August 10, 2016 Issue 485Price £2.99 / $4.50

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Proven, Easy to Use Soccer Drills

TOUCHLINE TALES MERGING THE YOUTH COACHING MODULES

GOT A COACHING PROBLEM? LET DAVID CLARKE SOLVE IT FOR YOU

< MESUT ÖZIL ARSENAL AND

GERMANY

DEADLY ASSISTS

EXCLUSIVE COMBINATIONS SESSIONS> CONTROL THE MIDFIELD> COMBINE AT SPEED

5 MINUTE WORKSHOP> THE BOX RUN> RUN AND BEND

ASKDAVE: DEALING WITH TEAMS THAT PASS BACK

> THE OZIL/GIROUD AXIS> MAKE PASSES COUNT IN THE FINAL THIRD> COMBINATION PLAY COACHING OBJECTIVES> COMBINATION PLAY PLAYER OBJECTIVES

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PLUS THESE

GAMES:>TOMB RAIDERS

> FEED THE FORWARDS

I was in Brighton at the end of last month completing my CPD for the season to keep my Uefa B coaching

badge current for another year. FA tutor Ted Dale spoke about the Youth Modules which I have completed and how they focus on communication, motivation and creating the learning environment. All about having more young people play. It’s about having coaches who develop their skills, focus on development over winning.

The modules next season are going to be incorporated into the Level 2 and Uefa B courses. The courses cover the grammar of the game, the principles of play (attacking, defending and in transitions), while Uefa A and Pro licences are exclusively aimed at the professional game.

The youth award is much more about “how to coach” children, less of “what to coach” adults. with a 70-30 ratio in favour of ball rolling time to standing/talking.

So the merger is adding youth principles to all the other aspects of the game.

Static line drills are out, game-realistic practices are in with a focus on

Issue 48510 August 2016

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Head CoachDavid Clarke david.clarke@coach-soccer.com

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planning practices (constant, variable or random), coach interventions and individual, team and unit challenges – with feedback and reflection – to hone the skills of a coach to guide youngsters towards enhanced game sense, decision-making and creative tactical and technical solutions.

Earlier this season I was on an excellent three-hour practical demonstration by an FA coach development manager, showing how to coach players without using obvious instructions. Manipulation of the sessions was used as the coach tried to get the message across though actions rather than long-winded explanations.

There was little standing around for players apart from looking at the session on a tactics board and interruptions where the session progressed – and that was across the whole three hours.

I do something similar to cut down my coaching interventions. I keep what I have to say to less than 30 seconds, making for less talking and more playing and learning. This was one of the main elements of the session – how to get coaching points across without

bombarding players with instructions.– starting with ‘implicit learning’.

To put this into context, think of a volleyball coach wishing to get his players to extend their arms more when setting up the ball – rather than explicitly describing the changes in technique, he gradually increased the height of the net in training in increments so small that the players couldn’t notice.

Eventually, the players will notice, but the outcome is achieved by actions rather than words. Think about how you can use this in your own coaching. For example, if the area for passing the ball in a 3v3 gets smaller, there is less space to keep the ball and get a pass away. Control and passing will be developed without you having to explain.

The other theory we explored was how to teach players a skill. If we break the skill down for young players into ‘before’, ‘during’ and ‘after’ the skill, they will see it as three separate actions rather than the whole action we want to see on the pitch. Instead we should try ‘action coupling’ where all the parts are one – in other words, what the brain sees and what the body does needs to be joined together for practice.

The conclusion makes you wonder whether the skill should be taught within a game context in the first place. I’m not sure about the last idea. If a player doesn’t know the parts of the skill, how will he be able to create it in his mind? But I love experiencing every type of coaching theory to see the results. I only hope that the parents don’t think I’ve lost interest because I haven’t said anything for a time!

Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven, easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice. The resources are created for the grassroots youth coach following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.

Feedback and Reflection the Key to Youth Coaching

AskDave

AskDaveGOT AN URGENT COACHING PROBLEM? LET ME SOLVE IT FOR YOU!Just email me today: askdave@ soccercoachweekly.net

3

It’s not easy to get the most assists in a season… but if you’re Mesut Özil it comes as naturally as drinking coffee for breakfast.

But what exactly are we talking about when we consider players who create goals?

