Youth Training Sessions Possession games, The U13s are an age group that go through lots of changes and development, which is a wonderful challenge for a coach. Not only do the U13s switch from a small field, they also start playing 11 v 11. This age group is characterized by major developments in both technique and vision. An important aspect in the U13s training is possession games. Through these games the players will learn to develop their technique under pressure from opponents. Vision is another area that is strongly developed in this age group. What can a player do to gain possession and create chances? And what can be done as a team to play better football? This section seeks to outline which exercises can be used with this age group and where the accents should be. Accents U13s Social/mental: - Work on team processes, learn to reach goals together - Develop coaching - Learn what type of player you are, know your strengths and weaknesses - Deal with the new rules By: Hans Slender The game of football changes for players who go from playing 7v7 to playing 11v11. The U13s are suddenly confronted with bigger spaces, larger distances, more players, new rules and because of this more possibilities in the game. The U13s age group is perfect to make this switch. The players are at an age where they are developing rapidly cognitively. New game concepts and the complex exercises are quickly learned by the players. Furthermore, they are also physical capable to develop. Their coordination is good and they are not going through any growing spurts yet, so their bodies have the ideal proportions for football. This age group is also ideal to work with mentally. They are at an age where they are developing socially. Working together becomes more important, resulting in better outcomes both in training and matches. Because they are thinking more about the game and are becoming more self-critical they can develop as individuals as well as a team. In training sessions in which possession games play an important role it is possible to present the options of playing 11v11 to the players. Individual technique/vision: - Continue to develop technique under pressure - Passing and receiving across larger distances - Seek the open spaces - Tasks and game intention per position Team tactics: - Playing in a formation (1-4-3-3) - Distances between players - Learn the basics of possession games - Work together on defense 24
Youth training session a must for U13s Overloading games The first introduction to possession games are overloading games. The smaller the numbers, the clearer they are. This makes them ideal for the U13s. It is recommended to start with 4v1 and progress to more complex variations from there; 3v1, 6v2, 5v2, 4v2, 5v3, 8v4, etc. Generally speaking these exercises are pretty static. The players in the middle chase the ball and work for short periods at the time. The players on the flank work on their passing and receiving technique, movement off the ball and handling speed. With these exercises players will not learn how to get away from the opponent, but they do learn how to move out of the opponents back to receive the ball. An important aspect is receiving the ball, the ball has to be received in such a way that it can be passed directly to be best positioned player. Tactically you get the most out of possession games with areas This age group is also ideal to work with mentally This mean they have to look at where the spaces are. 25
Youth training session Passing the ball around for the sake of passing is not going to work with this age group Neutral players something that is generally speaking lacking in overloading exercises is direct pressure in duels, getting away from your opponent and transition. This is something the players can learn in possession games with neutral players. Asking for the balls asks a lot from the players. In order to do this the player needs to have contact with his teammates. It is often smart to move away from the ball in order to get out of the opponent's sight. This will create more spaces to come to the ball and ask for it. When receiving the ball the player must guard the ball or the player has to look at his passing options before receiving the ball. Furthermore, you have to be coached constantly in possession plays like this. Calling the name of the player you are passing to and warning player with phrases like; time, turn, watch you back, pass, are ways to help and to increase the communication on the field. Areas Tactically you get the most out of possession games with areas. For the U13s it is important to choose exercises in which every player is involved in the game. Furthermore, the exercises should not have too many restrictions. Possession game in two areas is great to teach building up from the back with the intention to play deep. Another important aspect for U13s is connecting. The field should not be too long and this is new for the U13s who have just come from playing on half a field. By using areas you can shift the play and seek the spaces. Long passes will also play a role in this. Towards the goal Besides maintaining possession, it is important for youth players to learn how to create chances. This can also be taught with different numbers, working from small to big; 2v1, 4v2, 4v3, 5,v3, 5,4, etc. You can add a goalkeeper to the 26
