The 10-10-10 Practice

Provided to DecaturSports.com through the courtesy of George M. Lasher. George is an "A" licensed soccer coach from Long Island, New York and is a frequent contributor to the soccer-coach-l mailing list. George can be reached by e-mail at gmlasher@optonline.net His website is located at http://eteamz.active.com/youthsoccercoach/index.cfm?

Introduction

The following is a practice organization put forward by Frank Schmidt, the head coach of the Sachem Arrows Boys High School team. Sachem has been the Class A NYS champions the last 2 years (1997 and 1998).
This practice was demonstrated at the 1998 LIJSL convention by Frank with a local youth team. Briefly, Coach Schmidt’s philosophy is that every 90-minute practice should start with the first 30 minutes doing footwork, 1 v 1 and technical perfection.

First ten minutes do footwork

To develop confidence and comfort with the ball

Second ten minutes do 1 v 1

To develop initiative and competitiveness

Third ten minutes do technical perfection

To develop the correct technique and habits

The First Ten Minutes
You will note that some of the following drills are taken directly from the advanced foot skills section of the manual

Organization

Each player has a ball

Two players partnered at each corner

While one partner dribbles the other partner stretches

On coaches command all four players dribble clockwise or counter clockwise as coach directs

At each corner all players pull a coerver move dictated by the coach prior to the start

Scissors

Double Scissors

Cruyff

Etc., Etc., Etc., Use your imagination

Use the same move for two (2) trips around the box

At the end of two trips stretching partner goes while the player who just finished stretches

First partner then goes again with a different move dictated by the coach

Organization

Each player has a ball

Players dribble towards the center cones

When they get to within 1 yard they pull a covering move dictated by the coach

Pull back vee to the left

Pull back sweep behind to the left

Tap, jump cover sweep back

ETC, ETC, ETC Use your imagination

The key is for all players to move in the same direction. After they pull the move they pass the ball to the next player in line on the line to the LEFT of the one they just came from.

The player receiving the ball then makes the run to the cones and pulls the same move, passing it to his left.

Two times around for each player and then switch the move

Organization

Two players at each cone, each with a ball

Cones are ten yards apart

First two players drive towards each other

When they are 6 yards apart they each pull a move dictated previously by the coach

Both players must use SAME foot and SAME move (That’s so they don’t collide)

Coaching Points

Lower the players center of gravity (i.e. GET LOW)

Approach the dribble to the corner, the dribble to the cones and the dribble towards the opponent slowly. This is not a race.

Complete the move at the corner or the opponent with an explosive set/touch.

Complete the move at the center cone by playing the ball outside of your footprints setting up the pass

Stress technical excellence on the pass. There are no defenders pressuring the players

When changing directions look for and encourage a change of hip direction.

Example # 4: Just the Basics

Take any of the foot skill moves delineated in the foot skill chapter and have each one worked on for 1 minute in a confined area.

I like Brushes, Tap-Tap-Brush, Inside-Outside, Figure 8 Circles with the outside of the foot, Pull a Vee-Double Tap, Pull and Sweep Behind- Double Tap. 1-2-3 Double Touch, Step Over Right – Turn Right, Scissor, and Rivolino

The Second Ten Minutes

The second ten minutes is 1 v 1 drills. In this section we will set up three or four fields 10 yards wide by 15 yards long.

Organization

Assign four players per field

Players on field have one ball

Place balls at four corners of field for use when game ball is kicked away

Players on the touch lines are neutral players

Each player plays five rounds for a total of ten minutes

The object is for the players on the field to beat their opponent, either one on one or by making a wall pass to a neutral player. Goal is scored by dribbling across the end line between the cones with the ball under control.

Organization

Neutral players are now behind the 6 foot wide goals

Objective remains for the two field players to dribble across the end line between the cones with the ball under control
OR
Complete a pass to a neutral player thru the cones.

