There R No Tactics Without Technique

Do you know what famous Coach said that? Well, quite an accurate statement.

So, are we working on player techniques? (Also known as skill.) No, not enough. We are confused. It is a shame, as working on skill is so easy. Your biggest challenge is to keep your skill training from getting boring.

We are getting there, as pockets of soccer coaches and soccer organizations and clubs have the right idea and want to do the right thing. (Develop player skill from a young age.).

Who are the best players in the world? Who are the most skilled players in the world? Brazilians, Argentinians, Spaniards to name a few. What do these kids have in common? Time on the streets playing soccer. No formal structure, but complete, pressure free, freedom to play. Add in a lot of playing and a culture that makes the game bigger than life and you have a great environment for development. It's easy to implement without adults. Throw in adults and coaches and we can stunt the kids growth.

Until they reach a certain age, where proper tactical and technical detail keeps these talents sharp and productive in organized play.

So. what are we to do? Let's make sure they get to play a lot and the freedom to try things while playing. Maybe even lopsiding the play to encourage more attacking play, success and skill.

Good Luck!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Why do we love soccer?

As I sit here enjoying Christmas with my family and in-laws I cannot help but write this blog. When I was 6 my best friend's grandma had this great idea. Soccer! Let's sign the kids up! Well, with great support and a positive attitude from my coach I loved it. That with my travels to my mothers native land of Germany made me a fanatic. And here I am today 44 years later still in the game. Wow. What an adventure. Stick with it friends it gets better in time.

It started off as a player, then moved to coaching and now I am all of the above and also in the business of creating useful products for coaches and players.

It's a simple game but it's not easy. What? Does that make sense? It's not brain surgery but if you don't master the fundamental concepts you cannot have success. Wow! That's why the game is so intriguing and unpredictable.

Merry Christmas to all my soccer friends, peers and mentors. Here's to 2011.

JE

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Art of Attacking

Defensive schemes are easy to teach, however, attacking schemes, attacking tactics, attacking skills are more complex for players, teams and coaches.  But why?  Lets take  a look.

1) Attacking Play Requires Skill
2) Attacking Play Requires Creativity, Elusiveness, Risk, Confidence
3) Attacking Play Requires Speed (Tactical Speed, Technical Speed and Physical Speed)
4)  Attacking Play Requires a Higher Level of Tactical Understanding (Creating Space, Combining With Teammates, Timing of Runs, Knowing When To Serve, Dribble, Pass or Shoot)

Modern Day Defending

Defensive marking has changed!   It used to be easy, just follow your man.  But it has changed, now you must consider the space and the man.  It's zone defending which combines man marking and space marking creating a tighter defense.  Lets take a closer look:  

Is Crossing A Dying Art?

Paul Gardner and Soccer America make some interesting observations regarding the Art of Crossing. Do your players cross well?  Do you feel crossing is a dying art?

Start with a Team Meeting

Communication is the key to maximizing your team's success.  Always start your season with a quality team meeting.  Bad coaching and bad playing is inevitable but can be overcome with quality and heart felt communication, starting the first day of the new pre-season.  Introduce the team, the season, the opportunity, the challenge. Paint a pretty and powerful  picture of the season's potential.

Team Shape

Seems simple enough but I cannot say how often I notice bad team shape and slow or no reaction from the coach. I notice a team defending in its attacking shape. That seems to be the bigger issue. However a team attacking with its defensive shape is also noticed.

Pressure vs. No Pressure

As coaches we have been trained to get pressure on the ball. We often see a defensive player attacking their opponent (who has possession of the ball) without any other consideration. Sometimes we call for pressure because it has been drilled into us. But, at times, staying connected to your team is more important than pressure on the ball.