Week 2 Overview
Week 2 built on the need to keep your head up and introduced 'playing off your back foot'. Here's a diagram to explain:
Ok - 3 players, 1, 2 and 3. This is kind of static - but you see the key showing what the lines / arrows / circles represent.
If player 1 has the ball and sees a pass to players 2 - he/she would pass to the foot FURTHEST away. That, if you look at the diagram, would be player 2's left foot. Now, player 2 receives the ball with their body 'open' and able to see the players in support.
If player 2 had their head up, they would see player 3 - and the need to pass the ball. Player 2 passes to player 3 putting the ball to players 3's back foot (which is the foot furthest away from player 2)
Player 3 receives the ball on their right foot - which allows them to see the support and be able to move quickly FORWARD.
The same principle applies in basketball: if a player ahead of you on the break wants the ball, you would pass ahead of them so they can continue to move forward. Soccer, like basketball, is an invasion game. The first thing any player (or solider!!) must try to do is MOVE FORWARD.
Side note from Matt: Passing the ball to a player,s FRONT FOOT works if that player has a defender close. Like basketball, a forward uses their body to protect the ball when a guard passes into them at the post spot. If a forward has sealed out the defender, the guard would pass the ball to the hand closest to the hoop, so the forward can penetrate. Right? I know I am English, but my U19 HS Girls BBall team were 1994 English National Championship Runners Up.....in basketball .
Here is an example from last weekend's tournament.
You'll see Henry pick up a ball on the left.
This is what he does:
- takes his time to roll around the ball
- looks into the middle
- makes a pass to Lucas
What he needs to do:
- get out to the ball quicker - shortest distance
- check over his left shoulder to see what is going on directly towards the goal
- take a big first touch with his left foot to attack the huge space ahead and in behind the defence.
You can see my finger / hear my voice on this one! Oh, Henry is my son. He is doing what the coach asked - pass. But what is the correct decision here?
The correct decision is for Henry to attack the space ahead and to his left. Soccer is a multi-decisional game. You can give players a broad direction of play, but you have to respect the basic principles of the game. So, what are they?
1: Play forward - knowing there is space ahead of you to attack. If not, find someone who can.
2: Take as few touches as possible when you do get the ball.
3. When your team has the ball - EVERYONE moves / works out how to support the player with the ball.
4: When your team doesn't have the ball - EVERYONE is a defender. EVERYONE.
Here's a few clips from week 2
Overall:
1: Players arrived and used the triangles to pass the ball around, aiming to pass the ball with the right foot in a counter-clockwise direction, and with the left foot in a clockwise direction (always using the backfoot).
2: Circle warm up and touches drill. Head up, changing direction effectively, by getting the body low. Deciding where to move before entering the circle. Calling for the ball to complete some technical skills.
3: Numbers Game. So, so simple yet really complex as it is developed. 6 players numbered 1 thru 6 and they pass to each other in order. Can't stand still - trying to pass using the backfoot only.
4: 'Score as quickly as you can"....or as some people see it, 1 v 1. The trouble with calling it 1 v 1 is this - why would you dribble the ball right up to an opponent to beat them? In this drill, players have to get their head up, take good first touches away from the defender, decide how close to get before shooting and then switch to defending / cutting off the attacker immediately.
Here are some videos of this - some good - some highlighting why we need to practice and improve!
Please remember, if we all got things right first time, teachers and coaches would be out of a job! This is all a process and Joel O'Neil and I have long term plans for all our technical players to effectively and appropriately develop this skills.
Lastly, the senior player you'll see in these clips is Bayem Footman. Bayem is a North Central Senior and has represented the school at Soccer, He has attended several West Ham United International Academy National Camps - and traveled to London, England to train with the West Ham United Youth Academy. He is an excellent player - and an outstanding young man. He, with Coach O'Neil's son, Justice, represent 2 of Glendale's outstanding players and club representatives.
OK - ever wondered what a U18 Premier League Academy game looks like?
Here you go! Norwich v West Ham. These players are 2 years away from playing in the EPL. Parents stand opposite to coaches and are not allowed to shout / tell their kids what to do. Families haven't paid anything to train - the club provides training gear / medical physio support etc.
The player to watch is Alfie. You don't see him much in these clips, he scores the last goal. I watch him 5 years ago as a kid - and then the Pro coaches at the club said he was special.
Here's the link to see: Norwich v West Ham U18 Academy