On sports park “Het Stadsbroek”, home of Dutch amateur club ACV, the U15 selection is intensively training different forms of technique. The enthusiasm and passion of the trainer is clearly inspiring the U15 squad. The players are working hard and with much enthusiasm to learn the different moves. Very specific instructions are given to get to the perfect move. Their trainer, Bas Harsema, has made technique an important issue. “A good sideward move will give you just the time that is needed to give a brilliant pass that puts the striker on his way to a goal.” A meeting with a trainer who will thoroughly discuss giving technique drills to U15 players at the division level. By: Mischa Visser “ACV has always been a big club, the first team has always played in the amateur first division and it hopes to continue to do so in the next years. The results were very good this season, already now ACV is competing in the highest regions of the Saturday amateur first division. ACV is a

club from the people; players are very loyal towards the club. The youth selection teams have always competing at division level as well, the U19s are playing in the amateur second division. Our goal is to get the U15 and the U17 selections to that division as well.” Focus on technique “At ACV there was always a focus on technique drills. Especially the youngest youth, the U9s, U11s and U13s trained with a strong focus on technique. A few years ago ACV started to focus more on technique training with the U9 selection. These players are now playing in the U11 and U13 teams and you can see that those players are very technically skilled. The U15s did not get much technique training this year. The older youth was more focused on results; the younger squads were focused on technique and fun.” Structure “We want to give the youth academy more structure next season. The U9, U11 and U13 players should focus strongly on

BBAASS HHAARRSSEEMMAA,, UU1155 TTRRAAIINNEERR//CCOOAACCHH AACCVV:: “TECHNIQUE, NOT AN OBJECTIVE BUT A PURPOSE”

technique training. ACV wants the U15s to train more match specific. I think that for U15s it’s important to approach technique from different angles. At this moment I’m discussing how we should do this with the trainers at ACV. Defenders for example need different moves than a midfielder or an attacker. I’m training the U15s specific moves they can use on a certain positions and times on the field. Technique isn’t just dribbling, cutting and turning. Technique is also passing, kicking and controlling the ball. The U19s and U17s are training 1:1 and 2:2 situations, which includes technique, but not specifically. ACV wants to start specific technique training with the higher age levels. There will be more meetings with the trainers at ACV next season about the drills being used. Which technique drills should we offer to our youth? That’s the question that’s being discusses at this meetings.”

Technique not an objective, but a purpose “Technique is about supplying solutions. You often see players exaggerating with certain moves. It shouldn’t be about the trick, but the focus has to be to score a

goal. I think it’s about creating more time to give a good pass. You’ve got to make players aware that is about the effectiveness not about the show. With the U15s we’re practicing certain moves they can use in a match. But when you run the 100 meters in 10 seconds, your strongest point is still your speed, so then you have to beat your opponent with that.” Awareness “It is off course about the development of the individual, the player. I’m constantly thinking about how I can improve players and how to reach them. It’s about creating awareness. Make him aware what move fits his position and what fits with his talent and skills. I try to offer each possible movement and I want my players to control these movements to the best of their ability. During a match the players will execute the movement they control the

best and that should be stimulated. You should do the things you’re good at. I try to create awareness by talking to a player individually about how he can improve his favorite moves. On Fridays I, sometimes, train a smaller group. These groups consist

of only the attackers, midfielders or defenders. With these groups I can train specifically on the technique that is needed for that position.” Master groups “I’m working with a couple of moves which I’ve divided in four master groups. The first groups consists of moves were the ball has to be cut backwards. The second group has a couple of sideward moves. An opponent comes to you from the side; you have to pass him, that way you can pass the ball to the side of the pitch. In group three you find the well known passing moves and in group four I’m working with an opponent in your back. This way all aspects are trained. You can see it in the Coerver/Meulensteen methods. These groups have some moves attached to them, that way the players will know which move suits which moment. Each has at least five moves, but often seven or eight. I make sure each player has to deal with each move. Each player has to control these moves to the best of their

ability. Eventually the player can decide for himself which move fits him best. Four master groups

1. Cutting backwards - Rolling back - Cutting outside - Cutting inside - Behind standing foot - Overstep

2. Sideways moves - Inside outside - Outside inside - Outside outside - Inside inside - Bottom outside - Behind standing foot inside - Retrieving bottom inside

3. Passing moves - Step over - Scissor - Step over scissor - Through pass - Dragging move - Dragging scissor - Bottom step over - Zidane - Aka; inside and outside

