Tips when Coaching
Main techniques in modern soccer
Dr. Javier Perez is one of the few European coaches holding the UEFA PRO licence and a PhD in Exercise Physiology. With qualifications from the Spanish and English FA he coached for 6 years at Real Madrid. He also worked at the Spanish FA as part of the management team for the Master licence for senior soccer coaches.
In the last few years the game has experienced important changes. Players are faster, stronger and armed with advanced tactics, which make teams more competitive. Quickness seems to be the main characteristic that has changed in the last few years. Quite often the increase of speed in the game is due not to the physical capacity but to the mastery of individual and collective soccer techniques.
The past Euro 2008 Championship has been one of the most exciting soccer competitions in the last few years due to the quality of competitors and diversity of the styles. Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Russia are some of the nations showing attractive styles. Fortunately it shows a good defense alone does not seem to be enough to win the tournament.
The game became more sophisticated as a consequence of young skillful players arising in recent years. Tactics and formations seemed to be paramount, however the evolution of the game and the new tendencies after the Euro 2008 demonstrates again that technique is a key part of the game. Some of the Soccer Federations like the FA (England) noticed the increasing influence of technical players in the game and they have recently launched a skills development program around the country. We highlight the main techniques below in line with the current level of excellence in world-class players:
- Ball control
- Passing & receiving
- 1v1 techniques
- Shooting & finishing
BALL CONTROL
First touch and body shape to receive is key for good control. Often the best players in control of the ball are those with excellent attitude and explosive movements prior to receiving the ball. It is also important for the players to experiment and make contact with the ball using different parts of the body: inside, laces or outside of the foot are the main surfaces of contact but also use other parts of the body i.e. the chest, thigh or the head.
In order to secure possession most of the time the ball will travel on the ground. Therefore, short passes at speed can build the early stage of a strong offensive style of play. Aerial balls and long passes will be harder to control. For this reason accuracy and speed of the short pass is key to developing good control. The leitmotiv for this technique is 'keep it simple'.
Practice to develop ball control:
| TITLE: | OVERLOAD POSSESSION |
| Number of players: | 15 players - 3 teams of 5 players |
| Space: | 60x20 yards - 3 squares of 20x20 yards |
| Description: |
Three teams of 5 players, each team allocated a square. The blue team keeps possession of the ball. Every 5 successful passes 1 red "defender" from the square beside enters with the intention of recovering the ball. Initially this produces a 5v1 situation. When the blue team reaches another 5 consecutive passes, a 2nd red player enters to create 5v2 The game finishes when reaching either a 5v5 situation or when the red team recovers and transfers the ball successfully to his/her original square. The attacking team will score as many points as defenders are inside the square when possession is lost. |
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| Rules: |
When the team in possession of the ball makes 5 passes one more defender is allowed to enter into the square joining their teammates to recover the possession. The defending team needs to recover and transfer the ball successfully to its own square in order to change from defending team to attacking team. One defender inside the square means 1 point, 2 defenders 2 points etc. After every 4 possessions change the team in the middle square. This team will be in action 100% of the time without rest periods. |
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| Variations in relation to the level of the players: | - Beginners | Free touches allowed. |
| - Advanced | Only 2 touches allowed. Score every 3 passes. | |
| - Excellence | Only 1 touch allowed. Reduce the space to 15x15 or 10x10 yards. | |
PASSING & RECEIVING
A wide range of passing and receiving techniques is indispensable in modern soccer. These 2 techniques are inseparable, mainly because a good pass will give a better chance of good reception. Outfield players must be masters of short, mid and long distance passes in order to allow for quick play. Excellent receiving technique is a desirable quality, particularly for strikers. Good reception inside the penalty box is key to be able to position the ball to shoot on goal.
Also important for young players is the perception of space and movement. For this reason they should practice exercises with multiple choice of pass. It will help to develop their decision- making skills.
