WELCOME…

... to the new issue of Soccer

Coach Weekly. We’ve got some
terrific game-based insight in this
issue. Our main exercise shows
the value of switching play, while
pass movement without ball the featured small-sided game

w e e k ly
on page 5 involves rampaging
shot neutrals. And Willem II coach
May 25 2011 ›› Issue 213 Marck Cieraad reveals the Dutch
Under 4s - Under 16s pass movement without ball philosophy behind 4v4.
Enjoy the issue...
shot
pass movement without ball
Switched on shot
A switching session that teaches players how to make the most of attacking space...
When their team is on the attack, young players need to be alert to
the possibilities of switching play from one side of the pitch to the other. Switched on
It’s a tactic relied upon by every professional football team and takes
craft, vision and confidence.
It works so well because of the need for defending teams to play a 1
pressing, compact line in the modern game. That makes them
susceptible to the switch and the potential of being caught out.
That’s why it’s crucial for attacking players to know when and how to
switch – either by a long pass or a series or quick, short balls from one
side of the pitch to the other.
In this exercise your players first have to work out how many ways
they can get the ball from one end man to another. They’ll then move on
to put that technique into practice in scoring points.

How to set it up:

• For this practice you’ll need bibs, balls and cones. The session uses Each team practises moving the
three teams of four players. ball from one side to the other
• Create a 30x15-yard area split into three equal zones.
• In the middle zone, mark out three gates along each line across the
pitch. These should be one yard wide, and evenly spaced along the line. 2
Getting started:
• Start by getting the teams to work out all the combinations of play
that can ensure the ball moves from one side of the pitch to the other in
their groups... so either a long ball across, passes to each man
individually etc.
• Get them to switch positions.
• Practise this for five minutes.
• Then split the middle row of players into two teams of two.
• One team defends the three gates towards the top of the area, while
the other team defends the other three gates towards the bottom. Now the middle zone players split, with
each group of two protecting three goals
• The outside teams must pass the ball within their area and score
points by putting it through an empty gate, but any scoring effort must
be passed through the gate.
• Rotate teams every five minutes and play for a total of 15 minutes, 3
seeing how well attackers switch play and defenders cope with the
demands of a versatile strikeforce.

Developing the session:

• In a 36x20-yard area with a goal and goalkeeper at both ends, play
4v4 with two neutral players who run the lines but cannot go onto the
pitch.
• Teams play a standard game, but must involve a neutral player in
every attack.
• Play for 10 minutes.
The neutral player on the wing
Why this works: switches play to good effect
Getting players used to switching play encourages them to use the
technique in matches, and in this session you are showing them how
and when to make the correct decision. In the main game, having three pass movement without ball
goals protected by only two defenders means attackers will always be shot
keen to hunt out space in which they can score.

Soccer Coach Weekly 1

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a
WARM-UP
Pass and move
How to set it up: l Passing
Pass and move

elements
l Create a playing area measuring 15x10
l Reactions

Key
yards, divided into two halves.
l Put three, four or five players and a ball l Movement Players pass then move
in each zone. into the other half
l One player from each zone starts with l Awareness
the ball.

Getting started:
l The players are only allowed to use one touch.
l The player in each zone who starts with the ball must make a pass then run
into the other zone.
l Once in the other zone they, like all other players, must use a one-touch pass
to a team mate when the ball comes their way.
l As soon as they do that, they run into the other zone.
l See how long the warm-up continues before a pass is mislaid, or a player is
forced to take two touches.
l Tell your players to have a picture mentally upon receiving the ball: “Know
who you are going to pass to”.

Why this works:

This is a busy and surprisingly demanding warm-up that is more taxing
mentally than it is physically. With the modern game becoming more technical,
mental agility will only rise in importance, and this warm-up rehearses players
in knowing what’s around them at all times.
They’ll be keeping their heads up and will create pictures of play in
movement without ball pass
their minds. Carrying through such creativity into match situations can
produce tremendous results.

