SOCCER COACHW

EEKLYHOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST MATCH IN CHARGE

GOT A COACHING PROblEM? lET ME SOlvE IT FOR YOU

January 27, 2016Issue 457$6.99/£4.99

> ZINEDINE ZIDANE REAL MADRID BOSS

FIRST NIGHT NERVES < CLEVER TO SCORE <

FOCUS ON THE STRIKER <

KEY TIMING RUNS> WITH ENGLAND ASSISTANT

MANAGER RAY LEWINGTON> PLAY THROUGH BALLS

> CREATE GOALSCORING CHANCES

WAYS TO CUT TECHNICAL

ERRORSNSCAA

BALTIMORE2016

ZIDANE

I love getting out and meeting the coaches who read Soccer Coach Weekly. Earlier this

month I was in Baltimore at the NSCAA 2016 Soccer Convention to meet up with a lot of the coaches I know who have the opportunity to get to the event.

There is always a lot to discuss in the changes and advances that have gone on during the past year especially to the changes in the American leagues with regards to using small-sided games, the changes in formations and the changes to the way heading can be coached and used in matches.

Such a lot to digest but always a wonderful occasion to do so. It gives me a chance also to listen to what coaches need in the sessions I put into Soccer Coach Weekly –

Learning From Meeting SOCCER COACH

WEEKLY

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST MATCH IN CHARGE

GOT A COACHING PROblEM? lET ME SOlvE IT FOR YOU

January 27, 2016Issue 457$6.99/£4.99

> ZINEDINE ZIDANE REAL MADRID BOSS

FIRST NIGHT NERVES < CLEVER TO SCORE <

FOCUS ON THE STRIKER <

KEY TIMING RUNS> WITH ENGLAND ASSISTANT

MANAGER RAY LEWINGTON> PLAY THROUGH BALLS> CREATE GOALSCORING

CHANCES

WAYS TO CUT TECHNICAL

ERRORSNSCAA

BALTIMORE2016

ZIDANE

Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford GU5 0AB, UK.

Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 457

Contents

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 2

“Watching their sessions and speaking to them about how they see the way coaching is developed was also a worthwhile exercise”

To subscribe to Soccer Coach Weekly call Duncan Heard on +44 (0)1483 892894 or subscribe online here

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In this issue...

ASK DAVEGOT A COACHING PROBLEM? LET ME SOLVE IT FOR YOU!It’s good to have somebody to ask for advice

when you encounter a problem with your team – and whatever your coaching problem, I’m sure I can help.

I’m delighted to offer you a personal service exclusive to SCW subscribers. Just email me your query on any soccer coaching matter and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. I’ll give you the advice you need to solve your particular problem‚ and I’ll even send you the resources you need from our archive of coaching sessions.

Just email me today: askdave@soccercoachweekly.net

Telephone+44 (0)1483 892894

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

Illustrations Mike Ronald

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Managing DirectorAndrew Griffiths

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Click here to read the full disclaimer.

obviously with my roots in the UK I am getting feedback all the time as to the needs of coaches in Europe. Funnily enough there is a huge cross over with most coaches across the world looking for similar things.

Obviously this helps me with planning the sessions I bring to you because it means I get an insight into not only how I see the way development should take place but also the way coaches across the world focus on the type of development that fits in with their team.

While I was at the show I spoke to some of the world’s best coaches that also work with youth players – England’s Stuart Pearce, Northern Ireland’s Michael O’Neill (pictured above) and Avram Grant who’s enthusiasm for youth coaching was evident for all to see.

Watching their sessions and speaking to them about how they see the way coaching is developed was also a worthwhile exercise. While they coach at the very top end of the game and do

not realise what it is grassroots coaches have to do to get a team out onto the pitch I can ‘borrow’ some of the ideas and sessions they work on to create sessions that work with younger and less developed players.

The other main thing that was evident at the Convention was the number of gadgets that you can now buy to help with analysing players and to create sessions. But I would stress to all the coaches who cannot afford that type of gear all you really need are balls, bibs, cones and goals. It’s all you need and all I use!

