[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference trucks::football;1

Title: Soccer Football Conference
Notice:Don't forget your season ticket.....
Moderator:MOVIES::PLAYFORD
Created:Thu Aug 08 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:608
Total number of notes:85903

225.0. "Questions on Coaching Youth Soccer" by ANTPOL::FOXWELL (OSF/ULTRIX/UNIX Specialist) Wed Jun 10 1992 14:44

    I have some questions about coaching young players (specifically, an
    Under-14 Boys team for which I am an assistant coach in the
    National Capital Soccer League, near Washington, DC).
    
    Although the boys on our team have developed good footwork,
    ball-handling, trapping, and man-on-man defensive skills,
    there are two areas where they need improvement, and I haven't
    found much help in books on coaching nor in any of the coaching
    clinics I've attended.
    
    At the risk of creating a flood of responses from soccer (you'll
    forgive me for calling it that, I hope) fans and players around
    the world, here are two problems I'm trying to solve:
    
    Field Play:
    
       How do you teach young players to adjust their play according
       to whether they are in the defensive, middle, or offensive
       parts of the field?  "Find better players" is not the answer
       I'm looking for...I want to teach the players I have to become
       better players.  I'm looking for practice drills, memory aids,
       or anything that helps them.
    
    Physical Agressiveness
    
       I have several otherwise good players who will back away from
       situations where they are chasing a free ball, and when an
       opponent also chases the ball, these players will shy away 
       from the opponent, and lose the ball.  I know that this is
       an instinctive reaction against hard physical contact.  Some
       of the boys don't have the problem.  For the boys that do,
       again, I'm not interested in cutting them from the team.  
       I think that with some innovative drills, these boys can
       become less sensitive to the agressive, physical contact that
       is becoming prevalent in our league.
    
    If any of you know of practice drills or have other suggestions,
    I would be grateful for your advice.
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
225.1A few exercises...KBOMFG::KOEPPEMon Jun 15 1992 13:30111
>    Field Play:
>    
>       How do you teach young players to adjust their play according
>       to whether they are in the defensive, middle, or offensive
>       parts of the field?  "Find better players" is not the answer
>       I'm looking for...I want to teach the players I have to become
>       better players.  I'm looking for practice drills, memory aids,
>       or anything that helps them.
    
Could you please be more specific? Who should play how in which part of the
field? i.e. defender in defence, changing position when his team or goalie
gets into posession of the ball.

Only exercise which jumps to my mind is a game on one half of the field,
attack + midfield against defence + goalie, two goals, 3-4 feet wide, on
the centre line( one on the far left side, one on the far right side).
Defence plays towards the centre line goals.

Purpose: to make the defence "open up" the game when in ball posession, by
	 advancing along the wings as opposed through the middle.
	 to make players play wide passes across the field.

+------------+-----------+---*--------*---+------------+--------------+
|            |           |                |            |              |
|            |           +----------------+            |              |
|            |                                         |              |
|            +-----------------------------------------+              |
.								      .
.                                                                     .
.                                                                     .
|                                                                     |
+---*---*-------------------------+---------------------------*---*---+
 
>    Physical Agressiveness
>    
>       I have several otherwise good players who will back away from
>       situations where they are chasing a free ball, and when an
>       opponent also chases the ball, these players will shy away 
>       from the opponent, and lose the ball.  I know that this is
>       an instinctive reaction against hard physical contact.  Some
>       of the boys don't have the problem.  For the boys that do,
>       again, I'm not interested in cutting them from the team.  
>       I think that with some innovative drills, these boys can
>       become less sensitive to the agressive, physical contact that
>       is becoming prevalent in our league.

There are two ono-on-one exercises I can think of:

1.) Two players standing next to each other with their back to the goal, 
    facing the coach.
    Distance from the goal approx. 40m - Centre Line.
    Coach plays the ball straight in direction to the goal.
    Players have to turn around and chase the ball. The one who gets
    the ball has the possibility to score a goal (this should be the motivation
    for some physical contact). If the other player manages to chase the ball
    of him, may also score. Players should be able to reach the ball about
    25m - 35m from the goal.
    To make it more competitive choose couples of equal speed.

