2013 Section Meeting
Coaching Workshop
Off the Ball Movement
and Decision Making
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Think about this:
Coaches spend a great deal of time working on their player’s
technical ability.
Coaches should understand that tactical play is just as critical in
player development as is technical ability.
That means what?…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
All coaches must teach their players:
To play off the ball…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
All training must be small sided 2v2, 3v3, 4v4,
5v5 maybe 6v6.
Why?
Players who have played short-sided games have
a greater understanding of what playing off the
ball means.
Short-sided play allows children to play.
Young soccer players need special consideration…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Why small sided training:
Concentration span is limited, so frequent changes of pace and activity
is essential.
By changing an activity just a little bit it changes the requirements of
runs off the ball.
Short –sided play is an exceptional tool for player discovery.
Short –sided play gives players immediate feedback on good runs
on the ball as well as poor play off the ball…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Every training session a coach conducts must be about
decisions on and off the ball. Playing off the ball is all
about decisions The ball
The player
Their teammate
The opponent
The goal
The time…
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Opponent
Time
Up a Goal
Down a Goal
Teammate
Goal Attac king
Goal Defending
Me
And read it all in se conds!
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Every player must have a full (age appropriate)
understanding of the “Principles of Play” and the
coach must incorporate the principles of play into
every training session…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
“Principles of Play”
Attacking Principles
Penetration
Depth
Width
Mobility
Creativity
Defending Principles
Delay
Depth
Concentration
Balance
Composure
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Players must have an understanding of the
roles required of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd support.
Players become more effective off the ball if
they have a true understanding of their roles and
responsibilities on and off the ball…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
First Attacker:
Penetrate with the ball
Get the ball quickly to the back of the defense by:
Dribbling
Passing
Shooting…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Second Attacker:
Support first Attacker (depth)
Prepare to defend
See all near ball
Prepare to switch with third Attacker (mobility)
Draw Defender away from the middle (width)…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Third Attacker:
Defeat principles of defense by:
Rotating with second attacker (mobility)
Working to create numbers (mobility/creativity)
Working to create space (mobility/creativity)
Creating defensive confusion (mobility/creativity)…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
First Defender:
Delay the attack
Establish appropriate marking distance
Tackle the ball when supported
Deny space
Protect the goal…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Second Defender:
Support first defender
Prepare to become first defender
Deny dangerous pass
Reduce good shooting angles
Watch first attacker and the ball…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Third Defender:
Create balance
Defend where attack may appear
Mark attacker
Restrict space
Regain ball possession…
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Second Defender
Support first defender
Prepare to become first defender
Deny dangerous pass
Reduce good shooting angles
Watch first attacker and ball
5
5
Second Attacker
1
Support first attacker
1
Prepare to defend
See all near ball
Prepare to switch with
third attacker (mobility)
Draw defender away from the middle (Width) 2
Third Defender
Create balance
Defend where attack may
appear (space)
Mark attacker and restrict space
(Concentration)
Regain ball possession
First Defender
Delay
Establish appropriate marking
distance
Tackle the ball when supported
Deny space
Protect the goal
4
3
2
3
4
First Attacker
Penetrate with ball
Get the ball quickly to the
back of the defense by
Drribbling
Passing
Shooting
Third Attacker
Defeat principles of defense by
Rotating with second attacker
Working to create numbers
Working to create space
Creating defensive confusion
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Activities for training players to play on and
off the ball:
Recognize:
Play off the ball
Playing off the ball decisions
Which “Principles of Play” are involved
How to include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd support or both
attacking and defending play…
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Run
Dribble
Why?
What Principles of Play
Dribble
Run
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2v1 Goals on end line 20 X 15 yard grid
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Coach serves
4v4 or 3v3 Zone game point for every ball passed or dribbled
into the zone on a 40x30 grid
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Run
WHY?
What Princ iple(s) of Play?
Server
Server
15x15
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30 X 15 yard grid
Pa ss
Shot
Pass
Pa
ss
4v4 Goals on end line
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Points to remember:
1v1 provides no off the ball training
But, keep in mind, that all players should try to
create 1v1 play
You must train 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 or 6v6…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Summary:
What playing off the ball is
What playing off the ball should look like
How to train players to play off the ball…
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Off the Ball Movement and Decision Making
Any questions?
Thank you!
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