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Coaching Soccer Players To Not Bunch Up

(Keywords: soccer drills, soccer rules, soccer field, how to play soccer, soccer drill, soccer rule, soccer positions, youth soccer drill, soccer coaching, coaching youth soccer, soccer field diagram, soccer field size, rules of soccer, youth soccer rules, rules for soccer, basic soccer rules)

(Following are two of the many letters we have received about "bunching up" and our responses. Our responses are in blue. Bunching up is a common problem for U-8, U-10 and even U-12 coaches)


Dear SoccerHelp,

Your pearls of wisdom have been invaluable. Our team has now scored 8 goals in the last two games while our opponents have yet to score. We have been doing the Premium practice games and, you know, they really work. Our defense which was questionable a few weeks ago is now rock solid. We will continue to stick with the discipline. We still bunch up too much on the offense. I keep telling them to stay a pass away but it is just too exciting to chase the ball. Do you have any other drills to specifically address the crowding issues.

Again thanks for all your help.

Will, U-9 boys rec coach

Hi Will,

Congratulations. Try the "2 Team Keep Away" and "Small Sided Scrimmage Without A Goalie" Practice Games. These don't specifically teach it, but they give you chances to teach it and to work on it. In the "Small Sided Scrimmage Without A Goalie Game", your players will quickly learn that if they all go to the ball, the opponent will easily score. Just keep stressing it, praise them when they do it correctly, and keep reminding them when they do it wrong. Use your whistle to stop the Practice Games to remind them. Also, I suggest reminding them when they are on the field during their real "match" games by calling them by name and using a phrase they will understand, like "Billy, spread out". Or "Billy, move away". (Pick one & tell your players that this is what you will say when they are too close and always use the same words). After 3 or 4 games you will see progress. If you are able to teach this in one season, you will have done great. Be persistent, but patient; this is hard to teach.

Dear SoccerHelp,

I'm coaching 8 & 9 year olds. Some are new at the game. How do we teach them to not bunch up around the ball?

Daryl

Dear Daryl,

This is difficult. We suggest trying to teach "First Defender/Second Defender" and some simple rules, such as that "right side players" and left side players do not cross the center of the field, and that you "Defend Deep" and tell your Fullbacks to not go past the edge of the Penalty Box until they are more experienced. Also, teach the "2 Simple Types Of Movement Off The Ball" referenced below.

  1. On SoccerHelp, in the Dictionary read: Support, Movement Off the ball and Coaching Rules.

  2. If you subscribe to Premium, read # 7 at "10 Defense Tips" (How To Teach First Defender/Second Defender and a simple Zone Defense), # 3 & # 4 at "Quick Team Improvement" (How To Teach First Defender/Second Defender and How To Teach Shift & Sag), Coaching Rules 3, 5, 8, 16 and 19, "23 Of The Best SoccerHelp Tips & Tactics" # 19 (How To Teach Your Players To Pass To Space) and # 20 (How To Teach Your Players To Create Space By Teaching 2 Simple Types Of Movement Off The Ball), "Formations" and "Attacking Plan".

  3. Read "How To Teach Soccer Dribbling" and play the "Dribble Across A Square Game" (Premium version) at every practice. By the end of the season, you will see a huge difference and all of your players will have more confidence when they have the ball. (Read the "Testimonials" for what coaches say about this).

  4. Use the "Passing Pairs Game" to teach the correct form for an inside-of-foot pass so your players will be able to pass the ball (see Skills if you aren't sure). Play games such as "2 Team Keep Away" and ""Dribble Around Cone & Pass Relay Race".

  5. Also, see "How To Teach Defensive Recovery".

Regarding your formation, I suggest a 2-2-1 (2 FB's, 2 MF's and 1 "Target Forward"). Put your most aggressive player at forward and tell him or her to try to stay in front of the goal as much as possible to watch for rebounds. Read "Formations and Tips For 7v7" and "Letters From Coaches ..." on SoccerHelp Premium for more ideas.

Best wishes,

SoccerHelp

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