Soccer Fundamentals
A few tips for young players, key aspects of the game to keep in mind, both defensively and and when attacking. Of course, don't forget to enjoy yourself when playing, try new things on the pitch and take players on. Look at Ronaldinho for example, he's deadly focused but at the same time he's having fun. A player who cares about his team. He's always smiling and cheering his teammates on. Above all, he wants the ball and wants to make things happen. That's infectious.
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General
• Keep high concentration at all times.
• Stay fit - endurance and strength.
• Be positive and play your best.
• Have realistic expectations of teammates.
• Communicate on the field (don't scream or blame each other).
• Have the ability to combine with players.
• Show creativity and vision.
• Play the way you're facing (play simple).
Defensively
• Be aware at all times.
• Play smart and anticipate.
• Always get behind the ball on defense.
• Stay on the goal side when defending.
• When challenged, make the play predictable so your teammate can anticipate the next pass or play.
• To make a player commit, take a quick step forward and quickly back off using your body to block the run. Not obstructing the player but anticipating the play.
• When faced with a two on one: buy time until help arrives (concede space a bit of space, don't dive in); take away the pass and force the ball in one direction.
• Always recover centrally (toward the penalty spot).
• Always find a free player and mark-up.
Offensively
• Keep it simple.
• Have vision of the entire field.
• Play the ball back when options are limited or dangerous.
• Always look around before collecting a pass.
• Have a first time pass in mind before collecting the ball.
• Be calm with the ball.
• Always be in position to support teammates.
• Give options to player with the ball (check in and check out asking for the ball).
• Keep your elbows up and use your body to protect and shield the ball.
• Take on players in offensive third of the field.
• Dribble toward defender until he leaves his mark then pass or beat him.
Key Training Tips
• Get lots of touches on the ball.
• Small sided games help develop creativity and skill (keep the training area small so players have less time on the ball, must make quick decisions and are always under pressure).
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Game-Like Patterns
While you can’t predict the twists and turns that every soccer game brings, the team can and should practice game-like patterns to simulate live playing conditions. Essentially, it’s like setting up a dress rehearsal—except that instead of wearing the team uniforms, you wear the mentality and the effort you hope to create during the actual game.
For example, have a defender, who is positioned on the right side, play a forty yard ball towards the top of the box. There, a forward is checking back to receive the ball. This run back by the forward can be just a five to ten yard run, first dragging the defender towards the goal and away from where he wants to receive the ball, and as a result creating the space he wants to check into. The forward then lays the ball back to a center midfielder, who plays the ball down the line to the defender who has made an overlapping run, and then crosses the ball into the box. The midfielder and forward make near and far post runs, and the defender picks one of them out with a cross.
Have each of these players rotate into the next position. The forward becomes the defender, the midfielder becomes the forward, and the defender becomes the midfielder.
Next, develop and create your own patterns. For instance, a defender plays the ball into the midfielder, who plays it back to him and then serves the ball into the forward. The forward lays the ball back to the midfielder, who then plays the defender down the line. Then the defender crosses the ball (picking out a player with the cross). Vary the passes, make all the passes in the air, keep all passes one touch, add in a cross-over exchange (where a player dribbles at a teammate and then exchanges the ball), and/or make it so all passes are played with your weak foot. Make the passes sharp and play them away from where the defender would be. Add more players and increase the number of passes that are made before a cross or a shot is taken on goal. Have a player overlap the defender and serve the ball in for a cross; have the midfield begin the play with a pass to the defender who then plays it to the forward and back to the midfielder. Have the ball played down the line to the defender, who swings in the cross.
Always try to finish with a shot on goal after running through a few patterns. Also, make sure every player or position gets a touch on the ball before a shot or cross is taken.
Make the patterns game-like by playing the ball with pace and making all of your touches sharp, as if you are under pressure. Start out walking through these patterns and then build up speed as your team becomes accustomed to the runs (patterns). When you are beginning to run through the patterns at a faster pace, make sure the angles of the passes are sharp and the runs are at a game-like pace.
All the players should try to check back to the ball as if they have a defender on them and make angled runs back to the ball. These runs don't have to be long - even just two or three yards (quick cuts). Again, the overall idea is to concentrate and make these patterns game-like, turning them almost into exact set plays, to the point where your team could run through them in their sleep.
