NSCAA Soccer Tactics
On The Attack and Defending To Win

I am still working on a complete overview of all four dvds and will update soon. Ken Gamble

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America presents Soccer Tactics - On The Attack and Defending To Win a two, 2-DVD set featuring twelve tactical training sessions led by NSCAA National Staff Coaches. Each training session has approximately 20 minutes of instruction and also contains Coaching Cues, giving you valuable insight on the various topics.

      These are two GREAT new DVD videos from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.  Both are two DVD sets and are about $29.95 per set.
     These are as close as you will get to a USSF or NSCAA coaching clinic without attending one.  They get my vote as a "must have" for youth coaches. 
     One of my favorite things about these two sets is that the coaches are coaching groups of mid level talent (unlike many videos where 7 and 8 year old players perform moves Pele would have trouble doing with almost robot-like precision).  Just as in real life many of the players make mistakes and the coaches have to correct them.  These warrant watching over and over - not just for the exercises because for the coaching techniques used.
     Below is my overview of the four dvds.

Ken Gamble 2005

• 1v1 Attacking with Mike Noonan- NSCAA Senior National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Brown University
   

• Warm-Up:

• Setup: Each player has her own ball.  Dribbling in rectangular grid (use cones to designate area – size depends upon size of group training – but should be fairly large). Half of the players are in one color bib and the other half in another color bib – for example yellow and blue – or shirts/skins for boys.

• Key points – keep head up, use all surfaces of feet – inside, outside, sole of feet – and use both feet

• Warm-up #1 - Dribble for two or three minutes and then have players stretch lightly.

• Warm-up #2 - Dribble until coach blows whistle. At sound of whistle players are to speed up.

• Coaching points – keep head up, eyes aware of other players.  Do not bump into anyone. Once a player hears the whistle they are to dribble with speed for about ten seconds and then slow down and dribble slowly until the next whistle. Players MUST stay inside grid – they should not go so fast as to go outside the grid.  Coach can give verbal command to slow down.

• Rest and stretch – stretch a different muscle group each time.

• Warm-up #3 - Dribble until coach blows whistle. At sound of whistle players are to change direction.

• Coaching points – keep head up, eyes aware of other players.  Do not bump into anyone. Once a player changes direction they are to dribble with speed to the other side of area and then slow down and dribble slowly until the next whistle. Players MUST stay inside grid – they should not go so fast as to go outside the grid.

• Rest and stretch – stretch a different muscle group each time.

• Warm-up #4 - Players are to dribble until they hear one whistle.   At the sound of one whistle, players of one color (say blue) roll their balls outside the grid and then try to steal a ball from a player in the other color.  The yellow players with the ball must try to dribble across the line farthest away from them.  If the coach blows the whistle twice in quick succession instead of just once, the yellow players roll their balls out of bounds and try to steal a ball from a blue player while the blue players try to dribble over the line farthest away from them.  One whistle – blue, two whistles – yellow.

•    If a blue player is successful and steals the ball from a yellow player, the yellow player (who has the ball stolen) must not try to get their ball back but instead must go outside the grid and get a ball that had been rolled out.  If the blue player does not win a ball they go out of bounds and get a ball.  Once everyone has stolen a ball or lost a ball or dribbled over the line, they all get their balls and get back inside the grid and dribble some more and the game starts over with the next whistle.  This warm-up is all about 1v1 attacking.

• Coaching points: Players must be quick and deceptive (use moves and fakes) to get away quickly.  Using change of speed and change of direction is just as important as moves.  Acceleration.
  Attack the front foot!
  Once you’ve beaten your defender you must not allow the defender to cut off the angle.  So once you’ve beaten her you want to cut off any angle she has by getting between her and your objective (usually the goal).

• Warm-up #5 - Now half the players (one color – say blue) have a ball and are dribbling in the grid.  The other half (yellow) is to do side-to-side shuffles (side right, side left, etc.) jumps or jogging in the grid.   On the coach’s whistle the player with the ball tries to dribble to the opposite side and a defender tries to steal the ball.