TOOLS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES competition

Tackling... the problem
Despite talk that tackling is dying out in
›› the modern game, coaches should be
as focused as ever on the issue of players
winning possession correctly.
And the first lesson to teach your kids is
that they can’t carry out a tackle before they
get in range. That means quickly closing
down an opponent’s space. Once that’s
done, there are several ways a player can
be dispossessed or stopped, but timing is
crucial, so tacklers have to recognise the
best moment to make a challenge. That
could be when the other player is off
balance, has allowed the ball to run too far
in front, or is looking at the ball.
How to coach it
If any of these situations arise, coach your
players the following technique:
l Plant the non-tackling foot firmly on the
ground to provide an anchor
l Let the tackling foot make contact with
the middle of the ball – like a side-foot pass
– and be in an L-shape
l Get all their strength and weight behind
the ball
l Get their head down over the ball
l Keep eyes on the ball
coaching children
l Bend the knees
Win a pair of
l Lock solid the knee and ankle – to
maintain strength and to avoid injury
football boots!
l Be well balanced As a football coach,
l Show a committed attitude you’ll be used to all
l Ideally, put a foot under the ball to the attention being
lift it away layered on your
“Timing is crucial, players, but it shouldn’t
always be like that! Soccer
so players have to Coach Weekly has again teamed up
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To be in with a chance of winning
the boots, simply tell us the nationality
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Email james.evans@coach-soccer.com
with your answer. Competition closes
May 31. Full details available at
www.greenstarmedia.net/terms

Soccer Coach Weekly 2

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THE ART OF COACHING CHILDREN

May the fours be with you

Why the Dutch 4v4 small-sided game forms such a crucial part of youth players’
development – an exclusive interview with Willem II youth-team coach Marck Cieraad.

PROFILE
Marck Cieraad is one of the youngest
30
academy coaches in Dutch football. He
currently tutors in academy football at
Willem II and RCK Waaljwik.

‘The Dutch 4v4’ is a small-sided game

›› blueprint that has been at the heart of
producing a vast array of talented
individuals. The philosophy behind it is
three-fold – it maximises involvement in
soccer situations because there is rarely an
escape from the action, and it represents

50
something that is at the heart of Dutch
coaching – that training exercises are
always based on situations that occur in
matches. It is the Dutch way to pick out The 4v4 small-
problems during the match, create similar sided game set-up
training models, and use them to develop
the players. Finally, a 4v4 game is so well
balanced it can provide two different “It is the Dutch way to pick out problems during
the match and use them to develop the players.”
threads of research – one for coaching and
one for scouting.

Set-up:
The 4v4 game is played in an area
measuring 50x30 yards, with a goal at each
end two yards wide. There are no keepers.
Players operate in a small unit. This means
they can switch from defence to attack, and
from wide areas to the middle, in only a few
paces.
After a goal, play restarts with a goal kick
or a dribble from the goal line. All balls that
go out to the side are tapped back into play
with a pass to a team mate, while free-kicks
are indirect. There are no offsides and
penalties are taken from the halfway line.
The theory:
Using this means you have created the
smallest possible formation which still has
all three lines: attack, midfield and defence.
But we still see all elements of ground play,
combinations, and the notion that the ball
should be the thing doing the work.
Although creativity is important, team play is
the biggest element.
The practice:
Four-a-side matches are relentlessly
intensive, meaning that players get used to
cooperating with each other, can fine-tune
visual and tactical aspects, and get used to
playing at high intensity. Because scenarios
develop so quickly, children learn the dos
If you wish to discuss the 4v4 game – or Dutch youth coaching in general – in more detail with
Marck, please email him at marckcieraad@home.nl.
and don’ts of the game through constant
repetition.
4v4 for training:
As discussed, all three specialisms are
tested. In addition, we coach the players to
take maximum advantage of one-twos and
triangle combinations, thus develop team play.
4v4 for scouting:
Normally a player will start to learn he is part
of a team at the age of 12 – it’s the age at
which his social skills begin to flourish.
However, when we see a very young player
- say between the ages of 5 and 7 - using
combinations in 4v4 it offers a strong indication
that we are looking at a talented individual.
As part of the academy process:
In Holland’s professional academies training
is set up in modules, of which 4v4 is one. Each
module showcases tasks which develop
particular skills. Four or more trainers each give
a particular exercise, and every 7-10 minutes
players rotate to the next task. Over the year all
the exercises together bring the player to a
certain level designed to prepare him for an
11v11 match.
The development of the players is monitored
all the time, with improvements (or lack of
improvement) discussed and evaluated. At the
end of the season players are either invited for
the next year or have to leave the academy.
The legacy:
All youth coaches start with the principle
of 4v4 and develop young players’ games
from there. In the time a player is part of a
professional youth academy, our focus is
never on competition. The goal is to make
the team better as a whole, while focusing
added attention on those extraordinary one
or two talents that might be able to join the
first team.
I don’t believe the Dutch setup for
professional soccer academies is matched
anywhere in the world. The attention to
detail in terms of coaching is as important
as it is to the players. As a trainer at a youth
academy, I work about 40-60 hours a week.
Over years to come new technology will
play a greater part during academy
education in the sense of monitoring
improvement rather than specifically
improving a player – that’s still for the coach
to do!
In future, it will also become more difficult
for a player to move into coaching at the
end of his career. This is because young
footballers are now hanging up their boots
to begin coaching – some as young as 15.
That means former pros coming into the
game have two decades’ worth of tutoring
to catch up on.

