2016 Winter Technical Analysis Information

First I would like to thank all the players who participated in the 2016 Winter Technical Testing. Technical Testing is designed to help benchmark, give coaches information on what we need to strengthen as an entire club, and most importantly give players individual feedback on specific aspects of the game where they can practice at home so they can become more confident in their technical ability. The scores on the evaluation do not have a direct relation to what team they are on or what team they will be on.

Below is information on how the Attacking Moves and Turns were scored. For this winter each player was able to choose 1 Attacking Move and 1 Turn. Due to the fact that the players were only assessed on 1 Attacking Move and 1 Turn I attempted to give as much feedback as possible. We as a coaching staff encourage players to continue to practice these Attacking Moves and Turns on their own time and in practice so they can implement them in future games.

Two new skill assessments that were created this winter were passing and receiving from the air and ground. As a club we have a strong focus to strengthen our accuracy in passing and also our ability to comfortably trap the ball from all ages.

The last skill assessment is the Figure 8 Dribbling. The reason why we use the Figure 8 is because it offers 2 sharp right turns and 2 sharp left turns.

In dribbling a lower time is better than a higher time. Whereas for the other assessments a higher score is better than a lower score.

Overall we as a staff are happy with this winter’s analysis as it has given us much insight on what our strengths of a club are and also what we need to improve on. If you have any questions at all please feel free to email me at or call at 419-957-8139.

Regards,

Greg Acuna

U8-U14 Pacesetter Soccer Club Youth Technical Director

Table of Contents

(Click On Links Below)

Attacking Moves……………………………………………………………………….…………………………..3

180 Degree Turns…………………………………………………………………….…………………………….4

Passing and Receiving From The Air ……………………………………………..….……………………5

Passing and Receiving From The Ground………………………..………………………………………6

Additional Practice and Other Technical Skills Assessments …………………………………..7

Attacking Moves

The Attacking Moves are split up into 3 different scores. Any Attacking move can be broken down into 3 different segments.

Part 1 (Actual Attacking Move) – The first part is the actual move itself. This is where the player adds a feint, juke, or any form of deception to send the defender one way. In our Technical Analysis our club focuses on 3 different moves (Scissors, Matthews, or Fake Shot) which allow this deception.

Score / Adjustments to Improve the Actual Attacking Move
1 to 2 / The actual move needs to be practiced before moving on to game speed.
2.5 to 3 / The actual move has been done correctly but it needs to be performed at game speed.
3.5 to 4 / The actual move has been performed well and would most likely send the defender one way.
4.5 to 5 / The actual move is done with the utmost precision and would send the defender one way.

Part 2 (Attacking Touch into Space) – The second part is an attacking touch into space. If part 1 (Actual Moves) is done properly there will be open space for the attacker to take an angled attacking touch forward away from the defender to create space.

Score / Adjustments to Improve the Attacking Touch Into Space
1 to 2 / Very little attacking touch into space away from the player’s body
2.5 to 3 / The attacking touch into space needs to be pushed away from the players body at a 45 Degree angle
3.5 to 4 / The attacking touch into space is done correctly and at a 45 Degree angle
4.5 to 5 / The attacking touch is into space at the correct angle and also the correct amount of space from the player’s body

Part 3 (Acceleration Into Space) - The third and final part is the change of pace and acceleration forward into space. This creates an even larger space away from the defender and may give the attacker an opportunity to shoot on goal or create a crossing opportunity.

Score / Adjustments to Improve the Acceleration Into Space
1 to 2 / Very little change of pace from slow to fast while dribbling
2.5 to 3 / Good Change of pace from slow to fast while dribbling
3.5 to 4 / Great change of pace from slow to fast while dribbling
4.5 to 5 / Excellent change of pace from slow to fast dribbling

As an example, the link below shows all 3 parts of how the Scissors is done correctly by Thierry Henry.

Thierry Henry Scissors Link - Thierry Henry Scissors

Part 1 Actual Move (Causes defender to become unbalanced) (0:22 seconds into video)

Part 2 Touch into Space (The touch is away from the defender) (0:23 seconds into video)

Part 3 Acceleration into Open Space (Creates a crossing opportunity) (0:23 seconds into video)

180 Degree Turns

The 180 Degree Turns are split up into 3 different scores. Any 180 Turn can be broken down into 3 different segments.