• Coaching points – same as above.  One point that Mike Noonan makes is that all the blue players were dribbling to the same corner of the grid and there was all sorts of open space elsewhere.  He asked them to look around and be aware (recognize) where the open space was.
  
   

• Exercise #1 – Attacking 1v1

• Set-Up:  Three grids end to end.  For example a single 20 yards x 60 yards grid divided into three equal 20 x 20 grids.  One defender at the back line of each grid.  Half of the rest of the players are attackers in a line about ten yards outside the top line of the first grid. The other half of the players are defenders and are in a line about ten yards behind the back line of the third and last grid.
  All the balls are outside the grid near the top corner of the first box where the coach (or a player) passes the ball to the first player in line. 

• Each attacker gets one point for dribbling and beating a defender so if they make it through all three grids without losing their ball they get three points (maximum).

• Each time they defend (successfully or unsuccessfully) a defender moves up one grid. The defender in the first grid moves to the back of the attacking line.  The second defender moves to the first grid.  The last defender moves to the second grid and the first defender in the line at the back of the grid moves into the last box.

• When an attacker makes it through all three grids or loses the ball out of bounds, she dribbles the ball back to the top corner where the stash of balls is located.

• Coaching Points: 

• The importance of a “Quality First Touch”.  The player receiving the pass must not settle the ball in front of her and then slowly attack the first defender.  Rather she needs to touch the ball into space (make a positive touch) and attack the defender with speed and at an angle.  Attackers should try to draw the defender to one side or the other in order to open up space on the other side of the box so she has room to beat the defender with speed. 

• Attackers should get “up to speed” quickly and try to “open up space” in which to attack. 

• Attack with change of pace and change of direction. 

• Touches must be in control. 

• If attackers have to slow down they should “feel” the defender on their back and look for a chance to beat the defender to one side or the other.

• Immediately after beating a defender, the attacker must get back to the center to face up the next attacker. Once you’ve eliminated a defender you must get back central in order to seal off the defender from recovering and getting back to defend you again.

• Use positive enforcement by Pointing out good moves and saying “Let’s give her a round of applause” or “Let’s see more moves like this” or “Excellent”.  Ask names and point out good work. 
   
   

• Exercise #2 – Attacking 1v1 with shots to Goals

• Set-Up: Two Goals about 40-50 yards apart.  Half the players (Yellow Team) are defenders and are to be in a line on one post of one goal with all the balls.  The other players (Blue Team) are attackers and are on the opposite post of the other goal.  Each goal should be defended by a goalkeeper. 

• Alternate Set-Up: This can also be done with just one goal. If there is just one goal, defenders with balls are on one post of goal and the attackers are near the midline or 10-15 yards inside the midline.

• §         Player with a ball makes a long pass to the first player in line on the opposite goal.  The player receiving the ball must receive the ball and make a “Quality” and “Positive” first touch and then beat the defender (the player who passed them the ball) and get off a shot on goal.  All of the Blue Team’s players will attack.  Once they go through their rotation both teams swap ends and the yellow team now becomes the attackers.
   If the defender steals the ball she is to immediately attack and shoot on the goal at the end where the attackers are in a line.  If you are using just one goal that option is not available.
   

• Coaching Points: 

• Attackers should not wait on the pass from the defender, but should get off their line quickly and meet the pass at speed, make a soft positive touch and get up to speed quickly.

• The object is to go straight at the attacker and make one quick move to create an opening and get off a shot.

• Defenders are to quickly get as “tight” as possible on the attacker.  This is not standard defending practice but this drill is about attacking not defending. 

• Attack the front foot.  If the attacker has their body at an angle you should attack that side.  In other words: If the defender has their right foot forward they are sending the message that they want you to go to their left.  If you can fake that way and then attack the front foot and get on their right side (back side) then the defender has difficulty turning to defend.  The attacker can then “seal off” the defender.
   

• Offensive (Attacking) Transition with Jim Lennox- NSCAA Director of Coaching Emeritus, Director of Coaching - Connecticut Jr. Soccer
  
   

• 2+1 v 2+1 – Finding the Target Player

• At the instance that we win the ball – can we play the ball forward to the target player?

