Coaching Badges

Badge Kissing & the non celebration

2014-09-21T20:50:00.000+01:00

I'm not quite sure which is worse, badge kissing or the non celebration. Both have become an integral part of showing your allegiance & respect to the fans of clubs who now or used to pay your wages.

Why bother? If you are happy at a club show your allegiance by staying. If you have left a club, respect your new one, you have every right to celebrate, no matter who it is against.

Kissing the badge & then leaving a club soon after to to go to the next highest bidder is a real smack in the face to the real fans of that club.

Not celebrating scoring against your old club is a real smack in the face to your new fans. It says to them that you somehow prefer your old fans. I promise you that the majority of them don't give a damn about your old club & would just love for you to show them, that you now feel as passionate as they do about your new family.

Kissing the badge & then holding your club to ransom over lubricious sums of money is just as obscene.

Kissing the badge of one club, then leaving , then scoring against them & not celebrating must be the ultimate way to piss off everybody !

Loyalty is dead ..... Money rules ...... football as we knew it will never be the same

Season Planning

2014-09-21T00:43:00.000+01:00

There are many schools of thought in relation to how best to coach a team. Your approach will be determined by many factors, amongst them:

the age & ability of the players
your own qualifications & experience
the club's objectives
your own goals & philosophy
how often you get to work with the players during a week
the facilities available to you
the time of the season that you are working in
the competition you are preparing for
the weather
etc.

Regardless of these & many other factors, one question you should consider is .......

"do I train the team week to week depending on what I think they need that week or do I formulate & stick to a season long development plan?"

For me the answer is simple, you have to have a plan, albeit, one with some flexibility. Without a plan, I feel you can become a bit like a ship without a rudder. Granted, you will be going somewhere by simply training, but it may not be the direction in which you need to travel.

Players take time to become proficient in the various disciplines of football. Jumping around these disciplines from week to week can be a bit haphazard to say the least & may not fulfill the development needs of the players.

Giving them a sustained period of time to practice & master these disciplines creates more rounded footballers long term in my experience.

That's not to say that you ignore elements of their performance that you feel may need addressing from time to time. This is where the flexibility comes in. Leaving space in your schedule for this adhoc work deals with this problem or need.

Below please find the skeleton outline of a current season plan for a U15 age group that I work with. These players are at an elite level & most of them are involved in representative & international football.

Season Plan:

August 2014

Pre-Season & Hibernia Trophy

September 2014

Tactical focus – Transition to defend

Technical focus - Passing

October 2014

Tactical focus – Defending

Technical focus – 1. Shielding / Turning / Ball Protection 2. Tackling & Heading

November 2014

Tactical focus – Transition to attack

Technical focus - Running with the ball / Dribbling

December 2014

Tactical focus – Attacking

Technical focus – 1. Shooting & Finishing 2. Crossing & Heading

January 2015

Tactical focus – Transition to defend

Technical focus - Passing

February 2015

Tactical focus – Defending

Technical focus – 1. Shielding / Turning / Ball Protection 2. Tackling & Heading

March 2015

Tactical focus – Transition to attack

Technical focus – 1. Running with the ball 2. Dribbling

April 2015

Tactical focus – Attacking

Technical focus – 1. Shooting & Finishing 2. Crossing & Heading

May 2015

Tactical focus – Transition to defend

Technical focus - Passing

Training Plan Notes

Training will be conducted in blocks of four weeks

· Tuesday nights will focus on tactical work

· Thursday night will focus on technical work

· Additional classroom sessions will be used to supplement outdoor activity - TBC

· Goalkeeping plan will dove tail with overall plan

· Week 1,2 &3 will be carried out according to the season plan

· Week 4 will be at the discretion of the coaches depending on whether or not the tactical & or technical elements of the previous weeks challenges have been met or to meet any other requirements that may arise resulting from continuous team observation

· All other aspects of the player’s development will be incorporated into the plan throughout the season, determined by the regular progress review meetings / needs analysis assessments, conducted by the coaches monthly. E.G.

o Physical development work

o Speed work

o Flexibility & stretching

o Sport psychology

o Video analysis

o Nutrition & hydration

o Rest & Recovery

o Injury prevention / cure

Get Stuck In To Them

2014-09-20T23:32:00.003+01:00

"Get stuck in to them" an all too familiar shout on side lines up & down the country, often from individuals with questionable football knowledge or credentials. Perhaps in this instance you can make an excuse for such shouts, perhaps these people are simply uneducated in terms of what is acceptable in kids football (I'm giving them a huge benefit of the doubt)

What I simply can not accept under any circumstances is a manager sending his team out to simply kick lumps out of the opposition.

I witnessed it today & have to say it was a disgrace to the game. It was an U15 league game. The "kickers" were at home to a team who had won the league last season. From minute one, all the home team did was kick & foul in an effort to disrupt a clearly technically superior team.

I'm slow to criticise refs, I think they have a thankless job, but in this instance he never got a handle on the game & far too many fouls went unpunished without a card even being shown or in some cases, without a free even being awarded. Some of the fouls were bordering on assault & have no place in the game.

The shame about it was that the home team actually had some decent players playing for them, who were simply playing to instruction from the side line & never allowed to express themselves in a different manner & to try & play. One player in particular looked to have many more attributes than his manager would allow him to show.

The conduct from the home team side line was appalling & at all times during the game there was a chorus of wound up parents, coaches & managers shouting at the players & ref alike. This behaviour is more suited to sports such as UFC where physically hurting your opponent is legal.

Despite my dislike of such a strategy, the point remains that it happens all of the time. So from a coaching point of view, the challenge is how to deal with it. It is simply not enough to moan about it.

From my point of view there are a few things that you must try to get your team to do when faced with this type of challenge:

1. Don't react to provocation, let the ref do his job. If he is struggling to get to grips with things, let your manager handle the complaints. Far too often under pressure refs will book players as an easy out during these games.
2. Match fire with fire. You may have to meet your aggressors head on & at least match their physical intensity during these early exchanges. Never let yourself be bullied.
3. Earn the right to play. Show teams that you will not be put off by their tactics & stick with your own game plan.
4. Pass & move quickly. Nothing tires out eager legs quicker than chasing shadows.
5. Trust your ability will eventually win out.
6. Do not get frustrated & take things out on your own team mates.

I'm pleased to say that the team who were targetted today ( & one player in particular ) responded in a resounding fashion & having weathered an early physical storm, ran out comprehensive winners in the end. Not only in terms of the result of the game, but more importantly in how they conducted themselves both on & off the pitch.

I stress again that this type of cynical disruption of play has no place in the game, at any age or level & must be, excuse the pun, "tackled"

As for the idiots who encourage it ...... need I say more

How Players Learn

2014-05-21T09:52:00.000+01:00

How Players Learn

We are not all born with the inherent genius of a Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo or Messi.

How much players get out of participating in football & indeed how many years they continue to want play it, depends on learning & continuing to develop the skills which allow them to enjoy the game while remaining a valued member of the team.

It’s no secret when young players experience improvement in their skills, no matter their athletic ability, they will continue to participate and return to learn more in order to build on their progress.

Different approaches:

No one player is the same. Coaches and parents need to be aware that all players learn and build on acquired skills in slightly different ways according to personality and age. There is no one size fits all solution.

There are many theories explaining ways in which individuals best absorb information about sport, but most academics and teaching professionals agree it can be loosely broken down into three distinct categories:

Kinetic - learning by doing, physical practice
Visual - through studying pictures, audio-visuals
Auditory - through listening to the spoken word

It is often said that sports-orientated children, particularly boys, have a preference for kinetic learning, but this is only partially true and should only be regarded in their early development.

Although learning to play a physical game such as football may seem entirely different from school learning, children will employ many of the same learning techniques & strategies to enable progress in training on the pitch as they will in the classroom.

For coaches to be fully effective they need to have an understanding of the different ways in which individual children learn, how this changes through the age groups and have the ability to combine different strategies to best enforce the learning process.

In modern player development the most effective practitioners in the short, medium and long term will be those who prepare & deliver the work in positive learning environments that appeal to the mix of learning styles.

It is not the easiest option to incorporate all of this into your training routines, but nothing worthwhile is ever really easy.

Putting it into practice:

So how do we translate these principals onto the training pitch, the park, the back garden? Taking the basic premises of how children learn we can structure training so that they do not exclude useful learning tools.

Examples:

Kinetic learning - training drills, repetitive practice, small sided games
Visual - Use boards to explain tactics or videos illustrating specific areas of the game Encourage players to focus on particular aspects when watching games on television
Auditory - Verbal explanation. Encourage children to ask questions about what they have just done or heard - 'What is? Why do I? Why should I? How do I? What happens if? This aids comprehension and fixes experiences or concepts in the mind

Learning by age group:

Younger age groups, while relatively new to the game, are more likely to learn the basic skills kinetically under verbal instruction. Once these have been mastered, a more analytical approach will help them fully understand why certain skills, techniques and tactics are effective and how they can better implement them.

Basic learning development by age:

Ages 5-8 – Children at this age have relatively short attention spans and want to do rather than be told how to do. Breaking down activities and drills into 5-10 minute periods helps prevent distraction and boredom. They have difficulty divorcing themselves from the activity and will take negative feedback on the results as criticism of themselves

Ages 9-12 – At this age children are naturally active and enjoy the physical side of learning. However, they are also increasingly able to deal with abstract concepts and working towards logical conclusions and are so more inclined to listen to constructive feedback. They also increasingly seek approval from their own age group and educators

Ages 13-15 – Physical and emotional development among young teenagers differs quite widely and needs sensitive handling. This age group is now well equipped to think abstractly, enjoy debate and often challenge adult solutions in favour of their own

Ages 15 up – By this stage most teenagers are looking towards adulthood and increasingly demand being treated as individuals. They can develop and perform complex tasks and demand an increasing amount of input into what they are asked to do

Tools for coaches to maximise progress:

Allow ownership of learning:

New developments in the science of learning emphasise the importance of helping people take control of their own learning. Since understanding is viewed as important, people must learn to recognise when they understand and when they need more information.

