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. 

 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 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.

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.

Suggestions:

• Teach your players this phrase: Space=Time=Quality
• Make sure your team understands they want to be compact in defense to lime space.
• Make sure your team understands that by keeping a player back they are creating space for the opposition.
• Make sure your team understands that the farther away from the goal they defend, the closer they have to go to get to the opponents goal.
• Make sure your team understands that by defending away from the goal they can recover from mistakes. 
• Team your players the use of the following key defensive shape terms: Step, Drop, and Shift.
• Use number down defending activities to demand players work together.
• Follow the Animated Progression below:

Step-Drop-Push	Group the players and call out step, drop, and push.  Demand the players move as a unit.  Designate a player to make the calls.
Intercept the penetrating pass	Place three players as defenders inside a 20 long by 30 yard wide grid with pairs of opponents outside the grid on the wide ends.  The three players work as a group to deny a penetrating pass.
3v4 four goal game	The group of three defenders work as a unit against the team of four in defense.
7 to goal vs 5 to counter	Have five players work together to defend against 7.
7v7	Has the session had an impact on the players

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.

Suggestions:

• Talk to your player about the half chance.
• Show players that they can shoot when they are not facing the goal.
• Show players the toe poke as a shot.
• Create a risk taking environment that encourages players to take responsibility in scoring goals.
• Find the coaching moment when half chances are not taken.
• Follow the Animated Progression Below

Animated Progression

Striking a ball at goal when not facing goal that comes across the player	Goals facing each 35 yards away other.  Players form lines facing each other with a ball per player.  The first player in each line roll the ball out and then sprint to ball be rolled by partner.  When they get to the ball they turn and shoot with a whipping action from the hips.
Striking a ball at goal when not facing goal that is moving towards the goal	Same set up from above.  Lines are formed on opposite sides of each goal.  Pairs of players from each line pass the ball straight out and then sprint to the ball passed by their partner.  When they get to the ball they turn and shoot at the goal they started from.
Numbers up/Numbers Down	Same set up from above.  Assign one team to always send out two players.  The other team sends out the number that is call by the coach.  The players then play a one goal game.  If the ball goes out of bounds the game is ended.
5v5 (1 goal game)	Game ends with a goal.  New team replaces the team that conceded the goal.
5v5 one touch finishing (1 goal game)	Same as above but finishes are restricted to one touch.

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:

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?

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. 

Organizations that affiliate with the Animated Coach’s Library place our logo on their website which is hyperlinked to our sales site.  Your organization receives 20% of each sale generated from the link.  The program we have set up is outlined below:

• We send you our logo and your organizations designated link
• Place the hyperlinked logo prominently on your site.
• Send out emails with the hyperlink promoting the Animated Coach’s Library.
• We send you login information to track sales generated from your organizations designated link.
• We mail your organizations earned income on a quarterly basis. 

The Animated Coach’s Library is a curriculum based website for coaches used by youth, high school, college coaches and camp directors.  Content on the Animated Coach’s Library includes:

• Over 1000 Animated Activities placed into coaching progressions labeled by topic and age level
• U6 Coaching Manual
• U8 Coaching Manual
• Animated U6 Curriculum
• Animated U8 Curriculum
• Animated U10 Curriculum
• Animated U12 Curriculum
• Animated U14 Curriculum
• Animated Technique Development Section
• Animated Tactics Sections
• Over 100 articles on coaching 

We presently have over 1000 worldwide members.  Content is constantly added to the site and each member receives 16 educational newsletters each year.  A year long membership to the site is $49.95 and includes TactFOOT software.  Robin Russell is a world wide leader in e-learning for soccer and featured the Animated Coach’s Library at the 2008 National Soccer Coaches Association of Americas convention.  This is what Robin has to say about the site:  

“The Soccer Source 360’s Animated Coach’s Library can be used by coaches of all levels. The quantity and quality of training sessions is an amazing tool for player development. Individual coaches can plan practices more effectively. Organizations can communicate player development initiatives while coordinating curriculum. The TactFOOT software used by the site allows the progressions from the site to be emailed to coaches throughout the club by the director of coaching. I strongly recommend the site to individual coaches and organizations that are serious about player development.”

Robin Russell
Former Assistant Technical Director English FA

Become an affiliate today and help coaches in your community deliver a better soccer program to the children who play the game of soccer.   Email John Dingle at john@mdsoccer.com.

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.  The player plays in front of the back four/three with mostly covering roles but some man marking roles.

• Define the area you wish your holding midfielder to play in. Some successful coaches have the holding midfield player stay between the ball and the goal at all times. This not only includes while the opponent has the ball, but also when their team is in possession of the ball. Other successful coaches restrict the position to the center of the field.
• Make sure your player understands the difference between covering/balancing (locking up vital space) and man marking.
• Show your holding midfielder distribution patterns. Can they switch the point of attack? Can they find the forward?
• Incorporate the player’s role into the team tactics.
• Follow the animated progression below. Only those with a membership to the Animated Coach’s Library can access the animated progression.

