and
First I just want to remind people that all of the previous Soccer Newsletters can be found in the Soccer Newsletter archives at http://finesoccer.com/soccer.htm.
One of the differences between successful teams and teams that aren't as unsuccessful is how they pressure upfront and also how they handle pressure
in back. While there certainly are times when it's necessary for backs to clear balls out of pressure there are other times when successful teams work the balls out of pressure and both possess the ball and also move it up field.
Some of the keys to working the ball out of pressure in back include backs having the confidence to pass the ball to a player who isn't wide open and also having midfielders move into the proper space to provide adequate support. Too often when a back has the ball and is being pressured, you see midfielders run straight up the field when the reality is, the backs need support wide. Rather than running up the field the midfielders needs to go wide first to get themselves open and then consider whether to move forward, backward or stay right there. When a midfielder runs straight up the field they frequently are making a run that puts them directly behind the player pressuring the ball which makes it very difficult for the player with the ball to be able to pass it, under pressure to this midfielder. By going wide first, the midfielder gets out from behind the defender and gives the back an angle to make the successful
pass. When you combine the backs having the confidence to pass the ball and the midfielders coming back and supporting the ball instead of running away from the ball, it allows the team to possess the ball and progress the ball down the field.
The best way to work on this type of proper support is to do various types of shadow training (to learn more about shadow training please go to
http://finesoccer.com/soccer_edition_54.htm). This allows all of the players to see where they should consider going depending upon where the ball is and when to provide the support.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm ,
Have a great day!
Lawrence
PS To learn more about how to develop training complete training sessions as well as complete seasons of training please check out the Full Season Training Sessions at
http://finesoccer.com/full_season.htm
Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today's featured progression is a great warm up activity that works on passing, receiving, moving off the ball, combinations and communication.
First, if you would like to see this progression integrated into an entire training session you might be interested in the Full Season Training Sessions. To learn more please go to http://finesoccer.com/full_season.htm
Assuming you have 14 players at your training session have them break into groups of 2's with one ball per group. One player is in white and the other is in blue. All of the groups are inside of a 40 x 30 area. To start, the two players pass to each other with the rule being that they must have a 5-yard spring after each pass and also they must pass the ball at least 10 yards. The different groups are moving amongst each other so each player must keep their head up in order to avoid running or passing into another player. They do this for a two-minute period and then stretch.
The next step is to have the blues start with the ball. They are no longer in groups of 2's instead it's a white group and a blue group. The blues take a couple of dribbles then pass the ball to one of the whites and then run to that white who passes the ball right back to them. The blue then takes a couple of dribbles and does the same with another white player. This is done for a set period of time (usually 1 minute) and then they switch roles.
Next the blues start with the ball again and this time they pass the ball to white and then make a run to receive a one-touch wall pass back. This is done for 1 minute and then they switch roles.
Next the blues start with a ball and this time they pass the ball to a white player who receives it and dribbles at the blue player and they do a takeover and then find other partners. Again, this is done for a 1-minute period and then they switch roles.
Next blue starts with the ball and they pass the ball to a white player, check to and receive the ball back and then the white player spins off and receives the double pass (for more on double passes, see http://finesoccer.com/soccer_edition_94.htm ). This is done for a two-minute period (because each player get their chance at each role).
Next blue starts with the ball and then passes to a white and the blue player overlaps the white player. The key is that the white player must find another white player to play the ball back to and that player finds the blue player on the overlap.
As you can see, there are numerous options that can be added to this to work on different types of combinations and passing sequences. The thing I like about this type of progression is that it's a lot of touches and movement in a short period of time and because of the confined space, it also requires a lot of vision and communication.
Give this progression a try and let me know what you think by sending an email to
Lawrence@finesoccer.com or by posting on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net
When training a soccer team, frequently we will start with working on basic skills, and then we add in some pressure then go to some type of a game related activity and then finish with some type of a game. The reason for using this type of a progression is to work on basics, make it a bit harder and then apply it in a game like situation.
