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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.

Fun Times - How to integrate fun into your practices

QUESTION:
        Having fun is something I want to incorporate more for my players during practice.  I don't really know a lot of fun exercises/drills/games and would appreciate any suggestions.  Especially any comments on what is fun for your players.   Also, if you know of any other sources (books, etc), I'd be grateful. My team is mainly 16 year old girls who just need to have more fun and enjoy themselves.

GARY'S ANSWER:
      Fun can mean different things for different players and teams and it's up to everyone to make it fun. For some players and teams, it's all work. A nice mixture of variety and stability helps. If I find something the players like to do, I will work that into several sessions during the season.
       We may stay with a game or exercise that the players are into for a long time or cut short a game or exercise and do something different. I make use restrictions to reinforce some technique, but also to have the players adapt and make decisions.
       All players are active all the time or they are inactive for only very short times. We divide the teams differently each session.
       Many exercises are built upon one another. For instance, a 1v1 combines two groups into a 2v2; 2v2's are combined into 4v4; etc. The playing areas are marked initially to allow for the combination of players and quick movement into the next exercise.
       The rules may be changed with each exercise. One time, it is keep away or
dribble across the line to score, then it is on small goals. Multiple goals on each goal-line can be introduced.
       We play small sided and large sided. We go with different field shapes and dimensions. One of our best training environments this year was a 70 yard goal line with three goals on each line and a 50 yard touchline, playing 9v9.
       Transition games are excellent. These games allow the players to go full speed for short periods and then get a brief rest (and water).
       On some days, we will play a tournament where each player plays with and against other players in a 2v2 or 3v3 games. Each player receives a score for each of 6-10 games. I post or announce the scores.
       I like to make fun of most of the players (some are too sensitive) and they will have a go at me.
       We use rewards/punishments to enhance the competitive nature. For instance, after a 3 minute 3v3 game, everyone did three different sets of 20 abdominals. The losing team did an extra 10 per each set.
       I also like to find some different type of training that helps, but still allows the players to have some fun. For example, dodging rolling tires while dribbling was pretty different. Fun starts with the coach, then let it trickle down to the players.

"Generally, it is the Tao of (coaches)...to carefully train to avoid
anxiety, so their strength of Spirit merges and accumulates; to
rotate their Strategy of Calculated Plans, so their actions
cannot be measured." Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Pattern Runs for Strikers
Rotations and Decision Making

        Here are several "conventional movements" of the forward pair. Because I'm lazy and I don't know where the book overlaps with my personal knowledge and experiences, I will use the terminology of the book, "Coaching the 4-4-2" by Marziali and Mora (http://www.reedswain.com).

• Criss-crossing - the forwards paths cross in the attacking third. Often one run is more angled than the other. The best time to deliver the pass is when they are in line with the passer's line of sight. It is always the player that can best see ball and teammate that must adapt his run.
  
• Diversion - is the opposite movement where the forwards go to their respective sides. This run is best when the opponents mark man-to-man, as it opens up the middle for your midfielders. It is always the player that can best see ball and teammate that must adapt his run. This move should have an accompanying midfielder coming forward.
  
• Diagonal -  both forwards move laterally to the same side line at the same time, again to free the center area. A vertical run by the midfielder should be made as well.
  
• "L" Shaped - perhaps the most common movement, the forwards make a "L" shape, generally by A1 checking back towards ball and A2 diagonaling behind and into the space vacated by A1.
  
• Reverse - the forward that can see both ball and other forward (often the off-ball forward) makes a reverse run parallel to the run made by the other forward. If A1 moves forward and wide, A2 moves wide but back at the same angle. If A1 move back and wide, A2 moves forward and wide. If A1 makes a lateral run towards A2's side, A2 criss-crosses on a parallel path.
  
• The two forwards should be at different levels, one forward and the other back. The forwards should be within 15 yards of each other in order to play off each other. The coach can request the forward furthest from the ball to be the most forward (stretching out the defense). The forward that checks to ball can be the nearside forward. Of course, the far forward could check to the ball and the near side forward could make an reverse crossing run forward.
  
• There are other movements based on situations, but the above should get
  you started. To carry on the thread, do any other coaches have different pattern movements and the related situations they use them?

Eight Deadly Sins of Soccer

       These are my Eight Deadly Sins of Soccer - I couldn't stop at seven. These are the areas (tactical and technical) that coaches can watch for at most levels of play. The following list is not intended to be presented in any kind of prioritized sequence and some may not be too appropriate for the younger ages:

1. square balls across the middle
2. stopping the ball
3. GK staying on the line
4. vertical support positioning
5. allowing the attacker to dribble the goalline
6. standing waiting for the pass
7. body position is not open to the field
8. receiving the ball with the wrong foot

 

• Square balls across the middle--this is a definite no-no in the defensive third. A square ball is the easiest ball to intercept. It also implies lack of support behind the passer. If an opponent incepts a square ball, the
  passer and receiver must start their recovery runs from an equal horizontal
  position. This gives the interceptor a head start on goal, as the passer and receiver must recover from greater distance.
  
• Stopping the ball--players that "trap" the ball to a stationary position are easy to target by defenders. If the defender is closing down a receiver as the ball is arriving, the defender does not have to change course or angle of run if the receiver "stops" the ball. Also, a player that plays with the ball in one spot often invites his teammates to go into hibernation while they wait for that player to do something with the ball. There are some very good distributors that can "hold up the ball" until runs develop.  Even though the ball seems to be stopped with these players, it is actually being moved in a very precise way.
  
• GK staying on the line--as attackers and the ball gets closer to the
  goalline the goalkeeper must start to cut down the shooting angles by
  moving out. If the GK moves too soon, he may be open to a ball over the top. However, staying back on the line is an invitation to shoot at a wide open goal. In most situations, a GK should be at least 2 yards (younger ages) to 3-4 (teenage and above) when the ball is in the middle of the field and within shooting distance.
  
• Vertical support positioning--standing directly behind or directly in front of a player with the ball is a problem. Players need to support the ball at angles. If a on ball player is going to drop the ball, he must turn 180 degrees to get the ball back. With angled positioning it is only a half a turn. Also, the angled pass changes not only the vertical level, but the horizontal one as well. If a player is directly in front of the ball, he will have trouble turning and will not be open to the field. A player directly in front of the ball carrier also takes up valuable space the dribbler can go into.
  
• Allowing the attacker to dribble along the goalline--attackers that get to > the goalline must be kept wide. Defenders that overplay or over commit against an attacker that is wide can allow the attacker to dribble towards the goal along the goalline. This destroys a defense, as passing angles are created that will carry the ball away from the GK and into onrushing attackers. This is similar to giving up the baseline in basketball.
  
• Standing waiting for the pass--it is a flat out sin not to go to the ball when under pressure.
  
• Not open to the field--players whose shoulders and hips face the ball do not usually have a body position that allows for viewing of the field. If the position is open to the field, there are more options available and known to the attacker after receiving the ball.
  
• Receiving the ball with the wrong foot--players that reach for a ball on their left side, by stretching there right leg across there body cause themselves several problems. First, the support foot is immobile in order to support the other leg stretch. Second, the reception is with the outside of the foot or leg which is a much tougher area to control a ball. Last and most important, the player cannot immediately react to the touch without several adjustment steps. Essentially, the ball is stopped and the player stopped because the feet are not in position to more.
  
• Go forth and sin no more!