    +------------------------------------+
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    +----------+			 |
    |	       |                         |        Player a,b
    +---+      |                         |        Coach  C
    |   |      |                         |        Ball   o
    *   |      |           <-------------a        Goalie G
    | G |      |          o<.............|..C
    |   |      |           <-------------b
    *   |      |                         |
    |   |      |                         |
    +---+      |                         |
    |          |                         |
    +----------+                         |
    |                                    |

    Variations:
	- Start with playing a low ball.
	- When skills are more advanced, play high balls i.e. more difficult
	  to get under control.    
	- Players may stand, facing the goal
		      sit on the ground, 
		      be in press-up position
		      etc.


    Same exercise, only starting from the goal line, try to get the ball,
    turn and try to score a goal.
    Also suitable for one-on-one exercise defender-striker

    +------------------------------------+
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    +----------+			 |
    |	       |                         |        Player a,b
    +---+      |                         |        Coach  C
    a_>___     |                         |        Ball   o
    *   | ->----___>______,              |        Goalie G
    | G |      |       ..>o)             |   
    |   |      |--->------'              |
    *   | ->---'  ..>./                  |
    b->--'    ..>/                       |
    +---+ .>./ |                         |
    C..>./     |                         |
    +----------+                         |
    |                                    |


I'll have a look, perhaps I'll find some more.

Eduard
225.2How to spend practice time?YIELD::FANGTue May 04 1993 13:5718
    I'm also coaching a very young group of players (6-7 years) in
    Massachusetts, USA, and would like to benefit from the international
    wisdom out there. My question is how to best spend the 1 hour of
    practice we have each week. We also have one game each week.
    
    The players range from complete beginners (can't properly kick the
    ball) to a few with reasonable skills for this level (can dribble,
    fake, pass, accurately kick). I know they need to spend time on
    fundamentals, which will probably be good for everyone. I also think
    they need to spend time just playing the game. On one extreme, we could
    spend the entire hour on fundamentals, but I would be concerned that
    this could be either boring or not really developing the game-type
    skills. On the other extreme, we could just let the kids play the whole
    time. In this scenario, the better kids would probably `learn' the most
    but the worse ones would never advance. Any opinions out there?
    
    Thanks,
    Peter
225.3boys footballYUPPY::WORBOYSFri May 07 1993 13:0230
    Peter,
    
    I have been coaching a boys team (7/8) for a year now. The main points
    that spring to mind are;
    
    Let them have a ball at their feet as much as possible. I have seen far
    to many people putting young boys (and girls) through hard physical
    training sessions. What they need at this young age is to improve their
    skill on the ball.
    
    Make sure its fun, I found a great book on 100 games for training
    sessions. I think it was written in the US, please call me if you would
    like the details.
    
    Give them plenty of encouragement, this really works. I only wish I
    could sell their enthumisium.
    
    When you play a match make sure the parents don't have a go at the boys.
    Agian, this will only reduce how well they play and the amount for fun
    you and the boys get out of it.
    
    
    Lastly, good luck and remember its only a game!!
    
    
    
    Regards
    
    
    Gary 
225.4Book reference pleaseCARTUN::BERGARTJeff-the-refMon May 10 1993 15:016
    Gary,
    
    	Could you please post the details on the book for all of us?
    Thanks.
    
    		Jeff
225.5YIELD::FANGMon May 10 1993 16:1340
Gary,

Thanks for your inputs, especially about letting them handle a ball as much as
possible, and keeping it interesting and fun for them.


>     When you play a match make sure the parents don't have a go at the boys.
>     Agian, this will only reduce how well they play and the amount for fun
>     you and the boys get out of it.

