During
my first coaching season (boys U12/U13), a veteran coach
gave me the following advice: “Find several players who
can trade-off playing goalie, then put your strongest
player at center defense. Put another strong player on
defense, and then put your next strongest player at
center midfield. Speed and skill are more important than
having a powerful kick. Most coaches put their fastest
players at forward. Your defense must shut them down.” I
have since observed that most goals are scored on
breakaways or goal kicks.
A “shoulder charge” can stop a breakaway, where an
opponent is dribbling ahead of all your team toward your
goal. Picture an “A” where each leg is a player leaning
in, with the two players’ shoulders closest to the
opponent touching (at the top of the A). Each is
attempting to run the other off the ball. Players love
to practice this skill.
Demonstrate a legal shoulder charge with an assistant
coach or parent. Show illegal charges (“chasing player”
who runs into opponent rather than catching up to them
and leaning in; either player swinging the elbow closest
to opponent rather than keeping it close to the body).
Pair up players, each with a partner about the same
height, with ball 2-3 yards in front of each pair. At
coach’s signal, players use shoulder charge to compete
for the ball. All pairs can run this drill
simultaneously. Progression in difficulty - coach throws
the ball in front of each pair in turn and pair competes
for the rolling ball.
On goal kicks the danger is from an opponent who is
unguarded and is first to the kicked ball. Usually the
ball was kicked into the center, in front of the goal
mouth.
Choose 2-4 players to practice taking goal kicks.
Instruct kickers to aim for a target on the diagonal at
the closest sideline. Coach must demonstrate, because
most kickers will line up directly behind the ball which
will then go straight ahead or curve into the center.
During the game, the target is a teammate or even a
spectator (coach tells player to aim for the spectator
in the red shirt).
Any opponent near your goal should be guarded when
your team takes a goal kick. Show your players how to
guard by getting goal-side and slightly to the rear of
the opponent (your player can always step in front of
opponent for mis-kicked ball). Coach will probably have
to remind players to mark opponents during your goal
kicks (e.g., “Get by a green [opponent’s jersey color]
shirt”).
The
2006 MLS Playoffs have started. The United play the
Red Bulls at home, Sunday, October 29, at 6:00 pm.