Developing a team takes time, consistency and a building block approach. Too often we coaches get ahead of ourselves in an effort to implement a system that will promote tactical play and we forget about the fundamentals and skills required to execute those tactics.
It is just as important if not more important to develop skills at every level in order to continue to raise the level of play on the field.

Twenty to thirty minutes a session should be devoted to serious ball handling. This can include passing and trapping, dribbling and shooting. Building up from A to B to C and at the same time incorporating fundamental tactics of the game can show tremendous results if given time and consistency. For example a simple pass and trap drill can become a three-man weave down the field where players are overlapping each other, moving into open space and passes must have proper pace and lead players into that space with the ball received on the proper foot and touched in to a space that keeps the attack/momentum moving forward.
Placing restriction of two touch or even one touch on players in such a drill increases decision making and speed of play as well as touch. Creating boundaries to make them aware of space available adds another dimension. But, no matter what drill you are executing, emphasis must be placed on technique, receiving the ball properly, touch and movement off the ball. Promote game play with in the drill.
Creating drills where players will get hundreds of touches and many opportunities to run the same pattern or execute the same move or technique multiple times in a short amount of time is optimal for development. Offer an environment that promotes success and where mistakes are not costly, then translate it into game play. The results will be measurable and players will recognize and feed off their own success.

The three man weave is good for so many parts in the game of soccer. More to come....

This entry was posted by BrasilianFutebol, on Monday, March 31, 2008. You can leave your response.