Youth training session outnumbered team or work with small goals or line football. This will teach youth player to choose between moving towards the ball and going deep. Furthermore, they can also choose between passing and making the individual action. Not insignificant are the distances between the players. Player must learn to not always move towards the ball, the spaces must be kept big, the field wide. Make sure the wingers are free to receive the ball and the last defender must support his teammates. This means joining them, but at a safe distance. Asking for the balls asks a lot from the players Defending defensively there are also a lot of accents that play a role. In 'versus 1 games' a defender will learn to intercept the ball by himself. He can force his opponents into the corner and anticipate what will happen. When there are more defenders they can work together. In this case they should stay close together. In games with neutral players they will learn how to keep the field small and cover short. In games with areas they have to execute pressure, taking away the chance of a depth pass. The most important exercises for defenders are exercise towards the goal, whereby you can practice the offside trap and whereby goals have to be prevented by working together. Rules U13 football is often characterized by chaos on the field, and the team with the most duel-strength usually wins. Possession play is still learned and is often not developed enough to maintain possession with tranquility. The difference is made with individual qualities. The players will become more relaxed on the ball when you train this, so training with too many restriction is not wise. They need to have the freedom to solve the situations. Playing with limited touches will not aid in their development, as it will most likely lead to kicking the ball away or more duels. By allowing them free play they can take their time whenever it is possible. Adding a scoring element works great with this age group. Counting the amounts of passes, or interceptions. This will add a competitive element, which is a must for the U13s, because passing the ball around for the sake of passing is not going to work with this age group. 27
Training 1.1 Youth training session Possession play Objectives: Theme: possession Number of players: 14 System of Play: 1-4-3-3 - Improve possession play and movements off the ball by attackers and midfielders Good, straight passing, turning in and receiving Always look for the side with the most space Runs off the ball to get away from your opponent Possession play 3v1 - Three organizations, so 3x 3v1 - Player who looses the ball will become the defender - Move along the flank and shift play to the other side when necessary - Attention must be paid to being free to receive the ball, passing and receiving - Attackers, midfielders and strikers together so they get used to playing together - Players should coach each other and call out the names of their teammate, so they can get used to this Possession play 4v4 + 6 - Play 4v4 on possession - Third team functions as wall passers on the sidelines, two neutral players in the middle - Players on the sides may not pass to each other, ensuring lots of movement - After a few minutes change team on sidelines - Use central players as neutral players in the middle - You may limit the number of touches of the neutral players - Playing field according to level of the group Possession play 6v6 + 2 goalkeepers - Play 6v6 with goalkeepers as neutral players - On coaches signal teams may score on either goals - When team scores, they will maintain possession starting at the goalkeeper - When team does not score, the other team plays on possession until coach's signal (when they are allowed to score on either goal) - The coach rewards whenever the teams play good possession play with lots of movement - The players must learn that when they get a chance to score they must still make the right decisions 28
Training 1.2 Youth training session Build up from the back Theme: possession Number of players: 14 System of Play: 1-4-3-3 Objectives: - Improve the build up from the back through the central defenders - Wingbacks are positioned further away, which creates a bowl shape on the field with more space - Seek the midfield through central defenders - When a central defender moves in, the back fall back Possession play 5v2 - Two organizations Players-pair stays in the middle for 1 minute, then change Two central defenders, two backs and a midfielder Count the number of interceptions Variation: When a central player moves in, the wingbacks fall back - When you do not have enough players for two organizations, you can play 4v1, 3v1 or 4v2 in the second area - Defenders and midfielder are positioned together, pay close attention to the area where these players are playing Possession play 7v4 to 2v1 - Play 7v4 in an area - When possible the pair on the other side receives the ball, the pair must be free to receive the ball - 5 attackers and 3 defenders join play on the other side to create another 