I've been working with a group of U12 rec boys this fall and they've done well to improve their basic skills and ball handling. One problem that's surfaced in the last couple of games, however, is a tendency to just "kick it away" when the ball comes to them instead of really considering their options. I explain to them that they have three choices when the ball comes to them -- 1. Settle the ball and dribble into space. 2. Settle it and make a pass to an open player. 3. If they see an open man beforehand, make a 1 (or 2)-touch pass. (they're well aware of the SHOOT option if they're close ) I also explain that they should always have a sense of who's around them and what they might do if the ball comes to them -- thinking OFF the ball. They had seemed to be getting it, but have recently settled into a "hot potato" mode where they just kick it away -- today, that was usually right to the other team. Does anyone have suggestions for drills that can help reinforce this stuff? I've been using lots of small-side games in practice, but I'd like to focus on "kicking it away" problem specifically... as with anyone, it means more to them if they can practice it, see it, and do it -- as opposed to me just talking about it. Thanks in advance for any advice... -- jeff
Part of the problem lies with the understanding that if they are poor dribblers and shielders of the ball they will have it taken away (a huge embarrassment) and therefore, it is easier to just kick it up the field. Try to teach them to become better at dribbling and shielding and make them aware to communicate "turn", "man on" so that they can begin to develop confidence. Be patient. This is a problem because of the over emphasis on passing.
A drill I like to use is to play a game of 10 vs. 2 (or 3) in the penalty box. The 10 players have to complete 5 passes to score. The 2 players have to kick it out of the box to score. Obviously, you can change the numbers to fit your needs. But, the drill does help you to learn how to change the field and spread it out a bit. Teach them to pass back to where it came from when in trouble. Teach players to move off the ball. Most importantly, the person with the ball isn't under pressure with so few against them and they should look for the most open pass. It is difficult, to say the least, at the beginning. But, once they start to get it it works well.
Re: Re: Passing vs. "Kicking Away" (U12 Rec) One other thing about this drill. When they kick it away, stop it right there. Ask them what they are doing and why. Tell them to look up and see what they see. Open players here and there. Why not go to them? Don't let them get away with kicking to whomever. Let them realize the pressure on them wasn't what they thought it was. Then, eventually, get them into the concept of sizing up what the scene looks like before they get the ball.
As Alberto noted, communication is important. A lot of players (all ages) use the default of kicking away when they are not sure what the immediate options are. The information about settling, dribbling, passing, etc., is somewhere in the back of their heads, but when the ball comes to them and the anxiety kicks in, it is hard for them to determine which options are available to them (e.g., they don't know if they have time to settle the ball, etc.) Hearing your mates call that you have time to settle, or whatever, can be a godsend. It is important to get your players used to hearing those calls (and also to get used to making the calls). Try using simple passing drills where the passer has to call "turn," "man on," etc. One that should work well for U12 involves 3 kids (players A, B, and C). Start by having B in the middle, with A and C each having a ball. B shows for a pass from A, who calls "man on" as he passes; B one or two touches the ball back to A. B then turns and shows for a pass from C, who calls "man on," and so on. Please note passes should be on the ground. Rotate so that each player takes a turn in the middle. Then, using one ball, have B receive the balls as the passer calls "turn." B will then turn and pass to the other player, who will pass back while calling "turn." Rotate so each takes a turn in the middle. Once the guys have the idea (shouldn't take long), have the passers mix up the calls so the receiver has to react appropriately. If A calls "man on," B will pass back to A; then B will retreat before again showing for the ball. If you want to add an element, if passer A calls "man on" and receives the return pass, A will then play a long ball to C. [Let me know if that doesn't make sense and I'll clarify.] One twist you can add is to have players A and C toss the ball in the air, so that B has to settle with chest, head, thigh (whatever) while receiving instructions from A (or C). [I recommend having the players toss the ball instead of passing with foot because I doubt that very many U12 players can accurately pass the ball to make the drill work.]
Great suggestions... I've found that my son has made a log of progress outside of soccer practice by playing with his uncles and dad at family parties. We play keep away. We get in a circle, someone attacks the ball, and we play keep away. Simple. And it works.
Re: Re: Passing vs. "Kicking Away" (U12 Rec) Good stuff... thanks to everyone for the ideas. The communication is, I think, definitely a large part of the issue. It surprised me when I started with them this fall that, despite most having played for several years before, they didn't understand the need for what they now call "the big three" -- communication, hustle, and spreading out. We're getting there... thanks again to all.
Just wanted to throw in a drill that may help your kids deal with pressure situations and controlling the ball . Set up a 10 x 10yd square marked with cones. Put a player at each of the cones. Now give three of those players a ball. One will be without a ball. Now have another player come into the square as an offensive player. His goal is to receive a ball from his choice of the three players with a ball and get it to the player without a ball. So there will be a natural rotation of players at each cone who have a ball and who doesn't. The offensive player must call for the ball to receive a ball. I would first practice this without a defenseive person in the middle, jsut so the players can get a feel for how it works. Then throw in a defender. From my experience, this has helped kids a) work on their settling of the ball, b) improve their passing, c) improve their dribbling and shielding and d) forces them to think about their options. If the drill appears too tough or people don't have room to move, make the square bigger.