PLAYER DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
UNDER 11 – UNDER 18
Dear Coach/Manager,
It’s my pleasure to present you with your player development guide. The aim is to better develop our players at Whetstone Wanderers FC through a structured and fun programme of learning.
The guide includes a variety of practices across the following areas:
1. 1v1 Practices
2. Overload and Finishing
3. Small Sided Games
I have also included some other useful information that will assist you and your players.
When planning a session we need to ensure that the practices are enjoyable and game related. In addition, they should develop the players in four key areas:
- Technically
- Physically
- Socially (Interaction with other players - communication)
- Psychologically (improve decision making and game awareness).
I hope this guide helps you in your role as a team coach/manager. If you should have any queries or feedback please feel free to contact me.
CONTENTS
· Coaching / Playing Philosophy
· Coaching Your Session
· Player Learning/Development
· Intervention and Coaching Methods
· 1v1 Practices
· Overload and Finishing
· Small Sided Games
· Example Coaching Session Format
· Short Sprint and Fast Feet Drills
· Things Players Should Eat and Drink Before and After a Match
· Key Roles and Responsibilities for Each Position
· How to Defend
· In Possession of the Ball
· Thirds of the Pitch
· Attacking Principles of Play
· Defending Principles of Play
· Goalkeepers Checklist
COACHING / PLAYING PHILOSOPHYThe coaches and managers at Whetstone Wanderers FC will endeavour to educate the players in all aspects of the game:
- Technical
- Tactical
- Physical
- Psychological
Our teams will play attractive attacking football which allows for expression, creativity, imagination and which is based on a desire to win.
The teams will play the game based on possession, playing out from the back, and will work tirelessly to get the ball back when put out of possession.
The players will learn to recognise transitions and react accordingly both with and without the ball.
COACHING YOURSESSION
· Do you have a session plan?
· What is the theme / What am I trying to achieve?
· Will the players understand it?
· Can you involve the team manager in the session?
· Are the timings right? (refer to coaching session format)
· Be enthusiastic (if you are the players will be)
· Use all of the balls
· Keep the tempo of the session high
PLAYER LEARNING/DEVELOPMENTTECHNICAL CORNER
Ability to master the ball
- Control it (ground and aerial)
- Pass over short and long distances off both feet
- Turning with the ball
- Running with the ball
- Ball striking/finishing (stationary ball, moving ball, volley, half volley)
- Heading
- Receiving skills
- Movement to create or exploit space
- Ball retention – able to play in tight areas
- Combination play through midfield and attacking third (1,2’s; set and spin, overlap)
- Defending skills 1v1, 2v1, 2v2 3v2
TACTICAL CORNER
- Playing out from the back
- Understanding basic team shape when in possession
- Understanding where and when to switch play
- Understanding player role and role of other players in the team
- Understanding team shape when out of possession
- Recognising how to defend in different areas of the pitch
SOCIAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL
- Confidence
- Trust
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Patience
- Bravery/Courage
- Desire to win the ball
- Game understanding
- Working as a team
- Concentration
- Willingness to learn
- Enthusiasm
- Responsibility
PHYSICAL CORNER
Develop:
- Agility
- Balance
- Co-ordination
- Acceleration
- Reactions
- Strength
- Endurance
- Flexibility
- Core Stability
- Recovery strategies
- Knowledge of nutrition and lifestyle issues
INTERVENTION AND COACHING METHODSCONTINUUM
Coaching Methodology / COMMAND / QUESTION and ANSWER / OBSERVATION and FEEDBACK / GUIDED DISCOVERY / TRIAL AND ERROR
Player/Coach
Interventions / Coach tells and shows required solution / Coach leads with question to gain response from players / Coach and players observe / Coach asks a question or issues a challenge / Players and/or coach decide on the challenge
Example / “I would like you to…!”
“Copy this” / “What do you think?”
