Player development thread

[Decentric]

I agree.

I remember reading an interview with Sir Alex Ferguson a few years after he retired. Now Fergie was about as 'the old school football manager' as you possibly could get.

He was talking about how he had been lecturing at the UEFA Pro- Licence course in Scotland and during this, he was highly emphasising the importance of adapting to the evolving landscape of football. And the importance of continuous learning and for prospective coaches to be able to develop ideas and methods in football coaching through learning and education...

Good enough for one of the most successful football managers in history - good enough for anyone!

Also a useful lesson for anyone in any walk of life not just football.

Well said, FUL.

In coaching workshops and national conferences, all of Phil Moss, Ange P, Kevin Muscat and Darren Davies, all who have been AL coaches, or higher, plus Han Berger, have said they have to keep learning new practices or the game will pass them by.

The game forever changes and all coaches are looking for an edge over their rivals, by seeking new ideas.

 

[grazorblade]

Been trying to find variant rules to help weaker players and stronger players at the same time

A go to variant rule is "everyone has to touch the ball once before scoring". But you usually get the stronger players dribble up to the weakest player and knock the ball against them and take it off them

The other day went 2v2 or 3v3 where everyone had to touch the ball 10 times before scoring. Only 1 goal was scored in about 15 minutes with a mix of 8 and 9 year olds but it seemed challenging even for the strong players to keep the ball that long and the weak players were able to have fun in defense and possesion.

 

[vo2Max]

Been trying to find variant rules to help weaker players and stronger players at the same time

A go to variant rule is "everyone has to touch the ball once before scoring". But you usually get the stronger players dribble up to the weakest player and knock the ball against them and take it off them

The other day went 2v2 or 3v3 where everyone had to touch the ball 10 times before scoring. Only 1 goal was scored in about 15 minutes with a mix of 8 and 9 year olds but it seemed challenging even for the strong players to keep the ball that long and the weak players were able to have fun in defense and possesion.

1 v 1's. Strongest players v Strongest players. Weakest players v weakest players. One minute intervals. And the undisciplined little deadshits with borderline ADHD can go do laps.

 

[theFOOTBALLlover]

Been trying to find variant rules to help weaker players and stronger players at the same time

A go to variant rule is "everyone has to touch the ball once before scoring". But you usually get the stronger players dribble up to the weakest player and knock the ball against them and take it off them

The other day went 2v2 or 3v3 where everyone had to touch the ball 10 times before scoring. Only 1 goal was scored in about 15 minutes with a mix of 8 and 9 year olds but it seemed challenging even for the strong players to keep the ball that long and the weak players were able to have fun in defense and possesion.

You could set up two fields if you have two coaches to split the groups or with the small games, do it in waves so weak players vs weak players than they get off and strong players vs strong players.

 

[grazorblade]

You could set up two fields if you have two coaches to split the groups or with the small games, do it in waves so weak players vs weak players than they get off and strong players vs strong players.

yeah try to avoid kids standing around

strong v strong and weak v weak makes sense but seems to cause the weak ones to lose interest when self awareness kicks in. 10 touches each 2v2 seemed to work surprisingly well

 

[Medellin]

I was reading a book a recently Named "Peak-How to master almost anything", the book discusses peak performers in different disciplines.

One of whom was memorising and recalling a sequence of numbers which were read out to him. (I'm cutting out more detail but that was the gist of it) In the process of improving the performer would add a number to the sequence if they recalled the last sequence correctly or remove one number to the next sequence if they got it wrong. Walking that tightrope of balancing between too easy and too difficult.

What about adding Promotion and Relegation to 1v1, 2v2 or small group games...
The rules of the game allows for different skill and technique to be worked on and score points or goals (such as scoring zone to run into with the ball or scoring in small goals which allows for finishing or passing etc etc)

That should ensure the players feedback comes from the game and not just the coach labelling the player as stronger of weaker but by that self awareness of winning and losing games and learning how to improve against different levels of players.

