Need Help - U-13G Game Question?

[BTFOOM]

Fellow Coaches,
I coach a girls U-13 WAGS (Washington Area Girls Soccer) team. We are scheduled to play a team that is versed in the Cantolao training system, which means they "use the South American Training Methods (Brazilian, Peruvian and Argentine styles of play)".

I have a good team and we play posession soccer and attack as much as possible. My question to you is this: How would you talk to your team about playing a team with the above training style?

For my team, I will tell them to pressure the defense at all times, push them to one side, and stay in front of them when we are in our defensive third (don't jump in as they will most likely have good foot skills).

If any of you have suggestions as to how to play against this type of team and/or things I can do at practice, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks,
Tom

[rca2]

I doubt that their training system is any different than USSF Best Practices. Every country has been influenced by Brazil and Holland's coaching methods. I would have no concern at all for what they do at practice. My concern would be how they played matches, and motivating my own team to play well. I would be reluctant to change the team's system of play if the change did not support my training objectives for the season. In other words don't worry about how the other team trains. Stick to your plan. And if your opponent is extremely skilled, win or lose it will be good experience for your team.

[BTFOOM]

RCA,
Thanks for your suggestion. After re-reading my post, I was thinking the same thing. It sometimes helps to hear it from another coach. We'll just play our game and see what happens. I also agree 100% that win or lose, it will be a good learning opportunity for the girls.