While the youngest age groups learn primarily through play, as analytical skills increase players are more likely to respond positively if encouraged to come up with their own solutions and strategies for development in consultation with the coach.

Rather than lecturing, encourage children to reflect and discuss. A child who feels he or she is fully engaged in the process is far more motivated to want to carry on learning.

Build progressively:

Different players will need to learn and improve on different aspects of their games. One may have high skill levels but a low tactical awareness, and visa-versa. Therefore the coach needs to identify individual requirements rather than trying to make a single programme for everyone, which risks leaving some behind.

One of the best motivational tools for the coach is to identify shortcomings with the child and then set realistic goals for the next progression. By building step by step and being able to monitor their own improvement he or she is motivated to move on to the next level and so on.

Highlight success:

Players of all ages get a great kick from seeing, and having pointed out, the impact that something recently mastered & successfully implement has had, not just on their own game but also on those around them.

The importance of play, building confidence and learning how to lose:

All children have an inherent need to play. Play is the foundation of wider social interaction, communication and co-operation. It is also, of course, fun.

When play takes the form of an organised team sport, with a winning side and a losing side, there is a danger that the game is viewed purely in terms of success or failure. The child may view their own merit solely on being part of a winning team, how many goals they score etc.

There is a coaching adage that goes “shout praise loudly, whisper constructive criticism” Children know when they have made a mistake and yelling will not encourage them put it right.

Even in defeat it should always be possible to pick out group and individual positives and identify areas that can be worked on constructively.

It is the role of coaches and parents to re-enforce the positives of participation. What the league table says should not be used as the only benchmark, as it cannot reflect individual improvement and enjoyment.

Tips:

Reward effort as much as the final outcome
Combine advice or constructive criticism with praise and a clear explanation of how doing something differently will help
Avoid ridicule or sarcasm
Remember each child should have their own level of accomplishment to aspire towards
Turn your child’s disappointment into positive motivation for next time
Keep practices original and fun

The ultimate measure of the youth coach or soccer parent is not the number of trophies at the end of a season but whether or not the kids continues to want to go back and leave with a smile on their faces.

Adapted from article via http://www.brooklynitalians.org/

Conditioning by age

2014-05-20T10:08:00.002+01:00

The following article was sent to me by a fellow coach. I do not know the source or claim this work as my own. I am no expert in this field but found the article interesting. I share it my fellow coaches without any bias or prejudice.

Conditioning by Age:

Develop and learn about fitness with football training for appropriate age groups.

Sheer physical strength and muscle size is no indicator of soccer ability. The fully rounded player requires a wide range of different physical attributes that become more and more important as players progress from the small sided game to youth & senior level.

Given that outfield players are expected to be continually on the move (98% of running is done off the ball), stamina and cardiovascular fitness are increasingly important as players get older.

However, being able to run for 90 minutes is not enough.

Football demands dynamic running in repeated short bursts. Dribbling and beating opponents requires flexibility, heading involves jumping ability, tackling and shielding the ball needs upper body strength etc.

A well thought out conditioning programme should include drills that cover all physical demands placed on the player. It doesn't have to be boring. There is plenty of scope for team games with and without the ball.

Different age groups have different conditioning demands.

At levels up to U10 very little or none is required. This is a critical time to develop basic skills & technical mastery.

At the stage from U11-13, conditioning can be introduced, but only lightly. Too much strain on rapidly changing bodies can be harmful and injury inducing.

Most of what follows below is designed for ages 14 and over when game play becomes increasingly intensive and physically demanding.

First things first - maintaining a healthy body for sport:

Although there is widespread current concern about obesity among young people, a lesser known fact is that many who take part in competitive sport on a regular basis fail to adequately replenish their bodies with the necessary nutrients, especially when they reach their teens.

If this is allowed to continue over an extended length of time the cumulative effects can lead to long-term health and injury problems.

Girls: With so many external pressures on girls, particularly teenage girls, to look slim, a reluctance to eat sufficient amounts of the right foods to re-fuel their bodies after exercise is particularly acute.

Sustained lack of calorie intake can lead to problems such as disrupted menstruation, osteoporosis and ultimately psychological difficulties with food leading to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

What they should be eating:

There is no one food, but the diet must be balanced and reflect the amount of calories typically burnt. This includes not just 'healthy' foods such as vegetables and fruit, but those containing fat, carbohydrates and proteins such as meat, fish, pasta, wheat products etc.
A young female athlete should take in between 1200-1500mg of calcium per day to ensure healthy bone development. This can be found in sufficient helpings of dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and milk

Boys: Although eating disorders are usually associated with female athletes, they are no means confined to them. While boys may also be concerned about suppressing weight, a recent study by the Ohio State University Sports Medicine Center revealed that one per cent of college athletes studied suffer from 'Adonis Complex', basically a feeling that their bodies are insufficiently muscular.

This can lead to an eating disorder now identified as 'muscle dysmorphia'. It manifests itself in unbalanced diet, binge-eating and at the severe end of the scale, performance-enhancing supplement and steroid abuse. The condition is particularly prevalent in sports that require upper body strength, including soccer.

A balanced diet is essential. Those trying to build muscle will often pursue a high protein (eggs, meat, brown rice, whole meal pasta, fruit etc.) at the exclusion of fatty foods such as red meats and dairy products

What coaches can do:

Be aware of the warning signs of malnutrition and eating disorders
Make it clear by your approach that you are always available to talk in confidence
If concerned, approach the player discreetly on a one to one basis
Do not ask friends or team-mates. Making an athlete with a problem feel they are the subject of discussion makes matters worse
Do some research into potential support options – doctors, counselling, physiologists etc.

Warming up and down

A comprehensive programme for warming up muscles becomes increasingly important during progression through the age groups.

Ages under 10 - It is generally accepted by experts that stretches are unnecessary. Jogging, arm swings and hip twists are sufficient
Ages 10-13 - Light stretches of the calf, groin, hamstring, quadriceps and stomach and upper body should be combined with varied running. Ten minutes should be sufficient, followed by ball work
Ages 14 and over – as per above but for longer period of time, say 20 mins

Example routine:

1. A light jog to get the heart rate up

2. Dynamic stretches: (to be carried out on the move)

Calf - Planting one leg straight, extend the other in front and push down with the hands on the knee
Groin - feet apart, bend one knee while facing forwards to stretch the opposite groin
Hamstring - Cross the legs and gradually push hands down to the toes
Quadriceps – balance on one foot, grab the other foot with your hand and bend the leg back until the foot touches the bottom
Stomach/Upper body - put hands on hips, and swing clockwise at hips in a circular motion. Repeat anticlockwise. Put arms straight above head, and bring hands together in a large arc, moving hands down to the left foot and then over head to right foot
Back - Hands together and legs apart, bend at waist and stretch hands out in front, without trying to touch the ground. Bring arms behind back, keeping them together, and stretch backward
Leg swings - swing legs across body as high as possible

3. Jog again but introduce short sprints, jumps, Brazilian running (bringing the knees up as high as possible), touching the floor, running backwards, sideways and touching the ground

4. Ball work - shooting practice, passing drills i.e. rondo, small sided games

5. Make sure the goalkeeper gets plenty of opportunity to touch the ball with both hands & feet.

Finally, remember that the warm-up is an invaluable time to prepare your players mentally as well as physically for the game ahead. Give simple trigger words to help players to focus.

Warm down:

Following concerted physical activity, lactic acids and other toxins are released that can cause stiffness and muscle pain. Slowing the body down gradually mitigates this. Again, the level of the warm down depends on age, but is most important for over-13 age groups.

Example routine:

Light jogging
Side stepping while jogging
Lift knees up and then outwards
Kick forwards with studs up
On back pull knees into chest and roll backwards, then one knee into chest and roll to either side
Kneeling, extend one leg outwards bent at the knee and push down

Speed

The importance of speed to players is vital in the modern game. Every player on the pitch needs to be able to sprint in short bursts and be quick off the mark. Running at speed is rarely done in a straight line. Players need the ability to change direction in full flow and stop, start and turn in rapid succession.

Example drills:

Acceleration - Set two cones 10 metres apart. Starting jogging then sprint to cone on instruction
Quick feet. Run up steps - vary by starting touching every step then extend to striding to every other step.
The ladder - Get players to run through with feet landing between each gap. Repeat sideways and extend by stepping out and then in like hopscotch
Quick start - Running up hills encourages the feet to move quickly at the start and the power to accelerate

Balance and co-ordination

During the course of a game, soccer players are required to adjust the angle and shape of their body within a split second, for instance, to volley a ball or selling an opponent a dummy by dipping the body from side to side while running.

Example drills:

Standing on one leg, get someone to throw ten balls for you to head back. Progress by having them move round to the side and twisting the head to return the ball
Jump steps - jump forwards from a standing start onto one foot and hold for a count of two, then return to starting position. Progress by tossing balls for the player to volley back while on one leg
Turn round catch - Get the player to kick the ball directly above him. The challenge is to turn 360 degrees and either trap the falling ball or flick back up and repeat

Strength and power training

In soccer this is not about muscle bulk but enabling dynamic movement and endurance. Strength and power can manifest themselves in anything from the ability to sprint in the final minutes, shield the ball from and opponent, keep balance under pressure, not get knocked off the ball or leap above an the opposition to win a header.

Lifting weights, centred on building leg and abdominal strength, is part and parcel of elite soccer player’s routine. However, circuit training with weights is generally only suitable for post-pubescent age groups.

Plyometric exercises, developed by Yuri Verkhoshanski, a former coach to the Soviet track and field team, are increasingly used among the older age groups

Example drills:

Stand beside a ball or cone and leap over it from one side to the other, jumping as high as possible. Do not spread feet and jump again immediately on landing
Bound as far as possible then stop. Hop and then bound again.
Jump forward and backward over an obstacle, i.e. hurdle or cone, with feet together.

Training on and off season

It is now possible to play league soccer virtually year round, but according to Craig Devine, former athletic trainer with Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer a break of at least a couple from competitive match play is essential.