Soccer Coach Weekly 3

 w e e k ly
DAVID CLARKE’S TOUCHLINE TALES
The chairman of our club rang me a
›› couple of weeks ago and said he had
three players who wanted to join the age
group I coach. “You’d be doing me a
favour if you at least gave them a trial,” he
pleaded with me.
I have no problem with new players
coming along to training - and I had a great
opportunity to give them a run-out because
it’s ‘tournament season’.
For the first of these tournaments we
had a few players away on holiday, so I put
the three new players in my team – it was a
six-a-side affair, so each would be able to
have plenty of influence on matters.
The three boys played well, but I did get
a voice in my ears from one of the parents.
“He doesn’t play in defence, hasn’t anyone
told the coach?” it began.
I didn’t have any idea where they played,
other than that they could play left or right
midfield – which is what they told me.
However in the first game the player I
had tried out in defence performed well.
THIS WEEK’S COACH: Tanya Scott GROUP: Girls
Tanya is a Level 2 coach and community football officer from Bournemouth
Q One of my girls recently became
frustrated by a couple of her team
mates’ inability to pass in attacks. The
girl has now said she doesn’t want to
play anymore. Any advice?
Trevor Ware, Bromley
A Frustration in children very often works
its way to the surface in football – sport
is something they care about, and that’s a
valuable thing to have in your grasp.
I doubt that one incident alone has led to
this player withdrawing herself from the
group, so you need to find out more.
Maybe you need to really reemphasise
the fact that football is a team game, and
that the other members of the squad need
her as much as she needs them - because if
she’s not there next time, who’s going to put
the ball in the back of the net?
It’s worth mentioning too that sport is
about improving, and maybe those other
members of the team could do with her
help?
Soccer Coach Weekly is published by Green Star Media Ltd, Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, UK.
Email: james.evans@coach-soccer.com Tel: +44 (0)1483 892894 Fax: +44 (0)1483 894148 Editor: James Evans Publisher: Kevin Barrow Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths
Customer Service: Duncan Heard Designer: Isobel Cardew Contributors: David Clarke, Paul Dargan, Chris Galea © Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
The voices in your ears
“You don’t play in defence but you’ll just have
to get on with it and do your best,” continued
the voice.
I looked at the player and we both laughed.
“’Not in defence
again,’ shouted the
voice, dangerously
close to my ear.”
“Haven’t you ever played in defence?” I asked
him. “Oh, yes” he replied. “Will you play there
in the next game?” I asked, and he told me he
was more than happy to.
“Not in defence again,” shouted the voice,
dangerously close to my ear.
The player had a great first half covering,
closing down and intercepting. At half time I
swapped him with one of the other new
players who had been in midfield. “That’s
scw Surgery
Q I have an Under-14s girls team - great
in possession and going forward, but
we are not scoring enough. What do you
recommend for hitting more goals?
Alfonso Gomez, Diamond Bar, USA
A
‘Practice makes perfect’ is not just a
cliché. Make sure that the players are
rehearsing their shooting in all training sessions
and, if needs be, do extra sessions or individual
tuition with them.
They are obviously creating the chances and
getting into good positions – I would be more
worried if my side were not carving out those
opportunities in the first place. Have you tried
different approaches to normal – receiving with
their back to goal, attempting more headers,
shooting from long range? Sometimes trying
something different not only produces results in
its own right, but it takes the pressure off the
player’s normal game.
We know that strikers thrive on confidence,
and you could just be waiting for the floodgates
to open.
better,” called out the voice, “now you can
show them what you can do!”
And to be fair he played well in that
position too. But my point is that players
will eventually find the role on the pitch that
suits them best. No position is more
important than any other and parents must
realise that. If a player makes a good
defender the parent should support that.
And there’s no shame in playing in any
position - try telling Ashley Cole that he’s
‘stuck in defence’.
So my advice is
always to ignore the
voices in your ears.
Eventually the
penny will drop
and the parent
will accept your
decisions
because the
team must
come first.
Q I’m being told by a couple of other
coaches that if we encourage
youngsters to use both feet, they will
never become truly proficient with either
foot. Is there any substance to this?
Anne Gregson, Hayes
A You hear this said by supposed experts
from time to time; it has been
discussed on and off for a few years.
As a theory, it’s pretty difficult to prove
or disprove it either way. You’ll never know
how well a player would have done in
any aspect of their game if they’d practised
differently.
Personally, I wouldn’t dwell on it. Instead,
why not look at the positives? If you have
players who show potential with both feet
then invest your time devising tactical
ploys that will make the most of their
abilities. Have them switching flanks,
encourage them to take free-kicks from
both sides of the pitch and promote their
dribbling prowess.
Got a question for SCW Surgery?
Email it in to us at james.evans@coach-soccer.com
Soccer Coach Weekly 4
 w e e k ly

