Technical and Tactical Technical and Tactical Applications of Small Sided Applications of Small Sided

GamesGamesLee CullipLee Cullip

Let the game be the teacherLet the game be the teacher

““The more closely training replicatesThe more closely training replicates

the real game, the easier players willthe real game, the easier players will

be able to transfer what they do inbe able to transfer what they do in

training to the real game.” training to the real game.”

NSCAA AcademyNSCAA Academy

Small Sided Games Should Small Sided Games Should Replicate Pieces of the Big GameReplicate Pieces of the Big Game

1.1. Teaching and Teaching and Reinforcing Reinforcing Technical SkillsTechnical Skills

a. Players improve a. Players improve technical ability by technical ability by continual repetition continual repetition within functional within functional frameworkframework..

11. i.e. left . i.e. left back into back into central midfield central midfield

playerplayer

Technical Skills cont…Technical Skills cont…

These technical skills These technical skills practiced in a 6v6 small practiced in a 6v6 small sided game can be sided game can be practiced repetitivelypracticed repetitively

Left back receiving ball Left back receiving ball from center backfrom center back

Timing of passTiming of pass Weight and accuracy of Weight and accuracy of

passpass Timing of midfield checkTiming of midfield check Receiving ball under Receiving ball under

pressurepressure Turning or ShieldingTurning or Shielding

Attacking and DefendingAttacking and Defending

2.2. Teaching attacking Teaching attacking and defending and defending tacticstactics

a. Team plays in a a. Team plays in a

4-3-3 formation. The 4-3-3 formation. The coach wants to teach coach wants to teach players to players to funnel funnel passes at angles to passes at angles to enable midfielder to enable midfielder to anticipate and intercept anticipate and intercept pass to opposing pass to opposing midfield.midfield.

Attacking and Defending cont’d…Attacking and Defending cont’d…

Intercepting can be Intercepting can be replicated in an 8v8 replicated in an 8v8 small sided game.small sided game. The defending team is The defending team is

shaped in a 1-3-3 and shaped in a 1-3-3 and the attacking team is the attacking team is shaped in a 3-3-1shaped in a 3-3-1

Attacking and Defending cont’d…Attacking and Defending cont’d…

Teaching players Teaching players when to penetrate when to penetrate with vertical passes with vertical passes and when to play the and when to play the ball diagonally, ball diagonally, sideways, or sideways, or backwards.backwards. Attacking team is in a Attacking team is in a

3-4-3 and defending 3-4-3 and defending team is in a 4-4-2team is in a 4-4-2

Attacking and Defending cont’d…Attacking and Defending cont’d…

These attacking These attacking tactics can again be tactics can again be replicated in small replicated in small sided games.sided games. The players are The players are

presented with a presented with a series of repetitive series of repetitive scenarios where they scenarios where they must read the must read the constantly occurring constantly occurring visual cues.visual cues.

5v5

Team BuildingTeam Building

3.3. Implementing team Implementing team building with groups building with groups of playersof players

Developing CompetitivenessDeveloping Competitiveness

4.4. It is important to It is important to develop develop competitiveness competitiveness within the squad.within the squad.

Squad of 16.Squad of 16.

Teams play round Teams play round robin or winners robin or winners play winnersplay winners

4v4 with GK’s 4v4 with GK’s playing in the fieldplaying in the field

Specific Purposes of Small Sided Specific Purposes of Small Sided GamesGames

2v2 and 3v32v2 and 3v3 Role of first and second (and third) attackerRole of first and second (and third) attacker Role of first and second (and third) defenderRole of first and second (and third) defender Switching RolesSwitching Roles TransitionTransitionAdditional ExercisesAdditional Exercises

2v2 to targets2v2 to targets 2v2 with side support2v2 with side support 2v2 with support behind2v2 with support behind 2v2 with all the above2v2 with all the above

Purposes cont’d…Purposes cont’d…

4v4 and 5v5 (4+keeper)4v4 and 5v5 (4+keeper) 4 outfield players is the smallest number that 4 outfield players is the smallest number that

can replicate the full game. Player in can replicate the full game. Player in possession of the ball can pass the ball in 3 possession of the ball can pass the ball in 3 directions.directions.

