and
Today's subject deals with encouraging players with the ball to take on the defenders with a dribble.
There is a new survey online (this is the first new survey in many months!). Please take a moment to participate by going to http://finesoccer.com/survey.htm
Many players like to work on moves that could be used to beat a defender. Examples of these moves would be the cut-catch, V-move, scissors etc (for
more on how to do moves please go to http://finesoccer.com/soccer_edition_56.htm).
However, when they try these moves in a game they frequently do them at the wrong time.
So much of soccer is dependent upon pressure (with pressure being defined as the absence of space and time) and usually the pressure is the defender putting pressure on the attackers (by getting closer to them taking away their space and time to operate with the ball). However, pressure can just as easily be applied by the attackers to the defenders.
When an attacker gets the ball, one thing for her to consider is taking her first touch right at the defender. Most defenders like to have some type of a buffer zone between them and the player they are marking and by taking away this buffer zone it
puts tremendous pressure on the defender. This might not seem like a big deal but the next time you are on a soccer field notice how much more comfortable you are defending when the attacker is stationary or going side to side as opposed to
when the attacker is going straight at you. When the attacker goes straight at you, you have to make some quick decisions such as should you go in for the tackle (which is dangerous if the attacker has moves since as soon as you stab in for the
ball they will beat you) or should you start to back up and if you do this how far should you back up before it's too far etc.
Once you as the attacker start going at the defender (more specifically right at the defenders lead foot) you then have the opportunity to put them under more pressure by changing your pace. Go slow and then speed up and then go slow again. By changing your pace, it gives the defender even more things to think about. Now that you are going at the defender and the defender is having to also worry about change of pace, your moves will be much more effective than what many attackers do which is do their moves from a stationary position or while going to the side.
The next thing to realize as a player is that if you dribble at a defender and try to beat the defender with the dribble there will be times when you will lose the ball. Because of this, the best dribblers are the ones who understand that they will not always be successful and thus have the mentality that if they try something and it doesn't work, they will just have to try it again and maybe do it a little different but be willing to fail in order to succeed. Like in most things in life, to have success you will also have some risk (the understanding that you might lose the ball). Having said this, it's important to limit the risk based on location on the field. While it's ok to take a player on and try to beat them near the 18-yard box of the goal you are attacking, it's not ok to do so near the 18 you are defending. When you are near the 18 you are
attacking if you beat the defender you will probably have a good scoring opportunity (high reward) and if you lose the ball, the opponent is still 80-100 yards from the goal they are trying to score on (not that great a risk). However near the goal you are defending, if you beat a player with the dribble, you are still far from a goal scoring opportunity (limited reward) but if you lose the ball you are probably giving up a goal scoring opportunity (high risk). You want to take players on when the possible reward is worth the risk.
As a coach, it's our obligation to encourage players to take risks but also to know the time and place to do so. The only way they can understand this is through some teaching and a lot of trial and error. The more we encourage risk taking, the better players we will develop long term but in the short term it will mean losing some games due to improper decision making. As a coach/educator it is our responsibility to be willing to lose short term to develop long term.
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
Today's game can be played either indoors or outdoors with various numbers but in describing it I will assume there are 14 players on an outdoor field including the two keepers.
The field is 40 yards long by 30 yards wide (this can be changed based on numbers and available space) with full sized goals on the end lines. Put a keeper in each goal and split the rest of the team into 3 teams. Two teams start on the field and the third team surrounds the field (each player on the outside has a ball). Games are 4 minutes long and the winning team stays on the field and the losing team switches with the team that is surrounding the field.
The teams play normal soccer except for when a ball goes out of play. Whenever the ball goes over the side line or end line the player closest to where it went out of on the resting team plays a ball back in to the team whose ball it is (if the game is red vs blue and the ball went out off of blue the white team on the outside plays the ball in to a red player as quickly as possible). Other than this one rule, this is regular soccer.
While this one rule might not seem like a big deal, when you try it you will find a few interesting things. First, when a ball goes out of bounds, players on both teams tend to relax. In this game, if the team the ball goes out off of relaxes, the opposing team can counter attack very quickly for a goal scoring opportunity. By having players surround the field looking for these counter attack opportunities it teaches both teams to respond quickly on "dead ball" situations. In a "real game" it's amazing how many opportunities are either created or lost because of this lack of awareness on dead balls.
The other thing you will find with this game is that it's wonderful fitness. Because the players don't have an opportunity to rest when the ball goes out of play, it's an extremely fast paced game that forces the players to work hard at all times. Between that and the competitive issue of them wanting to stay on and the more they win the more they stay on (and the more tired they get) it's a fun game where players work hard, and learn to think about transition.
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
Today's subject deals with players understanding the purpose behind a training session and the individual activities that make up a training session.
