U17 Boys - Moving with the ball

This afternoon we had a session with the U17 Welland boys.  My goal was to get into a small sided game and work on shape and moving with the ball. 

We started off with a dynamic warm-up then some turning exercises.  Lots of turns, all the time.  :-)

We then moved them to a functional drill when we set up a grid approx 60yds long and 20yds wide to simulate a slice of field that 4 defenders might use to work the ball around the back.  We had 2 grids facing each other.

We started with the boys moving the ball back and forth, working on their shape and technique and how to properly execute the sequence.  All players were to make their first touch/look forward looking to attack (head up, eyes probing), then turn and pass to support.  Both sides were doing it, facing each other with no defenders.

We then put a passive defender in there just moving with the ball and forcing some decisions by the 4 players.  We then took one ball out and each team had a target player in the opposite grid.  So the ball was being moved around looking to play a ball to the target.  Most times he wasn't open so the ball had to be turned moved to support, quickly.  To make it more realistic, I worked on the defensive shape of the other team to set the stage.  The target player when you were in possession was a defending players when the other team was in possession, pressuring "high".

The next progression was 2 target men (also acting as high pressure) and this was forcing the ball to move quicker and sooner.  We were getting some success and the players were feeling their success.  Some players struggled with the idea of the wide players staying wide in possession so I demonstrated how they are important support for the target players if they are stuck.  Shape is EVERYTHING in this exercise.

The next progression was having the 2 target men and one extra cross into the grid when defending.  Now it was 4v3 but the 2 target men now had one less defender in that half, making them easier targets.

Was it a smash success?  No.  Did they make progress and improve?  I would say yes.  During a brief question and answer session the coaches realized the players were getting the idea.  They understood that sometimes they were under immense pressure receiving the ball because the shape was collapsing and they were taking away their own space.

Coaching points:

• Shape and movement depending on where the ball is
• Quick-early-accurate passes
• Receiving the ball with first touch/look forward.  Long first touch when there is space in front
• Eyes up and probing looking for forward options
• Set up defensive shape to make possession more realistic
• No square balls

When we moved to our small sides game, we introduced how the shape of the back players would form in different situations and how the midfielders and strikers had to move with the ball so there was always support and better chances to keep possession if there was no forward option.  The GK was a part of that shape movement.  Before starting the game we did a quick run through of what we might look like as the ball moves around.

Coaching points during the game:

• Same points as the functional exercise
• Look to move the ball forward when the option is there and continue moving with the ball, as a unit

I have to think more about what I could improve here.  There are a number of things.  With this age, the boys are fun and work hard, I just can't be sure of numbers and that throws things off.  I adapted my original plan and it worked well, I just prefer knowing as much as possible before showing up.  I left the balls in my trunk and the weather turned cold quickly last night and I forgot to check the air in them before arrival.  We had a pump, but it's still not professional. My coaching position was not good for the functional part as I got in the way a few times.  I will have to make note of that on my plans to remind me.

The other coaches had good points to make and I need to remember to integrate them more into the delivery of the session.

It's frustrating not having these players more often, but high school soccer is very busy and we don't want players breaking down and falling behind with school.  My hope is that they apply this info form our sessions into their play for their schools.