Issue 278 Wednesday, August 22, 2012 Dedicated defending TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly A couple of months ago I watched this defending session being coached by Ray Lewington, then of English Premier League club Fulham, who soon afterwards joined England s coaching staff for Euro 2012. It helps coach Academy defenders in body position and movement in a back four. It develops a solid back four that can close down and make it hard for teams to penetrate, whilst dealing with the core principle of showing inside or outside, and getting players to turn the right way in dealing with attackers. See if you can use some of the elements for your team. The session is in three parts: Running backwards warm-up Defending 1v1 Defending as a unit 15yds In the warmup, players zigzag through the area Warm-up: Running backwards Set up a 30x15-yard area with cones laid diagonally across the area. Each player runs backwards and sideways in a zigzag pattern across the area. He must always have a side-on position that enables him to see ahead whilst also looking behind to assess danger. Run the practice for 10 minutes. Technique: Defending 1v1 Next, in a 15x15-yard area set up as shown. Defenders start on the touchline at halfway, and pass to an attacker on the right side. Once the attacker touches the ball the defender runs into the area and attempts to win back possession, by using the running backwards technique practised in the first part. He shows the attacker outside and away from goal by positioning his body between the goal and the defender. Play for 10 minutes. The emphasis is on technique and positional awareness. Adopting good habits shouldn t be difficult; maintaining them can be slightly more problematic! Continued... 15yds 15yds D A In Defending 1v1 technique, the defender must close down the attacker before he has the chance to shoot The ability to run backwards whilst retaining balance is essential for a defender 1
TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES Dedicated defending Putting the techniques learnt into practice is vital to a young player s understanding of the defending principles. Ray Lewington used a small-sided game to enable this. David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly Keeping tight in defence forces play wide Small-sided game: Defending as a unit Set up a 40x30-yard area with two small goals at one end (to the sides) and one target goal at the other. Play 4v4 - the players defending the two goals play like a four-man midfield, while the other four defend the single goal as a defensive unit. The team defending the single goal must be tight, showing opponents outside and closing up space. If they turn over possession they can counter quickly and attack the two goals. The other team have a different job namely protecting the wings; so they show inside. Play five attacks then swap team roles. 40yds This allows attackers to move into crossing situations Players must be adaptable to the changing conditions and need to work as a unit, whether they re defending the wide or the central goals. We re looking for plenty of communication, players advancing with their heads up, and an awareness of getting back to cover team mates when out of possession. When the team defending the big goal has the ball you want them to get tight and defend the middle, pushing the attacking team wide. Encourage quick counter-attacks as well. The team defending the two goals must replicate how a midfield would defend against the opposition, covering the whole area between the two goals. They need to spread out and support both sides of the pitch, and when winning the ball, must quickly try and get into the danger area in front of goal before the defending team can recover. but the defence wins the ball and counter-attacks shot 2
WARM UP Right and left fast feet How to play it: Set up a practice area as shown, with players 10 yards in front of you and a staircase of one-yard cones moving diagonally upwards left and right. Pass the ball to the first player in the line. He returns the ball first time, then follows his pass to receive the ball off you at the bottom of the staircase. Tell him to go right or left. He now has to make repeated one-twos from right foot to left foot (or vice versa) as he works his way up the stairs. The player then dribbles to the back of the line and the practice continues. This practice is all about technique. Players must concentrate as they make their way up the ladder, using light, gentle touches to manoeuvre the ball around the angles. Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach The warm-up starts with the player receiving the ball from the coach and passing back first-time He takes the ball on and begins his fast feet dribble THE PERFECT MATCH DAY WARM-UP He advances up the ladder before heading to the back of the line as a new player starts 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: Henry Amstell, Michael Beale, Gary Brabrook, David Lewis, Troy Mannon, Steve Watson Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 3