Field players may use either neutral player to break free from the defender and reach their objective

Organization

There are now four goals, two on each side in the corners

Players on end lines are still neutral

Same 1 v1 objective but now the field players can utilize the neutrals for a through pass

Players on field can attack either goal and must defend two goals

Neutral must one or two touch the ball back to player on field who has to run to support his original pass

Player must dribble through one of the two goals

Coaching Points for the Attacker

Encourage the use of footwork moves or body swerves to unbalance the defender

Get low

Exploit space (approximately 1 foot) the moment it becomes available

Do Not let the defender put you in a shield position

The moment you pass to a neutral, EXPLODE into space

Coaching Points for the Defender

Put one foot (the "poker") ahead of the other (support or tackling foot)

Get Low

Be Patient. Do not dive in.

Close the space down

Channel the dribbler to predict ball direction

Tackle hard the moment the ball is available

Coaching Points for Both Field Players

The moment the ball is won - Immediately attack

The moment the ball is lost – Win it back

Coaching Points for Neutral Players

Position yourself off the ball so that the player in possession can get the ball to you

In other words, move into a passing lane (Show Yourself)

1 v 1 in a Circle

Here is another 1 v 1 drill that you can do in the same circle format that we worked in the speed of play section. Make a circle of 15 to 20 yards diameter, or suitable to the skills of your team. The first player drives the ball across the circle to a teammate and then moves to the middle, not beyond, to defend. The player receiving the ball plays 1 v 1 for a specified period of time.

Progression Of 1 V 1 In A Circle

Player in possession of the ball can pass and receive from any teammate on the circles edge

Player with the ball can shield and play ball back and forth with outside players

Player receiving can drive to the center then pull ball back in a vee, cut the ball back with the inside of the foot or the outside and lay it off to a player on the rim of the circle

The Third Ten Minutes

The third ten minutes is to achieve technical excellence in trapping, preparing and passing.

Organization - Two Players

Two players and one ball

Start with long passing. Stand players between 10 and 30 yards apart depending on age and ability level

Start out with hand tossed balls. Balls are tossed underhand and two-handed

Execute the coaches chosen technique with three touches

1^st touch receive

2^nd touch prepare

3^rd touch pass

With older, more experienced players, two touch the ball

Long Pass Options for the coach (Remember to use both feet)

Long pass chest trap, serve back with inside of foot

Long pass chest trap, serve back with the outside of the foot

Long pass thigh trap serve back with the inside of the foot

Long pass, foot trap, push outside, return back with laces

Short Pass Options for the coach (Remember to stress both feet)

Receive with the top of the foot, play back with inside

Receive with the inside of the foot, return with the inside of the foot

Receive with the outside of the foot, return with the inside of the foot

Receive with the outside of the foot, return with the outside of the foot

Play one touch with laces back to the server

Play one touch with inside of foot back to the server

Organization – Three Players

Three players, two balls, one at each end player

Player in middle checks back to the player passing the ball

Player in middle stays between the cones, therefore the pass from the end players has to be timed so it arrives as the middle player is checking back but before he leaves the cone area.

Coach determines the type of pass and receive, i.e. one touch, two touch, inside of foot outside of foot, etc.

If play is to be half volley, end players can serve two handed, underhand.

After the pass is made to the middle player he returns it to the same player immediately

Middle player then reverses himself and takes a pass from the other end player and returns it

The sequence is then repeated. Keep the middle player running hard for 60 seconds then switch.

This type of drill can also be done in a circle. Place one cone in the center of the circle. The receiving players circle around this cone facing outward. Each receiving player is initially matched up with a player directly across from them. This player is the server. The servers each have a ball.

Players in the middle check in to the server, who serves whatever type of pass the coach has called for. Lets say it is a chest trap two-touch. The server would hand serve the ball to the chest of the receiving player. The receiver has to chest trap the ball and prepare it to her foot and then tap it back to the server.

The receiver then runs back to the cone in the center and touches it. She then moves counterclockwise to the next server and repeats. This is a good conditioning tool as well as a tool to teach technical excellence in passing.