All players are involved at all times.All players are involved at all times. First introduction to the importance of shape.First introduction to the importance of shape.

Shape helps teach the players to read the visual cues.Shape helps teach the players to read the visual cues. Shape puts functional demands on players.Shape puts functional demands on players.

Purposes Cont’d…Purposes Cont’d…

Shape is the teacher - DiamondShape is the teacher - Diamond

Purposes cont’d…Purposes cont’d…

6v66v6Introduction to phase play. (Playing from one third into Introduction to phase play. (Playing from one third into another.)another.)Teaches players at the back of the team angles of support, Teaches players at the back of the team angles of support, composure on the ball and reading of passing angles.composure on the ball and reading of passing angles.Teaches players at the front of the team where and when to Teaches players at the front of the team where and when to check, how to receive the ball with their back to the goal and check, how to receive the ball with their back to the goal and staggering their position.staggering their position.Can be used to teach players zonal, or man-to-man Can be used to teach players zonal, or man-to-man defending.defending.Teach front players angles of approach in defending.Teach front players angles of approach in defending.Teaches back players positioning when markingTeaches back players positioning when marking

Recommended ShapeRecommended Shape3-2 (plus goalkeeper)3-2 (plus goalkeeper)

Purpose Cont’d…Purpose Cont’d…

Introduction to Phase Play.Introduction to Phase Play.

Purposes cont’d…Purposes cont’d…

7v7 (includes goalie)7v7 (includes goalie)Team shape; 1-3-2, 2-3-1,3-2-1.Team shape; 1-3-2, 2-3-1,3-2-1.

Introduction of thirds of the field.Introduction of thirds of the field.

Establishes one line of width.Establishes one line of width.

Playing through the midfield.Playing through the midfield.

Collective Defending.Collective Defending.

Purposes Cont’d….Purposes Cont’d….

1-3-2 versus 2-3-11-3-2 versus 2-3-1

Purposes cont’d…Purposes cont’d…

8 v 88 v 8Team shape; 2-3-2, 3-2-2, 3-3-1.Team shape; 2-3-2, 3-2-2, 3-3-1.Use of team shape to teach different themes, Use of team shape to teach different themes,

2-3-2, training 2 center backs or 2 center forwards.2-3-2, training 2 center backs or 2 center forwards. 3-2-2, training 2 central midfielders to play 3-2-2, training 2 central midfielders to play

together, using outside backs to attack from deep together, using outside backs to attack from deep positions. positions.

3-3-1, overlapping, counter attacking, zonal 3-3-1, overlapping, counter attacking, zonal defending (2 lines of 3) etc.defending (2 lines of 3) etc.

Purposes Cont’d…Purposes Cont’d…

8 versus 8 Shapes8 versus 8 Shapes

2-3-2 3-2-2 3-3-1

ResearchResearch

Rick Fenoglio (Manchester Metropolitan University)Rick Fenoglio (Manchester Metropolitan University)year long study comparing 4v4 to 8v8 at Manchester year long study comparing 4v4 to 8v8 at Manchester

United Academy U9 program:United Academy U9 program:

Number of passes - increase of 135%Number of passes - increase of 135%

Number of goals scored - increase of 500%Number of goals scored - increase of 500%      

Number of 1v1 encounters - 225%Number of 1v1 encounters - 225%

Number of dribbling skills (tricks) 280%Number of dribbling skills (tricks) 280%

Further LearningFurther Learning

Let the Game be the TeacherLet the Game be the Teacher by by Paul Coopers Paul Coopers

Dutch Soccer Drills 5 Dutch Soccer Drills 5 –– Small Sided Games Small Sided GamesBy Henny KormelinkBy Henny Kormelink

www.giveusbackourgame.com

NSCAA Tactical Development - DVDNSCAA Tactical Development - DVD

"The World Cup wasn't won (in 1966) on the playing fields of England. It "The World Cup wasn't won (in 1966) on the playing fields of England. It was won on the streets"was won on the streets"

Bobby CharltonBobby Charlton