• Set-up: 20 yards wide x 40 yards long (approximately penalty area size) with a small goal at each end.  There are 3 yellow players versus 3 blue players – one blue player is a target player near the goal her team is attacking, one yellow player is the target player near the goal her team is attacking.  The target player is on one side of the goal just behind the goal line – not in front of the goal.  No goalkeepers are used.

• Coach Lennox used a variety of ways to start each game – a basketball jump ball with one blue and one yellow player trying to head the ball, a one-two-three count and then each player tried to draw the ball backward. 

•  First the coach has to show proper shape for both defenders and attackers in the 2v2.
  Defenders play Pressure and Cover - one defender tight on the attacker with the ball and the other defender positioning herself deep enough to provide coverage in case the first attacker beats the first defender but also covering the second attacker.  Coach Lennox ran through proper support positions for both attackers and defenders by moving the ball back and forth between the attackers. The defenders played passive while moving back and forth between pressure and cover while attackers moved back and forth between the man on the ball and support positions.

•  Players play 2v2 and try to get the ball forward to one of their target players.  The target player then lays the ball off for a shot on goal.  There are no shots on goal allowed unless they play to a target player just before the shot.  Target players must have extra balls available to play in immediately so that no time is spent chasing the balls.  No throw-ins – all balls are kick-ins.  The kick-ins are taken by the field players – not the target player.

•  Note from Ken:  When we are in the 4-3-2-1 or 4-5-1 formation we are looking to play the ball to our target forward and we ask that target player to drop the ball to an attacking midfielder or withdrawn forward for shots.  That’s exactly what we will be doing in our attack.

• Coaching Points: 

•  Whenever possible play the ball forward – that is the object of this exercise.

•  At the instant that a ball is lost the defense must put pressure on the ball to keep it from being played forward.  At the instant that the ball is won the object is to get it forward top the target player

•  Coach Lennox used the “Socratic” method of coaching using questions when he stopped play, such as “What am I going to say to you – do you know?” or “Why did this happen?”, “What should you do?”
  
   

•  Exercise #2 – Progression of 2+1 v 2+1 – Finding the Target Player

•  Same as above – except that the target player is now on the field.  The target player cannot defend.

•  Coaching Points: 

•  Use any opportunity to shoot at goal.  Use the target player to create the space to get your shot off.  Target players cannot shoot or defend.

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• Exercise #3 – Progression of 3+1 v 3+1 – Finding the Target Player – Adding an extra attacker and adding a neutral player on each touchline.

• Set-up: The players on the field are 3v3 with a target player on each end.  And a neutral player is located outside each touchline.  The neutral player plays with the team that passes her the ball (the attacking team).  She can pass the ball forward or backwards and can move/dribble along the touchline to both pass and receive. Target players cannot shoot or defend.

• Coaching Points: 

• Use any opportunity to pass the ball forward or to shoot at goal.  Use the target player to create the space to get your shot off.  Target players cannot shoot or defend.

• When a neutral player has the ball and cannot get off a quick pass the players on the attacking team must be sure to make different run and create space.  If they run together they will draw the defenders to where they easily defend any entry passes.

•  Attackers must give “Width and depth to the attack” by spreading out on the field.

• Attackers must finish their chances. 

• The target player should always be looking back to the same player that played the ball to them.  Their job is to provide balls that can be struck for a shot on first touch so they need to lay the ball flat on the grass.

• Coach Lennox kept up the mantra “Can we play the ball forward?” over and over and “Can we play the ball past the defenders?”

• Keep score to maintain interest.
  
  
   

• Penetration with Paul Marco- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Binghamton University
  
   

• Ø     Exercise #1 – Diamond Shape – Penetration 4v2 – Eliminate the most defenders while keeping possession.

• §         Set-Up:  20 x 30 yards rectangle lined with eight cones – three cones on each line.  There are two blue players and two yellow players on the attack in a diamond shape.  Each player is located midway on each of the four lines.  There are two defending red players in the center of the grid. 

