SOCCER

One of the realities of youth coaching is that teaching time is extremely limited. Coaches often fall into the trap of wanting to do too much in one session. Do not just go through a set time schedule, by progressing from drill to drill every ten minutes or so. Players do not develop this way. Some players improve quickly, while others need more time.  Fundamentals should be your starting point whether you’re teaching skills or tactics. After players understand the basic concepts and have mastered the techniques they should be challenged progressively in game like situations. 

It is worth stating that team tactics are totally dependent upon the player’s ability to execute the technical components of those tactics. For example, can your players pass the ball diagonally behind a defense? Can they control the ball in tight areas?  Do they possess the ability to dribble past an opponent? Do they win head balls in set-plays? All of which are techniques which tactics are built upon. Remember that you cannot build a foundation on sand. The fundamentals must be strong and engrained in your players to a point of habit. 

Without players who possess good technique, your time invested in team organization and principles of play will be fruitless. With players of high technical ability, the foundation will be strong to apply those techniques in skillful and tactical situations. 

It is of paramount importance that coaches understand how quality technique is developed and implement a coaching regimen to challenge players to a level of technical excellence. "Practice does not make perfect" rather "Practice makes permanent." To reach a level of technical perfection, the technique must be isolated and performed until it becomes habit. Three important components are needed to rapidly develop good habits.  

1. Repetition: 

Repetition is important in developing the motor memory patterns to enable the players to execute each technique automatically, without thinking, so this becomes an ingrained habit. The practices should be designed to ensure that each player is getting as many touches on the ball as possible. Have players perform drills in small numbers. The larger the number, the less contact a player will make with the ball.  

2.  Consistent Quality: 

Repetition can be a dangerous thing if the skill is being rehearsed incorrectly. The mechanics involved in each execution of the technique must be accurate and consistent. Aim for an 80% success rate. The coach must be the facilitator in ensuring that poor technique is detected early and precise information is provided to the player to correct the problem. The coach must know the mechanical movements involved in each technique to be able to correct those techniques.   

3. Explosive Movements: 

As soon as possible players must practice the technique at a speed that simulates match play. Slow practices will develop slow players and up-tempo practices will develop fast and explosive players. Never sacrifice quality for speed when practicing technique.

The following is an example of how to progress your practice session from simple to complex.

Start with the fundamentals and ensure that the player understands the basic mechanics involved in the technique. This stage should be unopposed (no defenders) and the ball should be static. Develop the practice slowly to ensure that correct habits are established from the beginning.  

At this basic level of instruction you will have to get down on your knees and physically hold the players foot to show the correct placement of the standing and kicking foot.  In this example two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 10 yards.

One player kneels holding the ball firmly between their hands. The other player alternates stepping towards the ball and performing the mechanics of the low driven shot.

After a player demonstrates they have good shape when kicking a static ball, the next logical progression is to have the player hit a rolling ball. Balls can be rolling away from you, towards you, across you. In this example we have the ball rolling towards the player. The ball should be rolled out slowly at first, then increase the speed of the serve to challenge the player.  

In this progression we have two players positioned in a grid 10 yards by 10 yards. One player is the server, the second a receiver. The server stands in between the two cones and rolls the ball towards the receiver. The receiver steps towards the ball and shoots the ball back to the server. After shooting the ball, the receiver must return to the starting position. Both players alternate roles. The players are not trying to score goals at this stage, just repeating and reinforcing quality mechanics.

The players have now developed a feeling for striking a moving ball. Now it’s time to add a little pressure, but not too much.

At these early stages everything should be geared towards success and allowing the player to build confidence in their new skill. This level you are conditioning the opposition to be passive. A defender going full speed to win the ball will not help the developing player, as he will rarely get a shot at goal.   In this example the goalkeeper is the player who is passive. They have been instructed not to go full out to stop the ball. As the drill progresses they will be encouraged to be more realistic and defend the goal like game conditions.

The players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 40 yards. One player is placed each side of the goal and the third acts as a goalkeeper. The goalkeeper starts the practice by rolling the ball to one of the players. The player tries to score past the goalkeeper. The ball must travel between the flagpole’s or cones and below head-height of the goalkeeper to count.  Goals are awarded in the following manner: 

• 3 goals if the player scores on first touch

• 2 goals if the player takes two touches before scoring

• 1 goal if the player takes three or more touches before scoring.
  
  

The player on the opposite side must always be alert to strike the ball when it comes into their end from a shot. If the goalkeeper saves the shot, he turns around and rolls the ball out to the opposite player. The player in goal should be rotated with the outfield players. Keep a record of the score to determine the champion. Again, the emphasis is on repetition.

By playing both sides, time in retrieving the ball in minimized considerably.

At this stage a defender is introduced. This will test the player in a more realistic scenario. We are still working in grids and concentrating on repetition. The practice layout with players on each side of the goal minimizes time lost retrieving the ball.  

In this example, five players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 40 yards. Two players are positioned either side of the goal and the goalkeeper positioned between the flags. The goalkeeper starts the practice by rolling the ball to one of the players.

The first player to the ball tries to score past the goalkeeper, the second must defend, if they win the ball they may also shoot. The ball must travel between the cones and below head-height of the goalkeeper to count. 

The practice is now conducted in a more realistic environment and in the relevant third of the field. We test the players against real defending and a goalkeeper who should be determined to win the ball. In this stage the players are divided into pairs and placed on the end line at opposite sides of the goal. Each pair is assigned a number. The goalkeeper starts the practice by serving the ball out towards the edge of the penalty area. On distributing the ball, the goalkeeper calls out a number such as 1, 2, 3, or 4 etc. The pair selected then run out to the ball. First player to get to the ball becomes the attacker, the second acts as the defender. The defender must attempt to win the ball, and the attacker tries to score. The defender becomes the attacker if they can win possession. After a shot is taken, both players return to their starting positions.

This drill can further be developed to playing 2 v 2, 3 v 3 or 4 v 4, making each stage more game like.

The final test is always the game. Your progression should always conclude with a full match. Your coaching points during the session should be transferred into the game. Players need to see the “big picture”. How does the skill fit into the team concept? Where and when should it be applied?   In this example the players are divided into two equal teams. Players are encouraged to shoot at each and every opportunity. Allow players the freedom to experiment and enjoy playing.