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by Gary Rue
garyrue@bellsouth.net
 

      NOTE:  Gary did not write these exercises and tips with the idea that someone would publish them.  I subscribe to the Soccer-Coach-L e-mail list and Gary is one of the coaches that posts extremely well thought out replies.  These are some of Gary's posts that I collected for use in coaching my own teams.   I approached Gary and he was gracious enough to allow me to publish them here.  If you like what you see or have a question about one of the exercises you can reach Gary at garyrue@bellsouth.net  There are 20+ more pages of Gary's posts categorized at the Home Page of Exercises of the Day by Gary Rue. Click here and enjoy.

Exercise of the Day - Sprints with Footwork

Setup:
Starting cones with opposing cones and/or ball 10 yards away (consider sitting ball on top of flat cone. One set of cones per group. Players are divided into appropriate groups, based upon rest to work desired. 3 players is 2:1, 4 players is 3:1, etc.

Procedure:
First player of each group sprints to opposite cone/ball, circles cone/ball twice, sprints back to first cone and repeats another run up and back; once all players have completed the next player in each group goes. If groups are uneven, then players in short group rest as if they had the extra person.

     The players should face the same direction during their circle of the cont/ball, only turning on the last rotation to return to the starting point.

     The exercise is useful for taking a player out of a sprint into the short quick footwork needed on specifically on defense. The ball is useful as it forces the players to move around an object and not just step over a cone.

     My in-season high school boys team do10 reps (2:1 rest/work rate). If we only have one game during the week, we would probably do 2 to 3 sets with ab work between sets.

Later!

Gary Rue
garyrue@bellsouth.net

Exercise of the Day - 2 v 2 Through Ball

Two man attacking tactics are fairly restrictive. I like to introduce many
of these tactics in passing warm-up exercises. With the 2v2 exercises in
mind, I will do exercises for wall passing, take-overs, overlaps, and
diagonal runs.

I've found that once the language and some fundamental concepts have been introduced, it is far easier to start to develop the attacking patterns in a 2v2 framework.

     Initially, I will set up two large cones about 10 yards apart, as if they were two defenders that are flat (straight across). One attacker will dribble at one of the dummy defenders. The other attacker will run wide of the second defender. The attacker is asked to "open up his run." That is, run away from the ball to create as much space as possible for the attacker with ball to play into. At some point, it will be discussed how the defender might follow the attacker on this wide run, creating even more space for the attacker with ball to pass through.

      When the attacker with ball reaches a point where he can safely pass between the "defenders," he will make the pass to the second attacker.
 

  A1         A2 -
   o              \
     *             \
  D1   *     D2    |
         *         |
           *       |
             *     |
               *   V
 

      This pass is also known as the "killer pass" because it is a penetration through pass played between and behind defenders for attackers to run on to. As you can see in the diagram, if D2 moves wide if A2, it will create better space for A1 to pass between. D2 will be put in the awkward position of watching A2 on one side and the ball on the other.

     The attacking players should next do this against teammates that are asked to move on the attackers in this flat shape.

     We next move to the situation where the defenders are in a supporting second defender shape. It is demonstrated how the second defender can now stop the through pass. This is where the wall pass comes into play. With D2 back in a support position, we send A2 towards A1. A1 plays the ball to A2; A1 runs around behind D1 and A2 (wall man) plays the ball through to A1.


      A1
     /  0 * * * *<----A2
    / D1      *
   |        *
   |      *
   |    *     D2
   V  *
 

      What we have created is a 2v1 with this wall pass, putting D2 temporarily out of the picture. If executed well enough, the defense may not have time to adjust.

     During each 2v2 training session, the players will be put into a live 2v2 setup, generally on goal, to see how well they recognize the different situations (both offensively and defensively).

     Next we will look at the overlap and diagonal run as attacking tactics.

2 v 2 Defensive Introduction

    At the Under 12 age, 2 man tactics should be the primary area of focus. This is because this age player is still early in their spatial development. In
the next series of posts, I will describe one way to train 2 man tactics.

      In this discussion, the defensive shape and tactics are addressed first.
This does not mean to imply a correct order, as attacking tactics could be
trained first or congruently.