If there isn't a game like situation, most of the time the players don't see how the skill work relates to the game of soccer. If this is the generally accepted training philosophy in working with teams, why do most keeper coaches think that working on skills and then adding some pressure is enough in their training of keepers?
If we don't put the keepers into more game related situations in training, how can we expect them to improve? Too often, keeper coaches take their keepers off to a separate area for training (or do it before or after team training) and then when it's time to bring the keepers with the team, the keepers are thrown into goal and their part of training is over. It's these small-sided games that frequently take place in team training sessions that are where many of the real coaching opportunities exist but this is when many keepers think that their job is over.
In training, keepers frequently work on shot blocking but neglect the areas of reading the game, distribution, communication etc. The small-sided games that many teams use in training are great opportunities for the keeper, with the help of coaches, to really learn and get a better understanding of the game.
When the keeper makes a save in a game, their job is not done and in many cases, it has just started as not only is the keeper the last line of defense but also the first line of attack. If the keeper doesn't work on this aspect of the game in training, they will be ineffective in the games.
Keeper coaches can go so far as to stand on the field with the keeper in small sided scrimmages to work with them on reading the game and communication but the keeper coaches who think that training keepers means lining balls up and firing rapid fire shots at the keeper are missing some tremendous training and learning opportunities.
If you are a keeper coach, are you taking advantage of the coaching opportunities that are available or are you just doing part of the job? If you are a keeper, do you understand that everything you do in a training session is a learning opportunity and wasting these opportunities will hold back your development as a keeper?
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
Today's subject deals with coaches keeping training sessions interesting.
Many times a coach will go into a training session wanting to really emphasize one thing. For example, the coach might feel the team needs to work on receiving balls from the air. The coach then has two options. He can either pick one activity and do it over and over again with the logic being that repetition is required in order to be successful. The second option is to keep working on the same skills but to vary the
activities, which keeps things fresh.
The easy way to do things is to pick one activity and keep doing it over and over again until the activity is mastered but as is frequently true, the easy way is not necessary the best way to do things. While doing the same thing over and over
again might create a lot of repetitions it's also part of the reason players don't look forward to coming to training sessions since the last thing they want to do is get bored.
It is a lot harder to plan training sessions that work on a particular subject without dragging things out but the results are definitely worth it. Finding different ways to work on the same thing does require proper planning but it does keep things interesting.
The coaches who run a training session without a plan will almost always run an inefficient, unentertaining training session. The second type of coach comes to training with a plan and provided everything goes as planned the training session goes well. The third type of coach plans for multiple possibilities and is prepared for most possibilities. For a given training session I might plan 20 different activities for a session. This way, if I have 16 players at the start of a session I am prepared or if there is a traffic issue and only 10 players show up for the start of training, I am prepared for that as well. Does this require a lot more work? Of course but if I, as the coach, am not willing to prepare properly for practice how can I expect my players to do so.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
Today's subject deals with defensive shape and responsibility as well as dynamic runs upfront.
FineSoccer Drill 183
Here is an interesting way to work on defensive shape and responsibility as well as creative runs up front.
Start with 1 keeper, 4 backs against 4 midfielders and 2 forwards, See diagram below for basic set up with the offensive third of the field broken into thirds
The midfielders start with the ball and they try to serve the ball in to the forwards. The backs are on defense. When the ball is in the middle third all defenders must be in the middle third. When the ball goes out wide then the defenders can go wide to defend.
The next step in this progression has the same basic set up as above but now when the ball goes wide to either of the outside midfielders someone (either a forward or an central midfielder must overlap the outside midfielder and the opposite outside midfielder can join the attack. See diagram below
The next steps in this progression could include adding defensive center midfielders or defending outside midfielders or many other options.
