I've kinda boiled down my pregame instructions to two simple concepts that work for us. One attacking concept, one defending concept. Attacking: Play 2-touch* (unless you have good reason to do otherwise) Defending: Wait for the mistake. But there's so many "bullet points" that can go underneath those. They seemed to deal well with filling in the details themselves over the winter. I probably should just leave it at the two points above and trust that the training will take care of the rest. I don't want to burden them with a "check list" out there. What's your pregame message?
I used to tell the kids that "If we try, we learn. Learning is winning." "I'll tell you a secret about soccer," said I. "Hush. Not so loud," said one of the players. "Eh?" said I. "It's supposed to be a secret," said the player. "There is a secret about soccer," I told them. "The team who tries hardest often wins." Now the girls are a bit older... Maybe time to formulate some kind of plan? Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
I usually write down 3 things on a white board that I want them to focus on. Lately it's been: Play it wide Connect - no wasted home run balls Communicate. I've aslo used: Play the way you are facing Mark tight Fast restarts Pre
I am curious because I know that your players are select and advanced for their age. When did you switch from an emphasis on dribbling to an emphasis on passing? If memory serves I was thinking it was after U10 (the old definition). Also was the switch in focus gradual (2-touch is all passing)?
Don't fret, they are all still very capable dribblers. We did 1v1s last two practices and they were all much better than they were at U10 when we worked on the dribbling stuff predominantly. It began in the fall. We played some USDA teams that just spanked us—quality play, all their players could dribble and handle the ball but their team play was phenomenal. It doesn't have to be one or the other (dribbling only/passing only). Anyway, seeing that level pushed us to reevaluate how our teams should be playing. The "*" is the key. It is decision making: Let's play collectively, positionally, but if you have a good reason—take the ball and go. I have to run to the gym before it gets too late. I'll finish my thoughts later.
agreed that it needs to be kept simple. one that i will circle back to is the importance of the first and last 5 minutes of each half. be ready to go from the moment that whistle blows.
I agree it is key. Tactics is patterns and knowing when to break the patterns. I figure that breaking patterns is an advanced topic, so with novices I teach the patterns as general guidelines so mentally the kids are not put in a straightjacket. I hoped they would experiment and didn't criticize it when they did. I think adaptability and courage to try something different are important for development. A defensive example would be shifting out of position to help a team mate. I think it is easier to teach discipline to a creative teen player than teach creativity to a teen player that has been given no tactical freedom.
My pre-game points are usually the two or three things we've focused on in practice that week. Occasionally, we will set in-game goals for the half (e.g. at least 5 drop passes, or switch the field 8 times), so I'll tell them those. For older teams, and sometimes for certain players on younger teams, I'll also go around with specific instructions for certain players. For example, if I have a player who always boots it first touch, I'll remind them I want to see them settle and take at least two touches on every ball, or I'll bring a winger and center mid together and review how they should link up quickly with balls down the flanks.
benji I told our guys on switching the field don't do it like a machine. As you switch from the pressure side look for the threw pass option don't see it then complete the switch. On the drop pass before it happens look to scan the field. That support player has more time to scan the field because he has no ball. So he is under less pressure. He is the guy that can hit the receiver who made the second or third diagonal run. Makes for a better attacking game. Also to support players we never want to see the dribbler isolated. An isolated dribbler is much more likely to lose the ball when under pressure. Tell new players if your high pressured don't forget to use the pull back to gain more time when your pressured. To do any of this you have to put the time in on the practice field. It won't just happen by talking about it.
On playing two touch. If you can play two touch your a compentant player. However don't give them an option to one touch. If you do they will use that option under high pressure. Play a friendly and tell them I want you to play the game using only 2 touches no one touches. If they can play two touch through the whole game you will be created really compentant players. Someone who can two touch under pressure is a real player.
On defense wait for the mistake creates not only patient defenders. They are less likely to get beat because being patient also means wait for your support player to be behind you before you go for the tackle. Then if you are beat the support player can pick up the player that beat you. While you fall back behind your support player and you support him.
Waiting for the mistake has been the key concept that has improved our defending dramatically-for all the things you mentioned above. We had a big problem with stabbing before. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Usually relates to the most recent practice and any building blocks that may have preceded it. If its a team that we are familiar with, we discuss possible individual strategies from what we remember from a previous match.
This was something I worked on the other night at our tennis court practice. 'Stop chasing the ball. When you finally get 'there' it won't be there any longer). Worked the principles of defense on Wednesday. Tomorrow's pre-game will only be on that topic. It will be the main thing I judge them on during the game.
