U13 Tryouts - Jan 31 - laying ball back

Tonight we had a few boys missing because a big Science Fair is looming this week.  We still had 24 boys which made for a good session.

We planned a large full field passing drill that involves laying ball back, driven passes with laces and wall passes.  From beginning to end, it's a lot of running while staying organized.  It's one of my favourite team drills from a repetition and cardio point of view.  There's also a mental aspect to it so the whole thing doesn't fall apart and you don't want to be the player to break it up.  Some of the more experienced players know how to fix it on the fly or step out if they know it's getting too bogged down.   I have several versions of this exercise that works on first touch forward, wall passes, etc.

I'm going to have to video tape this drill and post if for fear of mangling it with a poor written description.  I picked it up from Tosh Farrell (formerly of Everton Academy) at a coaching conference put on by the Ontario Soccer Association.

My main coaching for this drill tonight was the section laying the ball back for the oncoming runner. Coaching points were:

• Foot off the ground to ensure ball rolls true
• Ball played back on angle, not square or forward
• Get out of the way after laying off

When we started our game I reminded the boys of what we've been working on:

• Penetrating passes
• Attacking runs
• Laying the ball off for a trailing player to play forward

I am pleased that the boys did implement those 3 points whenever they could.  We didn't over coach or stop the play, but we did give reminders after the fact.  We need to let them play and make their own decisions.

The games are getting pretty entertaining and some boys are showing some flair and creativity.

After 3 more sessions we will make our first and second rosters.

U17 Training - Game-Activity-Game

Today I was helping with my son's U17 team for 2012.  It was their first session of the season.

They are a third level team and have a mixture of good, decent and average players, but all great kids.  Coach Ben has served these boys well in terms of giving them a place to play.  The boys get along and have come together from a multitude of teams.

The technique I used today is called Game-Activity-Game (or Global Analytical Global) but still known as GAG.

In a nutshell, you run the bigger picture activity (game, etc), then address a specific aspect of the game and introduce it by use of a drill or sequence and then back to the bigger picture activity.

It serves to put things in context for the players, but it also addresses different learning and thinking styles of the players.  Some players can easily take an idea and integrate it into a game.  Others need repetition and direct coaching.

Today we let them play for 10 minutes, then reviewed 2v1 scenarios.  After moving them from 2v1 to 3v2 then 4v3 we went back into the game.

Coaching points of 2v1

• Identify when the 2v1 is on (identify man with ball being closed down by defender)
• Supporting angle of teammate (shape)
• Various options for winning a 2v1
• Decisions and quick execution
• PATIENCE, do not force the pass

When we got back to the game we were pointing out when a 2v1 situation was  advisable and eventually tapered off the coaching and let them play.

We had moderate success.  There is a work-ethic issue when it comes to supporting a teammate.  The players without the ball should be moving into position and quickly.  We will bring it up again next session and go from there.  Next time I will focus more on the speed of the pass and body position when receiving.

When watching a small game for this situation you seek out times when a player is going forward and nobody is checking back to establish the 2v1

Cuts at U13? Are we stupid?

There is a reality in club soccer.  You pay a lot to be there and we drive 90 minutes to some games.  We are only allowed to make substitutions on goal kicks and goals and at U12/13 on a big field neither comes frequently.

Having a big roster is great for keeping a lot of players involved and developing, but it's tough getting them all into games.  Parents count minutes during games and we want to keep the kids involved. 

But when I think about tryouts up to U13, I wonder how stupid we are being.  Young players change so much (physically) up to U13 that you have to wonder how many players of high potential we've discarded over the years.  Not only soccer, but every sport.  The change in a young athlete is not only year to year, but sometimes the player you picked in February is not the same kid in October.

I've watched U9 travel level games where both teams were probably picked via tryouts, and not one of the players can properly strike a ball or control a ball effectively.  So what were tryouts about?  Our young players are not ready to be graded and classified yet.  If you have tryouts for U9 and the majority of players aren't ready, how do you pick a team for travel soccer?

How do we figure out who's better at U12?  While players are growing and changing at alarming rates, how do we determine which players will still be the best 15/16 players in October?  If we are unsure who is better or going to be better at U12, and we are concerned with the long term good of the sport and player, are we not better off training BOTH players until they've passed the awkwardly physical years.

We have 2 teams at the travel level for U13 in Welland, so 28-32 boys will end up playing travel level soccer instead of 14-16, but it doesn't solve the bigger problem.

I guess I am drilling to the root of LTPD with respect to more widespread development at the younger age groups. 

U13 Tryouts - New tryout list posted

Well, we posted a new list of boys who are invited to continue trying out for summer 2012.

Our next step is to determine who from this list of 32 will stay with the program and subsequently be allocated to either the first or second team.

U13 Tryout - January 24 - running with the ball

We had our 4th tryout session tonight on the Welland SC indoor field.  Last week's cancellation means an extra session added before we do the first releases.

Getting the ball forward quickly has always been a problem.  The last 2 sessions we worked on penetrating passes.  Today we worked on running with the ball.  Again, with the big group we kept it simple and organized.

We setup a laneway with cones roughly 40yds long and 5 yds wide.  After a short running warm-up we gave half of the boys a ball.  They ran the lane with the ball and the other boys took off 2 seconds after trying to catch them.

Coaching points were:

• Use laces to push ball forward
• Keep a steady stride
• Get ball out from feet
• Head up

I had the boys widen the lane way a bit to accommodate the number of players.

We then littered the laneway with the boys' backpacks to create a sort of obstacle course.  We challenged them to take on the laneway at full pace using all parts of the foot to steer the ball through.  There was also the added traffic of all the other players.  We sent the boys off 13 at a time.

Our functional portion involved 3v3 games where you can only progress forward by dribbling and passes can only go backwards.  it took a little bit for the boys to develop a tactic for success. The supporting shape of the other 2 players was very important for this game.

Coaching points:

• If space open ahead - long first touch and go
• If dribbling forward - attack space early and quickly
• If no space ahead - turn and pass QUICKLY
• Supporting positions of teammates

We then let them play a game reminding them of getting the ball up quickly, by way of pass or dribbling.

The session went well in my opinion.  I was in a decent mood and things felt good from the start.  I started the session alone (no assistance) and some of the kids were still hyped up from school so their was a bit of restlessness in the very early going but it all settled down.  2 of the assistants showed up about 5:15ish. 

I continue to be content with how the boys are working and listening.

You always try to remember to limit the coaching a bit during tryouts so the players can show you their stuff.  With so many boys out, you don't want to over coach.