Communication – Page 6

Introducing the concept of teamwork

2v2 Basic Game

Team work starts with two. If players cannot solve the simple problems they face with a partner they will not be able to function in any larger team context.

Therefore, 2v2 in modified forms (different goals and rules,) offers them opportunities to learn how to work together in the four main moments. At this level the concepts of zonal play and man to man marking can be introduced. Players learn that, in a team, they can share responsibilities and are dependent on each other. They are constantly involved in the play, either with the ball or in a helping role, (sometimes by staying out of the way.) They can come up with their own plans and responsibility/ownership falls on “you or me.” Accountability is very clear.

A basic requirement in soccer is being able to handle both sides of 1v1. In 2v2 the players are constantly exposed to this moment. The difference between these situations is that in straight 1v1 the “game” is over very quickly and players “must beat” their opponent or they fail. This produces a high stress situation. 2v2 offers players the option of choosing the moment when to take on their opponent or simply keep possession of the ball. This lowers the stress level which can enhance the learning environment.

3v3 Basic Game

Bunch ball is a constant problem in youth soccer. This results from the players inability to maintain their shape. The distance and angles between the players is lost and, as a team, they are not able to work together efficiently. Since three players make the smallest shape, a triangle, 3v3 games in modified forms are an excellent way to introduce this concept. There are still lots of 1v1 opportunities and the basic lessons from 2v2 can be expanded and built on. 3v3 also guarantees that there is open space somewhere on the field.

Uneven Numbers Act as a Bridge

Going from 2v2 to 3v3, or 3v3 to 4v4 may prove to be difficult for some players. In this case uneven numbers can be a bridge to help them get across the learning gulf. One objective in these games is to help players learn how to use the new situations that larger numbers create against lower resistance. Do they use each other in the most team efficient manner? Do they take advantage of the opportunities presented in the game? Do the players recognize when they are numbers up and have that advantage? Do they understand how to adjust the game when they are numbers down? Games with uneven numbers can be modified, goals or rules, to help maintain a competitive balance.

Neutral Players

By using a neutral player, (they play for both teams giving each a numerical advantage when in possession, in the example above the yellow number 8 the players can get a basic grasp of ideas against less resistance. The coach can play this role so long as they are better then the players and don’t create a problem themselves. Since neutral players don’t have any defensive responsibilities they shouldn’t be overused.

We need help!

Set up

Grid 20 x 30 yards. This is a football coaching drill for eight players. Use two goals.

There are two teams of four football players. One team wears bibs. Two cones, 1 yard apart, mark the goals at each end of the 20 x 30 grid.

Play starts with one player from each team going 1 v 1 attempting to score. Each time a goal is scored the team not scoring adds a player until there is a 4 v 4 set up. At this point, each time a goal is scored the team scoring takes away a player. Play ends when one team gets all of its players off the field.

Scoring System

1 point-goal with more players

2 points-goal with even number of players

3 points-goal with less players

5 points-bonus for first team to get players off

Triangle tag

Objective: To require participants to protect and take responsibility for their teammates, co-operate with group members, use strategic deception to gain competitive advantage and project a confident appearance throughout the contest.

Equipment: none

Space: several 10-yard grids (as in a football field)

Numbers: groups of four

The Game:
Three of the four players for a circle or a triangle. They link arms at the wrist, shoulders or elbows, and are never allowed to break that connection. The 4^th participant is outside the circle/triangle and is designated the tagger. One of the 3 in the triangle is designated the target and the job of the other two members is to shuffle, move, spin and otherwise protect the target from being tagged. This competition continues for 15 seconds and then someone else is designated the tagger and the game continues. The goal is to have everyone take turns being a protector and one turn being a tagger. Keep track of wins and losses as a protector and as a tagger so that all four players are competing for the best win-loss record.

Lesson:
This is a game of intense physical competition. Players have to act as if they’re doing one thing and then do another, fake one way and then go another. They have to act as if they are going to sneak over the back when they’re really coming up from the bottom.