I wonder if both "stop chasing the ball" and "wait for the mistake" are sending the right message. Both seem inconsistent with pressing. In team defensive tactics aimed at ball winning, pursuit and recovery are important. In any defense, being proactive and anticipation are also valued. The basic tactical themes I want to stress with intermediate and advanced players are "constant movement to a better position" and "force a mistake." I assume both phrases are "labels" for a bundle of instructions on defending. How about "Pressure not panic" instead? Or simply "Play smart." I like that better because it is a positive statement. "Stop" and "wait" are too passive for the emotional response I would want. I don't want hesitant players. I want immediate pressure on the first attacker. If beaten without cover, I want pursuit. Some of my confusion is because players are pressured while balls are tackled. Two different techniques. During the pre-match instructions, you can sandwich the day's coaching points with "Play smart."
Pressure and chasing are a bit different. When a team is playing back and sideways, I don't want 1 player chasing the triangle around. I want all 10 players to mark and organize defensively. Easier said than done.
It is a bit simplistic, yes. 1st defender's job, while pressuring, is denying space. Get yourself in a good position. Between the attacker with the ball and his perceived ending point - the goal. Next, I try to emphasize not getting beat high up the field since it will then cause team defensive shape breakdown, puts you as (now former) defender #1 out of position. At the level I coach, middle of the pack U-12 boys, the instinct is to seek out the ball which is moving. If the cover defender has not stepped into place, don't go for ball, get yourself back into a good defending position between the attacker/ball and goal. Rather than 'waiting for a mistake', pick the opportunity in 1v1 defending to tackle the ball as opposed to swinging or lunging at first sight of the ball. Keeping your sideways on, low positioning looking for the tackle opportunity will increase your chances of winning the ball. Finally, I try to have my team stay organized on the back which if it does will naturally deny space to attackers. Before they get into the final third of the field, allows for a midfielder or forward to assist in team defense. I suppose the whole idea about pressing for a defender is not to truly press in potentially adverse situations in the middle third of the field. Try to slow them down allowing the team to get into defensive shape and wait for assistance before attempting 1 v 1 defending. You are under no pressure to win that situation in the midfield.
Even that statement ("mark and organize") I find confusing. You don't man mark in a zone. I used to hate rec players yelling "Mark up" while we were supposed to still be playing a zone. It happens often with players that don't understand the difference between zone defense and man to man coverage. They think it is encouragement instead of an instruction to switch from a zone to man to man.
I agree. The only time I call for marking is on set piece opportunities in the final third. As the opportunities get closer to goal in the run of play, defense will become more man marking naturally, but that is not something I promote at this age/skill level. If they understand the 'balance' part of defending they will see where the opportunities to mark a player will/when become necessary. As you said earlier, learning the oppportunities and exceptions to rules. Decision making.
It helps if you think of pressure and pressing as two different topics. Pressing is a specific team tactic and (immediate) pressure is a general principle of defense. You want pressure on the first attacker regardless of where the line of confrontation will be. Pressing with a line of confrontation in the middle third is more commonly used than pressing that begins higher or lower. "1v1 defending" doesn't exist in a pure zone defense. If there is "1v1 defending" by definition the organization is either man to man or a modified zone (a hybrid organization of zone and man marking).
We worked on stepping and dropping and body shape (to force play somewhere else). The biggest area for improvement was body shape: it's not just a matter of facing a certain way—you have to make them and keep 'em going that way. They didn't appreciate that if the attacker breaks your "containment" it all goes to s---. I'll probably tailor my pregame to this week's training topics per this discussion.
1.) We're not always pressing. We only press in opponent's half and closer to their goal, at that. 2.) Even in pressing, I told them to harry but wait for the mistake. We wanted them to force play back to the CB. Bait them to play back to the CB, then really apply the pressure to prevent the CB from picking his head up. But it excluded making risky tackles. Wait for the mistake doesn't mean don't do anything, be passive. Like in this example, we are encouraging the mistake—maybe the CB panics, maybe the pass back is a weak one we can intercept.
Exactly. This is where a coach having playing experience is important. So much of youth coaching is knowing the context. A parent coach without any playing experience might well force kids to play a zone everywhere on the field in all situations. 20 years ago I taught zonal marking instead of pure zone, but the same thing happens. Marking an open opponent in the danger area (in front of your goal) is more important than defending a zone. Kids will naturally switch to man to man in front of the goal as long as a well-intentioned coach doesn't prevent it. The general concept that "the closer to goal the closer the marking" is similar.
You are missing my point. I am not criticizing your coaching, just the word choice. You gave "wait for the mistake" a special meaning that is inconsistent with its passive literal meaning. That passive literal meaning will always work against your message on at least a subconscious level.
I am enjoying this conversation. It does have me thinking a bit about the words I choose when teaching the topic and appreciate @rca2 'pressing' us on our word choices. @rca2, I am certain that you do realize that while we are trying to teach such concepts it is also at the same time that we are trying to change the natural inclination of 11 year-olds who still have some traits of younger players. One ball, vision of only seeing the ball, etc. Often these conversations are based on theory of doing it correctly and the realization that players will often make mistakes on the field where instinct takes over. I am trying to get them to change their instinct.