Part 1 (Actual Turn) – The first part is the actual Turn itself. The Turn allows the attacker with the ball to change directions quickly and also use their body as a shield to protect the ball from the defender. Our club focuses on 3 different turns (Pull Back, Cruyff and the Step Over).

Score / Adjustments to Improve the Actual Turn (Part 1)
1 to 2 / The basic movements of the turn need to be done correctly. The sole focus should be to practice the turn slowly until performed comfortably.
2.5 to 3 / The turn is done correctly, however it needs to be performed more sharply and quickly at game pace.
3.5 to 4 / The turn has been performed correctly and with speed. Additional practice at game speed will improve the turn.
4.5 to 5 / The turn is performed with the utmost precision and quickness.

Part 2 (Touch into Space) – The second part is a touch into space after the turn is completed. The touch into space should be in front of the player so the ball is out from under their feet and they are able to run onto the ball. It is important to note that Part 1 & 2 should be done almost simultaneously.

Score / Adjustments to Improve touch into space
1 to 2 / First touch is very far away from the player’s body or the ball is stuck underneath their feet.
2.5 to 3 / First touch is too far away from the attacker’s body. The first touch needs to be in front of the attacker
3.5 to 4 / First touch is good just needs to be cleaned up.
4.5 to 5 / First touch is in front of the attacker and sets the player up perfectly for Part 3

Part 3 (Acceleration Into Space) - The third and final part is a change of pace from slow to fast. This acceleration creates time and space for the attacker with the ball.

Score / Adjustments to Improve Acceleration Into Space
1 to 2 / Very little change of pace from slow to fast while dribbling
2.5 to 3 / Good Change of pace from slow to fast while dribbling
3.5 to 4 / Great change of pace from slow to fast while dribbling
4.5 to 5 / Excellent change of pace from slow to fast dribbling

As an example, the link below shows all 3 parts of how the Cruyffturn is done correctly by Johan Cruyff.

Johan Cruyff Link - Cruyff Turn Performed in GameCruyff Turn Repeated

Part 1 Actual Move (Causes Defender to become unbalanced) (0:05 seconds into video)

Part 2 Touch into Space (Away from defender into open space) (0:06 seconds into video)

Part 3 Acceleration into Open Space (Creates a crossing opportunity) (0:07 seconds into video)

Receiving Ball from Air & Then Passing

Receiving the ball from the air is a much more difficult skill than receiving the ball from the ground. It requires the player to judge the flight/speed of the ball and also to properly position themselves behind the ball. If a player can successfully trap a ball from the air it sets themselves up for a pass to a teammate or a shot on goal.

Receiving the ball from the air is key because it allows players to win 50/50 challenges against opponents and also start the attack from goal kicks and punts.

To practice at home all the player needs is a soccer ball. Throw the ball up into the air and practice trapping the ball using different parts of their body (Chest, Thigh, Foot, or anything besides their hands) before it hits the ground.

Below are videos and information from the NSCAA on how to trap the ball successfully from the air to set themselves up for a good pass/shot.

Receiving from air using inside of foot, thigh and chest - N.Y. Red Bull Youth Receiving from Air

Passing the ball on the Ground - Pacesetter SC Passing on the Ground Technique

NSCAA Passing and Receiving Information - NSCAA Fundamentals

Receiving Ball from Ground & ThenPassing

Passing and Receiving from the ground is the most fundamental and important skill for players to master. This is how great teams are able to possess the ball and make the opposing team chase them the entire game.

It is absolutely imperative for players to use the proper technique in training so when game day comes around it becomes second nature for player to properly receive, retain, and pass to teammates.

Below is a video created by Pacesetter, along with a breakdown of how to pass a ball correctly from the NSCAA, so the players can practice at home. To practice at home all a player needs is a soccer ball and a wall to pass repeatedly against over and over again to build muscle memory.

Passing the ball on the Ground - Pacesetter SC Passing on the Ground Technique

NSCAA Passing and Receiving Information - NSCAA Fundamentals

U.S.A.Women’s Youth National Team Technical Testing & New York Red Bull Skills Challenge

Below are two websites that offer other skill assessments. These can be used as practice tools for players to help them become more technically efficient and also to have fun challenging themselves to becoming better soccer players.

USA Youth Women’s National Team - USA Women's Youth National Team Technical Testing

Videos of the US Women’s Technical Tests are in the link above.

New York Red Bull Skills Challenge- N.Y. Red Bull Skills Challenge

Videos of the N.Y. Red Bull Skills Challenge are in the link above.