Passing is key to the assist. Often Özil will create the space with a dribble or a one-two before he unleashes the final pass – ie he doesn’t just smash the ball into an attacking area.

In a three-pass sequence there are five possible combinations. When he receives a pass, a player can either return the ball whence it came or move it to a different member of his side. That player can then pass it back to either of the two people who have already been involved in the move or to someone new.

This puts the onus on the player passing the ball, who is likely to have an opponent challenging him, then to move quickly so as to

take the return. Logic also strongly suggests it means prioritising possession over a quick, forward progression, as the action occurs across a smaller area – thus we begin to understand what and why combination play is important.

Arsène Wenger has often praised Özil’s ability to control matches and the player puts it down to the skills he learnt while growing up.

In an interview with Arsenal.com Özil said: “I see things that some other players may not, and that’s why it’s important for me to have that instinct

“I started playing football with my brother from a very early age. I had the opportunity to play in tight spaces with my friends and my brother, and they were all older than me.

“Through that I had the opportunity to control the ball in the tightest gaps at a young age and that shows today. I’m really thankful for that time.

“You always have the opportunity to improve aspects of your game like finishing, ball control and passing. You can train that but as a youngster, I always played with older people in tight areas and that brought me forward.”

While Özil constantly works on his passing, he says that much of his game is based on what comes naturally to him on the pitch.

“I make a lot of decisions instinctively,” he said. “You can practice passes and other aspects of your game a lot, but I decide a lot through instinct.

“I see things that some other players may not, and that’s why it’s important for me to have that instinct. It takes me forward on the pitch because nowadays you have to take decisions quickly and if you didn’t have instinct, it would be much tougher.”’

Combination play up to the final third is a vital part of team play – and the most vital of all is the final pass. Get your players to pass like Arsenal genius Mesut Özil and watch your goals scored column rise significantly. By David Clarke

King of the Assist: Mesut Özil

COMBINATION PLAY

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 485

COMBINATION PLAYCOACHING OBJECTIVES • Develop the ability of players to find solutions to penetrate defensive lines.  • Develop a teams’ ability to maintain possession.  • Develop players combination play.  • Develop finishing.

PLAYER OBJECTIVES• Fast Combinations in midfield.• Commit defenders forward, not only out wide, but the centre backs can step forward also.• First touch vital to success.• Make play unpredictable.• Encourage creativity.• Third man and late runs by the forwards to create space to perform combinations or drive through central areas.• Blindside runs.• Look to play wide if the wingers are free. • Switch play whenever possible.• Play longer passes to free attackers.• Support players make diagonal runs• Play between the lines.• Play into the forwards feet so they can lay passes back for outside mids and centre mids to run onto and strike from distance.• Fake passes and changes of pace by the forwards.• Through balls to free strikers.

PREMIER LEAGUE ASSIST TO GOAL SCORER Goal Scorer Assisted By Team Assists1 Olivier Giroud Mesut Özil Arsenal 72 Odion Ighalo Troy Deeney Watford 73 Harry Kane Dele Alli Tottenham 74 Romelu Lukaku Gerard Deulofeu Everton 65 Riyad Mahrez Marc Albrighton Leicester 56 Jamie Vardy Daniel Drinkwater Leicester 57 Jamie Vardy Riyad Mahrez Leicester 58 Dele Alli Christian Eriksen Tottenham 49 Harry Kane Christian Eriksen Tottenham 410 Arouna Koné Romelu Lukaku Everton 4

Vision and passing accuracy are key to Mesut Özil’s supply of assists to Olivier Giroud

8yds

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Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

The coach should be ready with extra balls to play in if

the players lose the ball during the session – it should be fast which can result in mistakes at first

WHY USE IT Improve short passing, control, decision making, support play, communication and quick play.

SET-UPYou need balls, bibs and cones. Set up a 24 x 15 yard area split into three zones. We used 9 players in the session.

HOW TO DO ITPosition two players in the centre zone and play goes from one end to the other – player A passes to B who controls and passes to C. After the first pass A starts an overlap run around C who on receiving plays a reverse pass into the path of A who finishes by passing to D. The roles then reverse and repeat from opposite end. Rotate the middle two players every 2-3 minutes.