I'm not sure what you meant about `have a go at the boys'. I can try to
describe a typical match for us: 12 kids running around chasing a single ball,
whilst all the parents are frantically jumping up and down on the sidelines
yelling at their kids to `kick the ball' (as if the children would actually
just stand there if their parents weren't yelling?). Anyway, it's usually a
comical affair to watch the parents. I talk to the kids during the breaks and
try to just stress 1 or 2 things or point something out on an individual
basis. I've come to the realization that the kids don't actually hear anyone
else while they're playing the game (at least that's what they tell me when I
ask if they can hear anyone yelling at them).

One of the things I'm trying to work on for these kids is their position on
the field. They have a tendency to roam the entire field, especially drifting
across the field (left-right). So we devised a practice drill that seems to be
working. We placed a few cones in a line going from 1 goal to the other.
During our practice scrimmage, we don't let players cross over the line. The
first few times, we would `catch' a player on the `wrong' side of the field
and blow the whistle  - they would usually look up in disbelief as they
realized they were completely out of position. Now, we even have the players
on the field watching who should be where so that they alert us if someone is
out of position, so it seems to be helping. Once we get them to play their
positions, we'll have to find a way to show them what a pass is - at our
games, we're lucky to see one or two `intentional' passes the entire game!

I would guess the book you're referring to would have many interesting drills.
Please let us know.

Thanks,
Peter
    
225.6Pointers and the books7269::WEYMOUTHNew Ventures*276-8735*MultimediaTue May 11 1993 04:5432
    Peter,
    
    Couple of points, in order to encourage spreading out and using the
    width of the field.
    
    1. Since kids learn from watching, and soccer is not popular on
    television, have them relate to either hockey or basketball. Have the
    kids play a game with only their hands. They have to get open for a
    pass, far enough away to make it worthwhile, close enough to catch it.
    In the second half, have them work with their feet. You won't beleive
    the difference.
    
    2. Have a scrimmage with a "wall" of cones across the half line
    extending from 20 feet from one touchline to 20 feet from the other.
    The payers can jump over the wall, ball the ball has to go around.
    Eventually, you'll see them passing like a charm and using the width of
    the field. Works great with my Holden U10 Girls as well as my Premier
    (Bandits) U13 boys - both in first place in their respective leagues.
    
    Books:
    
    Fun Games for Soccer Training, Joseph Luxbacher, Leisure Press, Box
    5076, Champaign, Ill. (800)747-4457 $11.95 at Tatnuck Bookseller in
    Worcester, MA
    
    Select Soccer Drills, John Reeves and J. Malcolm Simon, Leisure Press
    also, $11.95 at Tatnuck Bookseller also.
    
    If you're not from Worcester area, just call the 800 number, they
    respond pretty well.
    
    Don
225.77269::WEYMOUTHLaw Enforcement * 297-4679 *Tue May 11 1993 04:563
    In case you want to call me, I'm now in MRO1 at DTN 297-4679, the
    number in the last note was incorrect.
    
225.8Pointers and the bookYUPPY::WORBOYSTue May 11 1993 13:5641
    Peter,
    
    
    Sorry about my English slang. What I meant by "having a go at the 
    boys" was, some parents (only a small percentage) shout negatively 
    at the boys; ie you must do better, your no good, etc. 
    
    I feel the way to get the best results is to draw on their good 
    points and give them heaps of encouragement. They will then give 
    110% all the time.
    
    I agree with you about positional play, you must make sure they 
    stay in their positions. If they don't they will not be able to 
    last to the end of the game. Plus, they will never start to play 
    passing football, and at the end of the day that's what football 
    is all about.
    
    > 12 kids running around chasing the ball.... we only play with 11 
    in the UK. Is this something you do to help the boys at a young 
    age?.
    
    
    The book I referred to is;
    
    Fun Games for Soccer Training
    
    Author: Joseph A. Luxbacher
    
    Publisher (I think): Leisure Press
    
    Reference Number: ISBN 0-88011-283-2
    
    I hope you find it as I find the book helps me strike the balance 
    between development of skills while maintaining the element of 
    fun.
    
    Kind regards
    
    
    Gary
    
225.9YIELD::FANGThu May 13 1993 14:2012
RE:                      <<< Note 225.8 by YUPPY::WORBOYS >>>
                           -< Pointers and the book >-

>    > 12 kids running around chasing the ball.... we only play with 11 
>    in the UK. Is this something you do to help the boys at a young 
>    age?.
    
