Soccer Coaching Rule Number 3

Stating important concepts as simple "rules" is a useful way to teach young players, since most have been taught to "follow the rules". The following aren't real rules, they are just my "rules". You may want to teach your players some of these:

"Don't get thrown over" (When the other team has a throw-in). (During the game, be specific when giving instructions. For example, "John, move back 10 steps so you don't get thrown over"). See No. 3 below for the next step.
The mistake many coaches, and players, make is to try to intercept the opposing team's throw-ins. That isn't the critical thing, the critical thing is to avoid giving up a goal. If you play me and try that, I'm going to kill you, because that's what I hope you try to do. I will simply have my receivers move close to the thrower, which will pull your defenders close to the sideline, and then make a long throw toward goal if we're on the half of the field that your goal is on, or down the line if on my Defensive Half. My players (the attackers) will know what to expect and all but my Fullbacks (who will stay back to prevent a counterattack) will break toward goal so we will outnumber your defenders, and your defenders are then chasing the ball toward your goal, which is also problematic for your team, since they are going the wrong way.
Instead, teach your players to mark BEHIND an opponent (about 2 or 3 steps behind). If you mark in front they will simply throw over you toward goal and score; the Danger is getting thrown over. You allow the opponent to inbound the ball, but you don't give up a dangerous throw or a fast break on your goal. You control their field position. If the opponent makes a bad throw, your player is in position to steal the ball. Or, your player can allow the receiver to receive the ball and THEN move close behind and try to steal the ball or kick the ball away when the attacker turns.
If you mark in front you aren't keeping "multiple layers of defenders" between the ball and your goal.
Trust me on this, thousands of coaches have tried it. Or, try it both ways and observe.
Remember the Rule: "Don't get thrown over."

"Don't get goal kicked or punted over" (by the other team). (Be specific if giving instruction. For example, "John, run back to the halfway line"). See No. 3 below for the next step.

"On the other team's goal kicks, punts, throw-ins & free kicks, mark up behind an opponent & then step in front & steal the ball, or, if the ball goes past you, box out the opponent and win the ball". (A progression from 1 & 2 above). (An exception to this would be when the other team has a free-kick near your goal, where if there is room, you should have your players stay away from your goal so you create an "offside trap" which will keep the other team away from your goal and make it harder for them to score on a header or off a rebound).

How to teach Coaching Rule No. 3 is explained in No. 2 of Quick Team Improvement Program.

"I taught my players Coaching Rule No. 3 from Premium and the results were immediately phenomenal! I couldn't believe I had neglected this basic tactic - they immediately stole several balls in the game following our 1st practice where I had introduced the concept, and it completely changed the flow of the game during several long stretches. This resulted in our nearly tying what had been the best team in the league. While we lost 2 to 3, it was night and day compared to how they had played just a week or two before." Coach Charlie, U10, Premium Member

"Where will the other team score from?" Answer: "In front of our goal." (See "Where....From?" in Dictionary of Soccer Terms, Concepts & Rules).

"If the other team has the ball & you are the closest, you must be the "First Defender" & slow down their attack & try to block any shots. Teach your players the meaning of ther terms "First Defender" & "Second Defender". Demonstrate how the Second Defender supports the First Defender. How to teach "First Defender and Second Defender" is explained in No. 3 of Quick Team Improvement Program.

"If the other team has the ball & you are second closest, you must be the "Second Defender" & back up the First Defender & stay between the ball & the goal. (Stay 5-7 steps behind the First Defender). How to teach "First Defender and Second Defender" is explained in No. 3 of Quick Team Improvement Program.

"If you have a pass, take it. Only dribble if you don't have a pass or if you can dribble & score".

"Don't pass or dribble across the front of our goal".

"Why isn't your pass staying on the ground?" Answer: "You are contacting it too low. Strike the ball half way up & follow through".

"No straight legs. Knees should always be bent" (I can't think of a single instance when a player should have straight legs).