4. Back cover - Step over - Hip - Double hip - Behind standing foot - Outside foot - Inside foot - Through pass

Preparation “During a season I train a lot with the moves from the four master groups. A restriction to this kind of training is that players should control the basis of the move. I’ve spent a lot of time during the preparation to instruct the moves. During a period of five weeks we only trained and didn’t play a match. Each training during the preparation we spent time on these moves, just to refresh the players’ memory after a long summer vacation. In my squad there are a few players who have trained at a professional club, so they are familiar with these technique drills. Many players don’t know how to execute a certain move. Cutting with the outside of the right foot should be executed with your body turned in so you can set a block with your left leg. Eventually you should control the ball with the instep of the foot. Off course these are just details, but that’s what it’s about with the U15s! These moves should be adapted from the U9s, but that wasn’t the case with this group.” Training “Within a training I try to come up with a warming-up, core and application phase. A trainer comes up with this automatically. I select a drill from a master group and work with two groups of eight players, followed by a more intensive drill with more scoring and passing opportunities. To end the training a 2:2 or 3:3 line dribbling game is ideal. This is the way I build up my training. When we’re training three times in a week, I try to reserve two trainings for technique drills. To keep it interesting for the players I switch a lot between the master groups. The remaining of the

training I use for a long match, because the players should be able to use the technique drills in a match situation. The last training of the week and the warming-up before a match consists of an 11:0 match. From the different positions the players are executing the passes and moves that suit that position. For instance, the central defender can make a cut move when he fakes he’s playing the ball to his right back but uses that move to beat the opponents striker. The midfielders are using a side move to clear the ball and pass it to the striker. The right and left wingers are practicing passing moves and when the striker gets the ball he can use a move with a defender in his back.” Resistance “It’s important, especially at this age, that you’re creating resistance. This group didn’t control the moves from the master groups well at the start of this season. That’s why I’ve started teaching these moves in free spaces or in a marked area; a square or a rectangle. Often I’ve placed the players in a line with a meter space between and let them execute the drills. That way they were practicing with limited space available. I was working very hard with this method during the preparation phase of the season. Later you’re building up resistance, and that’s what is important. Phase four includes an opponent. A ghost opponent, a player who acts to get the ball, can be used. The attacking player had to time his move to pass the opponent. After this I introduce technique drills in groups, that way the players are constantly moving. I build up resistance by adding passing drills and eventually a scoring opportunity. The next phase is the 1:1 or a 2:1, in which the player has to choose between beating the opponent or making a combination. Within the 1:1 the resistance can be built up. At first, the defender can only move forward, the next step is defending hard within a marked area; finally the marked area will disappear. The moves will also be practiced in position

drills, for example 2:2 with 2 neutral players. The objective of this drill to remain in possession; you can score points with this. During this game you will be in possession a lot, so you’ve got to control the ball. With a fake kick or a step-over you can pass your opponent and pass the ball to one of the neutral players to score a point. You can also use a move from the master group to beat your opponent and pass the ball to the neutral player. It is also possible to dribble with the ball and cut it with the outside of the foot and then play it to the neutral player. As you can see all the master groups will be worked on. Another variation is increasing the number of neutral players by two. That way you can receive the ball from all directions. To build up resistance I use a line dribbling game, you can score with a change of speed. Step 11 would be a real match, a 11:11 game. This is the way I’m building up a season and use resistance in each of the four master groups. I write down each step I’ve taken with the four master groups. The beauty of it is when after three months everybody controls the moves and has reached a different level.” Resistance

1. Free space 2. Marked area 3. Direction 4. Opponent (see diagram 1) 5. Groups 6. With passing 7. With scoring 8. 1:1 / 2:1 (See diagrams 2a and 2b) 9. Position game 2:2 + 2 (See

diagram 3) 10. Small game, line dribble 11. Match

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Diagram 4

Differentiate “It’s very important to differentiate, because you have to get the maximum out of every player. Each player has his own specific qualities. I let the players who are less skilled train in a marked area with passing and scoring. The players who are a step further train a lot on 1:1 and 2:1. My group consists of 14 players and I’m working in two organizations. Often all the players are put in one group. This doesn’t improve the player’s skills. You have to make sure all the skills are improving. For example, I’ve got a left winger in my team who is very good in a 1:1 situation. He always has to create these situations and try to win them, except when a fellow team member is available for a combination. I work specifically with him on this action to bring it to perfection. Controlling and feeling this movement is one of the conditions. I’m a skilled attacker myself, so it’s easier for me to improve this player.” Match coaching “During a match I coach specifically on the technical execution of the moves. I do

not do this directly after an action, but shortly after it. When you execute a certain move it happens in a split-second. So when you coach directly after it I think that they don’t get it right away. When they make a scissor move, but they should have made a double scissor move. When the time is right I will get back to it. For instance, my defensive midfielder is extremely good to coach and is always open for instructions. He is often in situations where he has to make the ball free or has to come into the ball. I talk to him about his actions from minutes ago and he will remember it. I can coach my left winger before he has to make an action. When he knows he is faster it is very simple. He has to use his speed to beat his opponent. But when he has a more difficult opponent I coach him during our build up which move he has to make. He has to make sure his opponent is out of balance and then beat him with his speed. I also try to reach each player at his own level.”