First, all books available from FineSoccer.com are available with no cost for shipping till December 15th! This includes SoccerAtEase (with Pursuing Personal Perfection), Full Season Training Program as well as two new offerings, which are Vision of A Champion by Anson Dorrance plus Coaching the English Premier League 4-4-2 by David Williams. Also, any combination of books comes with at least a 10% discount. To learn more about this offer please go to http://finesoccer.com/book_sale.htm
Successful coaches spend a fair amount of time preparing their training sessions. They go to coaching courses, read books, go to conventions, watch videos, go to web sites and do whatever they can to learn more about the game. They then combine what they learn from outside sources with what they have learned from personal experience and from there they create their training sessions based on their teams needs. Considering the effort these coaches spend developing their training sessions, why don't more of them explain their reasoning to the team?
Too often I see players who are quite good at an activity or activity in a training session but they have no idea why they are doing it or how it relates to a real soccer game. An example would be a simple activity such as 5 v 2 keep away. How
many coaches explain how the support in 5 v 2 is exactly the type of support that is needed in a full-sided match? How many show how the support by the two closest players to the player with the ball is the "triangle" that so many coaches want their players to provide during games, or that the pass that splits the defenders is the penetrating pass from a back to a midfielder or from a midfielder to a forward in a regular game of soccer. If players don't understand how an activity relates to the game of soccer they are just doing a drill as opposed to learning to play the game.
When teaching players how to turn with the ball, it not only important for players to know how to do it, but they also must know when to do it and why or else it's similar to students who memorize what they are being taught in school. They can "regurgitate" the information back on a test but they aren't really learning for the long term.
Until coaches start teaching the "when" and "why" instead of just the "how" their players wont be getting the most out of the training
Many coaches write down their training session prior to the session as notes to themselves or their assistant coaches. Just something to think about but if you are one of these coaches who write out their sessions, why not make them available to the players as well so they have a better understanding of what they will be working on? Besides helping the players to have a better understanding of the purpose behind the practice it also does a good job of breaking down some of the walls that players feel are between them and the coaches. If a coach can help the players learn more, feel more involved and increase the transition periods in training (if the players know what is coming next in a session it will require less time between activities to explain and set up) it seems like a true win/win situation for all concerned.
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
Have a great day!
Lawrence
Check out the FineSoccer Forum at http://www.finesoccer.net
FineSoccer Drill 176
Today's exercise works on possession, penetration and movement off the ball.
We start with a 60 x 40 area with a midfield line. There is an X and an O in each half of the field and a neutral play who can go anywhere. The ball starts in one half of the field and the neutral player is in that half. See diagram below
Since X has the ball to start N is on the X team. They try to keep possession of the ball long enough for the X in the other half of the field to create space for herself so they can pass the ball to the X in the other half of the field. Anytime the X's pass the ball across the midfield line and the other X wins the ball, it's a point for the X's. If O wins the ball, then the N joins the O's and they try to progress the ball across the midfield line with possession. No one is allowed to dribble across the midfield line. Once the ball is played across the midfield line the N player crosses over and they then change direction and try to play it back.
Some of the keys to emphasize in this activity is for the offensive player in the opposite half of the field to time her runs so that they create space (some players wait till it's too late to make a run while others make runs when they wont really help so the timing of the runs is important). Also, this works on the neutral player making a run as soon as their is a penetrating pass in order to provide support for the target player (this recreates a situation of the ball being played to a forward in a game and the midfielders and backs making supporting runs forward).
After doing this a few times switch the N player.
The next step in this progression would be to have a point scored anytime the ball is played across the midfield line, it's received by the target player and then either she or the neutral player is able to dribble the ball across the end line. By adding this new rule, it adds direction to the activity which makes it more game related. This will force the defending player to have to stay goal side while defending.
The next step in this progression is to add small goals on the end lines so now it's not just good enough to dribble across the end line but now the players must score in the goal to get a point (the goal can be 4-5 yards wide).
Next add full sized goals on each end line with a keeper in each goal. This makes it even more game related and also adds more communication to the activity.
Other variations would include going 2 v 2 or even 3 v 3 in each area with one or more neutral players. Simply adapt the activity for your teams needs and see how it works.
Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to lawrence@finesoccer.com or they can be posted on the FineSoccer Forum.
A big problem young soccer players tend to have is a lack of balance while playing. The reasons for this range from lack of training to lack of a good stance to a simple lack of understanding of the importance balance has in soccer.
Too often you see a ball go right past a young player when it seems that all she had to do was take a small step toward the ball. Frequently the reason is the player is off balance and unready to receive the ball. The simple solution to being off balance is for the player to be on the balls of her feet when on the field and not standing
flatfooted. Being on the balls of your feet simply means having the weight on the front half of the foot instead of having most of the weight on the heals of the feet. It's what some people refer to as being on their toes (the problem with asking people to stand on their toes is that this would be a position that would be very unstable and not help with the balance issue at all so instead having them on the balls of the feet allows them more balance and more stability). As soon as players start being on the balls of their feet, they do a much better job of also staying aware of what is happening around them.
