Coaching Pack 12 – 16 Years. What Am I Coaching Today? What Might the Players Learn or Get Better at? TechnicalPsychological example PhysicalSocial example

Coaching Pack12 – 16 Years

What Am I Coaching Today?

What Might the Players Learn or Get Better at? Technical Psychological

• example • example

Physical Social


How Do I Get Started?

• exampleProgression• example

How Do I Make Changes to the Practice?

Easier Harder


What Questions Can I Ask to Support Players’ Learning?

• example

Playing Forward: Receiving & Passing


• selection of where and when to pass the ball• selection of how to receive the ball

• being creative as to how to transfer the ball from one box to another

Physical Social

• execution of striking techniques• execution of receiving techniques

• working as part of a team to have success• sharing the ball with team mates


• players grouped into 4s; 3 attackers / defender (3v1)• pitch has two boxes at either end• attackers try to transfer the ball from one box to the other and back, as many times as possible (scoring a point each time they do)• defender tries to win the ball and keep possession and have as many touches as possible – scoring a point for three consecutive touchesProgression• if players manage to transfer the ball three times successfully they can attack and score in the opposite goal, but must get into the box nearest that goal to score


Easier Harder

• make boxes bigger• play unopposed• give defender a football to travel with

• make boxes smaller• play as a 3v2 or 4v2• ask players to make a minimum amount of passes before getting into box


• What different ways are there are of getting the ball from one box to another?• What does a successful pass look like?• What can you do with my pass which will help my team mate when receiving it?• What do you need to be aware of when I receive the ball?• What can I do when receiving the ball, to help me play forwards?

Playing Between the Lines: Movement & Passing


• where and when to move (or to stand still)• selection of where and when to pass the ball

• resilience in dealing with lack of success• commitment to achieving success

Physical Social

• movement skills linked to supporting the player on the ball• execution of striking techniques

• working as part of a team, linked to supporting player on the ball• communication – asking for the ball (verbal / non verbal)


• area divided into 5 channels, as shown• players divided into two teams and locked into channels as shown• two footballs in the practice• both teams try to transfer the ball by passing, from their 4 to their 3 and back again – as many times as possible• at the same time they try to intercept any passes made by the other teamProgression• if a team successfully transfers the ball from team of 4 to team of 3, 3 times in a row – the 3 can attack the 4 opposition defenders and try to score in the goal


Easier Harder

• make channels wider• add an extra football• one football, with one team defending with footballs at their feet

• make channels narrower• players have to make 3 passes before playing between the lines• pass between the lines must be first time


• what does playing between the lines mean?• what can you do to be able to help the player who has the ball?• what movements might I use to be able to receive a pass?• how can you use what the defenders do to help you receive a pass?• what might you need to add to your pass that will help you be able to play it in between?• if you can’t make a pass in between, what might you do instead?

Forward Movement & Receiving to Turn


• selection of where and when to move to lose defender / receive the ball• selection of how to receive the ball

• learning from others (opponents and team mate)• confidence to get on the ball and do more with first touch

Physical Social

• execution of movement skills linked to losing defenders• execution of receiving techniques

• working in pairs, building relationship• positive communication


• area divided into two halves, as shown, with goals at either end• players locked 1v1 in each half• defender tries to get the ball to attacker, by passing, for attacker to score• if attacker scores, that team rotates position (defender becomes attacker / attacker becomes defender)Progression• defender can join in to make a 2v1• 2v2• 3 points for a finish within two touches


Easier Harder

• make area bigger• add safe zone in either area for attacker to receive the ball unopposed • defenders shadow defend (can’t tackle)

• make area smaller • add a scoring zone in each half that the attacker must get into before scoring


• what can you do to lose the defender?• what might be making it harder for my team mate to get ball to me?• what can you do to help your team mate when they have the ball?• what might you do if the defender is / is not close to you when the ball comes to you?• what can you do with your body that will help me receive the ball?• how can you use what the defender does to my advantage?

Linking up with Team Mates


• where and when to pass or dribble • managing with ever changing pictures and scenarios• being innovative in creating new ideas

Physical Social

• execution of striking technique • deciding when to work alone and when to work with others


• area divided into thirds, as shown, with the outside zones being score zones• players organised into multiple 1v1s, with additional ‘link up’ players in the locked in middle zone• player with the ball tries to score a point by travelling with ball into opponents score zone and stopping it• opponent tries to stop them , win and attack the opposite end• player on the ball can use ‘link up players’ to create 2v1Progression• 3 points for using a link up player before scoring • 5 points for playing a 1-2 with a link up player before scoring


Easier Harder

• make area bigger •add more link up players• make scoring zone bigger

• make area smaller• remove some link up players• make scoring zone smaller


• how do the link up players give the player with the ball an advantage?• how can you use the link up players to make space for yourself to travel with the ball?• what should you think about when you pass the ball?• if you pass to link up player, what options do you have afterwards?• what is a 1-2 and what has to happen for it to take place?

Long Range Shooting: Creating & Taking Chances


• selection of where and how to strike the ball • positive and confident attitude to shooting• creative and innovative mindset – not fear of trying something out

Physical Social

• execution of striking techniques • sharing roles and responsibilities – rotation of positions


• area divided into two, as shown, with goals at either end• 1 GK, 2 def locked in defensive half / 1 attacker locked in attacking half• players try to score by either shooting from distance or playing into attacker to scoreProgression• defender can travel with the ball into attacking half to create 2v2• 3 points for first time finishes


Easier Harder

• make area wider• make area shorter• play without attacker• make middle zone as safe zone for shot• make goal size bigger

• make area narrower• make area longer• play with extra attacker • make goal size smaller


• how can defenders help GK when they get the ball?• how will you first touch effect your shot?• how many different ways can you strike the ball?• how might the position of the ball effect what technique you use?• how might position of defenders around you effect what technique you use?• how might the GK position effect the technique you use?