FOOTY4KIDS Minefield Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk This game helps teams practise passing, receiving, movement and decision making. It s best for players aged between eight and 14. How to play it Set up by marking out the playing area, as shown in the diagram. It s 30x20 yards, a five-yard wide goal at each end, with a minefield in the centre of the pitch in the form of a 12x10-yard box. Divide your players into two teams of four or five. Play a normal game of soccer with the condition that while the ball can cross the minefield in the centre of the pitch, no player is allowed to step into that area. If he does, he has to freeze for 10 seconds, meaning his team is a man short. Play for 10 minutes. Advancing the game: We can advance the game by adding the condition that if the ball crosses the minefield it must be in the air. If the ball bounces within the area, possession switches to the other team. 20yds Set up as shown with a minefield in the centre of the playing area A player runs around the minefield to receive a pass but an interception is made before his team mate can shoot This game is great for coaching decision making, and enables you to see whether players prefer safe routes (around the area) or riskier passes across or over the minefield. Players need to position well in the first place, then stay aware of what s around them so they don t accidentally stray into the minefield. GREAT VARIATION LONG BALLS AND SHORT PASSES clearance Our ball! When advancing the game, the ball cannot touch the ground in the minefield, otherwise the team relinquishes possession 4
TOUCHLINE TALES Don t let the opposition drag you down David Clarke Head Coach, Soccer Coach Weekly I was coaching my lads in an important game towards the end of last season. It was memorable mostly for the fact that the opposition parents had not stopped shouting for the full duration, to the extent that my number two looked me in the eyes and said Don t!. Timely advice. The heckling and sarcasm that had been fired our way during the match had finally been silenced by a winning goal from our player of the season, with just seconds remaining. I have taught myself not to react in these situations but sometimes the occasion and the sheer brilliance of the team I coach means emotions bubble over, and I have to restrain myself. My advice to any of you in similar situations is to just walk away from the flak and move to another part of the pitch. The chances are you ll still be able to watch the game and communicate with your players equally effectively. What you don t want is for your players to see you getting involved with the opposition in any way, unless it s to applaud good play or shake hands at the end. The heckling and sarcasm that had been fired our way during the match had finally been silenced by a winning goal from our player of the season, with just seconds remaining. In the game in question, my problem was I had injured my ankle a few days before, and as a result I was pretty immobile - a sitting target, you might say! My number two knew I was irritated with the constant level of shouting and his intervention helped me to remain in control of my emotions. So, at the end, rather than say something I shouldn t have, I just thanked them for the game and commiserated them on the defeat. You have to imagine what it looks like to your players (and to the parents of your players) if your behaviour is anything other than exemplary. They will often follow your example, and that s dangerous. By not reacting and remaining calm, you set the correct example and all will be well. That s sometimes easier said than done, so if you know you are easy to wind up then walk away, or at very least surround yourself with parents and helpers who can shield you from the irritation. If your team plays well and everyone has a good time, that is far more important than getting back at point-scoring with opposition coaches and parents. Combat the cobwebs Steve Watson Editor, Footy4kids.co.uk Four great ways to get your players back into the swing of things in time for the new season: 1. Hand over the reins It s good to let your players plan and run their own practice session at least once or twice every season. The week before you want them to do the hard work for you, ask your players what they think they need to be better at and seek one or two volunteers to plan a session to address their shortcomings. This could be a good job for your captain and vice-captain. If nothing else, the experience will show your players that coaching football is not simply a case of turning up at the field with a bag of balls and some cones! 2. Make sure your coaching sessions are progressive and challenging Boredom will soon set in if you don t challenge your players to improve, so don t spend lots of time practising skills that were first introduced weeks or months ago. You also need to be realistic in your expectations. For example, most sevenyear-olds lack the physical ability to lock their ankle so don t expect them to be able to be able to kick a ball from one end of the pitch to the other. 3. Use games, not drills Children come to coaching sessions to play football, not to stand around waiting. It s a youth soccer golden rule that you shouldn t use drills that involve children standing in lines. Children can and should practise passing, receiving, shooting, shielding the ball, tackling and more within the context of a small-sided match, not just in a drill. 4. Competition is the key Your coaching sessions should reflect the fact that football, whether we like it or not, is about winning and losing. Coaching games for children over the age of five or six should have clear winners and losers. And it s okay to encourage this as long as you reward effort too. Mix up teams regularly so that everyone gets a chance to be on the winning team, and stress the importance of winning and losing gracefully. Above: Establish clear winners Left: Practise skills like tackling in a small-sided game 5