An example of how to train for balance is to work on volleys while standing on one foot. Start off in a group of two with one ball per group. One player stands with all of her weight on her left foot and her right foot is in the air. The second player throws the ball (underhanded) to her and she volleys the ball back with her right foot. Do 20 volleys with the right foot and then switch roles and then do 20 volleys with the left foot. The key is that during all 20 volleys, the foot used to volley (in our example the right foot) must stay off the ground at all times. Not only does this work on some technique work but it also works on balance and some fitness work (it's a great workout for the lower leg muscles and will also help to strengthen the ankle area). Once you train this way for a while, you will find it much easier during a game when a ball comes across and you have the opportunity to volley the ball (whether it's toward goal or a clearing volley). Having the ability to maintain your balance when others can't will make you a more successful soccer player.
Do a series of one-legged volleys 3 times a week (it just takes a few minutes a day) and see the improvement in your game.
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
Watching some youth teams play, it's sometimes amusing when the ball goes over the end line. The attacking team wants it to be called a corner kick and the defending team wants to be awarded a goal kick but the reality is that so few young teams seem dangerous on corner kicks that they are more effective giving the goal kick since many young players struggle to hit a stationary ball effectively so it frequently goes right back to the attacking team anyway. There are two things that can be done to help here. One is for teams to get better at taking goal kicks but that was addressed in another issue (see http://finesoccer.com/goalkeeping_edition_165.htm).
The other thing to do is either learn to play better long corner kicks into the box OR to learn how to effectively take short corner kicks which is what will be addressed now.
When taking a short corner kick (which simply means playing a short pass to a teammate rather than playing a long ball into the box) one thing to try to do is make sure you have the correct people to do this. It's best to have two players out there; one of who is strong with the right foot and one is strong with the left foot (it's better to have two players who are strong with either foot but this is the minimum). Both players should start facing the goal and should stand side by side just behind the ball. One player should pass the ball to the other and they then should attack the goal (or the defender). A couple of keys here is that if the corner is from the attacking teams right side the player who is strong with the left foot should touch the ball to the player who is strong with the right foot. This lets the player with the right foot to dribble straight down the end line toward goal and still be comfortable playing either a pass to the other player or crossing the ball back out toward the middle. The player with the strong left foot than should circle out toward the corner of the top of 18 (where the side of the 18 meets the top of the 18). If the ball gets played back to her, she can shoot first time with her left foot (her strong foot). This works the exact opposite from the left side.
Frequently when a team goes to take a short corner kick the opposing team will send a defender out to stop the short corner. The key here is that if they only send one defender out it's still a 2 v 1 situation which is what most teams are constantly looking for so as long as the player dribbling down the line goes right at the defender, the second player will still be open for this to work. If the defender goes with the runner than the player with the ball keeps going to goal.
If the defending team sends two defenders out then it changes things and it's probably in the best interests of the attacking team to play a long ball over the two defenders. The key here is to still keep two players for the short corner because by having the two defenders out to defend the short corner, it opens up a lot of space for the longer corner kick. Too many teams will see two defenders for the short corner and send the second attacking player toward the middle, which also allows the defenders to retreat as well.
The most important thing to do on short corners is to have a plan. The way I described above works but there are also other ideas and as long as everyone on the team knows what to do in a given situation things will work fine.
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
Check out the FineSoccer Forum at http://www.finesoccer.net
Soccer Tennis
Fun Game for First Touch, Receiving and
Movement
Today's featured activity is a fun game that works on first touch, passing and receiving.
Soccer Tennis is a fun game that can be played on a field, in a gym, on a tennis court or on a closed parking lot. There are many variations and rules can be changed depending on the environment.
To play Soccer Tennis on a tennis court you can either use a full court or just the service boxes of a tennis court. If you just use the service boxes and are playing with 2 players, one person serves from beyond the service box and has to volley or half volley the ball into the opposite service box. If the ball bounces in the opposite service box the opposing player has two touches to receive the ball and play it back across the net into either of the service boxes without the ball touching the ground on her side a second time. If it touches the ground a second time it's a point for the server. If the receiver of the serve gets the ball back across the net, the server can either let it bounce one time or play it straight out of the air back across the net. The rest of the rules are just like tennis except that the players have two touches to play the ball instead of just one. You can keep score just like tennis, like table tennis or like volleyball.
To play with 4 players, you now play doubles. Everything stays the same except now when the ball is played over the net, either player can play it back over or they can pass to their teammate. Each team is still limited to two touches total per possession.
To play on a field on in a gym use a bench to act as the net or some bags and with some cones establish the boundaries. It's a bit harder on a field because of the irregular bounces but this just makes the players work a bit harder.
To play on a parking lot first make sure there are no cars and then you can either use a bench, bags or even the lines from the parking lot. It's best if you have a ref and put in a rule that the ball has to cross over the "net" at a certain height (waist high for example) but everything else stays the same.
The great thing about Soccer Tennis is players love the game and play it because it's fun without realizing the number of touches they are getting on the ball and how they are working on passing, receiving balls in the air, footwork and in doubles, support off the ball.
Give Soccer Tennis a try and let me know how it works for you.
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
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.
Web Administrator Ken Gamble