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Practice Routine
Wall Pass
Wall Pass
Wall Pass
I just had a quick question on the wall pass relating to the flow.
Some things seem confusing to me and I've tried to figure it out from
Karl's book. I would be very appreciative if you could help.
Regards,
Patrick
Question 1: In the flow I see 1+1 and 1v1 before half-time.
That is correct!
You should play 1+1 and 1v1 at every practice and before half-time.
Where would I introduce the theme for the wall pass?
Step 1-
Begin the Practice
Give two explanations and demonstrations. First, in less than sixty
seconds, give an explanation/demonstration of what the wall pass includes.
1. How the defender is faced with a 2 on 1 situation.
2. How the 1st Attacker goes . . . (buzz word- APE)
-Attacks the Defender and commits him to the ball.
-Passes the ball to 2nd Attacker and
-Explodes past the Defender opposite of the pass.
3. How the 2nd Attacker helps through . . .(buzz word- SOS)
-Sideways on
-One touches the ball in front of 1st Attacker and behind the
Defender
-Sprint to support 1st Attackers actions
Second, give a detailed explanation/demonstration on the role of the 1st
Attacker during the wall pass:
1. Going straight at the Defender
2. Approaching at a controlled pace
Build 1st Attackers confidence by showing them they can maintain ball
possession. Build 1st Attackers confidence by teaching them a
fake/feint to beat the opponent.
Step 2- During the Figure 8 Warm-up, focus on the fakes/feints the
1st Attacker can use to maintain ball possession when attacking the
Defender. Build the 1st Attackers ball handling confidence.
Step 3- During the 1+1 make sure the Defender cooperates and allows
the 1st Attacker to be successful in approaching her and when possible to
beat her with a fake/feint. Build 1st Attackers confidence in taking
on a Defender by starting the action with the "serve." Remember the
PLUS in 1+1 stands for: Players Learn Using Stoppages. Stop the 1st
Attacker and help her when she does not Attack the Defender properly.
Step 4- During the 1v1 observe the natural tendencies of the 1st
Attacker when she is faced by a competitive Defender. Write down
notes to remind yourself as to which 1st Attackers tend to shy away from
taking on the Defender. Remember the VS in the 1vs1 stands fro the
Coach being verbally silent.
Step 5- During half-time, give a detailed explanation/demonstration
on the role of the 2nd Attacker during the wall pass:
1. Sprint to a position even with the Defender (avoid being
off-side) and turn sideways to 1st Attacker.
2. One touch the ball behind the Defender and in front of the
teammate who just passed the ball.
3. Sprint in support of the 1st Attackers action(s).
Step 6- Cooperative Small Sided Games should be a 2+1 game.
During this game the Defender cooperates to the point where the two
Attackers are successful at doing a wall pass. Using the serve will
give you the proper environment where learning the wall pass can be
accomplished. Remember the PLUS in 1+1 stands for: Players Learn
Using Stoppages. Stop and help them when necessary.
The Competitive Small Sided Games would also be 2v1 games. During
this game the Defender is asked to be Actively disrupt the 2 Attackers
attempts to do the wall pass. Begin the game with the serve to
assure at least one competitive attempt at doing a wall pass.
Remember the VS in the 1vs1 stands fro the Coach being verbally silent.
Take notes for future reference.
Step 7- During the Cooperative Scrimmage, teach the players when a
wall pass opportunity can be developed or when the opportunity has been
missed. You must teach them when/where to accomplish a wall pass
through proper stoppages.
Step 8- During the Cool-down you may want to approach individuals
with comments about their strengths and weaknesses (check your notes) on
carrying out the wall pass.
Step 9- End the Practice by giving general comments on strengths
and weaknesses noticed during this wall pass session and give them hints
on what they can do at home (homework) to get better at carrying out the
wall pass at future practices or the next game.
Would I use three players instead of 1+1 and then play 1+2 and 1v2.
See the
explanation given above. However, we need to get on the same page
when referring to our formula:
1+1- means that One Attacker is Cooperating with One Defender
1v1- means that One Attacker is Competing with One Defender
1+2- means that One Attacker is Cooperating with Two Defenders
1v2- means that One Attacker is Competing with Two Defenders
2+1- means that Two Attackers are Cooperating with One Defender
2v1- means that Two Attackers are Competing with Two Defenders
You would, therefore, be using the 2+1 and 2v1 Small Sided Games to
improve the wall pass.
The fundamentals book says always use 1+1, 1v1 etc. The
book does not mention 1+2.
The FUNdamental books have been written to help the individual in Attack
and Defense and future publications will focus on combination Attacking
and Defending.
Question 2:
If 1+2
is a small-sided game after half-time, where would I introduce the wall
pass theme?
Let’s first turn our formula around to read
2+1 so that we have 2 Attackers working with 1 Defender. And then reread
the above ‘flow chart’ for the answer on when to introduce the wall pass
theme.
Would I just concentrate on good
passing in the 1+1?
If you feel that your players are poor in the
passing department then YES you would use ‘the SERVE’ in the 1+1 segment
to improve your players passing technique. However, you would begin with
more focus on the passing of the ball during your
demonstration/explanation. Followed by partner passing/stretching during
the Figure 8 warm-up and leading into ‘the SERVE’ in the 1+1 and 1vs.1.