 

[Keeper66]

I was reading a book a recently Named "Peak-How to master almost anything", the book discusses peak performers in different disciplines.

One of whom was memorising and recalling a sequence of numbers which were read out to him. (I'm cutting out more detail but that was the gist of it) In the process of improving the performer would add a number to the sequence if they recalled the last sequence correctly or remove one number to the next sequence if they got it wrong. Walking that tightrope of balancing between too easy and too difficult.

What about adding Promotion and Relegation to 1v1, 2v2 or small group games...
The rules of the game allows for different skill and technique to be worked on and score points or goals (such as scoring zone to run into with the ball or scoring in small goals which allows for finishing or passing etc etc)

That should ensure the players feedback comes from the game and not just the coach labelling the player as stronger of weaker but by that self awareness of winning and losing games and learning how to improve against different levels of players.

I sometimes do a similar thing at senior training sessions, although it’s not about separating weaker and stronger players per se. Set up 6 teams of 4 or 5 (I use the first team and the U23’s together), and have 3 playing areas. One area has full size goals with keepers, the second area has small goals, and the third area has no goals and you score by dribbling or passing to a team mate in the end zone. Games go for 3-4 minutes each, the losing team from the big goal game then changes places with the winning team from the small goal game for the next game. And the winning team from the dribble/pass into the end zone game changed places with the losing team from the small goals.
This adds a good competitive element into small sided games, as everyone wants to play in the game with the full size goals.

 

[grazorblade]

https://tomsan.com/books/football-starts-at-home.pdf

 

[grazorblade]

I was reading a book a recently Named "Peak-How to master almost anything", the book discusses peak performers in different disciplines.

One of whom was memorising and recalling a sequence of numbers which were read out to him. (I'm cutting out more detail but that was the gist of it) In the process of improving the performer would add a number to the sequence if they recalled the last sequence correctly or remove one number to the next sequence if they got it wrong. Walking that tightrope of balancing between too easy and too difficult.

What about adding Promotion and Relegation to 1v1, 2v2 or small group games...
The rules of the game allows for different skill and technique to be worked on and score points or goals (such as scoring zone to run into with the ball or scoring in small goals which allows for finishing or passing etc etc)

That should ensure the players feedback comes from the game and not just the coach labelling the player as stronger of weaker but by that self awareness of winning and losing games and learning how to improve against different levels of players.

p and r isn't a bad idea. You don't want to permanently label a kid weaker and have no pathway back up. You could also use it as motivation and give the kid homework

 

[Decentric]

You could set up two fields if you have two coaches to split the groups or with the small games, do it in waves so weak players vs weak players than they get off and strong players vs strong players.

Good idea, FL!

 

[Decentric]

I sometimes do a similar thing at senior training sessions, although it’s not about separating weaker and stronger players per se. Set up 6 teams of 4 or 5 (I use the first team and the U23’s together), and have 3 playing areas. One area has full size goals with keepers, the second area has small goals, and the third area has no goals and you score by dribbling or passing to a team mate in the end zone. Games go for 3-4 minutes each, the losing team from the big goal game then changes places with the winning team from the small goal game for the next game. And the winning team from the dribble/pass into the end zone game changed places with the losing team from the small goals.
This adds a good competitive element into small sided games, as everyone wants to play in the game with the full size goals.

Excellent practice, Keeper.

1. For the football content.

2. The organisation.

3. The constantly changing exercise, involving team rotation.

Do you have a structure for the 4v4 , 5v5 games, in terms of shape/formation? If not I have a suggestion.

 

[Decentric]

I was reading a book a recently Named "Peak-How to master almost anything", the book discusses peak performers in different disciplines.

One of whom was memorising and recalling a sequence of numbers which were read out to him. (I'm cutting out more detail but that was the gist of it) In the process of improving the performer would add a number to the sequence if they recalled the last sequence correctly or remove one number to the next sequence if they got it wrong. Walking that tightrope of balancing between too easy and too difficult.