3 YOUR FIRST MATCHZinedine Zidane had a fantastic start to his reign at Real Madrid

4 CLEVER TO SCOREThree teams with 2 minutes to win the game

5 FOCUS ON THE STRIKERHow a striker should work the backline to create goal chances

6 COME BACK ONSIDEWork strikers so they learn how to avoid being offside

7 TIME YOUR RUNSGet strikers bursting into the penalty area to score goals

8 CUT TECHNICAL ERRORSThe right way to correct your players’ technique

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 1

PRESSING

12 TECHNICAL GAMES TO COACH MATCH-WINNING PRESSING TACTICSDavid Clarke

Win the ball back the minute you’ve lost it!

INSIDE: How leading European managers have dominated the Champions League with PRESSING

PLUS: Sessions from NEW YORK RED BULLS, HOUSTON DYNAMO and MLS League Champions PORTLAND TIMBERS

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 3

Z inedine Zidane had a brilliant start when he was in charge of his first game for Real Madrid thrashing

Deportivo la Coruna 5-0 with a Gareth Bale hat-trick.

It was the best way to start and he must have breathed a huge sigh of relief after all the press coverage about the game. The pressure must have been immense.

It can be the same in youth soccer, with the weight of parents’ expectations hanging over a coach. Although every coach should know that winning isn’t everything in grassroots football, there’s no underestimating the confidence boost that winning your first game can bring.

You should be preparing for your first game if you’re taking on a new team. The most important thing for any new coach to do is to familiarize themselves with the players they have at their disposal as soon as possible.

Work closely with them as a group, identifying the natural leaders, the game changers and the hardest working members of the squad. If you have three or four leaders, bring them together and

tell them you need them to help you out by setting an example – and stress that while there will be only one named captain, they will all be performing a captain’s role.

Do the same thing for each group and emphasise how important their role is. Then, if you can, have a word with players individually. That will make each one feel like a vital cog in the team wheel, while at the same time allowing you to extract as much information as you can about them as a player and a person.

Make sure the message you’re getting across is that you need them to help you by performing the best they can to win that first game. Getting to know your team quickly isn’t easy to do but it is really worthwhile.

Hopefully it also will have allowed you to project your own personality and establish a solid working relationship with all or most of your team. They will trust you, respect your authority, and know you are approachable. If you can do this before a competitive ball has been kicked, half the battle has been won.

Zinedine Zidane

Taking�charge�of�your�team�for�the�first�time�can�be�very�daunting�whether�you�are�in�charge�of�Real�Madrid�like�Zinedine�Zidane�or�the�local�Colts.�Make�sure�you�are�ready�to�hit�the�ground�running…

First Night Nerves

FIVE TIPS TO PREPARE FOR FIRST MATCHES> In all teams some players get on better with the coach than others. When you meet your new team, make it clear they all start equal.

> Ask your players to tell you how they have been set up tactically in the past and explain any changes you are thinking of making.

> Be aware of any cliques that have developed before you arrived and do what you can to deal with them as soon as possible.

> Base your team selection on how players have performed since you arrived. Disregard reputations and reward players on merit.

> Make sure your skipper is respected by the team and that the vast majority are happy with who you choose.

In this game there are three teams and two ways to score to make sure you win the game and stay on the pitch – but you only have 2 minutes to do so

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 4

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

WHY USE ITQuick thinking game that changes the build up to goals.

SET UPYou need balls, bibs, cones and goals in an area 30 x 20 yards. We used 11 players in the session.

HOW TO PLAYSplit your players into three teams of three players plus you will need two goalkeepers. Two teams play in the middle with one team on the outside – each game lasts 2 minutes. To score one goal a team must put the ball into the net 3 times or make 5 passes and then score. The 5 passes must be to team mates – if the team uses an outside player the number reverts to zero. You can use the players on the outside of the pitch but they only have one touch. Winning team stays on – first to win three games is the Champion.