Mobility & Support
By Dave Chesler
TRAINING OBJECTIVE:(ATTACK) MOBILITY & SUPPORT
PRIMARY FOCUS: Repetition of Technical functions and necessary cues to
combine in small groups. (Pair combinations and threes)
SECONDARY FOCUS: ALL Principles of Attack; Width, Depth, Support,
Penetration & Mobility as necessary.
AGE LEVEL: U10-12
Phase I
TECHNICAL WARM-UP: (15-20 min.)
a. Skills Network (50% w/ balls, 50% targets)
b. Two-player passing sequences
+ double-pass
+ mobility Cues
Phase II
SMALL-SIDED (Functions): (15-20 min.)
The objective in this phase is to re-create
decisions & selected conditions of a
competitive environment (opponents)
Organization::
•2-4 groups @ 4 players
•Grid approx. 25 x35
•Four players per grid (3 red, 1 Blue)
•Begin with ball exchange by hand service
a. Hand service- rolling
b. Service w/ feet only
Phase III
EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED:
(Technical & Tactical Functions together)
Key Concepts:
•Establish rhythm and quality possession in
areas where you are “numbers-up”
•Effective body shape to receive, mobility and
group shape in the back half.
•Immediate decision to step forward once ball
is safely delivered into front half.
Restricted Zones: Four Versus Four
Defending in Pairs
By Dave Chesler
TRAINING OBJECTIVES:
DEFENDING in PAIRS: Review and reinforce the key mechanics
of individual defending. Competitive environment where 2
defenders coordinate & adjust def. roles by reading cues of
teammate and opponents. (Pressure – Cover/Support)
Phase I
WARM-UP: (Dribbling Tech. Focus)
2/3rds w/ball at feet- others w/ vest
*Players dribble in a restricted space.
*Players w/ vest try to “tag” the ball by
throwing the vest at the ball.
*If ball is tagged, the players switch
roles.
ONE v. ONE DUALS (see diagram)
Phase II
“2 v 2” DUALS:
Utilize the same grid as the 1st activity.
Create angle goals in each corner.
*Each team attacks 2 goals and defends
the opposite 2 goals.
KEY TEACHNING CONCEPTS:
*Directional pressure (1st defender)
*Role of support defender (2nd defender)
*Tackle Methods (toe poke & block tackle)
Phase III
“4 v 4” ZONAL GAME (+GK’s):
BEGIN w/ 2 strikers and 2 backs
restricted to the attacking 1/2
ADD movement of supporting MF into
attacking zone
FINISH:
5 v5 with substitutions and 2 full-sized
goals.
1. Players are restricted to their specific attacking/defending half.
2. Rotate players into the attacking zone on each goal or at specific time intervals.
3. Exercise should progress to a stage where a player may follow the ball into the attack half.
4. The 'buffer' zone may be widened in order to emph
Passing to Penetrate
By Dave Chesler
TRAINING OBJECTIVE:(ATTACK) PASSING TO PENETRATE
PRIMARY FOCUS: Repetition of Technical functions and necessary cues to
combine in small groups w/ a focus on advancing the ball.
SECONDARY FOCUS: ALL Principles of Attack; Width, Depth, Support,
Penetration & Mobility as necessary.
AGE LEVEL: U10-12
Phase I
TECHNICAL WARM-UP: (15-20 min.)
1 ball / player- BALL EXCHANGE II PASSING
(INSTRUCT) Visual or verbal cue from
teammate- Prepared to serve?
*EXCHANGE ball with a teammate (5-10yds)
a) Serve to FEET of your teammate
b) Serve to space (lead teammate to an area)
c) Disguise the serve by serving ACROSS your
body as you dribble
Phase II
SMALL-SIDED (Functions): (15-20 min.)
The objective in this phase is to re-create
decisions & selected conditions of a
competitive environment (opponents)
Organization:
•2 Groups @ 9 players 3v3(+3)
•2 Grids @ approx. 25 x35
•Nine players per grid (3 red, 3 Blue, 3 green)
•Red v. White (Gray= perimeter “bumpers”)
Phase III
EXPANDED SMALL-SIDED:
(Technical & Tactical Functions together)
Key Concepts:
•Establish rhythm and quality possession in
areas where you are “numbers-up”
•Effective body shape to receive, mobility and
group shape in the back half.
•Immediate decision to step forward once ball
is safely delivered into front half.