What about adding Promotion and Relegation to 1v1, 2v2 or small group games...
The rules of the game allows for different skill and technique to be worked on and score points or goals (such as scoring zone to run into with the ball or scoring in small goals which allows for finishing or passing etc etc)

That should ensure the players feedback comes from the game and not just the coach labelling the player as stronger of weaker but by that self awareness of winning and losing games and learning how to improve against different levels of players.

Some good content/ideas there , Medellin.

 

[Decentric]

yeah try to avoid kids standing around

This is paramount for all ages, even adults.

Norm Boardman, then FFA staff coach, was taking a session in a workshop with a club u14s team at Football Tas HQ for coaches. Norm asked us as a group what any of us could do to improve his session?

In football terms I couldn't see anything that needed to be changed. However, as a teacher, in terms of organisation Norm had queues for too long, which gave the ops for players at any age to become 1) bored, and, 2) waste time being inactive.

So I suggested Norm have the players use dribbling techniques with a ball, with the head up - or - juggling, with the aim of being able to juggle, whilst looking at the players playing as an end goal in the queues.

I had another idea to shorten the queues too.

The state Tech Dir was suitably impressed! So was Norm.

I've even had some younger, high spirited NPL women knock a ball out of my hands, being silly, whilst having a drinks break. Of course more senior aged players aged in late 20s and early 30s would never do this.

My idea is flog them on the training track, whilst only pausing for drinks breaks. Later in sessions, when they are physically tired, is the time for more instruction, when stopping games to make a coaching point.

 

[Decentric]

Not saying this about the guys you mentioned but I've seen plenty of the older generation also being unwilling to learn and improve/ be stuck in their ways. Times have changed.

Thank goodness!

 

[Decentric]

Been trying to find variant rules to help weaker players and stronger players at the same time

A go to variant rule is "everyone has to touch the ball once before scoring". But you usually get the stronger players dribble up to the weakest player and knock the ball against them and take it off them

The other day went 2v2 or 3v3 where everyone had to touch the ball 10 times before scoring. Only 1 goal was scored in about 15 minutes with a mix of 8 and 9 year olds but it seemed challenging even for the strong players to keep the ball that long and the weak players were able to have fun in defense and possesion.

That is still a good coaching idea, Grazor.

All those touches before a team can shoot.

 

[Keeper66]

Excellent practice, Keeper.

1. For the football content.

2. The organisation.

3. The constantly changing exercise, involving team rotation.

Do you have a structure for the 4v4 , 5v5 games, in terms of shape/formation? If not I have a suggestion.

I vary the structure, depending on what I am looking to get out of the exercise. I also put other conditions on depending on the objective, e.g., 2 touch, can only score with one touch, place wide channels on the field with restrictions on who can and can't go in there, etc.

I'm interested in your suggestion too.

 

[theFOOTBALLlover]

p and r isn't a bad idea. You don't want to permanently label a kid weaker and have no pathway back up. You could also use it as motivation and give the kid homework

I actually did Promotion and Relegation in 1v1 with primary school kids this week. PL, Championship, L1 and L2. Started Yr 6s in PL, Year 5s in the Championship, Year 4s in L1 and Year 3s in L2. Top 2 goalscorers got promoted, bottom 2 got relegated. It was really good. Kids loved it.

 

[Decentric]

I vary the structure, depending on what I am looking to get out of the exercise. I also put other conditions on depending on the objective, e.g., 2 touch, can only score with one touch, place wide channels on the field with restrictions on who can and can't go in there, etc.

I'm interested in your suggestion too.

Good.

I haven't conceived any of these, but they've originated from some great minds in football. I've learned them from the following on the training track, or assistant coached with:

* Arie Schans and Ad Derkson - KNVB staff coaches, who coached all round the world, when not based in Zeist.
FFA Tech Dir, Rob Baan, brought them over to train AL youth coaches in 2008 - Corica, Popa, Muscat, Veart, Tobin, the Vidmars, Alagich, Milicic, et al.

