PAGE   6
by Gary Rue
garyrue@bellsouth.net
 

NOTE:  Gary did not write these exercises and tips with the idea that someone would publish them.  I subscribe to the Soccer-Coach-L e-mail list and Gary is one of the coaches that posts extremely well thought out replies.  These are some of Gary's posts that I collected for use in coaching my own teams.   I approached Gary and he was gracious enough to allow me to publish them here.  If you like what you see or have a question about one of the exercises you can reach Gary at garyrue@bellsouth.net There are 50+ more pages of Gary's posts categorized at the Home Page of Exercises of the Day by Gary Rue. Click here and enjoy.

Combination Play Warm-ups  -  Part I

          The following is the first of five part series of developing combination play. The posts will cover free space warm-ups (part I), grid based warm-ups (part II), a 3 man tactical session followed by match conditioned/related exercises based on the 3 man build-up. The fourth and fifth parts will be another tactical session that progresses quickly to the 5 man setup with the 5 man match conditioned/related piece last.
          In prior posts, I have listed the fundamental sessions on 3-man combos where I have introduced the terms and the basic tactical components. In this series, I hope to show a basis of warm-ups and tactical sessions that will build upon those fundamentals.
          Please note: it doubtful that you can use all of the following in one session. The younger the player, the more focus the combination work has to be. With older players, a strong focus may help them develop each technique and tactic better.
         The exercises below are classified as warm-up exercises as they have little or no pressure elements. The players use this time to warm-up their bodies and get as many touches and individual skill work in as possible. There will be two separate warm-ups posted--in a defined grid and in free and unrestricted space. Early in the season, I would start with free space first.
         The coach could specify some the warm-up period to do stretching or other flexibility exercises. The coach can also find opportunities during the warm-ups to introduce new or to further develop techniques and simple tactical movements.

          Free space exercises (no defined boundaries):

• Two man pass and move-A1 passes ball and moves off to some space; receiver (A2) is to take first touch into space, do some dribbling touches; A1 checks to ball from space; A2 makes eye contact and passes. I ask the players to make their passes on the ground and to vary the distance and weight of the pass. This is done in the same area as the other groups of two.
• Group pass and move-save as above, but each pass must be to a different player.
• Group two-touch-same as above, except make a restriction of two-touch (remove a couple of balls to make 3 to 1 ratio of receivers to passers).
• Group one-touch-same as above, except make a restriction of one-touch (remove a few more balls to make 3 to 1 ratio of receivers to passers).
• 3 man combos--one third of the players are on the outside of a large area (A2); the rest of the squad are paired up (A1 & A3). Each pair will locate a free A2 on the outside and start the combination with a pass to that player. A2 will switch with A1 after each combination.
• Pass to third player-A1 makes a long pass to A2; A3 moves off into  appropriate space to receive a one-touch pass from A2. A2 should initiate the sequence by making eye contact with A1 and checking towards the ball. A3 should adjust his run to the direction of the pass (e.g., if the ball is played to A2's right, he should move off towards A2's right side).
• Overlap-A1 passes to A2; A3 overlaps A1 to receive the pass from A2. Once the sequence is established A1 can start the sequence by first dribbling towards A3 (creating space for A3 to run into) before passing to A2.
• Takeover-A1 passes to A2 who dribbles straight at A3; A3 takes the ball over from A2.
• Flick and spin--A1 passes to A2; A2 passes to A3 who flicks on to A1 and spins away from the flick; A1 one-touches a return to A3. A2 follows A3 for the next sequence.
• Dummy-A1 passes to A2 and moves off in another direction; A2 returns the pass to A1 who steps over (dummies) the pass as it continues on to a following A3. The coach may want A3 to request A1 to "Leave it!"
• Chip/header-A1 passes to A2, who does a two-touch chip to A3. A3 heads or volleys the chip to A1 who one-touches back to A2. A2 passes back to A3 and they start a new sequence.
  
  (Note, the options used were introduced in a prior sessions of three man combos without the dynamics of interchanging with other players.)

       A lot of the warm-up stuff can be used at the U12 level; however, the largest part of this series will be at the U14 (or more) and above ages. If you can ignore what the players are doing and focus on the format, a coach should be able to substitute his own technique or tactic into the session.
       Combination play is high level for a player to recognize and do during a game. However, by introducing some of the elements, such as a check run, an overlap, and a 3rd attacker run off the ball, the players gradually start to relate this to the game. Tactical awareness does not occur overnight.
       Four years ago, I would not have been able to run most of these exercises (as posted) with my high school team. They did not understand check runs, etc. Now, my players make this run in preseason exercises before I reintroduce it. And to be honest, this current team is not as good technically and athletically as that team four years ago. It's a building process. As a matter of fact, it was that team four years ago when I started introducing 3 man-combos.
        As you will see in the tactical exercises, the play will quickly move out of the U12 realm. But, if you know where you want your road to go, at least you can start laying down the first steps in that direction.  Good luck.