• §         The object of the attacking players is to split the defenders with a pass.  Obviously, the defenders are going to shift toward the ball to get pressure on the ball but they would prefer the ball be played to one of the two wide players rather than give up the “split” pass.  As the ball is passed side to side they are always looking for an opportunity to make a “split” pass.  

• §         Coaching Points:

• §         Since this drill only uses six players you will need to set up several of these grids to use all the players.

• §         The best pass in soccer is the pass that eliminates the most defenders while maintaining possession.

• §         Every pass must have “pace” that is sufficient to reach their teammate while also allowing the teammate to maintain possession – not too hard or too soft.

• §         All the players in the grid may move around as needed, but the attacking team must retain its relative diamond shape.

• §         Receive the ball in the open position so that body in open to the field.

• §         If defenders steal the ball they give it back to the attackers and we start the exercise again.  After 3-5 minutes swap two red defenders out in the middle with two yellow attackers.  Do this until they understand the concept.

• §         Coach encouraged the defenders to try to win the ball.

• §         After running through the drill where at least every group of two gets to play defense the coach asked the attackers to play “two touch” maximum.

• §         Stop the action anytime that an attacker tries to “Force” the through ball between two tight defenders.

• §         In “Two Touch” emphasize a good first touch.

• §         Attacking players must provide the proper angle of support and drift until open or until their defender has to commit to cover them which should open up a window for a through ball.
  
   

• Exercise #2 – Diamond Shape – Penetration – 4v4+4 – Possession Passes to create opportunities to pass the ball forward

• Set-Up:  Grid is 20 yards x 50 yards – divided into two equal 20 x 20 halves divided by a 5 yard deep zone in which attacking players can go but must immediately retreat out of.  Four Blue players and four Red players inside the grid and four Yellow players outside the grid (one along each boundary line).  There will be two players of each color (red and blue) inside each half so it is 2v2 in each half. The yellow players on the outside are neutral. The two yellow players on each end are the target players. 

• The defenders in the half that does not have the ball in it must stay goal-side until after the ball is played into their half. That would be similar to what happens in games as defenders stay behind or goalside of attackers.

• A yellow neutral player starts off by playing a ball into a red player.  The red player tries to get the ball forward to a teammate in the other half.  She can do that by playing directly to her teammate in the other half or by combining (wall passes, overlaps, support passes) to her teammate in her own half or by dropping the ball back to the neutral player or the neutral player on the sideline.

• §         Whenever a defending team wins a ball they must play back to the neutral player behind the back line and restart the exercise.

• §         Balls should be behind each end-line so that any balls lost out of bounds are restarted by the other team from that end.

• §         Coaching Points:

• §         Look for hints in attacker’s “body shape” that allow us to play the ball to them.  If their body shape is closed (facing their own goal) then they will have a hard time receiving a ball, turning and then getting the ball forward to the target player.  Attackers should face the targets whenever possible to allow themselves the best chance of success (playing a ball to the target player). They may have to drift wide in order to accomplish this shape.  

• §         We play the ball backwards and sideways in games when we are unable to pass the ball forward.  Always look for the opportunity to play the ball forward.

• §         The best pass in soccer is the pass that gets closest to the opponent’s goal while maintaining possession.

• §         The neutral players on the end should always be looking for the opportunity to split the defenders and get the ball into the other half with a long through ball. 

• §         The neutral players on the sides can also make the runs down the touchline and receive the ball and then make the pass to the target player.

• §         Make sure the neutral players play quickly and do not hold the ball.

• §         The position where an attacker supports the ball is crucial.  Attackers should play passes in front of the support players so they can make one touch quick through ball passes.

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• Ø     Exercise #3 – Diamond Shape – Penetration – 6v6 with Goalkeepers. Penetrating Passes to Move the Ball Forward. Use positioning of supporting players to cause shifts in defenders to create forward passes lanes.

• §        Set-up:  Half Field divided into three equal zones.
  In the two goal zones there are two defenders and a goalkeeper and one attacker and a full size goal. 
  In the middle zone it is 3v3.  

