For me, the beginning of the season revolves around getting a group of players to work together within a framework of a system. Lately that system has been the 4-3-3. This involves teaching each player the role and responsibility of their position: How the defenders work together to stop attacks and win the ball. How the midfielders connect the team together. How the attackers create goalscoring opportunities. All of this gives the players a starting point but the most important learning comes next.
Helping the players to think and act creatively within the framework of the system is what will take them to the next level of understanding and effectiveness. Players can be taught to be creative individually and in combination. At younger ages I focus on the creativity of the individual and as the players mature the creative involves group of players.
With my U9 team I teach them a wide range of ball skills to help them maintain possession and beat players 1 v 1. Many of these skills and techniques are from Legendary 1 v 1 Moves and Teaching Legendary 1 v 1 Moves.
Once players have a basic set of skills I feel that the best way to teach them to be creative collectively is put them in small-sided games that will encourage creative problem solving. If the small-sided games are progressed carefully then the players see the connection between the small-sided game and full-sided game.
Many of the small-sided games I use are found in, 'Developing Creativity Through Small-Sided Games'. These games help the players bridge the game between training day and match day better than any other method I've found. Here are a couple of examples of games that have worked well with my teams.
Global Small Sided Games 10
Organization: 3v3+ 1 (4v3) situation will be developed in 2 small sided games. Roster: 19 to 22 players including 2 or 3 goalies.
Description: Game 1 – 3v3v3 + 1 in a transition game format. Two teams playing in a half with the offensive team trying to score on goal and the defensive team try to cross the half line with ball possession, if the defenders cross the half line or the attacker score on goal they play as offensive team x the third team on the second half of the field. Game 2 –In a game with goals 6 goals will be played in a 3v3+1 game with a futsal ball. Rule: All 3 players + the neutral player have to touch the ball and keep the possession before finish the ball to goal.
Coaching Points:
- 4v3 game development
- Ball possession
- Switch the point of the attack
- Transition
- Zone marking
- Speed of improvisation and adaptation
Equipment: regular balls, futsal ball, cones, discs, vests, small goals and mobile goal.
Global Small Sided Games 12
Organization: 4v4 situation will be developed in 2 small sided games. Roster: 18 to 22 players including 2 or 3 goalies.
Description: Game 1 – 4v4 + goalies futsal game. Both teams play in diamond shape (1-2-1). Game 2 –In a game with goals 8 goals will be played in a 4v4 zone marking game. Each player is responsible to defend a goal.
Coaching Points:
- 4v4 game development
- Ball possession
- Switch the point of the attack
- Zone marking
- Speed of improvisation and adaptation
Equipment: regular balls, futsal ball, cones, discs, vests, small goals and mobile goal.
What are your favorite small-sided games to teach combination play or other topics?
Have a Great Day!
Tom