Practice to develop passing & receiving techniques:
| TITLE: | SHORT, MID & LONG DISTANCE PASSES |
| Number of players: | 10 to 14 players |
| Space: | 30x20 yards |
| Description: |
The green players on the outside must play one touch only. The blue players play a long pass to either of the 2 players on the opposite side when receiving the ball from one of the players inside the grid. When receiving a long pass from the other side they should control the ball and pass to one of the players inside of the square. Players inside the grid have no restrictions of movement or touches. |
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| Rules: |
Players making an accurate pass and the receiver having good control of the ball are rewarded with 1 point. Defenders are only allowed to tackle players inside the square. |
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| Variations in relation to the level of the players: | - Beginners | No opposition and smaller space 20x15 yards. |
| - Advanced | 2 players give opposition to the players inside the space. | |
| - Excellence | Only 2 touches allowed for players inside of the space. Defenders are allowed to tackle any player inside or outside the square. | |
1v1 TECHNIQUES
Attacking and defending techniques in 1v1 situations is key to finding out how competitive the players are individually and ultimately as a team. Many 1v1 situations can be avoided with a good pass and good movement off the ball. However, skilled players can make a difference when 1v1 in the final third of the field.
The main recommendation is to keep dribbling simple but effective. A trick or feint may be needed to unbalance the defender followed by acceleration to get away and/or an end product of a pass, cross or shot.
| TITLE: | 1v1 PASSING OR BEATING THE OPPONENT |
| Number of players: | 8 players |
| Space: | 20x10 yards |
| Description: |
2 players behind each of the 4 gates. The player in possession of the ball will make a pass or dribble the ball to one of the 2 gates in front of him. The defender will be the player in the gate just in front of the player in possession of the ball. The defender must run forward as quick as possible in order to reduce the angle of the player in possession of the ball. |
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| Rules: |
If the player in possession of the ball make a proper pass to any of the 2 players behind of the 2 gates in front will score 1 point. If the player in possession of the ball beat the opponent and dribble the ball to any of the 2 gates will score 2 points. The defender can recover the ball or send out of the space the ball. Then the action will be over and the defender will be rewarded with 1 point if he sends out the ball or 2 points if he controls the ball. |
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| Variations in relation to the level of the players: | - Beginners | Focus in creating an angle to make the pass in front. |
| - Advanced | Focus in the first touch forward and outside or inside touch when facing the defender. | |
| - Excellence | Focus in the feint just before beating the defender. | |
SHOOTING & FINISHING
Only some of the players used to be specialized in this technique. However, due to current soccer characteristics, any player could be in a potential situation to score. For this reason it is important to encourage all young players to improve this technique.
Using the laces/instep will be the most appropriate surface of the foot to shoot with power. Players have to provide the biggest surface of contact of the foot when kicking the ball. As important as contact with the ball, is the position of the body. Keeping the upper body rigid when shooting will provide more control on the ball. Shooting experts, like Milinko Pantic (Atletico de Madrid - Spain; 1995-1998), recommends to place the non-kicking foot just beside the ball.
| TITLE: | RUNNING WITH THE BALL AND SHOOTING UNDER PRESSURE |
| Number of players: | 16 players. |
| Space: | 60x40 yards field with 2 goals. |
| Description: |
The attacker is in the wide area and closer to the goal. On coach's command the player has to run with the ball at speed and shoot before the defender tackles him/her. The defender has to try to reach the attacker before shooting on target. |
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| Rules: |
Attackers must run and strike directly on goal and cannot stop the ball to dribble to beat the opponent. The attacker is rewarded with 1 point if shooting on target and 2 points if scoring. The defender is rewarded with 1 point avoiding the shooting and 2 points if recovering and controlling the ball. |
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| Variations in relation to the level of the players: | - Beginners | No opposition to ensure the right technique. |
| - Advanced |
The defenders start a few meters behind the attacker. There are 2 commands. The first one for the attacker and another 1 second later for the defender. |
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| - Excellence | The defenders start at the same distance from the goal as the attacker. | |
Most techniques are based on simplicity and efficiency. The ideal player will use fewer touches with the ball to accomplish a specific mission: control the ball, passing, beat an opponent or shooting. Players with the capacity to be effective are usually the most valuable and easier to integrate in a team. Soccer is a collective sport and an individual player is a piece in the engine of the team. Therefore, increasing the quality of the players individually will maximize the performance of the team.
