Read an article recently where the coach (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia) said that he has to undo bad habits from street soccer that they develop (in equal amount to the benefit).
i'd rather have to break bad in-game habits in skillful players than have to teach both skill and good in-game habits to unskilled players.
Bad habits usually mean bad technique. Much better to catch the errors early so they don't practice bad technique.
When players are new to Positional exercises, you get a certain type of player who will over think the moments. She wonders if "this is the right pass". What I think the PEs/Rondos try to start chipping away at is the slowness and inhibition in the decisionmaking process. Encourage the fast decisions—if its wrong then we learn why it didn't work. May be technique. May be decision. I've been thinking of the transition into the game/scrimmage and I think it has to do with the space. In your typical PE they occupy a side of the grid. If you make it big enough, then they'll have to make choices whether or not to stay on that line or move closer. But it's hard to make it big enough. We could be in a 30x20 and all the kids could still probably play at the edge of the grid and still make passes (at a certain age).
There are other things you can do to encourage movement besides pushing back the boundaries. My go to ways are 1) unbalanced sides, and 2) adding goals or zones to add penetration to the exercise. When you use unbalanced sides what you are really doing is making the space larger for the smaller side and smaller for the bigger side. So making the space smaller for the larger side discourages the larger side from moving. Hence the larger sides tend to stand instead of move. For this reason 8v2 is not a good format for encouraging attacking movements. Why have limits? There is a class of exercises that have a center zone or goal(s) and no boundaries. The center point is the focus and, the further away players move from the center goal, the further the players must penetrate to score. That is a great exercise to teaching about penetration and passing back as well as switching fields. Now consider the 8v2 format again, this time the lack of boundaries and 360 degrees of possible angles of attack will encourage a quick combination passing attack. I really don't like the word "rondos" because I associate "rondo" with a circle of stationary players passing the ball with 1 or 2 "monkeys" in the middle. Suitable for a technical exercise of 1 touch passing but that is a bad subject for the fundamental stage of development.
The boys had a really great training session tonight. We started started off the same as last week- 3v1 then 3v1 + 1 (transition) Ping pong passing- I put my own twist to this. First round is simple one touch. Round two is 2 touch, inside with L or R, pass with the other (follow your pass the the next receiver has to make a touch towards space). Round 3 is the same but outside touch to space then pass. Round 4 is behind the leg then pass (and it's a shit show but they are getting there). Then I split the team. I worked with the back six- back four, GK and #6 on building out from the back without pressure.. The other kids were setup to do this drill: (so many teaching points to this drill) Then I had them join up- back six played keep away while the others tried to score in the big goal. 5 consecutive passes equal one goal. Attackers were winning easily at first but the back six started stringing some passes together, moving the ball around and eventually pulled it out.. I found my #6, kid worked so hard and made so many good decisions, it made my day.
Awesome. I think you're seeing more of the pay off week to week because you're sticking with it. A lot of coaches quit too soon because it doesn't look like a smooth rondo or smooth drill right from the start. The pattern above is called an up-back-and-through pattern. If you do functional rondos to goal, you can run this pattern all day. Then "demand" your players use it in game. Too often my players start off thinking this stuff is just training ground stuff—not actual in game stuff.
I’m having a problem with the boys being selfish. They don’t want to go wide because they won’t get the ball even though it will creat more space if they pull a defender. They don’t make runs off the ball to to pull defenders. Any suggestions other than lectures?
i use shadow play to show my players exactly where i want them in certain situations. then run patterns in training that force the ball wide. set up channels they have to play into during your SSGs. force them to use width in training, and it may start showing up during games.
As said above by stphnsn, shadow play or orchestration of the patterns you want to see. In "free play" stop play if they miss these patterns or don't set-up correctly. I also do a heavy dose of combination play drills (wall, overlaps, takeovers, dummies). Then we play games with combination play scoring (2pts for any of the mentioned combos DONE APPROPRIATELY/REALISTICALLY and 1 pt for goals). They learn that they WILL get the ball back.
I haven't had that problem with Zone 1. I emphasize keep away SSGs to teach the general principles of attack followed by SSGs with goals to add penetration to the tactical problems. The coaching goal is to teach the "pass and move" rhythm of the game, which is common to all invasion games. Going back to the original problem. If the player on the ball is not passing to open players, then that is the root problem, not the off the ball movement. Did the chicken or the egg come first?
What do you do with the one or two kids who don't pay attention/put in any effort? I've tried talking to them, yelling, having them sit out, talking to their parents.. I realize some boys at this age have attention issues but this is a lack of effort.. Apparently trying hard is a negative thing now.. Tryhard..
I think you've fulfilled your due diligence. What are your long-term options? Cut them? Relegate to B-squad? Bench them? Before you do any of this just make sure it's clear to players and parents what will happen if you do not see an improvement X will happen. The other side of the coin is that it could be a cry for help or that there's just bigger stuff than soccer going on right now. About 6 years ago, I had a kid who was the same way—zero energy at practices all of a sudden. I was on him. Did all the above. It finally came out a few weeks later that his mom had been diagnosed with cancer. Yeah, running my damn drills probably doesn't mean much right now.