SMALL-SIDED GAME Wednesday, August 22, 2012 Defend well and receive the reward Michael Beale Premier League Academy soccer coach One of the white team players receives the ball and attacks 1v2 This drill shows defenders that by working together to stop the attack they will be rewarded with a chance to attack their opponent. How to play it Create a playing area measuring 50x30 yards, with a goal at each end. This game is 4v4 plus keepers teams begin from behind the goals they defend. Two players from one team come forward against one attacker who, when on or near the central line, is served the ball. He attempts to score in an overloaded 1v2 situation. The defenders must pressure and try to stop the attacker. If they manage to win possession of the ball then they immediately attack the opposite goal 2v1 against the attacker s team mate who comes onto the pitch from behind the goal. If both defenders attack 2v1 and lose the ball, the lone attacker can pass back to his team mate in the other half of the pitch for a free shot at goal. Continue the pattern until each lone attacker has had two attacks, then see which team has scored most goals. 50yds The defenders win the ball and can now launch a counter attack Their reward for defending well is a 2v1 attack. Can the defender win the ball back when outnumbered Tactically, the defender nearest to the ball must pressure. Team mates need to work together to win the ball. And teams must be ready to counter quickly and positively when play is turned over. 6
YOUR SAY SCW Surgery This week Steve Watson Soccer Coach Weekly Should I be getting my Q Under-7s to adopt field positions? Terry Stewart, Boscombe Six-year-olds really don t want A to play in a position. They want to get close to the action - where the ball is! If you tell them to stay in a certain part of the pitch, it won t confuse them. But you will be taking away a lot of their fun. Plus they will not learn so quickly. These boys need to be chasing, touching, tackling and dribbling as much as possible - not guarding a piece of grass. I suggest you just let them play for now. In a year or two you will be able to discuss with them the benefits of having a defence and an attack. And by that time some players will have naturally grown to play in these positions without any coaching. Don t be in too much of a rush to get them playing football properly. Sit back and enjoy the mayhem while it lasts. You will have plenty of time to ponder tactics in the years ahead! TACKLED: Results Here s the result of the poll we ran in Soccer Coach Weekly 277 where we asked if you felt you should teach and encourage your players to play the long ball game YES NO 71% 29% TACKLED: Life s Lessons Should we teach kids the way when it comes to the challenges of soccer, or let them learn from their own mistakes? TEACH THEM THE WAY Henry Amstell Loughborough Under-10s Teaching kids efficiently and concisely means they learn things quicker that s a scientifically proven fact. If we re not teaching our players the right and the wrong things, what s even the purpose of us being there? We may as well pack up and go home, leaving them completely to their own devices. The role of a coach is to coach! Players often assume that they know best, even the very young ones. The reality is they need guidance and support, and youth soccer coaches are in a very trusted position to be able to offer that. Unlike other authority figures in kids lives, soccer coaches are almost always liked and respected. Not only do they have something that s really valuable and of interest, but that respect for authority is something that we should be encouraging kids to apply to other senior figures in their lives. Teaching kids efficiently and concisely means they learn things quicker that s a scientifically proven fact. And if they learn things quicker they become better players quicker, and get more enjoyment out of what they do. Why stifle that early development when you can fast-track it to making them better players? There are plenty of lessons they ll learn in life by themselves and they will be lessons considerably more valuable than when to release a pass or how to trap a ball! This is soccer; let s not complicate it. And besides which, there are some skills that can only be taught. No player is going to have the insight to work out tactical formations. There are things that cannot be discovered by themselves, and do require guidance. LET THEM LEARN FROM THEIR OWN MISTAKES Troy Mannon New York State West Under-13s Soccer is like life a fantastic learning experience in which players (kids) must confront and overcome challenges by themselves. Let s keep this in perspective. We re not encouraging kids to saunter off in life making all their own decisions and dictating their path forward. What we re advocating is the empowerment of kids when it comes to some technical and match-based elements of the game of soccer. It will work in some areas and won t in others, but when it works, it really works. Soccer is like life a fantastic learning experience in which players (kids) must confront and overcome challenges by themselves. That s all part of the makeup of who we are. Too often we wrap our children in cotton wool, when that s actually the most damaging thing we can do. A lesson learned by a kid is so much more valuable than one presented to them. The player will feel involved, impressed with himself for solving the problem, and determined to keep finding other solutions. And a mistake made by one player isn t only felt by him. In a team environment, his peers will also learn from the experience. This is practical group learning and it really works. Admitting we don t all know the answers can also be a tremendous teambonding exercise. Having the best player showing themselves to be fallible actually provides a great boost to the lesser players, as well as keeping those top-ranking kids feet on the ground! 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 7