Building the Total Player Across Three Dimensions--Session 2 Training--Elite Sports Center

Here is a quick guide to Session 2 at Elite Sports Center

Building the Total Player Across Three Dimensions--

It is good to have skills, but if you shy away from taking players on, or don't understand how to team defend, your skills limit your "player dimensions". Session 2 Training at Elite will work to expand players' knowledge across the three dimensions, individual, small side, and team.

The Individual player dimensions involve Attacking and Defending 1 Versus 1. Many players fail to recognize moments, or fail in the attribute of confidence to exploit these situations.

1v1 Training will incorporate learning "moves" such as in Session 1, as well as reinforce the basic notion of beating a player by dribbling. The attached videos should give you an idea as to what to expect from the Warm-ups in the Individual Player sessions.

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Moreover, 1v1 defensive training will also focus on learning how to "contain and force" a dribbler. These skills will become essential to step through the next two player dimensions.

 Breaking Down the Dribbler PlayList: 3 Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI9xuPsmfAW_Y3Rg4qgu5fyBLq3FAMirm

The Small Side player dimensions involve Attacking and Defending 1V2, 2V1, 2V2, and 3V3. The small side dimension teaches players how to combine on the attack and how to play the roles of "Pressure and Support Defenders".

Borrowing from the Tactical Training from Session 1, we will utilize the number system, specifically the #'s 1 and 2 Defenders--The home and Defending Midfield player--as alternating pressure and cover.

Training in the Team dimension started in Session 1, but some of the language was lost because we hadn't stepped through the earlier independent and small-sided dimensions.

So it is my hope we can move through the first two dimensions in a span which allows us to incorporate this third dimension.

The idea behind the third dimension is essentially training the team as a unit to "read the play" and to respond in a coordinated sense. The tactical system works efficiently to transition from defense to attack involving every player.

So that is the goal--hee, hee-- I have in mind for Session 2 Training at Elite. Your player can join if they were not in Session 1, and we will get them up to speed with the basics from that series.

It is my hope that players begin to see the game as an outlet for physical, emotional, and intellectual energy as well as cultivate a "professional attitude for use in later games, with later teams, and in later life.

Training Checklist Academy Teams Weeks 9, 10, 11

Academy Training Checklist Weeks 9, 10, 11

Based on some sound Feedback from the far touchline--ASA has paired the input with the issues and solutions and will use this to structure training items for the coming three weeks.

Input #1--the small sided drills from Thursday's training are effective because it simplifies the game for the less experienced players enabling them to work as a unit with only a couple of passing options. Maybe we could take some time in similar drills and limit the play area to the penalty area with a goalie- then do 1v2, 2v2,etc. then add support players around the outside of the penalty area. This could also be some valuable practice for the goalies.

Training Solution-- Small Field Games with Passing Support & Goalkeepers

Input #2--all the offensive players wanted to shoot on goal and go it alone.  They didn't seem to want to or know to stay in their lanes.  There were often 3 offensive players bunched up in front of the goal time after time, as if they all wanted to shoot on goal by themselves, or maybe b/c they were afraid to spread out and lose control of the ball.  Then there would be no one open to pass to that was on that end when the pressure got hot, and they would often try to make a shot from too far away.  

 

There also seemed to be issues with not following through on missed shots.  As soon as the shot was missed, everyone would turn to fall back on defense rather than looking for a follow-up shot.  Many times they were too deep in the box and didn't have an angle but would still shoot instead of looking for a trailing shooter. 

Issues to be addressed--Framing the goal as a team--Shooting V Finishing//Angles--Shooting: hips and angles need to be corrected//Finishing with the side of the foot

Input #3--When a player was taking the ball down the field, there was often none to pass to, so a possible score was missed

 

 --to solidify what their roles are and learn to stay in their areas as they move the ball.  Maybe a "special teams" approach with running certain plays over and over in practice?  

 once the other team would gain ball control, there was no one downfield to protect/aid the #1, because as you said, they didn't anticipate the rebound. 

 
Issues to be addressed--On the ball strength--Our dribblers need to gain stability and hold possession after "shoulder challenges" the referee allows--Staying Compact--

 Training Solution--1v1 and 1v2 1v3 small sided play with  designated attacker

Input 4--In the second game from Saturday, number 12 from the other team was the biggest challenge (I think he scored 4 out of the 5 goals). Maybe in defense there is a way to identify these challenges and have them practice a strategy to defend against this kind of situation. Last time we played them (in Albany) he only scored two times, and I think we tied that game.

 

 Training Solution--1v1 and 1v2 1v3 small sided play with  designated defenders coaching against the dribble

Input #5--They r young still! if the team stays together and can have some consistent practice with decent weather they will better know what to do!

Training Solution--Indoor and Spring 2016 Soccer--

Indoor Soccer trainings

-- in Albany will be on Tuesday& Thursday nights for Academy teams starting in November

--in Parkersburg will be on Monday & Wednesday nights at Elite Sport Center

 Under 6 Under 8 4:00-5:00

U9--U11 5:00-6:00 

U12-U14 6:15-7:15 

& High School 7:15-8:15pm

 Mind          Body          Spirit          Soccer

Learning Soccer Ball Support

Watch the geometry of this play.







A--Ball goes into the corner, B--support player drops in behind, C--Shot goes toward far corner.
From Point A to point C, the ball moves in the shape of a triangle

The triangle is ever present in the game. The quicker a player can identify the proper angle of support, the quicker the ball can move.