In the second phase player A passes to the closest middle player (B) and immediately overlaps to receive pass from C who has received from B – again A passes to D and play begins from that end.

In the third phase player A now plays a quick one–two on the move with B then a longer pass give and go with C. He then dribbles the ball to D and the move starts again from that end – A’s run is now between the supporting midfielders using a combination of passes.

TECHNIQUEQuality of the pass; receiving shape/first touch; communication; movement/runs off the ball; timing and angle; final passes.

Timing of forward run is vital as the combination

play needs good movement to keep the passing session going

The supporting player must move after he

passes the ball quickly so he is in position to take the pass from the middle player

The passes from each player must be accurate

and crisp with players moving around the area

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�485

IMPROVED COMBINATIONS AGES 9 TO 16+

Combination�play�needs�good�techniques�that�will�see�them�keep�control�of�the�game�with�midfield�passing�and�movement.�If�they�can�keep�possession�they�can�build�into�the�final�third�to�create�goalscoring�chances.�By Keith Boanas

Control the Midfield Part 1

Now introduce a one-two into the start of

the session and a dribble at the end

8yds

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Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

B makes a blindside (third man) run to receive the ball

after A and C have combined and passes back to D

WHY USE IT Improve short passing, control, decision making, support play, communication and quick play.

SET-UPYou need balls, bibs and cones. Set up a 24 x 15 yard area split into three zones. We used 9 players in the session.

HOW TO DO ITMoving on from the session on the previous page we introduce the third man run. Player A combines with B and receives a set back before combining with C. At the same time B is making a blindside run to receive a forward pass from A. Finish with pass to D and begin again . Now players switch in middle every time A goes to position C and C goes to B who has now joined the other end.

PROGRESSION: Add first one defender then two and encourage use of components learned to beat the defenders – who play live and should be encouraged to try and tap the ball out of play.

TECHNIQUEQuality of the pass; receiving shape/first touch; communication; movement/runs off the ball; timing of runs; final passes.

Add defender who should be restricted to

the first two zones and who must try to win the ball and put it out of play

A starts with the ball at the top end and plays to C.

Players A, B and C are now encouraged to play

around the defender using any variation of the previous practiced combination

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�485

IMPROVED COMBINATIONS AGES 9 TO 16+

This�is�an�advanced�version�of�the�session�on�the�previous�page�using�good�technique�to�control�the�game�with�midfield�passing�and�movement.�The�session�is�progressed�with�first�one�and�then�two�defenders�to�block�play.�By Keith Boanas

Control the Midfield Part 2

Add another defender so there are two who should

be restricted to first two zones and get the possession team to player around and through the pair

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Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

B passes to C, who makes a first time pass to the

supporting player A

WHY USE IT This session is to help players to pass the ball at speed and will improve the skills of young players in one of the most vital areas of the game – possession. It also helps encourage supporting runs on the outside of a team-mate.

SET-UPSet up an area 15x10 yards. We are using 10 players in this session. You need balls and cones.

HOW TO DO ITFollow the passing sequence in the diagram, making sure players use communication to let other players know when to pass. Look for accuracy and weight of pass. B and C should be rotated as they are the servers.

TECHNIQUEThis is an unopposed session to get players looking up and calling for the pass. It is vital that players look up so they pass accurately. This simple passing sequence will help you to gradually speed up your players’ first touch, control and pass so that they will do it at speed in matches and so that they know how to take advantage when they have possession.

A passes to D who begins the process again

by passing to B and running to support

A passes to B, and makes a supporting run behind B

A and D players join the back of the opposite line

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�485

COMBINATION PLAY AGES 9 TO 16+

This�is�a�more�simple�form�of�combination�play�with�players�moving�in�match-like�formations�and�will�encourage�your�young�players�to�work�on�their�possession�so�they�can�take�dictate�the�play�at�speed.�By David Clarke

Combine at Speed

Progress the session by giving player B the choice

of missing out the pass to C and passing to the overlapping player directly

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This five minute fitness drill can be used during your training sessions for a quick break to help coaching points sink in, or as an incentive for a drinks break.

Agility ladder drills are an excellent way to improve foot speed, agility, coordination and overall quickness.

