When to Dribble and When to Pass?

When to Dribble/When to Pass Coach’s Clinic
August 29, 2011
by John Dingle, SAC Director of Coaching

 The importance in developing dribbling ability in youth players can not be overstated.  This creative part of the game is needed in later years to break down organized defenses.  All players need to be able to dribble to keep possession when passing options are not available.  This session addresses the tactical side of dribbling: When to dribble. 

The first stage is a warm up that I will go over the three ways to manipulate the ball for dribbling.  We then progress through a series of activities that challenge the player’s ability to recognize the right time to dribble.  We will give the players visual signs to look for to help them make the decision.  The best visual sign on when to dribble is ‘open space’.  Open space in front of an opponent allows the ball to progress forward while forcing the opponent to make a decision to confront the ball.  Dribbling is also called for when their is space behind the opponent.  The lack of cover allows for a reward when beating the confronting opponent.

We use a four goal game on a wide field to stretch the defense out.  This creates more dribbling opportunities. 

Thee ways to manipulate the ball for dribbling

Push Touch

 Roll Touch

 Chop Touch 

 1v1 with bail out optionGroups of four.  Players divide into two groups of two and play one vs one.  When a player does not have speed or space behind the opponent they can pass the ball back to their team mate.  This signals the two active players to become inactive and the two previous active players to play 1v1. 

 2v1 ladderTwo players attack one defender who is restricted to defending in the first grid. Once they enter the second grid the defender in this grid becomes active.  Players should only pass the ball when they do not have space and/or speed. 

 2v2 ladderSame as above but we add a second defender. 

 4v4 Four goal gameGroup of 8.  Player divided into two equal groups and play against each other.  Each team attacks two goals placed in the corner of the field. 

 4v4End session with a game to see how session has impacted players. 

 

World Cup Day 1 Observations

World Cup Day One Observations

South Africa  Vs. Mexico (1-1)

South Africa came out with a buzz kill approach for the first twenty minutes that nearly paid off at the end of the half as they were clearly the team with more energy.  They saved energy by being content to get numbers behind the ball while they allowed Mexico to use up energy and emotion. 

Mexico crossing was very poor as they served balls that the keeper was able to cut off.  The first principle of crossing is to eliminate the keeper with the cross and Mexico failed in this area throughout the match. 

South Africa made a great substitution to start the second half by changing the left side defenders.  Mexico exploited the left side throughout the first half.  Mexico did not have the success attacking from the left flank in the second half due to this substitution. 

South Africa’s counterattacking goal was a combination of great team work and an incredible individual effort.  Youth players can see that the ball was struck with great power in natural running motion.  This player generated power without a big back swing of the leg.

The question remaining for the Mexico equalizer include “Did the South African defender miss the higher restraining line or who missed their marks as two players were left open on the back post?”

Both Mexico and South Africa’s fitness were tested by the altitude by a greater extent than expected.  This was seen in how the game was stretched out the final 15 minutes and the impact of the aging and overweight Blanco had as a late game substitute.  South Africa was slow to close him down numerous times as he was able to play clever passes that often came close to producing a goal.

France Vs. Uruguay (0-0)

France possession pattern during the first half allowed Uruguay to maintain shape and balance.  They never attacked the middle of the defense (area 14) to force the opponent to give up space on the flanks.  They changed this pattern in the second half but failed to get the ball wide quickly once the defense collapsed. 

Uruguay gave away possession needlessly throughout the game and their attacked seemed to rely on or hope for a great individual effort from Diego Forlan and this almost paid off more than once.  They struggled recognizing high restraining lines often and were penalized with off side calls at critical times. 

After the red card to Lodeiro, Uruguay was happy to settle for a draw.

Neither team use of substitutions had a major impact on the match.

Connecting

Connection

While watching U7 and U8 games, I became very concerned with the number of coaches who planted a player in front of the goal.  I asked some of the coaches ‘How much fun is this player having?’.   Planting players in front of the goal is not only boring for this player, no development occurs.  At all ages players need to be connected to their team mates.  Lack of connection occurs at all levels of the game.

Finishing the Half Chance

Finishing the Half Chance

The half chance is a term that is used to define a chance at goal that not all players see, and is lost quickly if not taken immediately.  Half chances occur unexpectedly and players need to be trained to be on the lookout.

Approaches in Club Coaching

Coaching Youth Soccer
A Development Approach Vs. An Acquisition Approach

All youth soccer coaches of travel teams are committed to making their team better.  Teams improve in only two ways.  One approach is to replace existing players with better players.  The other approach is to concentrate on developing the players on the team.  The Maryland youth soccer scene has clubs that demonstrate both of these approaches.   The table below outlines general characteristics of both approaches:

	Acquisition Approach	Development Approach
Playing Positions	In most cases, players play only one position.	Players play multiple positions.
Goal of Coach	Win the next game, climb rankings.	Create environment to develop players.
Team Stability	Roster constantly changing.	Roster sees little changes.
Playing Time	Large variation in playing time sees some players play very little and at times not at all during games.	Although not even, each player receives substantial playing time.
Coaching Style	Organizes and directs game situation.	Facilitates players making decisions in game situations.
Commitment to Sport	Discourages other extra -curricular activities	Encourages participation in other extra-curricular activities
Development Stages	Skips development stages to gain short term goals.	Uses age appropriate activities to correspond to development stages
Coach Talk	Speaks to team accomplishments	Speaks to player accomplishment
Measure of Success	Winning games, tournaments, leagues, national ranking	Players progressing through stages

The acquisition approach places a major emphasis on recruiting players.  Players are approached with recruiting on the field, with direct phone calls, and through 2^nd parties.  When recruiting players, coaches often boast of the team’s record and the team’s national ranking.  Promises that can’t be guaranteed are often made to these players.  During the recruitment process, players do not realize the coach will be recruiting to replace them in the future.

 What approach is best for your child in the long term?

Animated Coach’s Library Affiliate Program

Is your organization interested in raising revenue while improving coaching education to those who visit your website?  The Animated Coach’s Library’s affiliation program can do both.  E-learning is the future in coaching education.  With more demands on coach’s time, the internet provides convenience coaches can take advantage of. 

Functional Training: Holding Midfield Player

Functional Training: Roles of the Holding Midfielder

The major difference between average and above average teams is the holding midfield player. A good holding midfield player stops the opponent’s attack early and distributes the ball effectively to keep his/her team on the attack. This position is the new sweeper.

Coaching A Training Session

Coaching A Training Session

Each training (practice) session needs to meet two objectives that lead to player development.  The first goal is to make the session enjoyable.  When players enjoy their soccer training they look forward to coming back, are more likely to practice on their own, and are more likely to watch games when possible. 

Top Ten Post of 2009

The Soccer Source 360 Blog, devoted to coaching education, began in October of this year.  To date we have posted 37 Articles.  As 2009 comes to an end, we wanted to share with you the top ten post of the past three months. 

Making a Turn Touch

Animated Coach’s Library
Not Letting the Ball Run On Description
By John Dingle

Not Letting the Ball Run On
Observation:  Most youth players do not get a touch on a ball they wish to run onto and then see the ball go out of play or to a defender.  The players need to understand by using a turn touch they take pace off of the ball and change the direction of the ball.  Both of these results of a turning touch create an advantage to the attacking player.