* Kurt Reynolds - former Young Socceroo captain and former Football Fed Tas Tech Dir.

* Anthony Alexander - former Football Tas Head SAP coach.

* Mike Edwards - former Tas NTC women's coach, temp Melb Vic women's coach, FNQ Football Aus Tech Dir.

4v4

Schans and Derkson emphasise the 4v4 played in a diamond shape, which is game realistic, as a team tries to play in diamonds and triangles.

X = player from team 1
O = player from team 2

.........................O...X

X..O...........................................O...X

.........................O...X


If you have 5 v5 and don't want keepers, try what Anthony A calls a diamond with a dot.


............................O..X


X..O...........................X..O.....................O..X


.............................O...X

If you have 9 players, which sometimes happens, then use a fickle player in the middle. F plays for either team in possession so it is always 5 v4 in possession.

................................O..X

X..O.............................F..........................O..X

.................................O...X

Keep changing the Fickle player, F, because they get a lot of ball. Very good for players who lack confidence - and - lack standing within a team.

5v5 with keepers

K = keeper

...............................K

.............................O...X

X...O..................................................O...X


.............................O...X

.................................K

You probably already know this, but ask the keeper to play out with feet as a sweeper, or roll the ball out.
Also, suggest the defender playing closest to the keeper, move to a diagonal angle to open a passing lane just before the keeper receives the ball, in order to receive with a body shape conducive to playing forwards.

6v6 with keepers

........................K

....................O...X

X.O..................O..X...............O..X

....................O...X

........................K

Instructions to the defender, central midfielder, or attacker, is if they are receiving the ball from a central player in the line behind them, to move into a position to open a passing lane with a diagonal angle, in order to be able to receive the ball with a body position to play forwards.

The two wide players are usually in a position relative to their teammates, where their body shape to receive, enables them to play forwards.

Of course a straight ball is fine for a player to receive and turn to play forwards if there is no opposition marker. There is usually an opposition marker though.

I've done this with senior NPL women, feeder rep teams that feed into the state team at U14 boys and u12 girls, plus at a Football School I ran for a few years, and suburban club under 12s, u13s and u14s.

If any of it is any use, then thank KNVB, Ad Derkson, Arie Schans, Kurt Reynolds, Mike Edwards and Anthony Alexander. None of these SSGs were my ideas!

These games can be played as a passing game, like Grazor's 10 touches per player ( quite a lot) I'd make it 10 passes per team with adolescent, or every player touches the ball before the team can shoot.

Or a shooting game with big goals, hence, players have a strong probability of scoring. Players love it!

I can also extrapolate it into a Running With The Ball/Dribbling game.

There are inherent triangles and diamonds in all the aforementioned SSGs.

Good luck with it!

 

[Decentric]

I think that allowing naturally talented youngsters to go out and express themselves freely on the pitch when they are kids is paramount to their development as players....

And development coaching should never be about get bogged down in a particular way or systematic approaches.

Players will always differ in terms of which type of coaching practices are most suitable to their development of course, but in think that coaches who embrace variety are going to be more successful.

It depends what the base level is?

In Aus in 2005 we had a very low base. When the KNVB started extrapolating their coaching practices in Aus, they had no idea how little we knew compared to the average Dutch person.

The systemic overhaul created a systematic Aus system that inexorably changed Aus as a playing nation.

Also, if children are left to express themselves freely, with little guidance, there may be a
lot of techniques and knowledge they need exposure to that they don't know about. These are essential for players to develop as a pro player.

 

[Keeper66]

Also, if children are left to express themselves freely, with little guidance, there may be a
lot of techniques and knowledge they need exposure to that they don't know about. These are essential for players to develop as a pro player.

Hasn't hurt a lot of South Americans and Africans in the past.