If there is no winner after 2 minutes either award the game to the team that has attacked most or have a 3v3 penalty shoot out.

TECHNIQUEPassing, movement, receiving, shooting and decision making.

By D

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Clever To Score

20yds

30yds

2 minutes

1 One team’s goalkeeper starts with the ball and passes out into the 3v3

where players link up to try and score

2 Teams need to score three times

to notch up one point

3 Each game lasts for two minutes and

the winner stays on

4 The other way of scoring is to make

5 consecutive passes then score to notch a point but if the team passes to an outside player the number of passes reverts to zero.

5 Here the red team scores its third

goal to score a point and lead the game.

Strikers must be thinking about how they can make space to receive a pass or create a goal

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 5

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

WHY USE ITIt’s all about the striker’s play - how he links up, movement and hold-up play. Is he finishing off chances, and can he create space to get a shot away?

SET UPYou need balls, cones, bibs and goals using an area the width of a penalty area (44 yards) x 50 yards. We used 12 players in the session.

HOW TO PLAYThe ball starts with the keeper who throws it out to one of his three defenders, of whom only two can defend at any one time. They must work it between themselves to play forward into one of their strikers. As the ball travels to the striker, one defender must step out to create a 3v2 overload in favour of the attacking trio. The strikers then work together with the ball to create a goalscoring opportunity. If the ball gets played to the third man runner, he must finish off one-touch.

In the second phase we add wingers. Only strikers can link with the wingers – they can hold it up and play out wide before making a run into the box. A defender can still join in and attack the cross.

By D

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Focus on the Striker1 The keeper rolls

the ball out

44yds

50yds

2 The right-sided fullback and centre-back are designated

active players working in the 2v2

3 The third defender is not allowed to

defend but prepares to run forward

4 The ball is fed forward into the attacking half

5 The third defender moves forward to

support attackers

6 As a ‘third man runner’ he can only finish one-touch

44yds

50yds

1 Again the keeper starts by rolling the ball out

2 The defender links with the

attacking player

3 This time the ball is fed out

to the winger

4 The ‘third man runner’ is used as

a decoy to distract the attention of defenders

5 This means the central defender isn’t tight enough on his attacker,

so a short pass inside enables the forward to receive, turn and score

Some coaches admit to struggling with the offside law from time to time, so it’s no wonder our kids can become confused. Many tutors find that the easiest way to coach it is purely through experience and practice

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 6

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

WHY USE ITThis session helps attacking players understand the elements of getting onside to receive the ball, while defenders can practise positioning too. Even for teams who don’t play offside, this move can provide a great way of rehearsing team structure.

SET UPYou need balls, cones, bibs and goals using a third of your pitch including the penalty area. We used 11 players in the session.

HOW TO PLAYFrom one of the lines, the first player dribbles the ball forward and shoots from inside the area. You now call out “get back onside” - the player must get back behind the offside line. Now serve a second ball which he runs on to and fires at goal.

Create a 40x25-yard area with a 10-yard zone in front of the goal at each end. The game is 5v4 – the overload is used to help one team beat the offside trap. Defending players cannot move into their offside zone until the ball enters it. Similarly, an attacker in possession must thread passes into the offside zone and cannot dribble into that area. If an attacking move doesn’t result in a shot within five seconds of the ball being played into the zone, the ball must be recycled back over the offside line before the attack can continue.

TECHNIQUEPassing and receiving without being offside.

By D

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Come Back Onside

25yds40yds

10yds

10yds

40yds

45yds

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE Get onside!

1 The first player shoots, then cuts back behind

the offside line.