HOW TO DO IT> Stand side on to the ladder, feet in the first square> Running action, moving sideways through the ladder> Each foot contacts each square once> Ground contacts on balls of feet> Emphasise upright posture and coordinated arm action > Repeat 5 times. Rest 60 seconds between repetitions.

> Agility, balance and coordination

5 Minute Fitness: Run and bend

7

This is a great workout for use with fast feet sessions and will get players warmed up for training

Try to make sure players don’t touch the rungs

of the ladder as they go through it

Try and watch the professionals use the agility

ladder and show your players how quickly they go through

the rungs

WORKSHOP

Warm-ups are an important part of training sessions and, of course, a vital part of match day preparation. This is one that uses different combinations around and across the box, to get lungs and leg muscles going.

SET UPSet up a square 10 x 10 yards using cones.

HOW TO PLAY IT> Get your players to perform a series of runs to complete one of these circuits before resting.> Forward, sprinting around the cones.> Forward to first cone, backwards to next cone and repeat.> Forward to first cone, side steps to next cone and repeat.> Forward to first cone, turn and run diagonally to third cone then forward and down side to second cone before going diagonally back to the start.

5 Minute Warm-up: The Box Run> Dribbling with the ball

You need your players to make the different runs around the square – start with going in the order 1, 2, 3, 4

> Forward to first cone, backwards diagonally to third cone, forward to second cone and then backwards

diagonally to fourth cone.

PLAYER CHOICEWhat you can do for a final go is

to get players to create their own sequences and move around the square in that way.

Players should be sprinting and showing

good agility to get around each cone

Now try the sequence going backwards and then using sidesteps

You can also change the order of the cones so players are running diagonals – so go 1, 3, 2 and then across to 4

AGES 7 TO 16+WORKSHOP

If you don’t have an agility ladder you can set one up using strips of cloth or flat cones to mark off the rungs of the ladder. You can even use corner flag poles laid out for players to run through.

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�485

Just email me your query on any soccer coaching matter and I’ll get back to you as

soon as I can: askdave@soccercoachweekly.net

GOT AN URGENT COACHING PROBLEM? LET ME SOLVE IT FOR YOU!

READER QUESTIONS

8

Q “What is the best way to teach players how to react to teams that

play back to the goalkeeper?”We play 6v6 at the U9/U10 level.  When we run across teams who play back to their keeper when they have possession, our players seem to run around like chickens with their heads cut off some times.

My question is two-fold, what is the best way to teach players how to react to this and defend it?  My next question is, do you have any drills or Small Sided Games that will help my teams develop this ability as well – not only do we want our players doing it, but it will help us teach them to defend if they know how to properly do it.

A Play this game and get your players used to playing teams

who pass back to the goalkeeper a lot. It is good practice for your team to train as the team passing to the keeper and as the opposition moving to block his passing routes out from the back.

Pressing is key when the opposition create space – if the goalkeeper gets the ball and the players are not near him get them to cover any possible pass, and if they are near him they should force him to play quickly.

Did you know that 70 per cent of what a goalkeeper does in a game is with the feet? But gone are the days of the big boot up field from a back pass – a keeper is now part of the possession game and back passes are no longer just an emergency way out.

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 485

Ask DaveDefenCe: TeChniCal

Volume 1 www.soccercoachweekly.netMASTER COACH92

A game that not only helps your goalkeepers develop their footwork skills when dealing with back passes, but it teaches your outfield players to make and receive them too

Back To The Future

WHY USE ITDid you know that 70 per cent of what a goalkeeper does in a game is with the feet? But gone are the days of the big boot up field from a back pass – a keeper is now part of the possession game and back passes are no longer just an emergency way out.

SET UPYou will need balls, cones, bibs and a goal at either end of a 30x30-yard playing area. Mark out two six-yard safe goalkeeper zones at either end. Each team should be made up of four players and a target keeper.

HOW TO PLAYPlay 4v4 but the keeper must play a part in every move and teams get double points if they can use the keeper twice in the move. Every time the ball goes dead, the keeper plays it back in.

TECHNIQUEBeing aware of the keeper’s position and the distribution of the ball from the keeper is vital to the success of the other players taking part. Players will learn how the position of the back pass, and also the weight of the pass by both the outfield player and the keeper, helps to keep good possession.

