This is something of a progression to other
sections that dealt with control and running off the ball
- only here we are now looking at something more akin to a
game situation.
This is a build up which the coach can use to progress the
techniques of the players.
Practice 1
10
metre square, 3 attackers (X), 1 defender (O), with
players alternating roles.
The practice is simply 3 against 1,
with three X's trying to put say 10 passes together
without O touching the ball.
NB The coach should encourage O,
as he is outnumbered but by regulating the space to
a 10 metre square that does give the defender a chance
to work at his angles in trying to win the ball.
The X's must be made to work off the ball as well as
on it. Their control should be good and the coach can
make them play "one or two touch only", to
give O a better chance and also to make them work at
finding angles.
THE COACH MUST INSIST ON GOOD MOVEMENT
AS WELL AS CONTROL BEFORE ALLOWING A PROGRESSION.
Practice 2
Now an enlarged area 20 metres square
1 ball - 4 against 2
4 attackers (X) 2 defenders (O) trying to win the ball.
Points to note
1 The 2 defenders can work in tandem, forcing any of
the X's into difficult areas and forcing them to play
in a certain direction eg in diagram A X1 is in possession
of the ball and O1 & O2 have cut out any chance
of passing to X4 & X3. X1 will have the option of
a pass to X2 - UNLESS X3, X4 move.
NB THIS IS WHERE CONTROL
AND MOVEMENT COMES IN. The X's should be encouraged to
use both feet, use both the inside and the outside of
the foot for control and passing and above all pass quickly
and accurately when possible.
Practice 3
This can be built up to use numbers that the coach
considers applicable to the group of players - and with
consideration to their ages.
In diagram (B) the competition now is 5 attackers (X)
v 3 defenders (O) in an area 30M x 40M.
The same principles apply here only the greater numbers
and larger area mean more energy required and a greater
scope for dribbling, running off the ball and even longer
passing.
THE COACH MUST ENSURE
X'S WORK HARD OFF THE BALL, MAKING THE O'S THINIK ABOUT
THEIR NEXT MOVE. O'S MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO TACKLE, AND
IF THEY DO WIN THE BALL THEY COULD REPLACE ONE OF THE
X'S - WHO IN TURN BECOMES A DEFENDER.
Points to note
for X's a) Make O's work by making
fresh angles on the field. b) Ensure the first touch
control in exact. c) Make sure the weight
on each pass is correct. d) Use the inside and
the outside of the foot, and use 'one touch' when possible.
For O's a) Try to intercept
X's passes by 'reading' the game. b) Be patient, watch
the ball and the movement of the opposition. c) Work as a 'team'
with your two colleagues, by forcing the X's onto 'ONE
ROUTE ONLY' scenarios. d) Tackle when the
chance comes, remembering the angle of approach, the
timing involved, and the physical intervention needed.
The X's must be made to work off the ball as well as
on it. Their control should be good and the coach can
make them play "one or two touch only", to
give O a better chance and also to make them work at
finding angles.
