By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Capital University Women’s Soccer (OH)
These activities are designed to help your players focus on mastering the situations that your players may find themselves in on game day
Activity 1: Technical and Movement Mastery
Set up involves two teams in different color pennies. Both teams will have three people in the center of the area (Marked as A on the diagram) and their remaining players scattered on the outside of the area. Each team will have one ball and will work to pass and interchange in the same area.
Options within the Activity in AREA A:
- All players will be ONE TOUCH and will interchange places keeping three players inside the area
- Players on outside can be increased to TWO TOUCH focusing on the first touch being an EXPLOSIVE TOUCH to space and the second touch a pass
- Increase touches so that players inside AREA A can DRIVE balls to people on outside. Outside players focus on positive first touch that will bring them into the area
- Players inside the area can now be allowed three touches so they can turn with the ball and make more decisions on who to play the ball to
Activity 1 PROGRESSION
Set up involves two teams in different color pennies. Both teams will have three (3) people in the center of the area (Marked as A on the diagram) and their remaining players scattered on the outside of the area. Each team will have one ball and will work to pass and interchange in the same area.
Blackjack Activity in AREA B:
Set up involves each team now have five (5) players in the center of AREA B (pick up side cones designating Area A width) and other players scattered around outside of AREA B. Only 1 ball in the area as both teams work to maintain possession for a total of 21 passes (BLACKJACK). When a defending team wins the ball they will resume their count at the number they were on when they initially lost ball. (You do not have to get 21 straight passes)
Options within the Activity in AREA B:
- When ball is played to player on outside they will enter area with ball and a player must exit area to maintain space for possession
- Only count 1 touch passes for the BLACKJACK total
- Increase touches so that players inside AREA A can DRIVE balls to people on outside. Outside players focus on positive first touch that will bring them into the area
Coaching Points
- Focus on body shape when receiving the ball so you will not need to turn Communicate and Demand the ball so your teammates will feel confident and supported (increasing confidence)
- If space is tight around you find a pass on the opposite side of the area as it will be the available space
- In AREA B when opposing team gets to 16 that is cue to PRESS SEFENSIVELY so we work on hunting the ball as a unit
- In AREA B when we reach 16 recognize that is the time to see the game out & possess the ball – SAFETY FIRST
Activity 2: UNIT & LINE REPETITIONS (FOCUS ON ATTACKING)
Two full teams will be set up in a 1-4-3-3 formation. Play begins with the ball at the GK and will the team is responsible for working the ball to the other end of the field using the following restrictions or modifications. This activity can be set up using your preferred formation. It can also be easily adapted to focus on the defending of given units and lines rather than the attacking side.
1) Only the three (3) strikers will defend as the four (4) defenders and GK work the ball out of the back. When the backs break the strikers line of pressure playing ball to midfield the opposing team midfielders and strikers will just move passively into defending positions but will not attempt to defend the ball moving towards their goal
a) You can allow the outside back to carry the ball into the midfield zone and join in possession
Coaching Points in this Phase
- Backs work the ball forward in a “BOWL” Shape (or whatever shape you prefer) with the outside backs higher up the field than the center backs allowing them as options to “eliminate” strikers more quickly
- Play the way you face in the back allowing for fewer opportunities for mistakes
- Stay engaged and DON’T CHECK OUT after playing to midfield as you must be an option to get ball back in support of the attack
- Focus on quickness penetrating forward when opportunity arises
2) Two (2) of the three (3) midfielders will be allowed to defend while all other players will just move passively into defending positions but will not attempt to defend the ball moving towards their goal
b) You can allow one (1) attacking midfielder to check to top of defending third & initiate attack in middle zone
c) All Three (3) Midfielders can defend and one (1) of those mids can track into their defensive third to pressure the attacking team as they go to goal
d) Allow one (1) attacking midfielder to carry the ball into the final third and join going to goal
Coaching Points in this Phase
- Midfielder joining the attack should look to penetrate first and not just possess
- Checklist in midfield: Can I go? 1) Forward 2) Opposite side 3) Backwards 4) Same Side
- Focus on receiving ball facing forward to facilitate quicker transition and elimination of opposing units
3) The three (3) forwards on the defending unit can defend by intercepting balls and guiding the ball where they want it to go, however, the only live defenders will be the Back Four of their team. All other players will move passively trying to get in the way of the attacking team but not actively trying to defend.
Coaching Points in this Phase
- Attacking team forward should work to stay in the gaps between the strikers and create special pockets where they can get the ball while running towards goal or where they can create numbers op opportunities in a certain section of the final third
- Attacking team forwards should focus on recognizing what space is available to them and which of our attacking options they should use to maximize that space (checking run, slashing run, drifting run)
- Forwards should focus on completing runs behind the backs to eliminate that line and offer them immediate finishing options due to body position
- Any ball laid back from a forward to the attacking midfielder joining their line should be able to be played one time in order to penetrate the backline as they step to follow that ball
4) Both the midfield unit and the defending unit are now live with the forwards focusing on defending only by intercepting the ball. The attacking team can now allow both backs to join the midfield third and continue their run to the attacking third
Coaching Points in this Phase
- All players in the final third should be involved and maintain and active role in attacking - the job is not done till the ball is in the net or a shot is taken on goal
- Work to take as few touches as possible when transitioning from the back third to the midfield third and from the midfield third to the final third. Keep in mind you are “POSSESSING WITH A PURPOSE” and that purpose is to ELIMINATE LINES OF DEFENDERS and CREATE SCORING OPPORTUNITIES.
- Eliminate the idea of possession for the sake of possession. We cannot win a game simply by completing the most passes for 90 minutes, HOWEVER, we can win a game by maximizing our possession and completing passes that matter!
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