7v4 situations - On the other side there is a 2v1 situation again - Play deep at the right moment - Adapt area to level of group Small sided game 7v7 with goalkeepers - Team in possession (blue) plays 1-2-3-1 with two central defenders, wingbacks and two midfielders - Because the opponent (red) is also playing 1-2-3-1 the team in possession has the opportunity to build up - Defending team has 1 chance to score after they intercept the ball, after that the play starts again at the goalkeeper of the blue team (build up from the back) - Free game play after 10-15 minutes - Be clear about the objective to the team in possession (blue), but do not forget to instruct the other team - Learn to build up via the central defenders and then seek the wingbacks through a combination 29
Training 1.3 Youth training session Creating chances and scoring Objectives: Theme: possession Number of players: 14 System of Play: 1-4-3-3 - Cooperation between midfielder and strikers to create scoring opportunities - Seeking the strikers and moving around the striker - Choice between asking for the ball into feet or seeking the open space to receive the pass - Correct ball speed and passing Passing and shooting with passive resistance towards the goal - A possession play with passive resistance to introduce creative play Attacking midfielder asks for the ball, but striker receives it - Striker back passes to midfielder, who seek winger - Striker and attacking midfielder run to near and far post, another midfielder positioned at the edge of the penalty area - After a finish on goal, same play but on the other side - Variation: winger drops to defensive midfielder and then runs deep to receive the ball (1-2) - Runs off the ball, moves and passing - same effort as in a match - Defending and attacking midfielders switch positions and get the ball Possession Play 4v3 towards the goal - Free player receives the ball from the defender (who is resting on the sideline), he passes deep to the attackers - The four attackers score on the large goal, the defenders on the small goals - When the ball is out of play, the attackers become defenders and the attacker who is resting passes to the free player and gets the other ball - The defenders rest and the resting team become attackers - Wingers have to keep the field wide, but when they are in possession they may come inside with the ball - When to go deep? When to ask for the ball into feet? When to come to the ball? Tournament game - Playing field: double penalty area with two goalkeepers - High pace and quick transitions, always make sure you have enough balls in the goal - When ball is out of bounce or when a goal is scored, get the ball again. Scoring means possession - The winner stays on and the losing team leaves the field, approximately 4 minutes of play - Only 3 field players may fall back on their own half, creating an overload situation - This asks for high concentration during transition, because the striker can be reached immediately - Four versus three is easy to defend when there is no movement, the player must not stay on their own position too much, but must take each others positions 30
Training 1.4 Youth training session Transition after loss of possession Theme: transition from possession to possession opponent Number of players: 14 System of Play: 1-4-3-3 Objectives: - At loss of possession, quick transition back into position and put pressure on the ball - The players closest to the ball has to execute pressure immediately - The rest of the team gets back into position - Transition quickly; no time for enjoying the moment. 3v2 possession play - Two defenders and a neutral player are positioned in the area - Two attackers try to beat the defenders with combination play - When they lose the ball, the defenders will have to dribble across the line where the attackers came from, when they succeed they change sides - When the attackers win the ball back they can still try to get the ball to the other side - The attackers do not have to dribble the ball across the line, which is an advantage, they do have to carry out transition quickly after loss of possession - Reach the open space as quickly as possible and seek the combination at the right moment 8v4 + 2 possession play with transition - Two teams play together on possession against the third team - Two neutral players in the middle, always play with team who has possession - The team (color) who looses the ball becomes defending team - They have to re-group and pressure the ball - When team of 8 is able to pass the ball around 15 times, the defending team has to stay in the middle 1 extra time - Make sure the area is big enough for 14 players to play in - Accent on pressuring as a team 7v7 Small Sided Game without goalkeepers - Play 7v7 - There are no goalkeepers and no restriction to score - This ensures that there is constant pressure on the ball and quick transitions - Besides possession games you can also work very effectively with small sided games with the U13s - The scoring element in small sided games is a great success with the U13s - Youth players like to finish a training session with a small sided game without tasks, so they can just play freely 31