Playing with Overloads


• how to exploit overload situations • decision making on and off the ball

• coming up with ideas for success

Physical Social

• any game related movements linked to attacking (on and off the ball) • working in teams and in pairs• sharing ideas and reasoning


• 3 pitches, as shown, with goals at either end on each• players divided into two teams then put into teams in goals• 1 player from each time is ‘magic player’ who will create an overload• when playing with overload, if you score the magic player moves to the next pitch, direction as shown• race between both teams to get there magic player back to original pitch


Easier Harder

• add an extra magic player• add magic ball that can be transferred between pitches to provide more opportunities to score

• add scoring zone that the team must get into to score• magic player must score• magic player must get the assist• must be first time finish


• what is different when you have the magic player on your pitch?• why is having the magic player on your pitch an advantage?• how can you use this advantage successfully? • how might how you play change when you have the magic player on your pitch?

Playing on the Break: Quick Forward Play


• movement and support in front of ball, timing and angle • when to travel with the ball and when to pass the ball

• making most of opportunities • concentration in being able to stay on task

Physical Social

• quickness of forward movement • movement skills on the ball; striking techniques and RWB

• sharing the ball• working hard collectively as a team


• area divided into third, as shown (middle third is narrower), with goals at either end• red team starts with the ball and attacks blue teams goal to try and score – they must be in opponents half to score• if they score blues attack yellows, and reds wait at opposite goal• blues try to win the ball back and break out yellows• reds can attempt to win ball back until blues get in middle thirdProgression• one player from team that lost ball can recover into middle third to try and win ball back


Easier Harder

• allow less defenders to defend goal• make middle zone bigger

• make middle zone smaller• set time limit to score• set touch limit to score


• what do we need to do in order to attack?• when we win the ball what options do we have?• how can the players off the ball help the player on the ball?• how does what the defending team do effect the decisions you make on and off the ball?• what do you need to do in order to attack quickly?• when might you need to slow the speed of your move down?

Dribbling to Shoot


• selecting where, when and how to get past a defender• selecting appropriate striking techniques

• taking risks and not fearing failure

Physical Social

• execution of travelling with the ball techniques (dribbling and RWB)• execution of striking techniques

• displaying confidence in own ability• working as an individual


• area divided into three pitches, as shown, with the pitches then also divided into thirds with goals at either end of each of them• one defender defending each goal• other players with a ball each try to get into an attacking third to have a shot at goal• defenders look to win to get their foot on top of the ball, player with ball then has to attack another goalProgression• defender can win the ball and attack the goal opposite them and score by shooting, must be in the opposite third


Easier Harder

• leave one or two goals without a defender• give defenders a ball they must travel with

• add more defenders per goal• players have limited touches to score when inside attacking thirds


• when is a good time to attack a particular third?• if squared up by a defender, what can you do to get past them?• do you need to get past the defender to be able to score?• what different ways of striking the ball is there?• why might taking the shot as early as you can be a good idea?

Playing Out from the Back & Building Possession


• selection of where and when to pass the ball• selection of where and when to speed tempo of play (1st time play)

• dealing with increasingly challenging problems• coming up with ideas and plans to have more success

Physical Social

• game related movements linked to attacking, most repeatedly:- passing, receiving, movement off the ball

• working together as a team (in game)• talking and listening in order to come up with tactics (out of game)


• area divided into thirds, as shown, with goals either end• two teams (4v4 – 7v7)• teams play against each other have to complete different challenges each time they score. These ‘levels’ are as follows:(1) Free play – score as you like(2) When winning possession, ball has to be played back to defensivethird before attacking(3) As L2 + 3 passes must be made inside defensive third(4) As L2 & 3 + 1st time pass must be made inside midfield third(5) As L2, L3 & L4 + 1st time finish in the final third(6) Free play


Easier Harder

For this game, the coach must assess the age and stage of the group and whether they will be able to cope with the technical demands (eg passing quality). If they can’t , won’t be appropriate

• 5 passes in own defensive third• 2 1st time passes in midfield third• 1st time assist and 1st time finish in final third


• how can the GK help out in this game?• when and why might you look to play first time passes?•As you complete passes in own defensive third, what is it important we do next?• how might what the defending team do effect what we do on and off the ball?

Playing with Balance


• awareness of where team mates are around them• interchanging positions with team mates

• concentration skills in high tempo environment; prioritising• commitment to having success

Physical Social

• any game related movements linked to attacking • understanding other players strengths and weaknesses• working together on and off the pitch


• area made into a square and divided into quarters, as shown, with goals in each corner• four teams each defending a goal (no GKs)• multi ball• teams defend one goal and attempt to score in any of the three others – must be inside appropriate quarter to score• point scoring system can be in place (whiteboard or putting cones out)Progression• first time finish counts as 3 goals • ball has to be ran out of own defensive third • ball has to be passed out from own defensive third


Easier Harder

• add extra footballs• only one player from each team is allowed in their own defensive third

• add smaller scoring zones players have to be in in order to score• must have a team mate in the quarter with you when you score


• what does playing with balance mean and why is it important?• what is the risk if all the team go to try and score and what might we do instead of this?• if the player protecting the goal moves away from the goal, what might one of the other players do?• why might working in pairs help us get more goals?

Documents

Coaching Pack 12 – 16 Years. What Am I Coaching Today? What Might the Players Learn or Get Better at? TechnicalPsychological example PhysicalSocial example