     Prior to 2 man work, there was individual training on defensive stance,
shepherding and positioning with the dribbler. A position of containment is
stressed at this stage. The defender is trained to move appropriately with
the attacker, not allowing the attacker to get past and behind the defender.

     Next, the defender is asked to close down the dribbler. The defender must learn how to close the distance to the attacker as quickly as possible, but under control and ready to move backwards when the attacker receives the ball.

      The players now have the fundamental individual elements for the next stage of 2v2 defensive development.

Dribbling Set-up

     Here is a nice setup to increase the pressure on your players as they
develop their dribbling skills. It is assumed that some individual work has
been done in on developing certain dribbling feints and cuts.

      The setup is one or more players (in a row), each with ball facing another player or row of players-I would not recommend more than 4 in a particular row. Some examples below will need at least two or three players in each row.

      The first player in each row dribbles at the other player. Just short of the point of "collision," each player performs the "move" and direction dictated by the coach. Examples:

• outside cut with right foot, go to the right
• inside chop with right foot, go to the left
• scissors with right foot, go left with outside of left foot
• V pull back with right foot, go right
• Outside of foot chop turn, go back to original line
• Sole of foot pull back turn, go back to original line
• (some move) to right, pass to next player in opposite line
• Pass (with right foot) down the right side, receive pass from opposite
  line and pass back to next player in opposite line.
• (without ball) opposite players run at each other, turn and receive pass from their original line, turn as appropriate to other player (coach could dictate direction), pass to second next player (next player is making the next run to center)
   

     Each of these examples could have different points the coach wants to make. The coach can make the exercise as simple or complex as the player skills and age dictate.

Later!

2v2 Development - The Overlap

The overlap is one of the hardest tactics to defend, because it causes major decisions and adjustments by the defense.

The key to the overlap often starts with the attacker with ball. By dribbler
towards his teammate, the dribbler creates the space for the second attacker to overlap into. Also, the dribbler takes the on-ball defender away from that space.

The overlap run by the second attacker normally should be as wide as
possible. This creates a better passing angle for the dribbler. The position
of the second defend is not as much a factor in making the overlap decision. The defender on the ball may be trying to shepherd the ball away from the defensive support. The overlap would then give A1 the passing option to A2.

In the diagram below, A1 has dribbled towards A2. A2 could have cut up field immediately after passing A1, however, the wider run gave A1 move space and angle to pass into.

     - - - - - -A2
   /    A1
  /      o
 |     * D1
 |   *
 V *             D2

Defensively, D2 could follow A2's run, but that takes D2 away from a key
support position, possibly allowing A1 to beat D1 into D2's vacated space.
Perhaps the best adjustment would be for D1 to slide over and take away the pass to A2, at the same time forcing A1 towards his supporting defender. In some situations, D2 could rotate up on A2's run into a double team on A1 or allowing D1 to drop back into the overlaps path. Both of these last options would require tremendous coordination by the defenders.

The take-over could create the same effect. As A1 dribbles straight at A2,
A2 could take over the ball and carry forward or A1 could maintain the
dribble. In either the overlap or the takeover, the two attackers have made
the 2v2 into a temporary 2v1 situation and have caused both defenders to
adjust.

The last segment will discuss the diagonal run.

2v2 Development - Second Defender Support

The concept of second defender support is presented in the following series of exercises

We start with a attacker setup of two attackers about 10 yards apart, square to one another. The defenders are placed several yards away from each a attacker.
 

A1               A2
   o
 

      D1     D2

D1 is asked to close down A1. In this exercise we ask the defender to force the attacker towards the same side as their supporting defender. D2 is asked to position between the two attackers in second defender support.

  A1                 A2
     o

D1

                 D2
 

A1 is asked to pass to A2 who receives and hold the ball briefly. D2 must close down as D1 drops back in second defender support.

  A1                      A2 
                             o
                        D2

 
                D1

Defensive players are asked to move to close down the ball or recover to support positions as the ball is played back and forth between passive A1 and A2. The support distance at this point is generally between 5-10 yards. This will vary with age of player and field position. Find a distance that looks adequate for most situations during this setup.

At some point the coach stops the action (generally when a defender does not drop back quick enough) and has A1 (with ball) demonstrate two scenarios. He places both defenders on their respective marks. The defense is not flat or square.