• §        The player starts with a ball at their own goal and plays.  At any time a pass in made one zone forward ONE attacker can join in the attack.    Any time that a pass in made two zones forward TWO attackers can join in the attack. Defenders cannot leave their zone.     

• §        Coaching Points:

• §        Look before you receive the ball.

• §        Always look to play the ball forward two zones if possible because that eliminates the most defenders.

• §       
   

• Combination Play with John Cossaboon- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- SMU
  
   

•  2 v1 in Tight Space

• Exercise #1 – Wall Passes:

• Set-Up:  Area approximately 10 yards x 10 yards with sticks or corner flags on each corner.  On the lines, midway between each two sticks will be a cone. 
  There will be four sticks and four cones (can use 8 cones.)
  Three players with be on one side and three on the other side.  One attacking player will be on a far stick and the other attacker will be on a cone on the side opposite the attacker.  The other attacker will be behind the sticks.  The other player will be back behind them and will rotate in each time. The other three players will be on the opposite side near a center cone and will each have a ball. These are the defenders and they will defend one at a time against two of the attackers.

·          

 

• §        The defender will play a ball straight to the attacker on a cone and follow the ball applying pressure.  Attacker #1 is to go straight at the defender and play a wall pass to supporting Attacker #2.

• ·        Attackers rotated in each time as did defenders.  After some time and success the sides swapped duties.
  Coach Cossaboon asked that everything be perfect. Touch, dribble, pass, support position, etc.

• ·        Swap sides so everyone gets an opportunity to defend and attack.

• ·        Coaching Points:
  Do not let players “telegraph” the pass. They should be deceptive.  Use fakes.  Pass with the outside of the foot to allow yourself to get around player without risking the defender stealing the ball when you bring the ball across your body. 
  Supporting Player must be close enough to Attacker #1 to ping the ball quickly back to Attacker #1.  If the supporting attacker is too far away the defender can get back and steal the wall pass.  Supporting attacker’s body shape should be at 90 degree angle to Attacker #1.  The supporting attacker passes into space.
  Defender should get in tight. Attackers should rotate duties each time so they aren’t always #1 attacker or #2 supporting attacker.
  Supporting attacker must get in close (about 3 yards) so that the pass is an immediate “bing-bing” pass.
  The Attacker #1 must take on the defender in order to draw the defender in tight enough to make the give and go work. Attacker should play ball to supporting player’s front foot for a quick return pass.  Attacker #1 may go at the defender at a slow speed BUT as soon as she makes the pass she must explode past the defender into space.
  
  
   

• §        Exercise #2 – Take-Overs:
  
   

• o       Set-Up: Same as in Exercise #1 - Area approximately 10 yards x 10 yards with sticks or corner flags on each corner.  On the lines, midway between each two sticks will be a cone. 
  Defender will start in the center of the grid.  One attacker will be on each of the two sticks.

• o       Defender will pass ball to one of the attackers on the stick.  That attacker will turn his back and shield and keeping the ball on the foot away from the defender dribbles toward the other attacker. The supporting attacker will run back and pick up the take-over if the attacker #1 wants him to.

• o       Swap sides so everyone gets an opportunity to defend and attack.

• o       Coaching Points: Attacker #1 is in charge of the “Take” or “No Take”.  If supporting attacker does get the take-over she should burst into the space behind the defender. Both attackers should run at each other. Both attackers must be moving.  If they are not moving it is easy to defend. Attacker #1 must shield TOWARD her teammate. The touch by the player get the take-over must be aggressive and in behind the defender – not just a lateral move.  We’re talking advantage of the 2V1. Attacker #1 must have the ball on her outside foot – the one closest to the attacker #2’s run. If she doesn’t attackers will collide or kick each other during the take-over.  Attacker #1’s first touch must absorb and protect the ball.
  This is an aggressive move and must be done aggressively and with a burst of speed.

• o       Take-overs are usually done in the attacking third.

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• ·        Exercise #3 – Overlaps:
  
   

• o       Set-Up: Same as in Exercise #1 - Area approximately 10 yards x 10 yards with sticks or corner flags on each corner.  On the lines, midway between each two sticks will be a cone. 
  Defender will start at the center of one side of the grid.  One attacker will be on each of the two sticks.

