nashvillesoccer

The basic building block of this exercise is proper utilization of the 4 v 2. There are three major coaching points in the 4 v 2. They are:

1. The first look is always long. If the long pass isn’t there DON’T FORCE IT. Play it short, and
play it safe.

2. The long player MUST show for the ball

3. Support players must support quickly and close. Support players must be inside the defenders

When illustrating the above points use a simple progression of having the defenders:

1. Play at 50% No tackling and no interceptions

2. Play at 75% No tackling but interceptions allowed

3. Play at 100% No restrictions

Recognize and explain the differences between tactical awareness (or breakdowns) and technical ability (or breakdowns). For example, having the ball played poorly on the first touch may cause a loss of possession. This is a technical breakdown. Having the through player not show adequately for the ball thereby causing a forced pass is a tactical breakdown.
Progression # 1 – Simple 4 v 2 Directional Game

The next progression is to a 4 v 2 directional game. Directional means that the teams move in a specific “direction” in order to “score” in this exercise.

Set up a 30 x 20 yard field with two (2) goals at each end. This game is played 4 v 4 with a single ball. When the team has the ball, the entire team is on offense trying to score through one of the two goals at their opponent’s end.

When the team doesn’t have the ball, two players must immediately retreat to a goal and the other two are active defenders.

This obviously creates the 4 v 2 situation we are trying to illustrate. The three (3) major points; first option is long, show for the ball, support inside the defenders, should continue to be emphasized.

Now this is a good exercise for the penetrating player to be a target player and either:

1. Turn and play to the goal or

2. Lay the ball off to an oncoming support player

In the illustration above the support players are slightly inside the defenders. The first attacker sees the killer pass and makes it to the target player who is checking back and showing for the ball. The support player, recognizing the tactical situation, makes a run and receives a lay-off pass from the target player resulting in a try at the goal.

Progression # 2 – Simple 4 v 2 Non- Directional Game

Move from a directional game to a non-directional game. You can do this by scattering goals a across various sections of the field. To start restrict the defenders, as above, to 50%, then 75% and then remove all restrictions. Give points to the defenders for obtaining possession of the ball, not for just knocking it out of bounds. Give points to the offense for making a killer pass through one of the goals to a teammate.

Progression #3 3 v 3 With Two Targets Directional Game

Target Players.

The object is to get the ball in to a target player and then re-combine with a field player for a shot at goal. The target players are allowed to move along the bye line to show for the ball.

Play the ball safe and short until the target player shows, then hit him qucikly and move off the pass.

Preparation :

Cones are placed parallel with the touchline about 18 yards from the goal post. At about 12 yards out, the cones are angled to about 8 yards from the goalpost. (this setup can be on both sides or just one side of the goal.) This is the channel the wing player is to run. Initially, there are players near each corner of the 18. At one corner there is a wing (with ball) and a trailing defender. The player at the other corner will make the near post run. An extra player can be added to support the attack from the corner of the opposite 18. This player must ensure that no missed or long crosses gets by him.

Action:

1. Player on wing dribbles to end line (turning towards the near post along the channel). The wing should take the dribble to goal (along the goalline) if the defender allows it. The other attacker makes a hard near post run, to about 2-3 yards off the goalline, just inside the near post. The cross should be delivered knee high or below, usually with pace.
2. Add a far post run, preferably from the center about 25 yards out. The run must be wide and initially away from ball. This player should get wide of the far post be at least 12 yards off the goalline. It is critical that he not get to close to the goalline. Add a defender to pick up the near post run. We want the wing to recognize the near post is not available and cross the ball to the far post man. The near post run should continue on through.
3. Add a third attacker who runs to about the 12 yard area (penalty mark). The wing is play a back angle to this spot, normally this is a low ball. A defender is added to pick up the far post run.
4. Allow the two defenders to pick up whomever they want. The wing has to decide which is the proper pass.
5. Set up the same channel of cones on both wings angling towards two goals about 40 yards apart (see below). Put a wing player in each flank area and play 3v3+1 neutral offensive player. The ball must be played to the flank on each possession then put back into the seam for a scoring opportunity.

Is soccer a sport that has benefits? It certainly is and it is especially good for children and youth.

Many children today have health risks due to obesity and inactivity. Soccer is a sport that encourages kids to turn off the T.V., get off the couch and get some exercise.

Soccer is exercise and it is also fun. When kids play soccer they learn discipline and how to get along with others. They may also decide to play other sports and this leads to a more active lifestyle. These are habits that result in healthier living as the child grows older.

Children who play soccer may also enjoy watching soccer. Not only will they be able to learn more about the game but they may find excellent role models.

Soccer is a game that is equally fun for boys and girls. They burn calories and increase muscle mass. Kids who play sports are more likely to learn how to eat properly and to think in terms of which foods will do the most for them.

Playing soccer is a way to make friends and being involved promotes self-esteem. Athletes are often more careful about taking care of themselves and avoiding habits that can detract from their game. Self confidence and pride are other positive results of soccer. Soccer players develop a team attitude and become protective of each other. They care about the other team members and look out for them in other areas of life besides soccer.

Kids who play soccer in small towns or begin playing when they are young are often part of coed teams. This is a plus for everyone involved and doesn’t happen in most other sports. Boys learn about respecting girls and everyone benefits from this. When boys and girls learn to work together as equals, lessons are being learned that will serve both sexes well.

Soccer is a game of skill and one that has many benefits, especially for those who play the game.

The 30-member shortlist of the Ballon d’Or award for 2008 has been announced and although the usual suspects are all there, a couple of the biggest names in world football have been left out.

Both Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry have been ignored from the 30-memmber list but that doesn’t come as a surprise. While the Brazilian international midfield ace suffered his most torid season in 2007-2008, Henry too failed to discover his usual form in his first season in La Liga for Catalan giants FC Barcelona.

The likes of Kaka, Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are all there. The winner of the prestigious award shall be chosen in a poll conducted among 96 journalists from around the world by the France Football magazine.

These are the players who have been shortlisted for the European Player of the Year 2008 award:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Togo.
Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Argentine.
Andreï Archavine (Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg), Russia.
Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Germany.
Karim Benzema (Lyon), France.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin), Italy.
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Portugal.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Ivory Coast.
Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelone), Cameroon.
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Spain.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Spain.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), England.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Sweden.
Kaka (Milan AC), Brazil.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea), England.
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone), Argentina.
Pepe (Real Madrid), Portugal.
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), France.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), England.
Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Spain.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Spain.
Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Italy.
Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Netherlands.
Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV puis Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Serbia.
David Villa (Valence CF), Spain.
Xavi (FC Barcelone), Spain.
Youri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscou), Russia.