He says: "Soccer players striving for continued improvement in their play may feel compelled to play constantly. This focus on play does not allow the athlete to develop a proper training cycle to recover from injuries, prevent injuries and improve physical and technical weaknesses to develop as a player."

Off Season:

Although not quite time off, this is a period for low intensity fitness training.

Keep fit and have fun by participating in other non-contact sports, i.e. tennis, cycling, swimming
For junior players, 14 and over, work on strength with weight and circuit training
Less exercise means fewer calories burnt so adjust diet accordingly

Preseason:

The period when players return to training prior to the competitive season is a vital one for the coach. Not everyone will have kept themselves in peak condition, so assess each player’s fitness and motivation levels and tailor programmes accordingly. This is an opportunity to fine-tune fitness, skills and tactics. Try and avoid too many full contact games and build-up gradually. There is nothing worse than losing a player to injury before the season even starts.

Example drills:

Interval sprint training. High intensity sprinting, slalom and zigzag running. Alternate with static and non-static stretching
Using the penalty area, player sprints along goal-line. At corner receives a ball to volley or head, then sidesteps to next corner, runs backwards to next and then sprints to original position
Passing games without tackles. Split into two sides. First side to put together seven consecutive passes gets a point

Injury prevention and recovery:

In the US, some 200,000 youngsters medical attention for soccer injuries every year. The vast majority are to players of 12 and over and it may come as some surprise that proportionally girls are more susceptible than boys, although the latter are more likely to be hospitalised.

Female players are particularly susceptible to ankle and knee problems with the risk increasing among the higher age groups. For instance, The American Society of Orthopedic Surgeons recently published findings that showed female soccer players are four times more likely to suffer anterior cruciate knee ligament damage (ACL) than their male counterparts.

Many injuries are due to accident and simply unavoidable. However, with the right training regime, coaches can not only help players avoid injury but aid in the most appropriate and speedy means of recovery.

Examples:

Prevention

Under 12 - Most injuries are the result of poorly-timed tackles, accidental collisions and bad playing surfaces. However, factors such as stitches and feelings of illness and fatigue through exertion and over-training are also factors to consider.

The basics:

Make sure all players have the right equipment, appropriate footwear, shin guards etc.
Concentrate on ball work. Do not put too much emphasis on intensive conditioning
Make sure there is plenty of liquid available before, during and after exercise, especially in hot conditions
Always have a fully comprehensive medical available.

Under-15 - By this stage the sport has become more competitive and physical. At the same time players’ bodies are growing rapidly. As in senior soccer, the most common injuries occur to the ankles, followed by the knees and muscle strains

Avoid over-repetitive exercises

Focus on ankle and knee strengthening (particularly important for female players) - A proper warm up is vital and use balance and agility exercises to strengthen joints

Home exercise:

Working on supple joints and limbs does not have to be confined to the training pitch. Simple exercises can be done at home. Equipment like balance balls and spin discs are not only fun but can be used while watching TV or playing outdoors.

Overuse injuries:

As a general rule children should not train for more than 20 hours a week. However, those engaged in elite competition, especially as they move into the senior ranks, can come under pressure to increase that load.

Too sudden an increase puts huge strain on young joints and bones that are still growing and often results in stress injury. Most sports medicine practitioners agree that if extra training is necessary it should follow the 10% rule, a 20 minute drill should be initially increased to 22 minutes and so on.

Signs of overtraining:

Strain injuries
Fatigue, irritability and lack of motivation
Deteriorating results and lack of focus on goals

Recovery

Never rush a player back. They may want to play, but first ensure that the child’s doctor and parents are happy for the child to resume playing
Ankles - As soon as the injury occurs apply ice or artificial ice pack, and then wrap in bandage for compression/support. Graduate to supporting full body load over several days. Start exercising gradually early i.e. drawing letters of the alphabet with toes
Knees - There are a myriad of potential knee problems associated with playing soccer. The most severe ligament or cartilage damage demands specialist treatment.

For lesser injuries, exercises aid rehabilitation, i.e. Bottom lifts - Lift the bottom until there is a straight line from knee to shoulders. Pause and lower slowly, as strength increases, bend the knees less and less until you can perform the movement with straight legs.

The FA Cup Final

2014-05-17T16:14:00.001+01:00

In a time when money is changing the fundamentals of our great game & the Champions League seems to be the only event teams get excited about, call me old fashioned, but I simply love the FA cup final.

Recent years have seen clubs at the top level treat it with varying degrees of respect & importance. It remains for me one of the biggest show cases in world football & a day that can define players careers like few others.

The romance of the cup is of particular interest to me, I love a good old fashioned top flight versus low level league opponent match & always tend to root for the underdog regardless of who is playing.

I try to watch these games as a fan & not a coach & don't particularly care about the finer coaching points of tactical / technical merit. Sometimes you just get a kick out of seeing a game played at 100 miles per hour with passion & physicality the main order of the day.

From a very young age I can remember cup final day as being one of my favourite days of the year. Before the advent of football on TV 24/7 the cup final was one of the few days when you got to see behind the scenes, team interviews, captains playing each other in Snooker, cup final songs, TV footage from on board the team bus, cameras in the dressing rooms, to name but a few.

I have sketchy memories of Alan Sunderland's afro, Charlie Georges celebration, Brighton & United's epic draw, Norman Whiteside's curler, John Aldridges peno & Beasants save, Gazza's tackle, Ricky Villas' mazy dribble, Kevin Moran's red card, Michael Owen breaking Arsenal hearts, Gerrards wonder strike, Di Matteo's fastest goal, Houchens diving header, the crazy gang, Palace United 3 all & many many more.

Here's to todays encounter between Arsenal & Hull. Both would love to win for different reasons, but I just hope for a decent game & some more wonderful cup final memories.

Player Observation

2014-05-16T11:35:00.002+01:00

One of my most respected coaching mentors once told me that "communication is the enemy of observation" I didn't fully understand him at the time, as a fresh faced new young coach, I felt it my duty to show the world how much I knew & talked way too much. I didn't really appreciate that simply watching, interpreting situations, recreating pictures in my head & ultimately working out solutions to problems, was the greatest skill I would have to develop as a coach.

I now try to impart this approach onto others. While you are talking, you are missing things going on around you. Communication is of course a vital component of how we interact with our players, but effective communication should go hand in hand with effective observation & in my experience you should try to adapt the 80/20 rule when employing both together. Talk for 20% of the time you are working with your players. Observe for the other 80%.

Observation is defined as "the action or process of closely monitoring something or someone" It will result in you making decisions based on what you have seen, heard or noticed. Player observation is one of the hardest but most fundamental things that a coach must do. The findings can generate remarkable insight into each individual / group & enable the coach to tailor their approach in order to maximise player development.

In this post I would like to give some thoughts on how & when this should take place, along with what we as coaches should be looking out for.

N.B. As with all of my thoughts on the game, I stress that there is no definitive right or wrong, but generally, there is always a better way.

How & When coaches should observe:

Every time the players are in your care
From the moment you see them in the vacinity of the club / training area
When they are on their own / with their friends or the group
When they are with their parents / other adults & guardians
When they are speaking directly with you or with other coaches
From the sidelines when they play
From the training area when they train
In the dressing room before during & after games / training
At social events in the club or beyond as appropriate
Based on discussions with parents / coaches regarding behaviour
Based on specific tasks handed out in training
Based on progress reports during a season
Utilising a variety of mediums / pen & paper / video analysis / simple observation
Work with others - different sets of eyes see different things
Discuss your observations regularly with those concerend

The list is not a definitive one, but essentially you are trying to gather a holistic view of the player & to better understand the type of person that they currently are. This enables us to subsequently treat the child in a manner most suitable to their overall development needs, both as football players & indeed people. As you can see your observation tasks are far more than just during training & at games.

The best coaches I have worked with are brilliant observers, understand their players & have a real feel for what their individual development needs are, both on & off the pitch.

While you clearly want to look out for any immediate signs of non football problems with a child in your care, what I want to focus on next is more from a football point of view. I fully appreciate & respect the role of ethics / guidelines / child welfare etc. in the game but do not specifically wish to deal with this in this post.

What coaches should be looking for:

Players who play / train with a smile on their face
Players not afraid to try something difficult / new
Players who always try to use both feet
Players with a good first touch
Players body position when receiving
Players who play with their head up
Players who look to play forward as their first option
Players who make good decisions
Players who challenge themselves to do better
Players who take time to explain situations to others
Players who can demonstrate technical ability in all aspects of the game
Players who show imagination & flair
Players who can dribble & demonstrate skill
Players who understand passing & movement
Players who will try to tackle / regain the ball
Players who work equally hard in attack / transition / defence
Players who find space on the pitch for themselves
Players who create space on the pitch for others
Players who understand the concept of team mates
Players who can choose the right option / pass / dribble / shoot
Players who respect the coach even when sub / subbed
Players who encourage team mates even when mistakes are made / losing
Players who respect the decisions of the referee
Players who play fairly regardless of game situation
Players who respect the opposition coaches / parents & players
Players who respect themselves in terms of their conduct
Players who listen to others opinions
Players who praise the efforts of those working with them
Players who try to do the right things in relation to the game
Players who will try to play in different positions without fuss
Players who shake hands with the opponents regardless of outcome of game
Players who will communicate with team-mates
Players who always want the ball
Players who will offer answers to coaches questions

Once again, not a definitive list, but I hope you begin to see that there is more to observation than simply standing on the sideline, watching your game, shouting at your team to lump the ball to your star player.

Your job as a coach is a vital one. You are a role model & one of the biggest influences on your young players lives. Take the time to know them via observing them constantly. Use this knowledge to make you a better coach & more importantly, your group, better players & people.

Good Luck

Step by Step

2014-05-01T15:14:00.000+01:00

Someone came up to me recently during a training session & asked me if I could quickly show his young son how to head a ball. Firstly, I said that I would teach him rather than just show him & secondly, I told him that it was not something that can be done quickly. He looked at me like I had two heads.

