After two weeks of training my teams are getting ready for their first games. I'm starting to get an idea of how the teams fit together. The formations I use for small-sided soccer keep it pretty simple. I always use a 2-3-1 for teams playing 7 v 7 and 4-3-1 for playing 9 v 9 games. I've found that these formations are effective, easy to teach and create a great pathway to the 11-a-side game. They allow me to teach the principles that the players will use … [Read more...]
#110 Playing with a Back Three
Last week provided a nice break over the 4th of July holiday. Stepping away from the field and not thinking about coaching for a bit is always a welcome change of pace. We now only have two weeks remaining in our summer break. It seems like it just started and now it's half over! Now I'm working on the plan for my team's first couple of months of training. I don't like to script out specific training sessions this early but I like to have an outline of … [Read more...]
#101 What to Do When You Need a Goal
First of all, thanks to everyone that sent me an email, left a comments on the site or provided a rankings and reviews on iTunes about the 100th episode of the podcast. I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen each week and I love hearing from you when you have a question or comment. Doing this podcast has forced me to evaluate what I do and your feedback has helped me improve the way I coach my teams. THANKS! We're not moving into the … [Read more...]
#085 Developing Your Style of Play
I hope everyone enjoyed a great holiday season. It was a welcome break as our club always takes off the weeks of Christmas and New Years to give players and their families time to enjoy the holidays, spend time with their family and recharge for the second halve of the soccer year. I like the break from the weekly training sessions and games but I’m looking forward to getting back to working with my players again. They're really starting to understand the … [Read more...]
#081 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1? Klopp or Mourinho? You Decide
Over the last couple of week's I've been completing referee re-certification courses for both outdoor and Futsal. We all complain about the quality and shortage of referees. I think it's important that coaches don't just talk about it but do something to correct the problem. I'm not able to referee a lot but I pick up games when I have a gap in my coaching schedule. If every coach in the area just did a couple of games each weekend then we'd be able to … [Read more...]
#059 Are Your Players Ready for 11 v 11?
Last week I looked at formations for the 9 v 9 format that will be used for U11’s and U12’s in the US next year. A coach pointed out that I missed an important one, the 3-2-3. It’s the formation that is often used by Ajax and others when they are playing 9 v 9. As I looked at it, the formation has all of the qualities you need in a balanced system. It gives you numbers in attack, cover in defense and central midfielders that can work together. It’s a … [Read more...]
#058 Systems of Play for Third Stage of Soccer Development
Last week reviewed the possible formations for teams playing 7 v 7. My focus was on U9 and U10 teams but I received an email from Bryan, a coach in Maryland, who coaches a U15 girls team. He found the episode useful for his team even though they play 11 v 11 but they usually play 7 v 7 or 8 v 8 at the end of training sessions so he will use the different formations I described to focus on various aspect of the game that he wants to highlight. So even if you’re … [Read more...]
#057 Formations for the Second Stage of Soccer Development
Last week I shared a complete training session for running with the ball. If you missed that one I’d suggest you go back and check out the podcast and printable show notes for all of the details. This has been a crazy week. I’ve jammed a week of work into four days. When this is released I’ll be on my way to Cincinnati, Ohio for the Flying Pig Half Marathon. It looks like it’s going to be a wet one! If anyone listening is going to be out there running or … [Read more...]
#052 Coaching the Most Important Age Group
I’ve settled into a regular routine with our Instagram account. Each week I share a complete training session or progression of exercises from one of our books along with a couple of interesting photos or quotes that I’ve come across. I think it’s a great way to share drills and exercises because the comments section allows enough room for the complete description and coaching points. If you don’t have an Instagram account I would suggest you check it … [Read more...]
#051 How to Function Within the Formation
I’ve had some interest from a couple of coaches that are willing to be part of a coach’s roundtable discussion on the upcoming rule changes. I’d like to have four or five coaches involved to get a wider range of opinions. It won’t be difficult or complicated to be involved. You just need a free account on Skype and 30 to 45 minutes to talk. Email me at tommura@worldclasscoaching.com if you’d like to join the discussion We had our first weekend of the new … [Read more...]