    Actually, up through the Under-8 level, they're playing 7-a-side (6 +
    keeper) on a small field. I can't imagine how messy it would be if they
    were 11-a-side. Then there would be 20 kids converging on the ball:-)
    
    Peter
225.10We play with even fewer!CARTUN::BERGARTJeff-the-refThu May 13 1993 20:147
    F.Y.I.
    
    In Acton, Massachusetts, USA we play 6 on 6 at the youngest levels (vs
    the UK's 7 on 7).  In fact, there is a move to play 3 on 3 (no goalie)
    at the very young ages!!
    
    				Jeff
225.11Name that position.YIELD::FANGThu May 13 1993 20:5530
    I don't want to sound like a complete boob, but could you help settle
    this question? How would you name the following positions on a 7-a-side
    team:
    
    .________________________________________________________________.
    |                               |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    |             4          1      |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    |____                           |                                |
    |    |                          |                                |
    |    |                          |                                |
    | 7  |        5          2      |                                |
    |    |                          |                                |
    |____|                          |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    |             6          3      |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    |                               |                                |
    .________________________________________________________________.
    
    
    I have no problem with #7 = `Keeper'. But what names would you call the
    other 6?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Peter
225.12How about..OPG::TONYFri May 14 1993 10:4313
RE .11

    >I have no problem with #7 = `Keeper'. But what names would you call the
    >other 6?
    
    >Thanks,
    
    >Peter


What about  1,2,3 - forwards and 4,5,6 defenders..!!!

Tony
225.1311-A-sideYUPPY::WORBOYSFri May 14 1993 11:5731
    Peter,
    
    
    You have got me on one of my pet subjects. In the UK all ages play 
    11-A-side. The pitches are generally smaller than the normal 
    pitches but in my view still far to big for 7 to 11 year old boys. 
    The effort to get from one end to the other reduces the skill of a 
    young boy. They are exhausted by all the running they have to do. 
    Hence, my comment about trying to make them stay in their 
    positions and make the ball do the work by passing it.
    
    I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to get my club to agree to 
    invest in a smaller pitch. This has fallen on deaf ears due to the 
    fact that it will only be used by a small group of teams. 
    
    You guys seem to have the right approach with 7-A-side on a small 
    pitch. This approach must improve the boys ability to show their 
    skills at the same time as leaving them with the energy to play 
    the complete game.
    
    
    Kind regards
    
    
    Gary
    
    
    
     
    
    
225.14Small sides for the young onesPTOVAX::BIGLERArt Bigler - Technical OEM Group - DTN-422-7873 @PTOFri May 14 1993 19:3734
    Here in the Pennsylvania West Soccer Association we play small-sided
    games on small pitches with small goals also.  It goes like this:
    
    			Boys		Girls
    
    U-8			6+keeper	6+keeper
    U-10		7+keeper	8+keeper
    U-12 (and up)	10+keeper	10+keeper
    
    If anybody's interested I can publish the sizes of the pitches also.  I
    just don't have them here in my office right now.
    
    We use the US Youth Soccer Association guidelines.
    
    It really does reduce (not eliminate - far from it!!!) the confusion at
    the younger age groups.  It also increases the number of touches on the 
    ball the child get to have during a game.  That's the idea anyway,
    isn't it?  The only drawback I can see is that a really gifted (or big
    or rougher) child can dominate in a short sided game.  We don't have a
    good way of addressing that right now, other than requiring the coach
    to move the child back fron the offense to defense.  I would like to
    see a way for these kids move up to the next age group, but there are
    all kinds of problems with implementing that.  The young kids don't
    really seem to mind if they lose - it doesn't seem to be that big of a
    deal.
    
    Oh, and we require the coaches to move the kids around in different
    positions.
    
    Now if I could just convince the powers to be to let us play our
    over-30 men's game on an under-8 sized pitch :-))
    
    Art