Question 3:
My
final question is what is the difference between 1+2 and 2+1.
1+2 is One Attacker cooperating with 2
Defenders.
2+1 is Two Attacker cooperating with 1
Defender.
Is it that 1+2 means one server to a
receiver.
We have
established that the 1st number is the number of Attackers as
in this case 1. The second number is the number of Defenders as in
this case 2.
The ‘Server’
is the player with the ball who goes through ‘the SERVE’ environment and
eventually Pushes/Peeks/Passes the ball and becomes either a cooperative
or competitive Defender.
The
‘Receiver’ is the player that mirrors the Server through ‘the SERVE’
pattern and becomes either a cooperative or competitive 1st
Attacker after receiving the ball.
If you would
like more detailed explanation on the Server and Receivers function in
Combination ‘SERVING’ ask me for future publication.
Then 2+1 is one player (server) and a
teammate serve to a receiver in the figure 8.
The figure 8 is terminology which is used
only when talking about the Warm-up portion of our practice. I believe
you are referring to ‘the SERVE’ when asking this question? Let me know
if you need further clarification on this note?
However, in your question we would have 2
Attackers + 1 Defender cooperating to do the wall pass correctly. We
could have the Defender ‘SERVE’ the ball which is recommended. Or one of
the Attackers could 'SERVE' the ball to the partner to begin the action
which is to result in a successful wall pass.
Hopefully your questions and my
response will stimulate a new area of communication among CYSA coaches.
Thank you for your detailed questions!
Karl Dewazien
CYSA State Coaching Director
Practice Routine
Practice Routine
Hello, I am
coaching an under six coed team and was looking for some ideas on various
games that we can play for the kids that pertain to soccer. Can you
help?
Thanks,
Shane Warner
Shane,
You have been given the title of 'Soccer Coach' and your job is to teach
the children how to play the game of soccer. Rather than looking for
various games, teach them our game- soccer. The CYSA Coaching school
program suggests that you put ACTION into your practice
sessions.
Activity must be one of your main goals when dealing with
young players. You must understand that players come to practice to
play SOCCER. Therefore, any activity that does not involve playing
soccer may become disruptive.
Clarify your practice session rules and expectations through
individual and team discussions. That is, have the team decide what
is appropriate and inappropriate behavior. It's actually fun to have
them vote on their own practice session rules. Then, you must act
firmly, fairly, consistently and matter of factly when their actions go
against their own established rules.
Teach less! When players and balls are moving, soccer
learning is taking place. When players and balls stop moving, soccer
learning stops! Ask yourself "does it happen in the game (i.e.
drills)"? If the answer is YES, then do it in practice. If the
answer is NO, then don't do it in practice. Remember, they come to
you to play SOCCER!
Interest in playing soccer needs to be developed. You
may be faced with players who are not interested in playing our wonderful
game and you must adjust accordingly. Give appropriate attention to
the disinterested players but not at the expense of the rest of the team.
Then, make the practices so much FUN that the disinterested player may
want to join. Remember that when you are working with your players
you must be helpful, understanding and as patient as you are with your own
children when they are learning other skills in life.
Organize the practice session in such a manner that it
becomes apparent it is a rehearsal for the game day routine. This
can only be accomplished through a consistent, sequential routine that
allows your players to learn what is expected. It is wise to avoid
variety. If they are introduced to something different at each
practice session this will lead to some confusion, and confusion can lead
to disinterest.
No Laps. No
Lines. No Lectures! Running around the field may be considered
punishment. They already know how to stand in a line. It is a
fact that their attention span is less than 15 seconds. You must
create a practice environment that minimizes listening/lecture time and
maximizes touches with the ball and playing time. In other words,
allow them to play the game of soccer which forces them to make decisions
and learn on their own. Allow them to experiment and fail their way
to success!
To put ACTION into your
practice, use the CYSA Nine Step Practice Routine.
The CYSA Nine Step Practice Routine
Before each
practice: Establish a Theme (what they will learn). Socialize and
play a FUN game (i.e. Simon Says).
Step 1. Begin
Practice
Give a demonstration/explanation of your Theme.
Step 2. Warm-Up
Use the Figure 8 Stretch Routine and apply your Theme between the
stretches.
Step 3. One +
One - Two players with one ball (cooperative play)
Players - focus on learning the Theme.
Coach - help only those who need help.
Step 4. One vs.
One (competitive play)
Players - test the Theme vs. one opponent at a time.
Coach - observe & take notes!
Step 5.
Practice Half-Time Routine
Another demonstration/explanation of the Theme if necessary.
Step 6. Play
Small Sided Game(s)
Cooperative:
Players - focus on learning the Theme vs. more opponents.
Coach - help only those who need help.
Competitive:
Players - test the Theme vs. more opponents.
Coach - observe & take notes!
Step 7. Play
Scrimmage
Cooperative:
Players - focus on learning the Theme vs. opposing team.
Coach - help only those who need help.
Competitive:
Players - test the Theme vs. opposing team.
Coach - observe & take notes!
Step 8.
Cool-Down (stretch)
Step 9. End
Practice
Review, compliment and assign homework.
Your next personal
ACTION should be to attend a CYSA Coaching Course, where we will further
develop your confidence and youth coaching abilities! You may want
to check out our list of upcoming
Coaching Courses.
Karl Dewazien
CYSA State
Coaching Director