Debriefing:

How competitive were you in this game?
How competitive was your team?
How did you react when a teammate was tagged?
How did that teammate react?
What does this exercise teach about winning and losing?
How did the tagger act when she was successful? When she was unsuccessful?
How do these lessons apply to the ‘Act as If’ principle? (playing with confidence … acting as if you’re confident, as if you’re in control, as if you are the dominant player)

3v1 keepaway

Three players try to keep the football away from one defender in a clearly defined grid. If an offensive player makes a mistake and loses the ball to the defender or if the ball goes out of the grid, he/she switches roles with the defender.

COACHING POINTS

“Get open”–don’t stand there and look at the backside of the defender.

“Keep the ball moving”–pass away from the defender.

“Support the pass”–are you in or moving into a position of support.

VARIATIONS

Easier (for offensive players)

Make the grid larger.
Require defender to gain possession of the ball.
Add another offensive player (4v1). This variation also focuses more on passing technique than movement off the ball.

Harder

Require one or two touches.
Make the grid smaller

The crossing game

The players should organize themselves into groups of four to play 4v4. The training grid is 40 yards long by 30 yards wide. Corner flags or tall cones should be used for goals and disc cones to mark the corners of the grid. The goals are set up diagonally from one another and ten yards in from the goal line.

Players can score from either side of the goal and the game doesn’t stop after a goal is scored. Play a normal 4v4 match except for goals being scored from either side of the goal. Because of the angled goals there will be more crosses into areas in front of the goalmouth. Many goals can be scored under match conditions in a short time period. Teamwork in preparation of attack and defence will improve

This activity promotes group movement (tactic) and involves transition. The techniques of dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, heading, tackling and crossing will have the chance to emerge. As a bonus fitness will also improve in a fun and competitive fashion.

Cobra’s Lair

This drill promotes passing and team work along with very eager defenders, I made this one up and my U10s love it. I call it The Cobras Lair.

Set up: 3 forwards, 2 defenders and a goalie (optional)

Rules: Defenders must stay in the goalie box (penalty area) at all times.

Offence must do at least 3 passes touching all players before shot is taken.

The three forwards start their way down towards the goal. At this point the coach needs to decide if he is satisfied with the passing or if there was the proper amounts of passing because at any given time they mess up the coach lets one defender loose from the box if they were real bad (or you have a real good player on the forward line) you let both out. They woke the cobras!

Also if you like what you see and they are close enough but not in the box then they earned the right to fire at the goalie. Now it’s up to you but I always say they got away with the golden soccer ball.

This has been one of most successful drills, I started it with U8 and kept it going in U10.

Have fun with it.

Spike ball

Objectives:
Good, fun keepaway game to improve passing and possession skills

SETUP

Mark a 30×30 to 40×40 square depending on the number of players and ages, divide players into two teams, and use three soccer balls.

PROCEDURE

1. One team has the ball and plays keep away from the other team trying to make 10 consecutive passes for a score.
2. The other team has two balls and, using only their hands, attempts to spike the possession ball (throw and hit ball).
3. If the defending team spikes the ball then they become the possession team.

RULES

1. Players with the ball in their hands (defenders) can only move 3 steps. This means the defending team must throw and catch the ball to move close for a chance to spike the ball.
2. Defenders without the ball can move freely.

COACHING POINTS

1. Encourage possession team to continually switch the ball away from the pressure. Trap and turn away from the passer!

Soccer ‘sumo’ and the ‘shirt pulling game’

This year my U14 girls played physical games like “soccer sumo” (largest player gets in a small circle of cones, send in a player to shoulder challenge to try to push her out of the cones within 15 seconds) and the “shirt pulling game” (grab partner by the shirt up near the shoulders, place a ball 3 meters away. Partner who touches ball with her foot first wins — nearly anything short of punching goes – long nailed girls are likely to break one).

To mediate this competitiveness I also try to create an environment where everyone feels valued as a person — not just as a player. There is no stigma in losing as long as you are working to improve. The competition is there to improve the team, not to demean anyone. Let’s compete hard, but keep it all in perspective.

With girls from U-11 though U-17 I think you really need to have this dual focus — competition, but also the security and safety that comes from knowing that you are worth more than your soccer ability and that EVERYONE on the team has something to contribute.