Learn to see the Soccer Triangle and Anticipate when to Slide in to support.
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In How To Soccer: Sliding the Soccer Triangle watch how Green manages to possess the ball by movement to support the player possessing the ball.




Player movement and ball movement from Green is based on a Triangle, and the corners or points of the triangle move, or slide into position.
At :09 the far side player to right of screen plays a "diagonal" ball that splits the two orange defenders.
At :15 Green player to left plays a quick outside of the foot touch then runs past the defender as Green to right tries to complete the triangle.

At the close of the video, while the player is dancing, we can see the Green team setup as a triangle in the separate grid 2.

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In 3V1 Passing & Support--we watch three Orange Players possess a ball against one Green Defender. The Green Players are working on their ball support and are coached to slide into position to form a triangle around the ball.

Watch :37 to :50 as Green slides into position adequately to support the ball and maintain possession.



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Use the Sliding Triangle to, Change Your Game, support the ball, and improve your team.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYh9Wr-QKym-uxbSUG9TD_g

--Continue to watch videos and train at home with How To Soccer.

Mind                    Body                               Spirit                             Soccer     

Principles of Play at the Next Level

Yesterday and today Athens Soccer Academy taught a handful of High School players how to 'raise their level' by understanding a few key concepts and gaining a strategic advantage.    We did this by focusing on the essential principles of the possession game played at a high tempo during the Prepare to Play the High School Game Camp.

Each Camper gets two days of on-field training then a Train-at-Home program called SOLOSOCCER to take with them.  SOLOSOCCER incorporates YouTube videos and a communication option with Coach Tad to train Technique at home.

Athens Soccer Academy will offer a second round of this camp on Monday July 15 and Tuesday July 16 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM.  See below for Details.

Video of SOLOSOCCER Lesson

The shift in game tempo is the most challenging factor players face when trying to break into the 'next level'.  Not only do decisions need to be made much quicker, but technique and strategic thinking need to be lucid.

Without training in the principles of play, players can arrive at the tryout unprepared.  If a player gives over possession of the ball or fails to play at the necessary pace, then that player becomes less strategically important.  Coaches want players who show prior-knowledge of strategic thinking in their game.

The Camp stresses strategic thinking by focusing on maintaining ball possession.  We play possession games--3v3, 3v2, 4v1--until possession is lost; then we identify where the breakdown occurred, and describe how the play could have happened smarter.  Defense plays a role when possession is lost, and part of the training focuses on how to defend in a set of two when outnumbered.

By training these athletes in small numbers, we isolate the triangle made by every team anywhere around any ball.  The attack must have the closest two players to the ball perform the strategic movements of support player 1 and support player 2. The defending team must identify who the pressure player will be and who will support and communicate.   Many players can get through their high school careers and never master these concepts.

 

 

 

By identifying and teaching the "Principles of Play at the 'next level'", this camp instills the instincts of that prior-knowledge of strategic thinking that every High School coach wants players to show from Day 1.

After three camps involving five to six players at a time, we generated a list of breakdowns causing loss of ball possession.  Then from that came an identified skill-set we called the Principles of Play for the 'Next Level'.

By training in these principles and offering an accessible means to develop Technique in adolescent players, Athens Soccer Academy offers local players a strategic advantage.

 

 

 

 

Here is the skill set breakdown for Attacking and d

Defending.

 

Players should have a base knowledge of these principles:

 

Attack

Knowledge of Concept of Width

Knowledge of Concept of Depth

Technique--Choice of and Execution

Keeping Hips open to Field/Play

Attack the Gap/Split the Defense

Communication: Dummy or Decoy Run

Core Strength: Shoulder to Shoulder Integrity

Awareness: Simple vs Direct Play

Fitness

 

 

Defense

Early Communication:

Defend the gap

Keep play in front

When to Double

Communication: when to switch Roles

Forcing Play

 

 

 Send an email to tad@athenssocceracademy.com to Register your player for the camps on

 

 Monday July 15 and Tuesday July 16 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

 

Cost is $40 for both camps and SOLOSOCCER.  If you can make only one day then the cost is $25.

 

Under 12 Boys: Straightening Their Aim

Athens Soccer Academy Boys Under 12 team had a light week this week, because the local schools were out for Spring Break.

We used the secure atmosphere of the gym for the very last time before the season schedule begins this coming weekend.  We will have two outdoor trainings this week if weather allows, and Saturday will find us in uniform.

We haven't had much time together as a team, and with only a few boys at tonight's session, we concentrate on some bread and butter skills for soccer players.

We all love the sound of a driven ball in the gym.  So we try to create that sound here. The boys are learning to kick with the instep-- see Shooting Straight.  I have asked them to land on their kicking foot.


Striking Straight

After a few awkward approaches, these players start to get a little closer to being over the ball at the time of impact.  If  they can keep that shot straight, we will test some goalkeepers this spring.

Soccer Stars

We rest and I give the boys a chat about this team before we transition to what coach hopes is our bread and butter this season, passing and support.

Since the total players here equal about half the team, coach aims to keep the stress level low.



3V1 Passing and Support



We finish this training session by playing games of 2V2 and 3V2.  With the help of some siblings, we manage a 4V3 to cap our time inside this gym.

At the end of the night, coach locks the doors and hopes that this is the last time he will be mopping floors this spring.