sides who pass balls across the corridor that the dribblers have to avoid. This session is great for match realism and the coaching of dribbling and 1v1 skills. Players can use a number of ways to get past the guarding defenders, so decision-making is key to the success of the session. You are coaching a number of things in the zone so watch all three players and praise any good attempts to use a skill. Defenders must stay on their feet and let the dribbling player do the work. 10yds 15yds 5yds run with ball 30yds 2yds 2yds On your call, three players move through the central channel, each with a different task Once familiar, players must then zigzag through the channel To develop the session, replace cones with defenders 1

2 WARM UP Front and side steps Set up a warm-up area as shown cones are two yards apart and arrange your players into two groups. Both groups work at the same time. The first player in both lines must go forward through the coned area, before side-stepping through the horizontal part of the course. Players must then sprint through the gates and join the back of the opposite line. Players must use quick feet to get through the area. They must be able to adjust their feet at each turn. We re then looking for them to use their arms to generate the power that gives them a quick sprint finish. Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach Players move forward to begin the warm-up They then sidestep through the next section... FAST FEET!...before returning to the start, whereby the next player in line moves off Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, UK. david.clarke@coach-soccer.com Tel: +44 (0) Head Coach: David Clarke Editor: James Evans Publisher: Kevin Barrow Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths Customer Service: Duncan Heard Designer: Steve Southern Contributors: Michael Beale, Paul Birch, David Buck, David Lewis, Troy Mansun, Steve Watson Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 2

3 FOOTY4KIDS Treasure hunt Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk This is a great game that improves players dribbling and defending skills. It s best for young players between the ages of five and eight and while I ve recommended 12 participate at once, you can adjust numbers easily depending on the size of your squad. Set up as shown in the first diagram on the left side are six flat cones, each with a ball placed on top. Each ball represents a piece of treasure! Divide your players into two uneven teams. For five- and six-year-olds, 8v4 or 9v3 is appropriate I ve gone with the former. If your players are older or more experienced, make the teams more even. The overloading team starts on the right side these are the attackers, each with a ball at their feet. Defenders start on the left. Their aim is to protect the treasure. On your command, the attackers dribble towards the defenders. They must get past their opponents and kick the ball at a piece of treasure, aiming to knock it off the cone. If an attacker succeeds he picks his treasure up and carries it back to the other end of the playing area while dribbling his ball. If an attacker is tackled by a defender or allows his ball to go out of the playing area, he must go back to the starting point to try again. How long does it take for an attacking team to steal all the treasure? Now rotate players so that each gets a chance of stealing and defending the treasure. Attackers must keep the ball close and in control at all times. Players must dribble with their heads up so they can see where the defenders are. Tell attackers to try to push the ball past a defender, then explode past the man with pace. Advancing the game If the defenders find the game too easy, make the playing area bigger and/or decrease the number of defenders. 20yds 20yds Defenders (on the left) protect the treasure from eight attackers Attackers move in. Here, three manage to dislodge a piece of treasure While successful attackers run around to restart, two defenders manage to tackle their opponents run with ball clearance shot 3

4 TOUCHLINE TALES Why TIPS work David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly I gave a talk this week about analysing players during the season essentially when I do it and how I do it. A lot of coaches were asking me about the system I use and wanted to try something similar themselves. They were keen to know how appropriate it was for assessing new players during pre-season or on trial days. I use a system I call TIPS, which was introduced to me by a couple of youth coaches who worked at Dutch club Ajax. Here s what TIPS stands for: T = Technique. Can the player control the ball? What about his first touch, passing, shooting and tackling ability? I = Intelligence. Does the player make the right decisions? Can he think ahead? P = Personality. How does he communicate with others? What about leadership, creativity, receptivity to team mates and discipline? S = Speed. Is he quick off the mark, mobile, and can he maintain pace over long distance? I use it for players during the season to assess how they are progressing, but when I look at new players for my team it s the IPS bit that I find most interesting. When you think about it, the level of technique for 90% of players in grass roots football can be taught... That s because if I feel a player is short on the T = Technique part it is up to me to bring him up to a good level. It may not be his fault that his technique is not up to scratch so I look at the other things in which he may or may not excel. Arsène Wenger said recently that when he assesses young players it is speed he looks for first and technique second which, coming from a coach who utlises a system where player technique is vital, it just goes to show that technique can be taught. When you think about it, the level of technique for 99% of players in grass roots football can be taught it is only that tiny percentage who go on to play in the academies and the professional game who need something extra. You can coach technique to your players so they are of a sufficient standard to play at grass roots level. So on trial days I will give players marks out of 10 after observing them, and get my helpers and fellow coaches to do the same. This gives us a way of fairly analysing which players we feel would be a good fit with our teams. Why not apply this criteria to your players? If it works for Ajax, it will hopefully work for you too! Four types of match day drinks Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk We all know that dehydration has an adverse effect on performance. So you need to make sure your players replace fluids and carbs at half-time. The easiest way to do this is with sports drinks, as they contain key ingredients. They also include sodium and potassium, which the body loses through sweat. These are necessary to keep the body s fluid levels in balance and for muscles to work properly. 1. Hypotonic drinks Hypotonic drinks are more diluted than body fluids, and are therefore absorbed faster than plain water. They quickly replace fluids lost by sweating. They are good before training and playing. A simple alternative is one part squash to eight parts water. 2. Isotonic drinks Isotonic drinks contain the same concentration as body fluids, and so are absorbed as fast as water. They replace fluids lost from sweating, and refuel the body with carbohydrates. They are good during training and matches. A simple alternative is one part squash to four parts water. 3. Hypertonic drinks Hypertonic drinks are more concentrated than body fluids and so are absorbed more slowly than water. They replace energy stores and are best taken after exercise. They are good after the game and after training. A simple alternative is one part squash to two-and-ahalf parts water. HYPOTONIC ISOTONIC HYPERTONIC WATER But, you know, there s nothing wrong with plain old Water! Supplement it with fruit that has a high carbohydrate content bananas and raisins are perfect. Rehydration is essential for players of any age 4

