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2013 Section MeetingCoaching Workshop

Off the Ball Movement and

Decision Making

Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Think about this:Coaches spend a great deal of time working on

their player’s technical ability.

Coaches should understand that tactical play is just as critical in player development as is technical ability.

That means what?…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

All coaches must teach their players:

To play off the ball…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

All training must be small sided 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 maybe 6v6.

Why? Players who have played short-sided games havea greater understanding of what playing off the ball means.

Short-sided play allows children to play.

Young soccer players need special consideration…4

Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Why small sided training:Concentration span is limited, so frequent changes of pace and activity is essential.

By changing an activity just a little bit it changes the requirements of runs off the ball.

Short –sided play is an exceptional tool for player discovery.

Short –sided play gives players immediate feedback on good runs on the ball as well as poor play off the ball…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Every training session a coach conducts must be about decisions on and off the ball. Playing off the ball is all about decisions -

The ballThe playerTheir teammate The opponentThe goalThe time…

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Me

TeammateOpponent

TimeUp a GoalDown a Goal

Goal DefendingGoal Attacking

And read it all in seconds!

Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Every player must have a full (age appropriate) understanding of the “Principles of Play” and the coach must incorporate the principles of play into every training session…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making“Principles of Play”

Attacking PrinciplesPenetration

DepthWidth

MobilityCreativity

Defending Principles

DelayDepth

ConcentrationBalance

Composure9

Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Players must have an understanding of the roles required of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd support.

Players become more effective off the ball ifthey have a true understanding of their roles

and responsibilities on and off the ball…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

First Attacker:Penetrate with the ballGet the ball quickly to the back of the defense by:

Dribbling Passing Shooting…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Second Attacker:Support first Attacker (depth)

Prepare to defendSee all near ballPrepare to switch with third Attacker (mobility)Draw Defender away from the middle (width)…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Third Attacker:Defeat principles of defense by:

Rotating with second attacker (mobility)Working to create numbers (mobility/creativity)Working to create space (mobility/creativity)Creating defensive confusion (mobility/creativity)…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

First Defender:Delay the attackEstablish appropriate marking distanceTackle the ball when supportedDeny spaceProtect the goal…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Second Defender:Support first defenderPrepare to become first defenderDeny dangerous passReduce good shooting anglesWatch first attacker and the ball…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Third Defender:Create balanceDefend where attack may appearMark attacker Restrict spaceRegain ball possession…

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First AttackerPenetrate with ballGet the ball quickly to the back of the defense by Drribbling Passing Shooting

Third Attacker Defeat principles of defense by Rotating with second attacker Working to create numbers Working to create space Creating defensive confusion

First Defender Delay Establish appropriate marking distance Tackle the ball when supported Deny space Protect the goal

Second Defender Support first defender Prepare to become first defender Deny dangerous pass Reduce good shooting angles Watch first attacker and ball

Second Attacker Support first attacker Prepare to defend See all near ball Prepare to switch with third attacker (mobility) Draw defender away from the middle (Width)

Third Defender Create balance Defend where attack may appear (space) Mark attacker and restrict space (Concentration) Regain ball possession

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Activities for training players to play on and off the ball:

Recognize: Play off the ball Playing off the ball decisionsWhich “Principles of Play” are involved How to include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd support or both attacking and defending play…

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RunDribble

Run

Dribble

Why?What Principles of Play

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20 X 15 yard grid2v1 Goals on end line

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Coach serves

4v4 or 3v3 Zone game point for every ball passed or dribbledinto the zone on a 40x30 grid

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Server

Run

15x15Server

WHY?

What Principle(s) of Play?

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30 X 15 yard grid

4v4 Goals on end line

Pa ss

Pa ss

Pa ss

Sho t

Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Points to remember:1v1 provides no off the ball training

But, keep in mind, that all players should try to create 1v1 play

You must train 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 or 6v6…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Summary:What playing off the ball isWhat playing off the ball should look

likeHow to train players to play off the

ball…

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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making

Any questions?

Thank you!

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