“Why? How?” / “Let’s watch this” / “Can you show me”
“Think about?” / “Try for yourself”
“Have a few attempts”
Description / Coach tells, explains and shows how to do something / Coach poses question and players offer verbal solution to challenge / Players and coach observe and discuss feedback / Coach challenges and players offer visual demonstration of possible solution / Players are encouraged to find solutions with minimal support from the coach
How many coaching methods do you currently use?
What does it depend on?
You need to intervene?
WHY? (I think I can help/add value)
WHAT? (The information you wish to communicate)
WHO? (Talk to an individual, a team unit e.g. the defence or the whole team)
1 v 1 PRACTICES
1v1 practices can be used with players of all ages and abilities. Within your squad of players there will be lots of different styles
e.g. some players will be strong, others fast, or skilful, slow or direct etc. This provides opportunities for each individual to experience playing 1v1 against different types of players. It’s worth remembering that the very best attackers don’t always get past their opponent. Likewise, the best defenders do not always stop the attacker. Therefore 1v1 practices are crucial to any coach.
1Two teams. One keeper. The teams take turns to dribble
and attack one v one. After attacking you must quickly
react and defend against the next player. The first team to
five goals is the winner.
2
The defender passes to the attacker and then races to
defend. The attacker must use disguise and then
attempt to dribble through one of the side gates.
3
The defender passes to the attacker and then races to
defend. The attacker must use disguise and attempt to
pass into one of the target goals.
4
The first player runs out and calls the attacker of their
choice. The attacker dribbles onto the pitch and a 1v1
game commences. After this game the attacker
and defender rotate positions.
5
Attacker v defender. The attacker must use disguise in
their movement and then run to receive a pass from
the server. The attacker is allowed 2 touches to score.
Can the defender stop him?
6
The teams attack one goal and defend the other goal.
This practice is a continuous attack and then defend drill. The first team to five goals is the winner.
7
Continuous 1v1 game. The attacker chooses which goal to
attack. If the attacker scores a goal then they return to
collect a 2nd ball and attack a different goal. If the
defender stops the attacker scoring, the roles are reversed.
8
10 x 10yd area with one defender. The attackers take
turns in trying to dribble across the area and out the
opposite side. If the defender wins the ball or forces the
attacker out of the sides, then the roles are reversed.
9
Player A passes the ball out to Player B and runs to
defend 1v1. Once this ball is complete, the coach passes
a 2nd ball to Player A. Now Player C runs out to stop
Player A from turning to shoot at goal.
10
The attacker starts in the middle of the pitch. The keeper
throws a ball out to the attacker and then calls a number.
The defender called runs and tries to stop the attacker
scoring. The defender becomes the attacker for next game.
OVERLOAD AND FINISHING PRACTICES
The aim of football is simple. In possession you must try to score a goal. In defence you must protect your goal. Therefore adequate time must be spent within each coaching session on attacking and defending goals. In addition overload situations occur each time possession is won and lost. Working on defending and attacking when teams have less or more numbers will improve your players confidence and success in these situations.
1A – Dribbles and shoots at goal
B – Plays a one/two with A and shoots at goal
C – Dribbles and plays 1v1 against B
2
A – Dribbles and shoots
B – Dribbles and plays 1v1 against A
C – Dribbles and plays 2v1 with A against B
3
A – Dribbles and shoots
B – Plays one/two with A and shoots
C – Passes to A and B who combine. Player C makes
a 3rd man run and receive a through pass to shoot or cross.
4
The middle player has the ball and makes a pass to the
team mate of their choice. The other player must react
and defend 2v1 against the passer and their team mate.
The defender becomes the middle player for the next game.
5
This game is continuous 2v1 in attack and 2v1 in defence.
One team work in pairs whilst the other team work as
individuals. Can the 2 players make use of their extra
player in attack and defence?
6
Three teams of three players. When defending one player
drops out of the game. The middle team attack 3v2, if
they score then they collect a 2nd ball and attack the
opposite end. If they don’t score the roles are reversed.
7
2 teams. The first player dribbles and shoots at goal.