30yds

18yds

6yds

6yds

Progress the session by removing the safe zones and putting pressure on

the goalkeepers

A poor pass from the keeper results in the opposition winning the ball but they must pass back to their own keeper before starting an attack

A pass to the goalkeeper must be part of any attacking move

A back pass should be on the ground to the side of the

goal to prevent own goals if the keeper miskicks

Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

The keepers cannot pick the ball up but can run

with it in the safe zone. They have 10 seconds to

pass the ball

9

OVERVIEW Improve your defence and attack‘s sense of responsibility to ensure they are successfully taking on their roles in the game.

The defenders must stop the opponent’s attackers from scoring, regain the ball and then make a forward pass into the attackers.

The attackers should then combine quickly to score a goal.

SET-UPPitch 55yds x 30yds including one 5yd central channel

WHAT YOU GET YOUR PLAYERS TO DODivide the squad into four teams, playing 3v3, attack versus defence, in each half of the pitch.

To start, one of the goalkeepers rolls the ball out to the defenders who are immediately placed under pressure by the opponent’s attackers. The job for the three defenders is to make a pass into the opponent’s half to their attackers. The attackers combine to score a goal.

RULESThe game is played for ten minutes

All players must stay in their own half of the field

Goalkeepers must have a supply of balls in their goals in order to start the practice

DEVELOPMENTAdd movement between the two halves of the pitch by allowing a defender to join the attackers after they have made a forward pass. This gives the attacking team a 4v3 advantage against the defenders, however if possession is lost the opponent could quickly pass forward to their attackers which would result in a 3v2 situation.

The forwards attempt

to score in a 3v3 situation.

If the red defenders win

possession, they quickly pass to their forwards to set up a fast counter attack.

The ball is rolled to the

(white) defenders, who must try to pass to their forwards.

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�485

SMALL-SIDED GAME

MOVEMENT DRIBBLE PASS

From 64 SMALL-SIDED SOCCER GAMES VOLUME 2To buy the manual click here or go to:

www.soccercoachweekly.net

AGES 11 TO 16+

In�this�game�the�defending�teams�must�try�and�win�the�ball�and�create�quick�movement�forward�to�open�up�the�defence�and�create�lots�of�attacking�opportunities.�Both�attackers�and�defenders�feed�the�forwards.�By Michael Beale

Feed the Forwards

10

THE RULES The players in tomb A pass the skull (ball) using one or two touches, depending on ability.

Two raiders from tomb B are called to come through the tunnels to steal the skull.

If successful they must dribble/run with the ball back through a tunnel into their own tomb and begin passing it with their team to keep it for as long as possible.

The team in tomb A now send through two raiders of their own – who must follow through the same tunnel that team B escaped through – to try and steal the skull back again.

At any point the coach can call for a third raider to go and help steal the skull.

If the skull is knocked out of the tomb the coach can choose which team restarts with a new skull.

A point can be scored by stealing the skull, or achieving a set number of passes – say 10 – when you are in possession of it.

MAIN OBJECTIVESPossession, short passing, intercepting passes.

SET UPArea: 50x30 yard area total comprising two

20x30 yard areas joined by three 10x10 yard escape tunnels.

Players: 10, 2 teams of 5

Equipment: Cones, balls

WHAT TO CALL OUT“Tomb raiders go”

“Good passing”

“New skull coming in”

PROGRESSION• Allow the teams to choose how many raiders to send.

• Allow skulls to be chipped over the tunnels to encourage aerial control. The skull cannot bounce within a tunnel.

HINTHave ample footballs ready to play in. Don’t do the obvious, see how players react to the ball going the opposite way. Roll the ball in to avoid head clashes on high balls.

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�485

Two raiders go through

the tunnel into the tomb.

They steal the skull

and return to their own tomb.

Two new raiders give

chase to win the skull back.

PASS RUN GROUND COVERED

From FUN SOCCER GAMES FOR 5 TO 8 YEAR OLDSTo buy the manual click here or go to:

www.soccercoachweekly.net

FUN GAME AGES 5 TO 8

This�fun�game�gets�players�using�possession�skills�with�an�emphasis�on�short�passing�and�intercepting�passes�by�the�opposition.�The�game�hides�the�repetition�of�the�techniques�with�the�fun�element�of�Tomb�Raiders.�By Keith Boanas

Tomb Raiders