U13 Tryouts - Feb 2 - Playing a ball over the top

I wanted to build on our progress of adding something new every game.  We've worked on penetrating passes, attacking runs and laying the ball off for a trailing player.

Last night we started with our organization for the pentratng run/pass drill and progress it to a ball "over the top" meeting the runner (or just slightly ahead of them).

The organization was simple.  Two lines, and a support player at about half.  Players start at goal line, one line at the corner and the other about 15yds in.  The player on the inside takes a few steos with the ball, passes it to the support player up top and he lays it off for the teammate in the other line.  That teammate doesn't start their run until the ball is passed by the first player.  The coach is standing 5 yds behind the support player (as a defender)

The original player with the ball makes a pentrating run while the 2nd player plays a ball over the top for the runner to receive while in motion.

Coaching points:

• Open foot, leaning back while making the pass
• Properly laid off ball (on the ground, rolling, not "kicked", backward on an angle)
• Target player looking forward and back while running
• Settle ball when receiving or first touch strike on goal

When we got into our game we reminded them about what we've been working on and the boys implemented those ideas into their creativity.  The only problem was too many of the boys are going crazy running forward and they've forgotten the concept of checking back to set up a 2v1 when a player is under  pressure.  So Tuesday, we will review 2v1 play.

I am very happy with where this is going.

I like to have fun during the games and enjoy the creativity, but the boys were a little too loosy-goosy during the drills.  I like my drills organized and getting underway quickly.  The sooner the drill gets done, the sooner we can play.  So when boys are slow getting set up or not listening, I'm not a happy guy.  I am also a lot pickier during the technical part of the session because I want the boys to perfect their technique.

In their defense, they are probably eager to have the teams picked and move forward.  nce teams are separated I will organize a game with another club.

At 13 years old the boys will be a little hyper as they are trying to carve out their "place" in their little society, experimenting with different personality quirks.  I try hard to not point boys out in a big way at this age.

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.