5 SMALL-SIDED GAME Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Two-goal versus one-goal Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach The black team starts attacking the two-goal end Here s a great game that tests your players decision-making as they are presented with two goals in which to score. Can they switch play quickly to create a chance? Set up in a 40x30-yard area, using three goals, as shown. There are three teams of three, but only two are active at any one time. Three keepers are neutral. The black team starts with the ball and attacks the two-goal end - they can score in either. When a shot is taken or a tackle made the white team takes control of the ball and attacks the single goal against three new defenders the reds. The process continues, so whenever a shot is taken a new team comes on to attack the existing opposition. 30yds 30yds At the end of that attack, the white team attacks the single goal defended by the reds This is a quick transition game, with teams having to be alert to fast changes between attack to defence. Team communication is essential as well, particularly because attacking and defending options vary with each attack attacking a central goal, or using the width of the pitch in attacking wide goals. The rotation means each team will face one another, defending and attacking both single and two-goal targets shot run with ball shot ball movement ball movement 20yds 5

6 YOUR SAY SCW Surgery This week Paul Birch London I ve been nominated to Q coach a team of Under-5s for the coming season. Help! Where do I get started? I ve never done anything like this before. Jason Stanley, Fife I think coaching young kids is A really just about showing them the basics and letting them get used to having a ball at their feet. For most, it will be the first time they ll be doing anything structured and meaningful with a football. I d just stick to the basics rehearse kicking techniques and make sure the players processes are good. Work on control, and practise the brief notion that each player has a job to do on the pitch. Play some small-sided games (up to 4v4 but no more than that), and put in lots of shooting practice. If there s one thing that kids love, it s kicking the ball with purpose and direction into the goal! Take things one step at a time, and in everything you do ensure that your kids are enjoying what they do as well. The challenging stuff can come later. If they re having fun, you re doing well! TACKLED: Results Here s the result of the poll we ran in Soccer Coach Weekly 268. We supposed a situation where you, as coach, select your Player of the Year. Then, your secret ballot team vote sees the same player chosen for the Players Player of the Year award. Should you give the award to a different player? YES it s good to share the plaudits around NO if a player has earned the award, he should be given it 35% 65% TACKLED: All for one? AS A TEAM Troy Mansun Oregon Saints, US How do you really coach your squad as a team, or as a close-knit group of individuals? Everyone knows that individuals can never achieve what a team can. Who remembers the Real Madrid galacticos? For a dream group of players, their trophy haul was embarrassingly small. Youth soccer is about building a shared unity. It really is an all for one spirit, and that s what makes the sport so engaging. It s also what brings players back week after week. The feeling of being in it together is something that youngsters can rarely replicate in other aspects of their lives. What s more, for some, it s the first time in their lives that they ve experienced real emotions of teamwork. We must, as coaches, embrace and encourage that, because we all know what the rewards from great unity can be. And everyone knows that individuals can never achieve what a team can. Who remembers the Real Madrid galacticos? For a dream group of players, their trophy haul was embarrassingly small. The idea of treating players as individuals falls down as soon as you expect your team to pass to one another. The whole game is completely reliant on teamwork, from start to finish. Think of Equal Playing Time as well. Most coaches subscribe to this concept and it has its heart in the team. I suppose those coaches who believe the individual is more important than the team are generally those who also believe in winning at all costs. We should be proud of our players combining as a team, and being coached as so. It s much more of an achievement to coach a team than it is individuals. The skills needed are greater, and the rewards are much bigger too. AS INDIVIDUALS David Buck Newcastle Lions Under-9s Ignoring the individual needs of a player is doing him a disservice. Our job as a coach is to spot talent, then nurture and develop it. Kids are individuals. We have an obsession for grouping together the youth soccer package teams, approaches, training processes. The reality is that every single child is different, and not all of them want to follow the same route. We wouldn t make them in life, so why do that in soccer? Kids are individuals sit in the changing room at halftime when your team is losing and you ll see that. Respect the fact that each has a different method, and that the coaching should reflect a little bit of that individuality too. Ignoring the individual needs of a player is doing him a disservice. Our job as a coach is to spot talent, then nurture and develop it. It s to give each kid the best chance of achieving his aims through expressing those skills. It s wholly wrong to want to hold that back because individuality doesn t suit the ethos of team, where everyone must be developed in the same way. And we re not advocating individual training here! More, just recognising that each player is different, and deserves an individual approach. After all, putting out a team where individual players have their own specialisms and skills is a fantastic way of uniting a group and not all because they play like robots in the same manner. We shouldn t be afraid of letting kids express their individuality, and helping them develop it. Life would be pretty dull without that. I think a few more coaches need to admit to themselves that they coach individuals, not a group. PUT IT TO THE VOTE: Which of our guest coaches do you agree with? Visit our Facebook page or your thoughts to David Clarke at david.clarke@coach-soccer.com 6