For the kids sake, I decided to do a little exercise, so I had a little chat with him first. I then asked him to show me how good a header of the ball he was & finally proceeded to ask the kid to lie on the ground.

The parent after a few minutes said to me, "I don't think you understand my request" I simply replied, "I don't think you understand my response".

Having establish some basic understanding of the kids attitude & capability towards heading, I proceeded to teach him the fundamentals. I gave him some homework to do & told him to check back in with me the next night he was training to show me how much he was improving. He seemed happy enough, Dad thought this was heading sorted, on to tick the next box, in the race to football stardom. Sadly, it's not as simple as that. It takes time, patience, enthusiasm & effort to stick with the long term player development plan. A few minutes here & there in no way qualifies one to be proficient at anything.

Any technique or skill can be learned, improved & mastered by approaching it in a structured fashion. The crawl before you can walk approach is a great way of ensuring that you firstly break a discipline down into its core component parts & subsequently teach these parts in a logical sequence, before being fully satisfied that you have given your player the best possible chance of performing a particular action to the best of their individual ability.

For me, coaching anything for is like a jigsaw puzzle. Each step of the coaching process is a piece of the jigsaw & if I skip any steps I end up with an uncompleted jigsaw.

So let's take the heading example as mentioned before. Lets break it down into the simple steps that are required to teach players how to do it effectively:
(for the purpose of this, I will assume that we are dealing with very young players who essentially can't or have simply never headed a ball)

1. Establish if a kid has any ability with regard to heading a ball. Use weight & size appropriate footballs or balloons etc. to test your players & establish your understanding of their ability. You only want to see at this point if they are afraid of the ball hitting their head, not much else.

2. Clearly establish the eyes open, mouth shut rule & guide the participants to initially using only their forehead when heading the ball.

3. Get the players to work in pairs if possible. Begin by asking them to take turns in lying on their bellies & to attempt to head the ball using only the movement of their neck/head back & forth. You are isolating other parts of the body until a later step at this stage.

4. Now ask the kids to sit on the ground & practice heading using upper body movement only.

5. Progress by moving the players onto their knees. At this point you introduce the importance of the arms & shoulders in generating power & get the players to focus on mastering the correct technique.

6. Move on to having the players standing with feet together. The emphasis is now on the correct arching of the back along with the previous elements. Accuracy is your concern at this stage not power. The distance covered by the attempted headers should be relatively short & in straight lines.

7. Begin to introduce the legs into the fluid heading motion & teach kids the importance of their stance for balance & stability. Teach them the importance of being able to take off from either for optimum height gain.

8. Teach them the importance of timing in relation to the ball position in flight.

Once you have established good basics as per the above & the players are showing an ability to achieve success, begin to further challenge the players as follows:

A. Introduce headers at different angles, both in terms of where the ball is coming from & ultimately where it is going to. Work with angles of 0% 45% 90% 135% 180%. Teach them the importance of head & body movement to ensure accuracy.

B. Progress from zero unopposed / passive pressure to full on pressure from an opponent. Teach players how to protect themselves when jumping & landing utilising the whole of their body to do so.

C. Vary the distance & height ranges of the headers again from the point of view of where the ball is coming from & where it is going to.

D. Begin to progress from static heading to heading from a running position.

E. Clearly help players to understand the difference between general defensive headers & attacking headers. Make sure they are clear about the reasons for & the differences between the two. Incorporate goals & equipment into your practice as appropriate.

F. Develop fun games & competitions regarding heading for individuals & the group alike. Make heading fun & not something to be afraid of.

I hope you are beginning to get a feel for the fact that, one, this takes time & two it takes patience. You could spend years teaching this to young players before they can ever be truly regarded as efficient in the discipline. Yet many, just like the father at the beginning of this piece, thinks that it is something you can show their boy in five minutes & he is set for a life of heading bliss.

The same goes for dribbling, shooting, controlling, crossing, passing, turning etc. etc. Break them all down & teach them in the logical sequence. Regardless of what it is you are trying to teach your players, follow the process step by step & you won't go too far wrong.

Good versus Evil

2014-04-30T16:06:00.004+01:00

Football is a wonderful game, almost like a drug to it's millions of followers around the world. No two games are the same & passionate debate reverberates around the social media world after every final whistle.
This last few weeks alone saw Man United part company with David Moyes after a mere ten months in charge, a struggling Sunderland beat the mighty Chelsea at Stamford bridge & draw with mega millionaires Man City at the Ethiad. Real Madrid do the unthinkable & absolutely hammer Pep's Bayern on their own patch & Liverpool's fantastic run of 11 straight wins come to a shuddering halt at Anfield to Mourinho's Chelsea & Mourinho's tactics.

Never before has there been more ways of voicing an opinion. No matter who you follow, it astounds me that the range of such opinion out there swings from the sublime to the ridiculous. Liverpool fans were up in arms about Mourinho's team parking the bus. Chelsea fans hailed him as a tactical genius. United fans are on a crusade to see favoured son, Ryan Giggs take permanent charge at the theatre of dreams. The ABU's mock Giggs for his inexperience & demand a more seasoned campaigner to take charge. Pep Guardiola is finished as a coach, others have worked out how to stifle the great one. Possession football, the hottest topic in world football for the last ten years is dead. Simeone has cracked it & is the greatest coach of current times. Pardew, Alves, Tito, Pirlo ..... the lists & the debates, go on & on.

It must be a newspaper editors dream that this stuff happens on a daily basis & you never have to wait more than a few hundred passes for the next juicy gossip or scandal. God almighty, we might all just explode as the transfer silly season kicks in & let's not forget the mother of all topics, a World Cup in the summer. It truly has never been a better time to be a football fan.

What makes me laugh more than anything is the shear soap opera of it all. The classic good versus evil battles that rage all round us & it is in this context that I write this post from a coaches point of view.

I am often asked "what is the right way to coach" & more often than not people are disappointed when I answer that there is none. Granted everyone should have a clear philosophy of what they like & try to teach, but the history of football has shown that there is no one perfect way. I myself have strong feelings on how I want to teach & the styles I prefer to watch & admire, but I must constantly remind myself that other methods are not wrong, simply not to my personal liking. However, no matter how qualified you are, or who, where & how you coach, I do believe that there is always a better way. The coach who thinks he has cracked it (whatever it is) should pack his bags & gracefully retire.

Without these different opinions & styles, the game would be mundane. There would be no drama, no bragging rights, no local derby's, no emotion, no ecstasy, no pain, no shouting at the telly, no abusing the ref, no slagging your mates, no songs to sing or dreams to be dreamt.

But beware, we must never forget our young players in this whole piece. Regardless of how we believe the game should be, we must always be mindful of where the player is on their own personal football journey & not simply assume that they exist in some professional football paradigm. We have to stop expecting our kids to be mini pros & be much more realistic with our own expectations.

There is most definitely a thin line between good & evil when it comes to the small sided game. When we lose sight of the fact that for the majority of participants there will be no career in the game, simply enjoying a kick about with their mates, then the win at all costs argument so readily accepted at the elite levels of the game, goes out the window & we as coaches have failed our players miserably.

Remember that you are not Brendan Rodgers or Jose Mourinho when you prowl up & down the sideline at your son or daughter's U8 match. Do the right thing & chose your approach wisely.

Good always wins in the end anyway .......... doesn't it ?

The Psychological effect of injury

2013-05-12T20:44:00.002+01:00

The psychological effect of injury

Injury is part & parcel of a sports person life. No one goes through their career without suffering some form of injury. How you cope with it, can define who you are as a person & whether or not you ever fully recover. Everything from a minor knock to a full on career ending injury impacts the individual psychologically & directly effects their future performance. In fact, not only are the individuals effected, but often those around them too. Family, friends, colleagues & teammates have an important part to play on the often lonely road to recovery. A good support network can be as vital as a good physio!

What I propose to do, is to have a look at injury from a number of perspectives, including young & mature players, social & professional players. It’s very difficult to have a one size fits all answer to how each injury effects the individual. I myself spent a lifetime playing & injuries of all shapes & sizes were part of the daily grind. I will use some of these injuries, along with others that I have witnessed, as a reference point for some of my opinions.

While I use football for most of my examples (it’s what I know & love) many of these situations can be mirrored in other sports.

Scenario 1

Young player beginning to learn the game:

The first time a young player gets hurt is a vital part of their development. While it can initially lead them to say that they don’t want to play the game anymore, a natural reaction perhaps considering this shock to the system, they must experience such things to learn. They need to understand that bumps & bruises are part of the game & generally don’t do any long term damage. A few tears are ok & an arm around the shoulder from mum or dad can often help. However, you can’t cocoon the players forever. Not only do they need to understand that physical contact is nothing to fear, they also need to learn how to protect themselves.

At this age, I got a ball in the face & swore for two weeks that I would never play again.

Scenario 2

Teenager playing at a high level

A player at this level will have experienced a variety of injuries from cuts & bruises, to twists & sprains. Thankfully, serious injury at this stage of a career is rare but players at this age see any injury that keeps them from playing as catastrophic! It is vital that players understand the correct stages of rehabilitation. Rushing back from an injury too soon can often lead to further problems down the line & ultimately more time on the side-lines. Young players can often feel weak or stupid for being injured at all & can become annoyed with themselves for not being strong enough to cope with the physical side of the game. It is vital that coaches, managers & parents alike stress the fact that injuries are unavoidable & in no way their own fault. Players should be helped back to full fitness by a qualified physio & not simply rely on old wives tales as to the right things to do. The reason I mention this is that years ago a team mate of mine was told to wrap their ankle in vinegar & brown paper due to a severe pain they had in their ankle. The player did this for a whole week before finally giving in & going to the hospital….. Only to discover they had a stress fracture!

Scenario 3

Teenager playing socially

Players at this level often look on an injury as a badge of honour. They love the fact that they will miss a few games & secretly don’t mind the break. They often only play the game because their mates do too… or they are forced to do so … so missing game time doesn’t upset them too much at all. Psychologically, the injury can actually make them feel good, as it earns them street credibility & the much sought after, sympathy vote! A friend of mine spent a little longer on his crutches than needed, because of the attention he was getting from some female admirers!