small-sided game
Wide and central advantage pass
shot
player movement
N neutral
An intensive attacking game that uses neutral players in provoking versatile attacking options...
pass
shot
player movement
N neutral
pass player movement
How to set it up: l Attacking shot N neutral
l Create a playing area measuring 50x30 yards. Wide and central advantage

Skills
N
l For this small-sided game, you’ll need six l Defending
N
cones, two goals and a supply of balls.
l In the middle of the pitch, mark an 8-yard
l Stamina 1 The black
N
N N shorts
playing area using the cones. l Teamwork use the
N
l There are 12 outfield players (three teams of N wide
three plus three neutral players), plus two goals with a keeper in each. N
N player to
l Each team of three starts in a separate zone. score
l Two of the neutral players operate in one half off the side of the pitch,
while the other neutral is in the other half on the pitch.

The rules:
l The team in the central zone commences the game by attacking either of
N
the opponent’s goals.
l Going in one direction, they can use the two wide neutral players to get 2 Then
N they
crosses into the box - when a cross comes from one side, the opposite wide attack
N
‘neutral’ can get into the box to score. the white
l If a goal is scored, the attacking trio returns to the central zone, receives a N team
N
new ball from the coach, and attacks the opposite goal. using the
l Going in the opposite direction, the neutral is on the pitch and works as N
N central
an extra forward making a 4v3 overload. neutral
N
N
l If the defenders win the ball or manage to stop the attacking team player
scoring, they break out to the central zone to receive a ball from the coach
and attack.
l Play the game for 20 minutes. The winning team is the one to have scored
3 ...but fail
the most goals. N to score
and the
Why this game works: N
white team
While this is an all-action three-man attacking and defending game in one N
break
N
respect - rehearsing players in communicating well and showing strong out to
N N
teamwork values - the use of the neutrals adds a clever tactical element. N attack the
However, attacks in one direction encourage an awareness of wing play, N opposite
N
while in the other central moves provoke different challenges for defenders. N
goal
N
N
This game was taken from Soccer Attack! by Michael
Beale. Soccer Attack! contains 80 drills and games to pass player movement
develop shooting and finishing. Get your copy here: shot N neutral
www.coach-soccer.com/attack

N
N

Soccer Coach Weekly 5