WHAT IS A TECHNIQUE A technique is a basic building block of football. For example the technique of creating space is the ability of players to time their movement so that they can create and find time and space on a football pitch. The more time and space a player has, the less pressure there is on them which results in more time for the player to get their heads up and make good choices and decisions. The more opportunities the player has to practice this technique in a game related practice, then the better the player will be at mastering these basic techniques of the game, which will improve the players confidence and the more chance they will have of improving as a player. A technical session is unopposed so that the players can practice these techniques without the pressure of a defender or opposition player, which allows them time to focus and have time on mastering the technique. But, players also need to be appropriately challenged in the practice. So in this session of The Technique of Creating Space, there are progressions that utilise the floating player, so that players have to react to find space when the floating player changes direction with the ball, There are progressions where players have to react to create space if one of their team create space with the ball and change direction and challenges which ask the players to think about clever movement to create space and when to stand still if they are already in space. We have also included challenges. Players love the competitive element of the challenges. But that competitive factor of the challenge will also make players hurry their passing and movement as they strive to compete. As a result the quality of the passing will decrease as players lose composure and rush to make the passes as quickly as they can. This allows the coach to help the players make decisions about the right time to create space, when to pass quickly, to pass first time and when to control and pass. As a result, the players performances through these challenges will improve. FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2 COACHING Improve the Technique of Creating Space
1. ORGANISATION. Suggested area size. Inside area 25 x 15 yards. Circle areas of approximately 5 yards in diameter as per graphic 3 groups, with a ball each of 3 players on the pitch in different coloured bibs Floating player who can play with any group Adjust the size of the area to suit the age, ability and number of players. The practice can be adjusted for 8-14 players EQUIPMENT Supply of footballs, cones to mark out areas and bibs. PURPOSE To improve the technique of Creating Space 2. START Initially start the practice slowly, with only one group playing so that all the players understand the pattern of the practice, then progress to all 3 groups playing at the same time The ball starts with one player in the group. Another player from the group must look to make a run into any of the circle areas to receive the pass
3. REACTION OF THIRD PLAYER As soon as the second player has received the pass, the third player makes a run into a circle to find space and receive a pass After passing the ball from a circle area, the passer moves into the centre area. The pattern of the practice is repeated. All 3 groups playing at the same time, trying to pass to players who have made runs into the circles to find space. 4. TIMING OF RUNS AND COMMUNICATION The player who hasn t been involved in the pass or receiving the ball the third player should time their run so that before the pass reaches the player they are making their move into a circle to receive the next pass. This pattern of third player movement being one step ahead should be encouraged The third player can really help the passer by communicating to the passer, both verbally and with hand gestures
5. BOTH PLAYERS OFF THE BALL LOOKING TO CREATE SPACE Encourage players, the passer and the third player to make moves into the circles to create and find space. Again, encourage good communication and timing of movement The decision on who to pass to is down to the passer, but the passing should be accurate, well timed and weighted 6. PLAYER ON THE BALL SHIFTING DIRECTION WITH THE BALL Encourage the players on the ball to sometimes run or dribble the ball and change direction The other players in their group should react to this change of direction or movement of the ball to adjust their movement to find space
7. USING THE FLOATING PLAYERS Any player in any group can pass to the floating player at any time. The floating player must pass the ball back to the group who passed the ball to them The floating player should where possible, turn with the ball and change direction or pass the ball first time The players in the group who passed the ball to the floating player must adjust their movement into a circle to take into account the floating player turning with the ball or passing first time 8. CHANGING DIRECTION AND CREATING SPACE WITH THE BALL Encourage players to create space with the ball by using turns to change direction with the ball Look out for a good reaction from other players to adjust their movement as the player on the ball creates space with the ball by turning and changing direction
9. CLEVER MOVEMENT TO CREATE SPACE Players should think about using clever movement to find and create space For example, the white and blue team in the graphic have used an in to out movement to create space to receive the ball outside of the circle area, after initially making a run into the area The yellow team have used an out to in, timed movement to create space inside the circle area 10. CREATING SPACE BY RECEIVING AND TURNING WITH THE BALL Players should think about receiving the ball and turning to create space be aware of the space around them to be able to turn and the position of their team mates prior to turning with the ball Team mates should look to adjust and time their runs into space as the player is turning with the ball
11. CHALLENGES The challenge is for the first team to get a player to receive a pass in every one of the circles. All the players in the team must receive a pass in one of the circles or make a run into a circle to receive a pass outside of the circle They must pass to the floating player at least once and receive the ball back in a circle They can go into a circle if another team are in the circle 12. KEY COACHING Head up, spatial awareness of where the space is. Timing of movement to create space. Try and make the movement early, be one step ahead Look at the ball when making the move to create space To get in space where the passer can see them and where there is a clear passing channel Clever movement in to out, or out to in Create space with the ball, by turning and changing the direction Quality and decision of passing 13. PROGRESSIONS Progress to the skill of creating space