Usually, given the greater time leeway I have as an assistant coach, I'll make a point to pull the kid aside to talk about something soccer-related but make sure to see if there's something else wrong. I've made sure all the kids know that their safety and interests come first, even if it costs the team (which, given the fat this is a competitive high school team, is a bit of a surprise for some of them) so they generally trust me. Even if they don't open up right away I make a mental note to keep checking in on them - sometimes just showing you care is enough, sometimes they grow willing to tell you what's really wrong, and sometimes nothing seems to change ... but at least, IMO, I've done what I can. I didn't think when I signed up to be a coach that I'd spend as much time playing psychologist and conflict resolution specialist, but that's par for the course I guess. Given all the help my coaches gave me when I was young, it's the least I can do now.
i've been thinking about the distinction between playing and competing a lot lately. perhaps @Dynamo Kev 's player needs to be educated about the difference? at that age, players need should be deciding whether soccer is something they're going to take seriously, ie competing, or whether it's just something they're doing for fun, ie playing. of course we all want having fun to be a priority, but your clubs likely define how you're going to have fun, right? maybe club level isn't the level this player should be playing? there's nothing wrong with playing on a rec team if that's what they want to do. it can be enjoyable for the players who aren't interested in truly competing to be the best they can be. of course, elessar's point stands as well. off the field issues could be a factor.
So for the months of Sept and Oct the club hires trainers to run one practice per week, I run the other and manage the games. This is the first time I'm sharing a team with another trainer and I was very reluctant at first- but I like this guy and what he brings to the table. We talk about what we think the boys should work on and go from there- he seems to give me final say. Things have been going well the past 3 weeks. He ran the session last night and decided to go with a Play - Practice - Play (whole-part-whole). 20 mins of 7v7, 25 mins of a very basic passing drill, 25 mins of 7v7. His reason was that these boys are a C team, they are here to have fun and play games- they aren't going to turn into great skill players or play great possession soccer, so let them enjoy themselves. While I agree with him, I also think if I'm going to spend my time coaching I'm going to do it the best way I can.. I know play-practice-play has it's merits but the way he used it and his reasoning was so the players would enjoy themselves- almost like he was throwing in the towel. There are some bad attitudes on this team, kids not paying attention or putting in zero effort, so I get it. It's a grid at times.. But there are some kids with potential who are there to learn and play to the best of their ability and deserve a good trainer. Of course the boys loved doing a 'scrimmage' for 45 mins instead of 3v1 rondos.. ha..
There’s a misconception that rondos, drills aren’t fun. The kids that don’t want to be on a C team deserve a real session. Sorry, I think Play-Practice-Play is a joke.
Play practice play is okay for very young kids and for tactical sessions, but it stinks for technical sessions. USSF sells play practice play as dumbed down training and coaching for recreational coaches and players, not a plan for developing elite players of the future.
exactly this. I do PPP with my 6Us and 8Us. I've recommended my 10U and 13U rec coaches start with SSGs as players are arriving and then transition into more of a traditional training session. i like the idea of players, even older ones, actually playing and warming up their bodies that way instead of standing around and blasting shots waiting for training to start.
We partner with an english premier league club and their coaches come over each year to earn some money but also "look over our wares". What you describ is how they start their sessions. Just set-up a little area with goals, lay out some pinnies and as players arrive they play. Play until the last kid shows up and is ready then roll into the session. Sometimes takes up the first five minutes of practice.
So with about 4 weeks left in the Fall season I'm still conflicted on what I achieved with this team. I've never coached a C team before, these boys are here for a reason- a few have skill but just terrible attitudes, some are below average athletes and a couple are super inexperienced. I think the most important thing for possession soccer to work is off the ball movement- so the ball carrier always has at least two options. The kids with bad attitudes just won't do the work- if I hear the term "try-hard" one more time I'm going to shoot myself. The nonathletic kids are just not up to making themselves available for the ball (too lazy) and the inexperienced kids are willing but don't have the IQ yet. I would really love to dedicate about 30 mins of training per week to orchestrated build up play but their attitudes are so bad it will only be a waste of time and instant frustration for me. Most of our practices have been very rondo heavy- not much at all in regards to technique (ball skills). Just this week I started using 3 man passing patterns. I'm not really a fan of passing patterns, especially without any pressure, but I'm hoping it will spark an idea or two with these kids. The easy part of our schedule starts tomorrow- we haven't won a game in about 4 weeks- but more importantly I'll get to see how well we can keep the ball.
Don’t fight your observations: They are not ready for rondos as a group. Soccer Age is different than chronological age, maybe you need to step it back. So one of the end goals of positional play/rondos is to be able to make that 2v1 work for you. Maybe that’s your end goal. Build a team thats proficient individually, in 1v1 and 2v1. This translates to a lot of direct competition activities that tend to keep them engaged.
I agree with this. I'd grab that other coach and over a beer and discuss philosophy. As a kid I was put on the poor basketball team and my first coach had the attitude of make it fun. My second coach pushed us to get better while still being positive and that should be the goal. I've posted my thoughts on the Play-Practice-Play (i started and bought in initially this summer but have changed. Its part of a set of tools a good coach has. For my rec team the focus has been less on SSG and rondo's and more on individual development (15 minutes every practice) and the bulk as 1v1, 2v1 and 2v2s. I have 3 kids who disappear in SSG, 3v1, 4v2 drills with 1 kid who constantly rotates to the end of the line without doing the drill because he knows he is not skilled. The individual time with him is where he is comfortable. He is still a huge liability in the field but he's smiling now. I start each practice with a goal. "today we are going to work on building out of the back" This gives the kids a signal for why this is important. for many it just gives the impression that I know what the hell I am doing which is half the battle. I can make any drill fit that message. The real winner for me has been a weekly email to the parents. I started this 2 weeks ago on Sunday after our weekend game(s). It takes 20 minutes to do and I give a recap of something that I saw during the weekend that was good (its hard to cheer for a team getting beat 6-0 + every game). Last week it was that I saw two kids use a pull back to get away from a defender and make a pass. (Now one of those 2 passes were blown up and led to a goal but who cares). I also give a generic plan of practice and I give them a few questions that they can use to ask their kids with at the dinner table or in the car ride home. Some parents probably ignore and delete but I know 2 families where the kids are now fully-in due to this. The kids know their parents care and since the parents care I have better kids at practice.