Scenario 4

Young adult playing professionally

This is probably the player effected most by an injury. At this point in their life, their sport is everything, the majority of the time, to the detriment of everything else. They view injury as a major speed bump in their life, they go above & beyond the call of duty to get back to full playing fitness. Players at this level live to play & can be effected strongly by the time away from their team mates & the endless hours of rehab in the gym. An injury for this player tests them to the limits & only the very strong single minded come back stronger than pre injury.

I myself underwent nine knee operations from the age of 20 to 28. It tested my mental strength greatly & made me a better person for having to deal with such adversity from a young age. With every operation I became wiser as to what to do to recover faster & stronger, but it did make me feel as low as I could ever had imagined at times, thinking that I would never regain the fitness or form that I had displayed prior to the injury.

Scenario 5

Young adult playing socially

An injury for this player can end their involvement in the game. Not because the injury is so severe that they can’t recover, more for the fact that they may miss work or can’t afford the time off. Many players’ careers ended because social responsibility to kids & partners came before fulfilling longstanding football ambitions. I have a string of friends who retired simply because it wasn’t worth it anymore ……

Scenario 6

Mature player playing professionally

An injury to this type of player is often taken in their stride. Many players at this level have accepted that their days are numbered & if clever enough, have already begun plotting the next phase of their life. Players at this level don’t seem to get as upset by the layoff & if anything seem to maximise the potential to get time in the gym to build strength & recuperate. Players like this still however harbour the fact that they will return & this sets them apart from the player who has no hope of playing again. I will come to this player in due course ………..

Scenario 7

Mature player playing socially

Much like the young adult playing socially, this player plays for fun above all else. The game is not life or death & an injury, no matter how small can sway the balance towards retirement in an instant. The game owes the player nothing at this stage & vice versa. Injury is more of a nuisance that interferes with all other aspects of their lives than anything else.

Scenario 8

Career ending injury

Players who find themselves at this stage of their careers, regardless of age, can find it hard to accept their fate. Having spent most of their time training & playing the game, to suddenly having it removed, can be a culture shock to say the least. When I did finally retire at 28, I felt angry for a long time & turned my back on football for about two years. I felt that other players were still playing who did not appreciate what they had & wished that I could still play. The injury became like an enemy & I hated even talking about it. In time I learned to accept that there were many other avenues to explore to keep me involved & coaching filled a huge hole in my footballing life.

Simple an all as these examples are, I hope that they give you an idea of how injury can effect a sports person. No matter what your age or what your level, injury should not be dealt with alone. Seek the help of medical professionals & the support of friends & family. The road to full recovery can be a lonely one, but ultimately a rewarding one. Treat each injury as your next opponent. Do your homework & work out its strengths & weaknesses. Formulate you own game plan to beat it but never forget the way it made you feel. Draw on these feelings & learn to be a better, mentally stronger player.

Goalkeepers

2013-05-08T23:22:00.001+01:00

Goalkeepers are a vital part of any football team. It is probably the most technical position of any & yet the vast majority of clubs don't even have a specialist goalkeeping coach. I'm not a goalkeeper, never was, never will be, but the following are some thoughts based on questions often asked of me & my experience with the small sided game. My opinions are generally aimed at keepers between the ages of 5 & 12.

When is a good time to start being a keeper?
When is it a good time to start anything! The younger the better I would say, but only in terms of trying the position. There is nothing worse than pigeon holing a kid from day one because they are tall / fat / slow etc. Give all the kids a go at being in goal. It will give them an appreciation of what it like to be between the sticks. Some kids will gravitate towards the position naturally. If this happens, encourage it, but don't do so to the detriment of their outfield development also. Modern keepers need to be as good with their feet as they do their hands. By the time they are playing U11 / U12 they might like to begin focusing fully on that position, but none of us have a crystal ball so you just never know when is the right time !

Do I have to be tall to be a keeper?
No, but it can be an advantage. The majority of kids will never play top level football so don't put a willing keeper off purely on size. There are many top players who made a living out of goalkeeping without being 6ft 8in !! If the player enjoys the position, encourage them.

Does goalkeeper training help?
I have seen first hand the benefits of a goalkeeping coach, having worked with one of Irelands best, Pat Finnerty, for over ten years. You can tell within minutes of watching a kid whether they have been coached properly or not. The way they hold themselves, the way they communicate, the way they dive etc. are all key pointers to a players progress. I would encourage all clubs to ensure that a qualified goalkeeping coach is part of next years plans.

If I decide to be a goalkeeper can I ever change my mind?
Of course you can ! I would always encourage young keepers in particular to be involved in the warm up with the team & technical mastery elements of training to improve their footwork. I would also let them experience playing out of goal when appropriate to give them a break as much as anything else. Things like letting the keeper shoot first in a shooting practice before going in goal also lets them work out where strikers might prefer to aim the ball & assist them in their decision making when diving. If they do ever then make the switch to outfield, they won't be starting from scratch !

Do I kick it out or throw it out?
Mix it up & don't be predictable. My preference is to play out from the back when safe to do so, but if the opposition push up to pressure the ball, I would tell my goalkeeper to decide if playing long is a better option. I also ensure that my keepers are comfortable with throwing & kicking the ball both short & long. Ultimately, having given them some options in training, they ultimately decide what is right based on their assessment of a situation on match day.

Were do I go to before getting rid of the ball?
With younger keepers , I teach them that they have three options to distribute the ball from. They all are from the edge of the box, to maximise the space & then they must decide whether to go from the left, middle or right. Physically young players generally struggle to kick or throw the ball very far so I encourage them to use all of their box. Not only does this help their distribution it also acts as the first trigger to tell team mates where we are going to play from.
As keepers get older & physically more developed, I encourage them to play form a central position around the penalty spot so that they keep the opponent guessing as to which direction they will play to.

Do I stand on my line?
It depends on where the ball is. The majority of keepers that I see every week unfortunately do simply stand on their line, even when the ball is miles away at the other end. What's worse is most of them are told to do so by the coach ! ... or worse still, forgotten about by the coach until the ball is hurtling towards them ! Goalkeepers positioning is vital at all times. They start our attacks & ultimately are the last line of defence. A good keeper position can be like having an extra sweeper at the back. Encourage your keepers to come outside of their box to sweep, I have yet to see an U11 keeper lobbed from inside the other half.

Is it ok to shout?
A keeper should be encouraged to help his team mates with simple encouragement & general pointers as to their position, shape , duties. After all they are the only player on a team who has all of their team mates in front of them & should be versed in tactical awareness more than most.

These are but a few thoughts & generally aimed at young keepers. Remember that of all the positions on the pitch the goalkeepers is a thankless role. One mistake can lead to a goal & no matter how many saves you made that day, all people remember is the mistake!!! Be kind to your keepers & appreciate them for how special they truely are !!!!

P.S. the keeper in the picture is in the Ajax academy .... he's 10 ..... what a player !!!!!!

Consequences

2013-03-18T15:13:00.003+00:00

The horror tackle in the Wigan Newcastle game & subsequent spin from both camps has once again brought to the fore the need for some kind of independent citing officer or body to deal with matters missed by the officials.

The officials are only human & have to make decisions in split seconds on what they see during a game. They clearly don't always get it right but this should not be where the incident ends. There appears to be very little consequences for the perpetrators of these offences, even when they are caught.

If the clubs knew that there was an official citing process, post game as per rugby, then you might even stop the unsavory behavior of coaches & players trying to vent their frustrations & take retribution themselves both on & off the pitch.

Only when players see that there is a consequence for their actions might the problem be properly addressed. A proper citing officer might also address the bias comments which come from clubs following such incidents. Dave Whelan's comments, as an example, show no remorse, if anything he seems to feel that McManaman is somehow the victim in all this..... remarkable.

No one wants tackling eradicated, but players must also be protected. Issues such as cheating & diving could also come in under the remit of such a review panel & stern punishments must be the order of the day. The game is in danger of pushing the boundaries of the laws way beyond their limits, because currently there are very few consequences to exceeding these limits.

Only when clubs see their mega rich assets sitting on the sidelines because of their rashness or stupidity might you see a culture change. Until then, clubs seem content to take the slap on the wrist & ride out the media storm because unfortunately, in the modern game, the next controversial incident is only just around the corner, waiting to take the spotlight. No consequences ..... No worries .... No change

Panic Button

2013-03-02T22:02:00.000+00:00

I recently watched a game at U11 level between two good sides. The result of the game was 3-3 & both sides played some great football during the game. The game ebbed & flowed, but to be fair one team in particular were pretty much in control for most of the game & probably feel disappointed that they did not win.

Let me tell you how the scoring went. To be clear, I normally don't care about the score, more the performance, but for this game, the way the scoring went really affected the way both teams played.

Both teams began brightly & tried to play the ball out from the back. It was a credit to both sets of managers / coaches. Remember that most of the kids on show were aged 10 so the quality of dribbling , passing & movement was very, very good.

The home team deservedly scored first after about 10 mins & thereafter took control of the first half. They bossed the game & played some incredible football creating chance after chance. Their opponents were forced into playing a deep lying defensive game. This in itself, invited the home team to advance even more & they scored a second midway through the half. At this point you could only see one result, a home win.

On the stroke of half time, the tide turned a little. An under hit back pass led to the keeper fouling the opponents striker & the resultant free kick ended up in the back of the home net, courtesy of a superbly struck free kick. The home team went to the break, winning 2-1 but with their heads clearly down having dominated the first half.

Following an excellent half time talk from the home team coaches, the second half carried on pretty much where the first had ended. Home dominance led to a third goal & this seemed to free the home side who went on to play some of the best football I have seen all year from a team of this age. How they did not get a fourth, fifth or even sixth is beyond me. Some fine goalkeeping from the visitors keeper & stout defending kept the score at bay.

What happened in the final 10 mins of the game is what prompted me to write this post.