• o       The first touch by the attacker will be directly at the diagonal stick across the “diamond” from her.  The defender will run to intercept the attacker #1.  The supporting attacker must recognize that the attacker #1 is dragging the defender with her and opening up space and must quickly overlap.  The attacker #1 will make a pass into space.

• o       Timing is import in combination play.

• o       First touch is VERY important.

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• Final Notes on Combination Play:

• ·        Don’t limit yourself to the three options.

• ·        The attacking player does not have to give up the ball if she has an advantage on the defender.

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• v    Creating Space with Sam Okpodu- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Newberry College
  
   

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• ·        Creating Space to provide opportunities to score

• o       Set-Up:  6 attackers (2 forwards and four midfielders) versus 4 defenders (3 backs and one midfielder) plus a goalkeeper.
  Full size goal – using half of a field.
  Start with ball at midfield position.
  Use different bib colors for defenders and attackers.

• o       Start out playing the ball to a wide midfielder who will dribble toward the inside toward goal.  The forward on his side will pull his man wide creating space for the midfielder to attack the goal.  The other forward will pull his man wide to the other side creating more space.  If the fullback takes ball, the midfielder will pass outside (not real wide) to the forward who should have a shot on goal.  If the fullback goes with the forward, the midfielder can attack straight at goal.

• o       Move the ball back and forth to try to get the defending midfielder/stopper pulled to one side or the other and then quickly pass the ball to the other side to start the attack..

• o       The opposite forward (away from the ball should not move too quickly but should pull his defender away only after the attacker “breaks the plane” of the defending midfielder.  If the ball is played in to him at his feet with his back to goal he should lay it off to the attacking center midfielder coming from the opposite side. 

• o       Attackers cannot pass the ball and run inside because they will be dragging their defender into the middle where we want to create more space not more defenders!

• o       Attack the Space – Space is for attackers with the ball to attack!

• o       Players without the ball are not to draw defenders into the middle. But you must be in close proximity to support the ball. Do not get too wide so that you can not support the ball.

• o       Attacks MUST be quick or they will not be successful.

• o       If we are attacking from one side, the forward on the other side must not come inside but stay wide so that his defender stays wide with him. Have the patience to create space.

• o       Use combination play.

• o       It’s all about options and opportunities.

• o       Target players (forwards) should play the ball away from the momentum because that is where the space will be.  We will create space on the backside.

• o       Look for opportunities to create space for your teammates.

• o       Attackers should be taught to take the ball wide and then attack the middle to create 3v2 and 2v1 opportunities.

• o       Attackers on the side of the field opposite of the ball should have patience and wait to enter the middle of the field so that their defenders do not clog the area. If their defenders sag into the middle it opens up a scoring opportunity on the far post because an attacker can make that run unmarked.

• o        

• Attacking With a Numbers Advantage with Ron McEachen- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Skidmore College
  
   

• Exercise #1 – Attacking with Numbers Up situation 3 v 3 +2 Neutral Players

• Setup: Small field about 40 yard by 40 yards with four 3 yard wide goals
  Two goals will be near two corners on one side and two goals will be near the corners on the other side.  Goals can be cone or stick goals or small size goals.

• Neutral players can attack.

• There must be support with depth in order to switch the point of attack.  If everyone goes forward there is no way to swing the ball to change the point of attack.

• Play away from pressure.

Defending Disc One:

1v1 Defending

with Karen Stanley- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Santa Rosa JC

Cover and Switching Roles

with George Perry- NSCAA Senior National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Wabash College

Defensive Transition

with Jim Lennox- NSCAA Director of Coaching Emeritus, Director of Coaching- Conn. Jr. Soccer

Defending Disc Two:

Man to Man Defending

with Hylton Dayes- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- Cincinnati

Zonal Defending

with John Cossaboon- NSCAA National Staff Coach, Head Coach- SMU

Goalkeeping

with Tony Waiters- NSCAA Senior National Staff Coach

  Web Administrator    Ken Gamble