1-2-2 sweeper in U7/U8 rec league

[RonP811]

I am going to be coaching U7/U8 girls rec league this season. The 6 v 6 formations I always read about almost always tend to be 2-2-1 or 2-1-2. When I coached my older daughter at this level years several ago, I would use 2-1-2 when the defenders were average or below average in ability. However, I used a 1-2-2 with the 1 being a sweeper when the sweeper was one of my better players. I personally don't like having two defenders at this level because I think it takes away their aggression because a) on other teams, when the opponent is coming straight down the middle the defenders passively think the other defender will make the play (I can't tell you how many goals my teams have scored against two defenders who act like statues when my player attempts to split the two of them), or b) two defenders often stand next to each other chatting (I think this is more of a girl thing).

I reluctantly use two defenders when I don't have a standout on defense if I don't think the player can handle sweeper. But in the past I used a 1-2-2 sweeper with players who could handle it. When I did this at U8 several years ago I had the two best players in the league, so I don't know if I had a false sense of security due to superior firepower. (I'll also note that last year when I coached U6, 3 of my 8 players could handle the sweeper role with ease in a 1-2-3 formation, and a fourth player was borderline able to handle sweeper).

I allow my sweeper to play aggressively, telling them to go up to the midfield center line when the ball is deep in the opponents end of the field.

So my question is, why do I almost never see a sweeper role in 6 v 6 discussions. Is it a faulty formation? I personally like the concept at this young age in rec league play.

[schmuckatelli]

The problems with using a sweeper in that set up are: 1. you have to have a really super kid to play it; and 2. the other kids won't learn team defending that way. Not every team has a super kid that they can commit to defending. Also, when we defend as a team, we have a 1st defender to pressure the ball, then a second defender to cover, and possible a 3rd and 4th defender to support. If you play two in the back, you can teach the kids to play pressure and cover. I suspect that's why you see two in the back more often than one.

Of course, you also see coaches who plant their defenders at the top of the penalty area... :(

[EJDad]

So my question is, why do I almost never see a sweeper role in 6 v 6 discussions. Is it a faulty formation? I personally like the concept at this young age in rec league play.[/QUOTE]

Because they are U8! Let them do what they naturally want to do- get after the ball and take chances to score- You may not win as much but you will end up with happier kids who will be better players in the future.

Do you think we have great creative, skilled basketball players in the US because they were working on defensive positioning when they were 8?

[blind_clown]

Personally, I'd go with the 2-3 at this age, hockey style. It simplifies things for them into offense and defense and also teaches that everyone must attack and defend.

[tedwar]

As an U-8 coach (rec league 4v4, no goalies, no keeping score), I want to give props to EJDad.

I have kids who live with a ball at their feet and kids who have never played before on my team this season. At this age, its got to be fun for the kids first, and if they improve their ball skills, that's a bonus.

If they are good enough to go on playing, someone more qualified than me can teach them about tactics.

Tony

[RonP811]

You wrote:"Because they are U8! Let them do what they naturally want to do- get after the ball and take chances to score- You may not win as much but you will end up with happier kids who will be better players in the future.
Do you think we have great creative, skilled basketball players in the US because they were working on defensive positioning when they were 8?"

I don't get your point at all. By playing a sweeper, I am allowing more players to get after the ball and take chances to score than if I play two defenders. With one sweeper instead of two defenders, that allows one additional player to attack on offense. And I'm not talking about playing the same kid at sweeper all game. I don't have anyone play sweeper more than 25% of a game. I don't get your point at all how a sweeper prevents players from getting after the ball. If you have two defenders, that's twice as many players that aren't on the offensive side of the field, compared to having just one sweeper. By playing just one sweeper rather than the two defenders that most people use is considerably more aggressive from an offensive standpoint.

[blind_clown]

I allow my sweeper to play aggressively, telling them to go up to the midfield center line when the ball is deep in the opponents end of the field.


You call this agressive? You're making them stand and watch half the time. Let your 2 defenders go forward to help your 3 forwards. Chances are they'll collect one of those balls that stays in the box forever and drive it into the net. Or steal it before the other team gets out. If the other team gets a quick clear and a breakaway, so what? It's U8. You are not trying to win. They'll probably trip over the ball, their shoelaces, etc before they can dribble the whole field anyway.

BTW, it's not a sweeper, it's a defender. A sweeper plays at the back of a group of defenders.

[EJDad]

Blind clown- thanks, I couldn't have said it better myself.
It drives me crazy to see players sitting back playing "defense" (read -watching other kids play) because coaches are worried about getting scored on. Get them forward, take chances.
And if you are worried about player development- not only will they have more touches of the ball but if you can teach players to stay together as a unit (that is when the "forwards" go forward, the "backs" do too and vice versa) you will be doing them a great service.
Personally, on my U8s, I just put the requisite number of kids on the field, do not tell them positions and put the ball in play. If you were to watch them playing against other teams where they are "organized" the only difference is no one from my sideline is yelling at kids "you're the left back- stay back" etc.
They're 8- its bedlam regardless- and that is how it should be!