FIFA Laws of the Game
As Modified By U.S. Youth Soccer & SYS
For Youth Play and Small Sided Games
Rob Berkowitz
The NSCAA Convention 2010
Philadelphia
This past weekend I attended the NSCAA Convention in
Field Session - Success in Winning the Break Away Save by Tony DiCicco:
Level
High School
Any time I have the opportunity to watch a session by
Tony Dicicco I do my best to take advantage of it.
In my opinion Tony is one of the pioneers in goalkeeper training in
the
The topic of break away saves is always a difficult one to train our keepers for. Tony discussed the 3 different options to resolve the 1V1 situation.
- Win the ball early – with no confronation
- Smother – confronation as the striker has control or is just out of control of the ball
- Play first defender – pressure the ball looking for the attacker to make a mistake.
Warm up included sitting and standing activities with the goalkeeper serving the ball to themselves. Next balls were scattered around the field and the goalkeeper had to make to breakaway saves on his command. The last phase of the warm up was the mirror game with the goalkeeper having the ball on the ground controlling the ball with their hands and their partner followed and mirrored the activity.
In the actual training phase the keepers were put into more live situations. First with only one attacker who was instructed to go up and over through balls were played toward goal. Next the play was live to the goal; attacking player and the keeper with the only rule being the attacker had to dribble forward. The last part of the session included 1 defender, 1 attacker and the goal keeper. The trio had to deal with through balls in a match related situation
Field Session – Skill: Is it the Poison or Antidote to the Game?
By Macky Chenia Asst. Coach South Africa U-20 National Team (Level All)
The focus of the session was channeling spontaneous play to fit into a team structure. A basic warm up with the ball was performed in a 15X15 box. The players were instructed to perform different technical movements, combination plays and runs. The main session was built around 3 zone game. The two teams were set up in different formations; 4:3:3 and 4:4:2. Creativity was encourage until the “moment to play” was on. Different restrictions regarding the 3 zones were implemented and removed as the session progressed. There was an obvious desire by the coach to have a structure in the session that both limited creativity and encouraged it at the same time. This was accomplished by frequent stops and restarts and the overall organization of the session.
Dave Cartwright
When should my child play Travel Soccer ?
For some of you in our program at the U7/U8/U9 level you will be approached or hear about other organizations in the area playing travel soccer at U9 or younger. Below you will find the theories we adopted from the United States Soccer Federation and the United States Youth Soccer Association and truly believe it the most stimulating environment so the players can grow, build confidence and express their autonomy, as well as the reasons why you should not play travel soccer at this crucial age group. It is important that if you are approached and if you don't want to take our word for it research this with the USSF, USYSA, and our state organizations who are all firmly against Travel Soccer at the following ages. (U6,U7,U8,U9). Here are their websites www.ussoccer.com www.usyouthsoccer.org www.epysa.org also please visit one of our partners from England for more insight at www.giveusbackourgame.co.uk
Most countries in the world begin large sided at 12-14 years of age, there are some that play 11 v 11 at age 11, but it is rare and they are usually Academy teams (PROFESSIONAL YOUTH SECTOR TEAMS). However more and more the countries federations (Governing Bodies) are stepping in and sanctioning to ensure the small sided game is being played worldwide.
What we have to understand is that the fundamentals of the game prepare the players for the large sided game. Playing small sided ensures the fundamentals are being met (More touches on the ball, young players being forced to make decisions frequently and repetitively, the ability to express their autonomy) and these are vital components of the game for the player that they don't get at 8v8 or 11v11 at the young ages.
If you take a 60 minute match at the ages we are discussing and break it down:
· 5 minutes for half time
· 15 minutes for the ball being out of bounds
· 8 minutes to allow for substitutions
· 6 minutes to allow for referee stoppages
Add them up and we have a 34 minute game. Let's say you play in the local travel league at U9, you can travel in upwards of 1 hour each way and sometimes more. (Keep this in mind as we continue).
So we have a 34 minute match and let's say you are playing 8v8 (not including Subs) on each team. So, 16 players in total are on the field. Now let's say that everyone is at the same level on the field and the distribution of the ball is even between all 16 players. We want to figure out how much time each player has the ball at his/ her feet, which will relate to the amount of touches which links to the development of the 5 aspects of the game.
The amount of time each player has the ball at his/her feet is 2.1 minutes beginning to end. Remember this is not counting the substitutes and fantasizing that the ball is being distributed fairly amongst all players.
Let's review! There are organizations that you will see advertised or you will be approached regarding U9 tryouts for travel football. This will be an 8v8 team with about 14 on a team. You will have to travel as far as 1 hour or more so you can see your young athlete touch the ball for 2.1 minutes and this is generous.
Dave Cartwright