Combination Play Warm-up  -  Part II

        To further continue on passing warm-ups to develop combination play, grids can be used to help to localize the play. The players now must be more concerned about the weight and accuracy of their passes in the confined area.
         The coach could specify some the warm-up period to do stretching or other flexibility exercises. The coach can also find opportunities during the warm-ups to introduce new or to further develop techniques and simple tactical movements.
         Grid passing exercises (10x15 boundaries laid out in pairs where they share a 15 yard boundary)-three players per grid; the players are asked to utilize the space as well as they can (and not get caught in corners):

• Pass and move-the three players pass and dribble to their creative enjoyment
• Two-touch-players are asked to play the ball quickly with in two touches or to take the ball to space on the first touch and pass on the second touch. At this time the passer should ALWAYS move away from the passing direction or follow his pass-either one could be a coach's restriction.
• One-touch-could be to third player or a return to the previous passer, depending on the initial pass quality and direction. Supporting players should adapt to the initial pass and move into a possible receiving position.
  
• 3-man combos-refer to prior post for examples; some possibilities include-
• A1 passes to and overlaps A2;   A2 touches the ball back towards A1, creating space for A1 to run into; A2 then passes to and overlaps A3; A3 touches the ball towards the passing direction and passes to A1, etc.
• A1 passes to A2 and runs between A2 and A3; A2 passes to A3 as A1 dummies the pass
• A1 passes to A2 who flicks on to A3 and spins away from the pass; A2 returns passes to A3
  
• Bad balling-A1 hits a "bad" pass (e.g., a flick in the air, a heavily weighted pass, etc.) to A2. A2 can clean it up (receives it) and pass immediately to A3 or A2 can one-touch (head/volley, etc.) to A3. A3 then plays a "bad" pass to A1.
• Air balling-the three players try to keep the ball alive in the air through volleys or heading.
  
  The team is now ready to move into a more tactical session. where the spaces are larger and the movement of the players take on more importance. The next part of the series will be the tactical session.
  

Combination Play - Tactical (5 man)

        The next part will deal with another tactical session that quickly moves away from the three man groups and adopts defensive pressure earlier in the session. The basic formation that is used is a 3-2. This also allows for good function training for the forward pair as well as the three backs (or halfbacks).

         Because of the use of more players and the more pronounced functional play of players, another warm-up is suggested. In a 15x10 grid (adjust to players), divide the 15 yard length into 3 zones. Play 5v3 with each of the three defenders restricted to a   zone. The attack setup can vary with 2 players each restricted to the end zones or two players in one end and the middle zone; or the attackers can move freely between the zones. As one can see, many things can be developed out of this setup.

        Also consider, dividing the zones parallel to the 10 yard lines to make the play wider.

       Create areas that are 40x30 (lxw) with a centerline or a 10 yard neutral area. (Note: the previous set up could be easily expanded if you laid it initial 10x15 warm-up areas out correctly.) Player setup starts with 2 in the top area (the backs) and one (the forward) in the bottom. A second group could work in the opposite direction. The session progresses as follows:

• Work the timing of the check run of the forward as the two backs pass back and forth.
• Add a defender with the backs who tries to stop the pass (block the passing angle) to forward. The term "window" can be introduced here as the players are trying to find that "window of opportunity" to make the pass. The checking forward will try to see the window develop and time the run to coincide with the back receiving the pass and so the forward pass can be made.
• Add a defender on the checking forward and a third back; it's now 3v1 and 1v1. The defender on the forward must stop the forward from turning with the ball. After a couple of run throughs, have the back that is off ball overlaps into the other grid to receive a return pass from the forward. (The flick and spin is a good technique to use here.) This is also a good time to add a full size goal (with or without GK).
• Add a second forward. The defender should close down the player that checks to the ball. Combination play between the forwards are the focus. Initially the off-ball back should just provide a supporting drop pass position to play to the second forward or .
• Add a second defender on the second forward; now the off ball back can add an overlapping run for some other combination off of the two forward play. Another back can provide the drop pass position.
• Add a second defender on the three backs; now the window of opportunity is much less. Allow one of the forwards to check into the back grid to provide a forward pass opportunity. The forward can only drop the ball in this area.
  
  The next part will be the match conditioned and match related areas of the prior training. Until then,