Two players come in to make 2v1. Then two team mates
make 3v2. This continues with a 3v3 when all players are on the pitch and all the balls have been played.
8
The first attacker passes to his team mate and then makes an overlapping run. The defender runs out to defend. The game continues until the ball leaves the pitch.
9
Three teams of three players. When defending one player
drops back as the keeper. The middle team attack 3v2. If they score then they collect a 2nd ball and attack the
opposite end. If they don’t score the roles are reversed.
10
Three teams of 4 players. One team defend. The other
teams take turns to attack 4v2. If your team score then
you stay on the pitch for another ball. If you miss then the
other team come into the game. Play for 5mins and rotate.
SMALL SIDED GAMES
In every session adequate time should be allocated to just playing the game. This gives the players freedom from coaching and allows them to express themselves, learn through playing and trying out any new techniques learnt in the session. The coach is needed for the initial set up of the game and then to serve balls into the pitch. The rules of the game should send the players down a certain learning path without the need for too much communication.
1Possession game. The coach passes into one team. One
defender from the opposition must go to defend 4v1. if
the passers do well then another defender goes to make
4v2. if the defenders win the ball, the game switches zones.
2
End Zone Game.
Two teams. The aim of this game is to dribble the ball into your opponent’s end zone in order to score a goal.
3
4-Goal Game.
Two teams. The aim of this game is to defend two small goals and attack two small goals. The players score by passing the ball into the goals.
4
3-Gate Game.
The aim of this game is to attack three gates and defend
three gates. The players score a goal by dribbling the
ball into one of the three goals. Encourage quick passing
and switching of play in order to dribble into space.
5
One team defend the big goal and try to score in the two target goals. The other team defend the target goals and
try to score in the big goal. The roles are reversed after
a set time period.
6
Ultimate 4v4 Game.
This game enables the coach to play each of the previous 5 games in addition to a normal two goal game. The coach should call the games out randomly and watch the teams react to the new rules.
7
3 teams of four players and 3 keepers. The teams attack
the goal they are facing and then immediately react to
defend their own goal. The game works like a continuous
carousel with teams attacking, defending then resting
8
2 teams of players. One team starts with 2 balls. The other team start with one ball. The coach’s whistle starts the game. The teams must decide who, from their team attacks & defends. The coach plays additional balls into the game to keep it going.
9
Two teams of players. A number of gates laid out across
the pitch. Game 1 – score by dribbling through gates
Game 2 – score by passing. Game 3 – one team dribble
one team pass. game 4 – choice of dribble or pass.
10
One team continuously attack. One team defend the mini
goals. Game starts with lots of 1v1’s but as balls decrease it becomes a random of 1v1,2v1,3v3,2v2 etc. Once all balls have been played, count the goals and then reverse roles.
EXAMPLE COACHING
SESSION FORMAT (1 HOUR)
ACTIVITY / MINS
WARM UP:
- Gentle jogging and dynamic flexibility
- Ball mastery
- Fast feet drills *incorporate a ball / 5
TECHNIQUE:
- Pairs drills
- Individual ball juggling or juggling in pairs
- Ball mastery
- Dribbling skills using cones
- Turning with the ball / 10
1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and OVERLOADS:
- Play 1v1s; 2v1’s; 2v2’s; 3v2’s to work on attacking and defending skills and also decision making. / 15
STRIKING/FINISHING;
- Turn and shoot drill
- Mini goal shooting practice
- 2 mannequin shooting drill / 10
OR
POSSESSION GAMES:
- 2 games in 1
- 5v3 keep ball
- 4v4 - two halves (1 in at a time, then 2 etc.)
- 4v4 line ball
- End zone 5v5 +2 Neutral Players
- Play across the bridge / 10
GAME
- 8v8 conditioned game (3 or 2 touch)
- 7v7 + 2 Neutral players
- All in free play / 20
SESSION DEBRIEF/COOL DOWN
- Static stretching / 2
SHORT SPRINT & FAST FEET DRILLS
1. Figure of 8 Sprint