The visiting team resorted to booting the ball long from everywhere on the pitch & the volume from their line was raised as shouts of "break them up" & "get stuck in" were evident. The reaction of the home line was somewhat understandable considering this, but it was as if someone hit he panic button, because the end of the game was near & the three points were in touching distance.

All of the good football on display, by both teams to be fair, at various stages of the game went out the window & the game became frantic to say the least. The home team dropped deeper & deeper & discarded the plan which had got them their lead in the first place. None of the players exhibited calmness on the ball, but to be fair, if you had heard the shouts from both lines, you could understand how young players can be influenced by such adult direction. Can I stress that he majority of shouting was coming from parents not even directly involved with the coaching or managing of the teams !

The point I'm making is simple, when the result was not an issue early in the game, the football on display was of an exceptional quality. Only towards the end, with a result on the line, did the adults pipe up & visibly effect the levels of pressure felt by the players on the pitch. The visiting team scored two goals late on, both from direct play & good luck to them, but I would love to have seen how each team would have reacted had the adults from both sidelines kept calm & quite themselves, as they had done earlier in the game.

Despite our best efforts as coaches & teachers of the game to deflect attention away from the results, today proved once again that it is still the major thing that influences the matches negatively. Adults only seem to care about the result & cant seem to focus on anything else. Even on the best of days the panic button is always in the background waiting to be pressed ................ BOOM

Coach The Coaches

2013-03-02T00:33:00.001+00:00

One of the greatest resources that any club has is their coaches, so it is vital that you encourage these people to maximise the impact of their time with their players.

After all, one of the hardest things to get people to do is to give up their valuable spare time. If you get them to do this, then you are half way to winning the war. Having gained this time committment, the next thing you should consider is teaching these volunteers how to be good coaches.

Now I don't mean that you expect everyone of your clubs coaches to achieve elite coaching status, far from it. If you only get them to only do the basic intro courses such as Kick Start 1 & 2 in Ireland, you will make a massive difference to your players experience while in the club.

If you add to this some in-house coach the coaches sessions, delivered by some coaches with some slightly higher qualifications, you will really start to see a huge improvement in the basic delivery of sessions.

At my current club, we look to conduct coach the coaches sessions roughly every two months. All coaches in the club are invited regardless of the age or talent levels of their players. The sessions are delivered by UEFA A & B qualified coaches & are aimed at improving the basics for coaches within the club. The sessions last about 90 mins & are broken up into different sections. An example of a recent session is as follows:

Players involved in session - U11's
Section 1 - warm ups with & without equipment
Section 2 - Unoppossed passing function
Section 3 - Opposed passing function - 3 V 1 / 4 V 2
Section 4 - Possession games
Section 5 - 1 V 1 / 2 V 2 / 3 V 3
Section 6 - Conditioned small sided games
Section 7 - Small sided games

The sessions are interactive & while one session coach delivers a particular topic, the other participants are discussing the key factors with the other session coaches

Because of the length of the session, I suggest that you use approx. 16 players & rotate them regularly so that they get the correct work:rest ratio

Always de-brief the players & the other coaches at the end of each section to check for understanding regarding the key points

Have a bit of fun with this & encourage questioning & debate. As I have often said, there is no definitive right or wrong way, but there is always a better way.

Finally, I remind you that your clubs coaches are valuable assets to you & are worth investing time & effort into. They are the front line people who represent your club week in week out. They are generally well intentioned people who want to learn .... so facilitate them in this learning journey & watch as your players reap the rewards. Simply put ... coach the coaches !

The Basics

2013-02-22T20:46:00.004+00:00

You don't need to be a UEFA A licensed coach to provide young players with good basics. In fact you need very little football knowledge IMO to offer these players invaluable coaching pointers.

As far as I'm concerned you need roughly 50% enthusiasm, 30% patience & only 20% football knowledge to give your players a great start on their football development journey.

If you have your players for an hour each time you are with them, whether that be once , twice or more in a given week, you could do a lot worse than organising your session as follows:

Have a theme for your session & try to focus in this theme throughout your session:

10 to 15 min warm up
This warm up should ideally have each player working individually with a ball.
The players should be encouraged to touch the ball as often as possible, always working on both feet. Players should be encouraged to utilise all parts of their foot to manipulate the ball, inside, outside, sole, heel, big toe, little toe. Allow players to experiment with dribbling, running with the ball, twists & turns, skills & feints. Begin your practice with no pressure, build to minimal pressure & when players need to be challanged more apply full defensive pressure.

10 to 15 min technical function
Carry on your theme from the warm up. Make your practice game realistic & reiterate the key points of your warm up. Consistency is key so keep your core messages the same. This is a good time to utilise small numbers practice with players working in 2's, 3's, 4's or 5's. In allowing small numbers practice it forces players to touch the ball more they might otherwise in a larger game.

25 to 30 min small sided game
Utilise goals if possible. Condition the games to suit your theme. Basically, highlight to players that you want them to spread out when attacking to find & exploit the total space available to them. Then, conversely, ask them to get close together when defending, to close down the opponents space. A simple rule when defending, is to try to get between the ball & the goal. One basic principle I like to stress to players when on the ball is that they should always ask their team mates to give them three options for a pass: one left, one right & one straight ahead. Talking in terms of basic diamond & triangle shapes helps the players to understand this principle.

1 to 2 min debrief
Always use a Q & A type session to check players understanding of the session. Never presume, never tell. Don't be afraid to give the players some simple homework to practice during the week. If you do this, always begin the next session by allowing the players to demonstrate their homework challenge.

5 min Fun Finish
Time permitting, try to incorporate something like a penalty shootout into your routine. Players love this type of activity & it can be a good way of winding down your session.

These are only some ideas for your sessions. Don't be afraid to try different things to come up that with a template that suits both you & your players. Good luck & remember to have fun with it.

Team Cohesion

2013-01-22T09:33:00.000+00:00

Team Cohesion

Coaches often talk about teams needing time to “gel” in order to perform at their maximum potential. What exactly does this mean? It has been evidenced time & time again that skill & ability will only get you so far, groups of players must have an intangible bond to fulfill their true potential. This bond is formed & strengthened in a number of ways, such as:

· Socialising together to get to know & respect one another

· Having a common goal to achieve together that people buy into & invest in emotionally

· Creating dependencies on each other so that no player feels or acts in isolation

· Generating pride & belief in a project shared with all team members

· Constantly striving to analyse & improve on performance, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved together

These type of things sound easy to achieve, but coaches the world over have found them elusive & sometimes impossible to attain. If you are lucky enough to get this bonding within a group you have taken a massive step in terms of creating team cohesion. Sporting environments are dynamic & their challenges constantly changing. Evolving with & adapting to this environment, will ensure longevity in terms of team cohesion & prevent group fragmentation. Teams that possess this cohesion have risen to the top of their chosen fields regularly & generally outlast their nearest rivals over long periods of time.

Teams that do not possess such qualities, while performing at decent levels, rarely reach the top & certainly are never remembered as the best. Consider the current average English Premier League teams, the majority of whom are made up of young millionaires, who have achieved this financial status within a few years of their careers beginning. What motivates them to achieve anything? How do you attempt to achieve team cohesion working with such individual egos?

Clubs like Manchester City have been criticised constantly for underperforming on a European stage despite dominating domestic competitions. They appear to have more than enough quality to win at home but fall well short when competing with the best abroad. One of the consistent commentaries in terms of this failure to achieve is a supposed lack of unity in the dressing room. No team cohesion, no mutual respect or common goals. Players at this level are mega stars according to the tabloid press. They appear to primarily value all the trimmings that their extraordinary lifestyles provide while rarely questioning how they can work together to maximize their potential. Players often appear to have their own agenda, which is usually very different to that of the group. Managers get openly criticised by players these days in the media, training ground bust ups are a regular occurrence & loyalty is a thing of the past, with player’s all too often acting like football mercenaries for hire to the highest suitor.

Thankfully however, there are exceptions. Spain’s recent domination of International & club football proves that skill & ability, coupled with the correct attitude & mindset, can ensure that team cohesion both exists & does work. Barcelona have been the benchmark for footballing perfection for years now & everything that they do as a club from the top down suggests that team cohesion is paramount. Indeed Pep Guardiola’s first act as new manager back in 2008 was to get rid of the playboy, Ronaldinho, because of his bad influence on the team as a whole. Guardiola never looked back & united a group of good players into a unit that went on to win 14 major trophies in the next four seasons & become one of the greatest teams ever to play the game. Amongst other things, he got his players to believe in the greater good of the team & rarely do you see these players talk about anything other than the team / club. Individual egos are not tolerated & those who not toe the line are soon discarded.

The national team too suffered from perennial failure, often down to the fact that there were clear political & historical divides between the players from Madrid & Catalonia. Vincente Del Bosque addressed these matters head on & united the warring factions by getting them to believe in the team ethic & common goal. They subsequently went on to dominate world football for years, winning the European Championship in 2008 & 2012 & the World Cup in 2010

There are hundreds of examples of team cohesion, or lack of it, in the world of sport. One thing is clear, it is a vital component when attempting to maximise performance. Team cohesion, while vital, is elusive & must be constantly worked on & improved upon to get the best results for your team.

Chivalry Is Dead

2013-01-15T17:35:00.000+00:00

I recently had a brilliant discussion with some fellow coaches (who just happened to be females) & it got me really thinking about women in football. Some of the things that they felt in terms of how they were treated as coaches surprised me as I as a male coach had never even considered these things before. I was quite shocked with some of their stories & would like to relay a sample of them to you now.

Before I begin, let me just stress that I am pleased to say that the girls game is alive & well in Ireland. Participation rates are growing, more & more girls are playing, coaching & officiating in the game than ever before. However, the majority of girls tend to play, coach & ref within the girls game. Perhaps by choice, but having heard my friends recount their stories from their dealings with the mens game, it doesn't really surprise me. There appears to be a cave man like mentality from the majority of men involved in the game, towards female participants, one which I find hard to accept or indeed fathom.

So here goes .... no names / but sadly all 100% true ....