Give this activity a try and let me know what you think on the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net
Have a great day
Lawrence
FineSoccer Drill 182
Here is a simple activity that works on runs by frontrunners in different situations while also working on defensive shape, balance and communication. Start with a keeper in goal, 2 defenders and 2 forwards with the rest of the players in a semi circle around the goal (30-35 yards from goal). The players on the outside all have a ball. See diagram below
Each player on the outside has a ball and the coach calls out one of the players names and that player must find one of the two forwards who are trying to make runs to create space either for themselves or for their partner. All of the players on the outside have their ball between their legs and are doing touches side to side until it's their turn to play the ball in. Players eventually rotate into each of the different positions
Next we add a third defender. Now the rule is that when the player on the outside plays the ball into a forward, they can follow their pass into the play.
Next the rule is changed so now two names are called. The first player called plays the ball in and the second player joins the attack.
Next we add a fourth defender and now both players whose names are called can join the attack.
Next we add a 5th defender and have 3 players join the attack
As you can see, their are many variations to this type of activity and it just depends upon what exactly the coach is trying to accomplish to decide which variation you want to try. Even the players on the outside are getting touches on the ball and some fitness work and this could be varied to different types of touches.
Give this activity a try and see what variations you can come up with to help your team
Have a great day!
Lawrence
Today's subject deals with safety and responsibility.
Every year I read or hear about an injury or death as a result of a goal falling on a player and yet coaches, parents, administrators and players don't seem to think it will ever happen to them or their players. The unfortunate truth is that until we all do something about it, it CAN and WILL happen to one of us, or one of our players.
Some fields have goals that are permanently anchored to the ground and while those are usually the safest to use they also result in a terrible playing surface in front of the goal because that same area ends up getting most of the traffic in games and training. The alternative is to have movable goals but as soon as have goals that move, you either have to anchor them to the ground or risk having them fall over.
If you use movable goals, do you make sure they are anchored securely before using? If not, are you willing to risk the health (or even life) of your players?
If you don't have something to anchor the goals, you can get some professionally made ones for a very small amount. To see some possibilities go to http://tinyurl.com/2xwp3 . As you will see, the regular prices are quite reasonable but if you want a reduced price for these items email me at kg@finesoccer.com with what you want and your shipping address and I will get you a reduced price.
If you want to make your own anchors, get some type of a strong bag and fill it with sand to secure the goals for safety.
Another option is to simply assign a couple of parents to anchor the goal by holding it down or standing on the side of the goal if you don't have another way to anchor the goal during the training session. This is not an ideal way to anchor a goal but it's certainly better than the alternative.
Other risks to consider include weather. Do you ever stay on the field until the "last minute" thinking the lightning didn't seem "too close" because there were a few seconds between the sound of the thunder and the sight of the lightning? Is that extra few minutes worth the risk you are taking?
Do you walk the field before a training session or game to make sure the field is in a safe condition? Do you do everything you can to make sure there isn't something lying on the ground in the area you are going to be training that might put the players health at stake (such as a rake inadvertently left on the field or a hole in the ground from a sprinkler head)? Is there short amount of time this would take worth it or is there something more important that you are doing?
While there isn't anything a coach, parent or player can do to guarantee that there are no injuries from soccer, there are numerous things that can be done to minimize the risk of injuries. Most of these things do require a small amount of effort but the question is, are the players worth it? I could ask for people to email me with their answer but the only true answer comes from their actions as opposed to their words.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to Lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted to the FineSoccer Forum at
http://finesoccer.net
To subscribe to any of the FineSoccer Newsletters please go to http://finesoccer.com/subscrib.htm
Have a great day!
Lawrence
We would like to thank Lawrence Fine and FineSoccer.com for allowing us to publish this article on the NASL website. Please visit http://www.FineSoccer.com and sign up for Lawrence's free coaching newsletters and articles.
Created:
12/20/99
Last Updated:
05/29/04
Since
February 24, 1999
FastCounter by LinkExchange
Web Administrator Ken Gamble
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||