"When waiting for a pass, stay on your toes & move as soon as you see which way the ball is going". (A quick first step is very important).

"You should always be shifting with the ball". (When the ball moves, so should you).

"When our goal is under attack, the Far Mid-Fielder (the MF farthest from the ball) or Far Stopper (if you play 2 Stoppers) should cover the Penalty Box Arc" to stop crosses to that area which could result in easy goals." (See "Formations").

"If the referee leaves his arm up after a foul, is it a direct or indirect kick?" Answer: "An indirect kick".

"Forwards, when you are pushed up & waiting for a pass, stay 2 steps behind the Last Defender so you won't accidentally be called offside".

"When our LF (Left Forward) or RF (Right Forward) is dribbling toward goal, the CF (Center Forward) & the other F (the "Far Forward") should run with him & stay a pass away & 3 - 4 steps behind the ball. The CF should run toward the "Near Post" & the Far Forward toward the "Far Post". As we attack, the Far Forward should stay about 5 steps past the Far Post and be alert for balls coming through the defenders to the Far Post or for rebounds -- there will usually be several of these per game. (See "Attacking Plan", "Cross The Ball", "Formations" & "Third Man Running" in the Dictionary).

"Which way can you run faster - - forward or backward? The answer: forward. This is why when we're attacking you should stay behind a ball that is going to be crossed & why you should not get so close to the goal that rebounds go behind you". (See "Rebounds" in the Dictionary for more details).

"Don't try to dribble through the Last Defenders, it won't work. Instead, kick a "through ball", do a "give & go" or "pass to yourself" into open space behind the defenders."

"If you are playing on the left side (LF, LMF, or LFB) or on the right side (RF, RMF or RFB), don't cross the center of the field". (LMF is Left Mid-Fielder, RFB is Right Fullback, etc.).

"We must mark any attackers who are in front of our goal & in scoring range, staying "goalside" & slightly "ballside" (i.e., 1/2 step closer to the ball than the attacker). Mark them tight if they are close to our goal (e.g., stay within 1 or 2 steps) & looser if they are farther away. Don't give them a clean shot and stay on your feet & don't jump at them or they will fake you & get a clean shot".

"Shoot high if outside the Penalty Box (i.e., toward the top of the goal) and low if inside the Penalty Box (i.e., on the ground & toward the corner)."

"If you have a clear shot, take it."

"If a teammate with the ball dribbles toward you, you MUST move away into open space so you are open for a pass." (See Best Tips and Tactics #20 for 2 types of "Movement Off the Ball" that are easy to teach teams U-8 and older, and that are very important.) The Premium "Bunching Up" game can teach players not to bunch up and to spread out to attack.

"If you are helping attack, stay a pass away from the ball -- don't get too close to your teammate with the ball or he can't pass it to you." (See Best Tips and Tactics #20 for 2 types of "Movement Off the Ball" that are easy to teach teams U-8 and older, and that are very important.) The Premium "Bunching Up" game can teach players not to bunch up and to spread out to attack.

"If you are a Fullback, when clearing the ball away from our goal, kick it straight ahead." This is simple for your FBs to remember. Along with this, you need to teach your MFs and Fs to always be shifting from side-to-side with the ball. That way, they are in position to win a ball that is cleared "straight ahead". Teach the MF's and Fs to stay a short pass apart so they have some "width" and aren't bunched to close together. When the ball is in your Defensive Third, teach your MFs to stay a pass away from the ball (say 15 of their "steps") and the Forwards to stay a long kick away from the ball (say 25-30 of their "steps"). That way you will have "depth" and your MF's and Fs will be in good positions to win those cleared balls, and even if the opponent wins the ball, you will have defenders in a good position to stop a counterattack. For Rec teams, clearing the ball "straight ahead" works better than kicking it to the sideline because you will win the ball more, won't kick it out of bounds, there won't be as many mis-kicks, you don't risk unintentionally clearing it to your "weak" side where you don't have defenders in place, and if the opposing FBs are Pushed Up you will get breakaways.