A fellow coach told one of the group that she might know nothing about football but that she looked great in the club gear
A male referee insisted on persistently calling one coach "love" in a patronising tone
One referee kept telling one of my friends what changes to make in the game as if she had no clue herself
One male coach told one of the girls that he felt bad for his team beating hers because she was so good looking !
References related to domestic chores .... too numerous to mention
One bullshitter told one of the girls to consider doing her coaching badges as he had done his & had recently been offered a job in Ajax ! The same guy was managing in U9 div 6 & on investigation had done no badges himself
One parent confronted a highly qualified coach & told her that she would simply prefer a man to coach the team because they know the game better
Two male coaches were spotted actually smirking & pointing at one of my female coaching colleagues when she showed up with her team .... her team subsequently went on to beat these two clowns team
A male coach confronted one of the girls after his team had beaten hers & told her that that was what you get for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong ....
Parents would shout instructions regularly over the shoulders of the coaches to the players on the pitch (sadly not exclusively a female problem)
The amount of stories involving foul & abusive sexist language is hard to believe & certainly not appropriate for this forum
No changing rooms or toilet facilities for girls
Ref or opposition coaches walking over & assuming male parent is the coach despite female coach clearly in gear & in charge

These are only a handful of actual events which have taken place over the last couple of seasons but which have no place in the game at any level. It's hard enough to address the standards of pure football coaching within the game without also having to be faced with the harsh reality of these situations.

Girls, women & ladies alike deserve equal credit for the time & effort that they put into participating in & continuing to, developing the game. Players should be treated as players, coaches as coaches , referees as referees. It's everyones game regardless of gender.

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to work with some brilliant coaches at all different levels & with varying degrees of qualification. One of the best was a lady with whom I completed my UEFA A licence. A true professional & lovely human being too, Sue Ronan, Irish senior ladies international manager, I salute you & all of the other girls involved in all aspects of football in Ireland & indeed abroad. Keep doing the great work that you do & don't let the Cave men win !

To Be Fair

2013-01-09T01:54:00.000+00:00

Football at all levels regularly throws up scenarios which we as coaches need to adapt to & deal with in relation to our fellow coaches, players, opposition, officials, parents etc.

Many of these scenarios happen week in week out & we learn to deal with them in an educated way, hopefully learning as we go.

My hope is that in dealing with these scenarios you are fair & unbiased, open & transparent. Remember that all players are different, yet all players are equal too. Perhaps I'm just an optimist !

With this in mind, I would like to pose a few of these possible scenarios to you now & I simply want you to consider two possibilities:

1. how you would respond if you are dealing with the best player on the team?
2. how you would respond if you are dealing with the worst player on the team?

Your answers may surprise you, even if they are the same for both players. As ever, there is no right or wrong, but there is always a better way. Sadly, my fear is that, in reality, the answers for the two types of players are very different & generally the reason for this is not trusting the weaker player & or fear of losing.

Anyway ..... as discussed, here is some food for thought ( all scenarios are to be assumed to be in the small sided game )

Scenario 1 : you are playing the current league leaders in the U9 first division. There is 5 mins to go & the game is level. Your best player has not come off at all in the game. Your weakest player has only played for 15 mins of the possible 40. The club rules states that all players must play half a game at least, 20 mins .... what do you do ?

Scenario 2 : The club rule is that all players must train during the week or they don't start at the weekend. Your player doesn't show up at all for training & you get no message from the parents .... what do you do ?

Scenario 3 : Your player hits a team mate in training causing them to leave the team ..... what do you do ?

Scenario 4 : Your player makes a mistake in the game resulting in the opposition scoring a goal .... what do you do ?

Scenario 5 : Your players asks to come off the pitch because they are tired ... what do you do ?

Scenario 6 : Your player will only play in one position .... what do you do ?

Perhaps total equality is idealistic ...... but it certainly remains desirable ..... only you know how you would actually deal with these situations .... I truly hope that you make some good decisions

Parental Pressure

2012-12-31T13:13:00.002+00:00

I have often blogged about the negative impact that bad parents & coaches alike can have on players & their subsequent enjoyment / development in regards to football. Sadly it remains a problem, but clubs are beginning to tackle the problem & educate all in terms of how best to behave / interact with young players.

I recently came across a booklet which a professional academy in England is beginning to use in an effort to help the parents to better understand the impact that they have on their children & how sometimes, while meaning well, they may be inadvertantly placing massive stress on young shoulders. Below are extracts from the booklet & thanks to @moorsey293 for the much appreciated contribution.

Parents : Things to consider:

- Put yourself in the position your child is in. Think about what kind of pressures they might be feeling.

- What do you usually talk about after games? Would you consider it support/pressure?

- After a bad performance, does your child avoid discussing their performance (poor coping strategy) or focus on solving the problems in the game (effective coping strategy).

- Are you sometimes an over-active spectator? (often you can become a stressor/source of pressure to your child and others on the team)

- Do you take up too large a role in their academic football career? (Performance is greater when motivation comes from within, it is important for them to become individually responsible for their own motivation, as this will make them into better athletes in the future.)

- On match days, in the car/in the mornings, do you sometimes inadvertently motivate through fear? (Focusing on outcomes rather than process, “You have to play well today”.)

- Always make sure your conversations are constructive, and consider how any feedback you give them will be interpreted. (Avoid telling them how they could have played better, talk with them not at them)

- Don’t become too overly emotionally invested in their careers. (This would add pressure if they are aware how heavily invested you are as a parent. In extreme case in the states, parents have been known to start brawls & assault officials if their kid’s games aren’t going to plan because they put too much importance on the outcomes of games.)

Be honest with yourself in terms of your assessment of the above questions & your answers. Ask yourself, "how can I improve my behaviour for the better & ultimately for my childs gain"

Remember, while there may be no right or wrong way, there is always a better way.

Coaching Culture

2012-12-30T14:51:00.002+00:00

I recently read a very interesting & thought provoking article regarding the Irish coaching culture on http://karloshaughnessy.com/ It got me thinking about the subject & sadly it made me reconfirm what I have believed for a long time ..... there is NO coaching culture in Ireland.

Coaches, good coaches remain in the minority. By good coaches, I mean people committed to teaching players how to play the game in the right manner. People who dedicate themselves to making the players: technically sound, tactically astute, physically developed, mentally sharp & socially grounded.

In Ireland, unfortunately, anyone in a club tracksuit considers themselves a coach & generally thinks that they are managing a top premier club, where results are the be all & end all. Sadly, this approach tends to lend itself to a win at all cost mentality & the resulting behaviour is far from admirable or indeed acceptable.

There is no coaching culture & we don't appreciate how a good coach can make a players involvement in & enjoyment of the game one that will be truly memorable for a lifetime. Full time coaching careers in Ireland are almost non existent. Fully qualified & experienced coaches tend to only get a few quid pocket money for their time & efforts, "coaching" isn't really considered a real job. Their is no professional league for coaches to test themselves & no clear pathway in terms of where you're qualifications can take you.

We have limited numbers of qualified coaches working at the levels where it is needed the most , grassroots & those who do remain frustrated at the constant non acceptance & questioning of their methods by the so called weekend Ferguson's / Mourinho's et al.

It is a topic that infuriates me & as long as the powers that be do not tackle it, I can't see it changing anytime soon. There has to be rule changes regarding minimum coaching standards / qualifications etc. Coaches need to be valued more for what they bring to the development of the game table. After all, if I want my son to learn to play the guitar, I bring him to a qualified guitar teacher ! Why is football so different? People accept that any idiot with the jerseys is in charge & trust these people to teach their kids ! Ludicrous #rantover ....... for now !!

Talk To The Players

2012-11-16T08:28:00.000+00:00

Dont be afraid to talk to your players ..... BUT .... Keep your message short & simple when dealing with young players.... from the warm up, through to your technical function or phase of play, finishing up with your game .... keep the message consistent.

Too many coaches try to "fix" everything that they see wrong & spend the session commentating & correcting all aspects of the players activity. There is a huge difference between "talking" & "commentating".... commentating is the enemy of observation.

Players will always make mistakes, accept this as part of their development or you will drive yourself crazy ! How else will the players learn if they dont make these mistakes.

In the course of a season there are ample opportunities to deal with the various components of the game. Pick one as your core topic for a session & stick with it. Otherwise you end up flooding players with too much info & little sinks in.

Delivering one core message, with 4/5 key take home factors will give the players a better understanding of the topic & actually help them remember the key message.

Use consistent questioning to check for understanding with players & allow them time to answer. Some players have the knowledge but are simply shy in a group environment. Encourage them to have a go at answering, it's as important at having a go at the practice.

Players will get used to this type of approach & over the course of a short couple of weeks will be only too happy to interact in the group dynamic. You will be pleasantly surprised at some of the answers ( & indeed questions ) that you get !

Pass Pass Pass

2012-10-16T23:05:00.001+01:00

Passing is a hot topic in world football .... everyone wants to pass the ball like Barca et al ..... possession is king & I agree with this for players who have a rounded & developed understanding of the game & it's various components .... but there has to be more ...

My concern is that with this obsession with passing right the way down to grassroots level ... there is a real concern that all of the individuality & flair of players is not being encouraged .... in fact ... it is being eradicated

I saw a U9 team recently who passed the ball brilliantly ..... but they werent allowed do anything else ... they were almost robotic ...... no skill or flair on show ... a real pity for their development

Let us remind ourselves that the small sided game is not mini adult football ... it is an entity in it's own rite & must be treated accordingly

At my club we teach kids from 4 years of age to love the ball ... all of their work is done individually initially ... building to 1 v 1 work & sometimes 1 v 2 work ... the emphasis from 5 years of age to 7 is on skill development .... dribbling & running with the ball .... we work closely with Coerver to help these kids to master the ball & develop their individual technique ......

