A large part of teaching combination plays is teaching timing. The challenge is that timing is developed through an understanding of the basic principles and then getting the number of repetitions necessary to get a feel for the timing.
It's best to first teach the patterns of movement and basic principles of each combination play separately. The ones I focus on with young players are the give-and-go, overlap and layoff.
Once these have been learned and understood then I like to combine them into a pattern that allows for a lot of repetitions on both the left and the right side.
This setup is one that can be used for many passing activities from simple passing and moving to complex combinations.
I usually begin with a basic Give-and-Go combination. When Player A passes to Player B they become a defender for Players B and C to complete a Give-and-Go around. Player B then passes to the far end where the pattern continues.
This is a progression that adds a second Give-and-Go with the other outside player before passing to the player on the far side. Player D needs to show for the pass from Player B and then show for a pass from Player E.
[wpsharely id="6889"] [/wpsharely]
This is an example of complex combination that I've done with teams as young as U12. We started with the basic Give-and-Go, added the second Give-and-Go and then finally had Player C perform an overlapping run while Player B passes to Player D who lays it off into Player C's run.
Teaching players these combinations and how they can combine together will give them more ideas when it comes time to play a small-sided game at the end of the session.
Have a great day!
Tom