2 The coach tells the players to get

onside and serves the ball for them to attack the goal

3 In the 40x25-yard game, players

cannot dribble into the offside areas and must pass into that space

4 They must play quickly and shoot within 5

seconds of getting into the area or take the ball back out of the area and recycle

5 In the final game play using the offside rule

without restrictions

S

S

1v1 ZONE

1v1 ZONE

Use this lively attacking session to coach your strikers to burst into the penalty area with well-timed runs, just like Lazio’s Miroslav Klose

Time Your Runs

WHY USE ITThis session was given by England assistant coach Ray Lewington. The idea is to coach attackers to split the defence with well-timed runs into the box and get on the end of crosses.

SET UPUse your penalty area but mark a 1v1 zone on the wing outside the area. We’ve used 12 players. You need bibs, balls, cones, and a goal.

HOW TO PLAYSplit players into four attackers and a creative midfielder versus four defenders with a keeper and two servers. The servers need a few balls each. The attacking play must come from the 1v1 box but only one defender and one attacker are allowed in the box.

Play starts with the keeper passing long to the attacking midfielder, who passes wide to either winger. The winger must go into the box and cross for his attackers. The defender must try to stop him. If the ball goes dead (or if the defenders clears) the servers take turns to play another ball across goal for the attackers.

After the servers have played a ball across the goal, play goes back to the start with the goalkeeper’s pass.

TECHNIQUEThis is all about striker movement and wingers getting the ball behind the defenders for attackers to burst through and score.

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 341 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 5

Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

The session starts with a pass from the goalkeeper to the creative midfielder

If the defenders win the ball or if the ball goes dead, the servers take turns to play another ball across the penalty area for the attackers

The ball is passed to a wide player, who goes into the 1v1 zone to try

to beat the defender and play a ball behind

the defence

All the attackers make runs in the box to pull

the defence apart, leaving one of them

with a chance on goal

BOX BANDITSATTACK: supporT

Use this lively attacking session created by England assistant manager Ray Lewington to coach your strikers to burst into the penalty area with well-timed runs

Time Your Runs

SoccerCoachWeekly.net Issue 457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 7

Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot

THE ART OF COACHING

SoccerCoachWeekly.net� Issue�457 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 8

Watch players closely to see the errors that they make

Banish Your Team’s Technical Errors

A�good�coach�will�eliminate�technical�errors�in�players�to�help�them�improve.�Use�our�six-step�guide�to�help�correct�the�technique�of�your�players�in�the�right�way

6sTEps To

01 spoT THE pRoBLEMWatch your players closely to see what kind of errors they make. If the errors occur consistently in both training and matches, then these are ‘technical’ errors and could be correctable. These are fixed by working on a specific part of the player’s technique. If the errors that you spot occur during matches only, then they are ‘performance’ errors and less of a problem.

04 GIVE FEEDBACKWhen you’ve worked out what needs to be done, make sure you give the player feedback in the right circumstances. Wait until the player does something you can praise and then use this as an opportunity to address the problem that you want to raise. Be positive and make the player aware that you have the solutions for him and are determined to help him improve.

02 GATHER EVIDENCEWhile observing a player, gather as much evidence as you can to help you work out how serious the problem is and how it can be fixed. Statistics on how often the error occurs and video footage are both valuable tools if you are able to get them. A lot of players will be unaware that they are making recurring errors, so evidence is essential to convince them.

05 TAKE ACTIoNOnce you’ve explained the problem to your player and have made him understand the need for corrective action, make sure you demonstrate different ways to help eradicate the flaw in his game. Spend time with the player at training while he practises his technique and try to put him in situations that will give him plenty of opportunity to test out your solutions.

03 oFFER soLUTIoNsTo persuade a player that he has a flaw in his game, you will need to provide him with a solution to his problem rather than just simply point out a series of faults. You should think carefully about what you are going to say before speaking to the player – and when you tackle the issue, have a clear idea about how you are going to help him overcome his technical problems.

06 sUppoRT THE pLAYERDon’t just identify the problem and then let a player get on with his game. Make sure you offer support and give regular feedback on how the player is progressing. Be aware that correcting ingrained errors doesn’t happen quickly and in many cases the skill can get worse before it gets better. Players can become very despondent if they feel they are not being supported.

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