Despite all of this focus on technique ... the minute the players begin to play their matches versus other clubs at 8 years of age ... the majority of opinion seems to shift towards favouring passing above all else

This goes totally against the grain of the previous years work & can confuse the players completely ... for three years they have done all of their work almost exclusively with a football at their feet & have been encouraged to express themselves with the ball

However, when they begin to play proper league games all of this focus on individuality & skill seems to be replaced with a preference to get rid of the ball & to pass it at all times

Now don't get me wrong ... passing is very important ... but with young players in particular it is only one element of what they need to learn ... the important thing is to teach them in a logical sequence ... if you teach a kid to pass before he masters the art of dribbling ... how will he/she ever get out of a tight spot if put under pressure ..... the skill of dribbling will find them a yard of space to then make a pass ..... so one must come before the other

Lets not forget that we also have to teach them shooting , turning , receiving & controlling , shielding , crossing , finishing , defending , attacking , amongst others .... so dont get caught up on passing

We want players of the future to be rounded , technically sound , physically well conditioned , mentally astute , socially grounded , tactically astute ...... passing is only one cog in a very big wheel

So the next time you see an U9 / U10 taking the ball down .... dont just shout at them to pass it or get rid of it ..... let them show you how good their skill is & let them make a decision about what to do next ..... you never know ... they might even teach you a thing or two or god forbid impress you !

The Lunatic

2012-10-03T23:43:00.003+01:00

I'm around the game a long time, at all levels & thought that I had seen it all, but felt compelled to write about one particular individual, based on his general manner & touch line antics at a recent U9 game.

We have all seen & experienced different shades of "the lunatic" at games up & down the country, but this man takes the biscuit. Let me briefly tell you his tale.

I was down at my local club last Saturday & planned to watch our first, third & fifth U9 teams playing. unusually they were all down to play at home & the games were scheduled to run on the same pitch one after another, so I was there from around 10am for the first game at half 10.

Shortly after I arrived at the pitch a man with a squad of players with him asked me if he was in the right place to play Cabinteely F.C. when I asked him what team he was, he initially said that surely there is only one Cabinteely U9 team with a bit of a tone on him. I explained that we had in fact five teams so that I would need to know who his team were to check the fixture in the club office. He told me not to bother, he was sure he was at the right place.

I was annoyed with his attitude, so didn't bother to tell him that the two teams behind me were warming up to play the first game, so he must have been on later. When he eventually realised that he was not involved in the half ten game, he came up to me again & asked why we had changed the time of his game. When I told him that the fixtures were as scheduled by the league, he mumbled that no one had told him that the teams sometimes play at different times.

What transpired was that he wasn't even the second match that day. In fact he was not due to kick off until 12pm. He went bananas when he found this out & proceeded to attack the referee. He stormed off shouting at his players that this was a fucking joke & started to warm them up at around 11.15am

I could hear him shouting at his players from some distance, but the best was yet to come ......
Just before his game was to kick off, at around 12.15pm, he called his team in for a last minute motivational speech. He proceeded to tell them that they were top of the league & that if they weren't still top of the league by the end of the game he wouldn't be impressed with them. He then told them that the opposition were chubby & slow & that if they couldn't beat them they should jack it in. He told them that anyone not playing well would be lagged off, no matter who they were!

He proceeded to leave two kids on the line for the full game, only bringing them on when his side were 4-2 ahead with 5 mins to go. He then took one of them back off after 3 mins !!!!

He constantly shouted at his players to hold hands with the opposition, some kind of defensive strategy ???? He also shouted at one kid that if he didn't start playing he would kill him.

He loved the word FOCUS & shouted it randomly but repeatedly during the game. He also had a side kick who ran the line like a man possessed. He wore jeans & a shirt & prowled up & down the line roaring his instructions, not encouragement, for the whole game. My favourite in a strange way, was that he celebrated everyone of his teams four goals with the same celebration, a kind of air guitar strut & punch in the air as if the Champions league itself had been won.

I don't want to be too unkind to this guy, but he was an arsehole ..... a lunatic of the highest order, who should not be left in charge of a packet of gravel, let alone kids .....

When oh when will people like this be eliminated from our game ........ surely there must be a better way of policing these idiots ........ I was with a fellow coach & we both agreed that had we not seen this man in action for ourselves, we would not have believed someone could carry on like this at any level of the game , let alone the SSG

SSG - Subs

2012-09-09T22:50:00.001+01:00

Substitutions in the modern professional game play a vital role in terms of the tactical battles between managers on the sidelines & the players on the pitch. In the small sided game however, they should be regarded as something totally different. Consider the following:

Squads for 7 a side football should ideally be 9 or 10 players in total. All players should play at least half a game regardless of how the result of the game is going or indeed the ability of the players

The same players should never start two games in a row on the sideline

You should never leave all of your weaker players off the pitch at the same time

Every player must learn that they come off the pitch at some point in the game. Never taking a young player off gives them the wrong message, as if they are more important than their team mates. All players should learn that they are an equal part of the team

Don't always take the same player off at the same time in a game despite how they might be playing

Never be afraid to ask players to play in different positions during a game

Be consistent in how you make your substitutions

Teach the players not to constantly ask to go back on. Teach them the rules of how your system works & ensure that it is fair to all players

Try to let the goalkeeper experience playing outfield where possible. Don't be afraid to let all players have a go in goal at some point

Be structured in when you make your changes. Give players a chance when they go on to settle into the game. Dont just put them on for 5 mins & take them off again

Rotate your subs at all times. Don't take a kid off & then put them back on ahead of another sub on the line

Always give a player coming off some positive encouragement so that they don't feel as if they have been taken off for playing poorly

Give simple instructions to those players going on

Get players who are off the pitch to play 1V1 , 2V1 games to stay warm

Ensure players who are off the pitch re-hydrate before going back on

Avoid the temptation to sacrifice your substitution principles for the result of a game

Keep a note of what works well for you & stick with it. You will ultimately gain the respect of both parents & more importantly players for being fair to all

Give some of these guidelines a go & see how you get on .............

Phases of Play

2012-07-31T18:55:00.002+01:00

Football – Phases of Play

In modern day football, there are widely accepted to be four phases of play. These are:

o Attacking

o Transition to defend

o Defending

o Transition to attack

Generally speaking, the phases follow each other as per the following sequence:

If you are attacking & lose the ball, you are immediately in the transition to defend phase.
If you don't win the ball during this T2D phase, you get set defensively & you are now in the defending phase.
If you win the ball back during transition to defend, you immediately move to the transition to attack phase.
If you win the ball back during the defending phase, you also immediately move to the transition to attack phase.
Having established an attacking pattern during T2A you are now back in the attacking phase.
If you lose the ball again, the sequence begins all over again.

The switch between the phases can happen every few seconds & ultimately hundreds of times during a game. Sometimes, it is even hard to clearly distinguish one phase from another for a period of a few seconds as they happen so fast.

As a rule of thumb, the attacking phase will generally happen in the final third of the pitch. Once the ball is lost in this area, the attacking team are now immediately into the transition to defend phase. At this point, teams can either apply full field pressure on the ball & try to win it back as soon as possible high up the pitch, or, the team can choose to drop back into their defensive shape & ready themselves to defend. (They can also choose to do a combination of both)

However, note that another stage of attacking can simply be possession based play , building from the back or through midfield, following on from the initial seconds of T2A having won the ball.

Whichever strategy a team chooses, this transition to defend phase normally lasts around 5 to 7 seconds. If the team has won the ball back within this 5 to 7 second period, the team are now in the T2A / attacking phase again. On the other hand, if the team have not won the ball back within this time period, you generally are now in the full defending phase.

This defending phase generally happens in the defensive third in front of the defending team’s goal. However, please note that you can be in the full defending phase higher up the pitch, just as you can be in the attacking phase anywhere on the pitch. Think of the transition to attack & defend phases as the few seconds immediately after the ball has been won or lost. Outside of these few seconds, you are either defending or attacking.

Let’s now look at some of the points to consider when analysing each of the phases:

Attacking Phase

When a team is attacking what shape do they get themselves into?

How does the player with the ball react?

What do the players immediately around the ball do?

How does this impact the players further away from the ball?

What is the speed of the attack?

What type of passes do the attacking team employ?

What areas of the pitch do the attacking team look to exploit?

Do the attacking team utilise crosses / long range shooting / dribbling?

Is the ball played on the ground or in the air?

Is the attacking style direct or more passing focused?

Do the attacking team react to their opponent’s defensive shape?

How many players are fully committed to go forward when attacking?

What shape does the attacking team leave in midfield & at the back (including GK)?

Transition to Defend Phase

Immediately following the attacking team losing the ball, how do they react?

If pressure is to be applied high up the pitch, how long should this last?

What does the player nearest to the ball do?

What reaction is there from the players around the ball?

What effect does this have on the players away from the ball?

If pressure is applied what shape does the team adopt?

If the team are to drop back, how far do they drop?

Who/what triggers this decision?

How does communication play a part?

If the ball is won back how does the team react?

If the ball is lost, what happens next?

Defending Phase

Where does the defending team wish to defend?

Who presses the ball first?

How aggressive is this pressure?

Who provides cover for the initial pressing player?

How does this impact those around the ball?

What impact has the type of pressure on those away from the ball?

Who provides balance for the defensive shape?

How does the GK impact on the defensive decisions?

What defensive strategy does the team apply?

How many players are expected to drop back to defend?

What areas of the pitch do the defensive team look to force the attacking team into?

How high / deep is the defensive line?

Transition to Attack Phase

When the ball is won, what does the player in possession look to do first?

How do the players around the ball react?

What is the reaction of the players away from the ball?

What shape does the team adopt in these initial seconds?

How quickly is the ball moved when won?

What areas of the pitch do the team in possession look to exploit first?

What type of strategy do the team in possession try to utilise?

Are the team set to quickly defend again should the ball be lost?

These are only some of the things to consider when analysing a team’s performance or indeed things to decide when formulating your own team’s philosophy. One thing to note is that teams will not always react in the same way. Lots of different variables will determine this reaction. Things such as the score of the game, the style of the opposition, the playing conditions, etc. etc. will have to be considered when completing your analysis.

I only hope that some of the points mentioned above give you a little food for thought & help you in your endeavors.