Animated Progression

Balancing/Covering
Sweeping Role
Role of Tracking While Sweeping
Role as a Distributer
11v11

Equipment
In order to run a model session the coach will need at least twenty cones, five training vest, and some extra size three soccer balls.  The coach will also need to have a pump and medical kit.  Players need to bring a size three soccer ball and water supply to every practice. Use the pump to make sure all balls are inflated properly.

Topics
Current research from players in England and France has shown that players at the U7 and U8 age level progress more rapidly when the session does not have an overriding technical theme.  That is to say, each session should have activities that allow players to dribble, shoot, pass, and receive. Activities that allow for all techniques are ideal.

Progression
The training session needs to follow a simple to complex progression.  A popular method of achieving this progression is to have a warm up period, individual activity period, small group activity, and game. 

Warm Up- The warm up can start as soon as players arrive.  The warm up can be done with or without the ball, or the ball can be added during the warm up.  The warm up does need to get the players physically and mentally prepared for the session.  Dynamic movement is required. 

Individual Activities- Individual activities allow for repetition as every player has plenty of time with the ball.  These activities need to be structured so that players are moving and making decisions.  Opposition does not need to be present in the individual portion of the session.

Small Group Activities- These activities include opposition.  The groups do not need to be even.  Two versus one, three versus two, one versus three are examples of small group activities.

The Game- Ending each training session with a soccer game is needed.  The game needs to be the largest part of the practice session and can be as much as half of the training time.  The game is the best teacher and players come to training to play.  Again teams do not need to be even.  Coaches are also encouraged to vary the size of the field and use conditions to challenge the players.

Recognizing Coaching Moments
Coaches that do not find opportunities to give feedback to their players are leaving all learning up to trial and error.  Your ability to recognize coaching moments gives players a short cut to learning.  It is important to note that the best coaches recognize that player can not only learn from corrections but also learn from good examples.  Make corrections but also highlight positive play.  Pick a good coaching position to allow you to see your entire team.  Coaches that position themselves with their back to players can not evaluate the entire team.  Once your position has been established give the players some time to acclimate to the activity.  Use this time to recognize patterns that can be corrected or publicized.  After a few moments have passed you can begin to act on coaching moments.  Determine the method of distributing the information from the list below.  Remember to be as unobtrusive to the players as possible.

Methods of Coaching
Coaching moments need to be as unobtrusive as possible to the children’s play.  Almost every adult soccer player remembers the times when their fun was constantly interrupted by the coach.  The following methods of coaching are listed in the preferred order of use. 

Coaching Over the Top-Provides players with information they can use during the activity.  The coach states observations or instructions as the activity progresses.  This coaching tool must be used sparingly as players tend to stop listening to a constant stream of instructions. 

Coaching During Natural Stoppages-Natural stoppages occur throughout a practice.  Every time players switch roles, the ball goes out of play, and a goal is scored a natural stoppage occurs.  You can use this time to give the players information they need to improve their play.  

Coaching the Individual- Every player can be given information during the activity.  You as a coach can enter the field and give specific information to players that pertain to their play.  Timing is important as this tool disrupts the play for the individual player. 

Stop/Freeze Coaching Method- This tool is most often used in the small group and game portion of the practice.  The coach projects his/her voice with the command stop and freeze.  Once the players have frozen the coach shows the players the coaching moment.  Players must be trained to stop and freeze as their attention is on the soccer activity.  The coach must also make sure the players do not move throughout the coaching to gain an advantage.  Once the information has been given the play can be rehearsed to check and see if the players gained the information.

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.  Feel free to leave a comment. 

1.  Fall 2009, Coaching Education Newsletter  #6
2.  The Role of Players in a Diamond
3.  U5/6 Adventures in the Swamp
4.  Fall 2009, Coaching Education Newsletter  #7
5.  Connecting Midfielders to Forwards
6.  Adventures in the Desert
7.  Zonal Defending
8.  Tactical Changes During a Match
9.  Address 2nd Balls with your Team
10.  Educating Your Player’s Parents

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.

Suggestions:

• Show your players the importance of getting a touch on through balls.  The touch can be positive when space is available.
• Show your players the importance of getting a touch on balls rolling to the side line.
• Use activities that demand players get a touch on the ball before turning and running onto the ball.
• Recognize and take advantage of coaching moments that players can learn from taking a touch.  This moment can be instructional or point out a positive.
• Follow the animated progression below:

Only coaches with a membership to the Animated Coach’s Library can view the activities in animation.  The membership site has over 1000 activities.  Deliver information to your players in new a new exciting manner.

Animated Progression:

Check and Turn Player Checks to the Ball and uses a turn touch to get face the opposite direction.
Check and Turn Opposed Same as above with addition of incremental pressure.
4v4 Lane Game Two groups of four are subdivided into groups of two and placed in alternating lanes.  A group of two attempts to play through an opponent’s lane to their team mates who must get a touch on the ball before it runs into the next opponent’s lane.  They then attempt to play through the last grid.
4v4 Split Field Groups of four play 4v4 with the restriction of each team placing two players on each half.  Players are restricted to their assigned half.
4v4 End with an unrestricted game.  Has your teaching had an impact on the players?  Be sure to recognize coaching moments.

Copyright, Soccer Source 360, 2008