Thanks

Rob

Greg Ramos Rondo Progression

It starts as simple Rondo, various progressions to a game, with or without goalkeepers

I have found it a useful “Go To” session as I can coach defending and attacking and transition, especially when I am thrown into a session with no notice, which often happens at our club.

7 Habits
The 7 Habits focus on attacking and ball possession, is there something similar for defenders/defending?

Passing Practice that progresses as players arrive
Is the Passing Practice available on the iPhone app?

Would you share with us your experience on pre-match timeline of team activities, team talk, half time timeline of activities, items for team talk ad after game timeline of activities and what you normally discuss with teams?

Your experience with national teams would be invaluable.

Warm regards,

Ein.

When I had an U17’s team I found that they struggled with fatigue after 10 mins or so. I felt that the reason for this was the over use of the unlimited subs rule. I found it mind boggling to find players ASKING to come off after that period. However they responded very well to my limited use of that rule which I felt better prepared them for life in “senior”. I do believe that Youth players are over protected in regards to conditioning and to an extent I can see why.

Player I believe Youth players should be given a platform where they experience and learn to play the game as its also intended in the game itself. This unlimited subs rule I FEEL CAN HINDER PLAYER DEVELOPMENT RATHER THAN HELP IT.

Would love to hear other thoughts on this.

Many thanks

Kirbs

We play our mid field with a defensive mid and two attacking mids (triangle). I encourage the left and right wingers not only to attack and assist the striker but also drop back and assist the mid field when the team has lost possession.

What we are finding is that the wingers after losing the ball are hanging up front and making us vulnerable in the midfield. This may be due to the wingers not being fit enough or lazy.
How can i get the boys to work hard for one another in this situation?

Also should we change the current formation and how can i get my mid field to function correctly with or without assistance from the forward (wingers)?
We have three reserves and i regularly rotate my wingers due to the high work rate we ask of them.
I am a little lost and need some expert advise.

Marcel (Bafoo7)

I was just interested to know how the AIS used to identify talent. Obviously by how the players played at National Titles but what were there physical characteristics you looked for in a player and were there certain forms of testing you carried out that a player must be at a certain level and in turn was that dependant on position?

Thanks.

Wondering if you know of tools for tracking players’ training/playing commitments, so as to understand their overall training load and avoid overtraining/overuse injuries.

I’ll coach an U13 Premier League side in 2014 and am aware, from past experience, of issues such as Osgood Schlatters and Severs in boys of this age.

I’d like to have each boy complete a calendar at the end of each month, outlining all of his sporting commitments for the following month. Are you aware of any particular tools that the kids can update themselves, and that are then viewable by me?

Regards…Michael Simonyi

As a new member it is refreshing to know that someone with your knowledge & experience has decided to get an Aussie Platform such as this up & running. We have reviewed quite a number of topics, drills & information from your library & it is all in plain English & very easy to comprehend.

In today’s coaching environment especially at junior level there is a lot of “Technical Talk” as a few members have discussed you need a simple approach to assist the kids & allow them to develop based on good old principles of the game. Today’s terminology is too advanced for some coaches let alone trying to transfer this information to kids. At grass roots & above if kids cannot understand the “VERY BASICS” it is impossible for them to progress & become reasonable players that can enjoy the sport.

Our coaching & information is discussed with junior players & we ask them a lot of the questions so that they can find their own solutions as they are the ones playing the game. Also we focus on lots of ball control, first touch, awareness & good passing options & most game related & small sided games where we try & eliminate “Kicking” for kicking sake!

We focus on the kids thinking about where & how to pass the ball to their team mates with the purpose of ball movement & keeping the ball as a team. This is simple in theory but hard in practice as most kids are keen just to kick the ball down the other end of the pitch & parents on the sideline encouraging little Johnny to kick it “Hard”.

Any way we appreciate your topics & principles like first & second defender & the likes were used many years ago & to great effect, Even today’s Junior Rep players most do not understand basic defending principles like this & it is essential to good defending. Coaches are focused on the FFA 4-3-3 system which is a great start but the kids must understand all the other basics of the game to develop good habits.

We look forward to further discussions & having you attend a seminar in the near future & bringing back some good old fashioned common sense to game play & understanding of the game so that our kids can enjoy the sport & have fun in the process. Your website is easy to use & we hope many coaches jump on board, You could also organize your own coaches convention & we are confident you would get a great turnout!

Yours if Football / Soccer, The only sport with two names !!

Cheers Mark

NEW PRINCIPLES OF THE GAME

Based on the view that players don’t understand the “Principles of the Game” of Allen Wade

GET THE BALL AND AS MANY PLAYERS AS POSSIBLE IN THE OPPOSITION PENALTY BOX

All research shows that up to 85% of goals are scored within the penalty box

KEEP THE BALL AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE FROM YOUR PENALTY BOX

All research shows that up to 85% of goals are scored within the penalty box

PRACTICE SET PIECES IN THE CORRECT MANNER

35%  of goals come from set pieces

PRACTICE DEFENDING AT SET PIECES IN THE CORRECT MANNER

35%  of goals come from set pieces

SHOOTING PRACTICE MUST BE IN THE PENALTY BOX AND 1 OR 2 TOUCH

85% of goals come from in the penalty box and 85% of goals are scored 1 or 2 touch

GOALKEEPING PRACTICE MUST BE IN THE PENALTY BOX AGAINST 1 OR 2 TOUCH SHOOTING

85% of goals come from in the penalty box and 85% of goals are scored 1 or 2 touch

DO THE BORING THINGS WELL

DEFENDING

• Close the man with the ball down, make him play the ball.

• Make the player pass backwards (you can’t stop that).

• Track your player do not ball watch, watch ball and man.

• Organise at set pieces, take responsibility, do your job.

• No stupid fouls, right place and right occasion.

• Block crosses do not allow the ball to be easily crossed into the box.

ATTACKING

• Get the ball into the penalty box as soon as you can

• Get as many players in the penalty box as we can

• Receive the ball when you can see the opponents goal (side on)

• Keep the ball moving, passing or dribbling

• Try to dribble as often as possible in the opposition penalty box

• Pass the ball forwards as soon as possible, preferably on an angle

• After passing the bal try to get in a position where you can receive it again

• Quality delivery at all set pieces

• Keep ball at throw ins, throw down line, never square

• Shoot at every opportunity “hit the target” “make the keeper work”

• Watch the ball hit your foot when you shoot, don’t look at the goal

SYSTEMS OF PLAY

Are as only as useful as the quality of your players. If your striker misses from 2 metres or your keeper lets shots through his legs, then systems don’t apply.

If you apply the above principles you will win with any team shape.

HARD WORK

There is no substitute for hard work/running and concentrating when playing