A1               A2
o
D1               D2

First A1 beats D1 on the dribble. The players are asked how to stop A1 if D1 is beaten on the dribble. D2 is moved back to show how a defender supporting the on-ball defender can quickly get over to stop the ball.

Secondly, with defenders in a flat shape, A1 makes a pass between D1 and D2 to A2 that has run behind D2. We describe this a through ball (pass BEHIND a defender into space). Some like to refer to this as the "killer pass."

A1               (A2)
     *                 \
D1     *         D2  |
            *           |
                *       |
                    *   V
                         *

Again, the players are asked how to stop this pass, with the same answer of D2 being dropped back essentially in the path of the pass. When asked about leaving A2 open to receive a square pass, the coach must reinforce the importance of not letting the ball get behind the defense, even if the attack is allowed to maintain possession.

Once the players understand the close down/recover to support movements, the attackers are allowed to move at 1/2 to 3/4 speed down the field, still maintaining their square shape.

Finally, play a 2v2 on goal (GK not required). Defenders serve a ball from near goal-line and move out to defend 2 attackers starting near midfield. Coach the defense only, unless the attack has breakdowns that don't allow the defense to experience the situation.

During the final scrimmage, the coach constantly looks for support opportunities. Let play go for a few minutes, using words to encourage, applaud and remind, before stopping. Play then can be frozen to reinforce training focus.

Warm-ups in the next few training sessions should include the 2v2 passive attacker setup that moves up and down field to reinforce the defensive movements.

Next we will discuss attacking tactics.

Later!

2v2 Development - Diagonal Runs

 

     The diagonal run is another run, like the overlap, that will unbalance a
defense. In a true diagonal path, the player changes positions on both a
horizontal and vertical level. However, often the run when made by a forward player needs to be made more horizontal in order to stay on-side. The diagonal run puts a player in a more forward position quicker than the
overlap. Multiple diagonal runs can put a numbers up defense at a decidedly
man disadvantage if the defense does not adapt quickly enough.

      In the 2v2 setup, we will show two ways to get the ball to the player making the run. First, let's assume that the on ball defender (D1) is forcing the ball towards the player (A2) making the run. The run in made inside the
second defender (D2) and the pass is a vertical ball through the middle, as
A2 beats D2 to the inside.

A1            A2
  o           /
D1 *       /
    *      /
     *   /
      */   D2

     With this run and pass the defense is not unbalanced and D2 is able to see both the ball and the player making the run. Also, because the pass is often vertical (even more so than depicted in the example), the weighting and timing of the pass is critical and especially difficult when the passer is
under pressure.

     The next passing example might occur when D1 takes away the pass to A2's side. Now A2 makes the run behind D1 to the opposite side. In the example we will show the run to be AT the on-ball defender D1. Though in some cases, the run can be at much more of an angle, we show how the run can be made when D2 (as the second to last defender) steps up and flattens the defense. If the pass is made before A2 reaches D1, A2 can move behind D1 without being off-side.

A1    -     A2
o         /
*  D1   - - -
*      / D2
*       - -
     /
*
   |
*
V *

      Also demonstrated in the diagram is the run across the path of the pass. This run is shown in order to put the attacker on the side of the ball that will allow the attacker to be facing the goal. One of the problems with a run towards the touch is that the player is facing away from the goal. When possible, the run across the path of the ball will put the player in a more open and field visible position. Another problem is the timing of the run and pass. All too often, the player will have to stop their run waiting for the ball to arrive. The run across the path of the pass allows the player to keep their run going.

      If D2 or another defender is playing deeper, A2 can make a much more deeper run. The problem is that once A2 passes D2, there may not be another defender on which to define the depth of the run and A2 will be at the mercy of the back defenders as they flatten out.

      Defensively, D2 stepping up is a good tactic if A2's run is too diagonal. If the run is still in the center of field, D2 may do well to stay with the
run, even though it may take the defense out of their defined shape. When in a zone, D2 may have to pass A2 on to D1 as D2 picks up D1. As you can see, unbalancing the defense can put the defense in a problem as they try to maintain shape.

     These basic 2 man tactics are just the bedrock foundation for more elaborate 3 man combinations. Even without the pass, the runs to off balance a defense can create space for other attacking players which give rise to the creative play that makes our game so beautiful to watch and play.