The Basic Method, 4v4
Players must regularly train using various small sided games, with
the basis of all games being 4v4. Why 4v4? 4v4 is the smallest form
of football that relates directly to the 11v11 game. 4v4 presents
all the important aspects of the football match and keeps all players
actively involved. The 4v4 game allows for the use of width, depth,
passes in all directions, three lines (defense, midfield, attack), it
allows the ball to be played forwards, backwards, it allows for
combination plays (overlap runs, give and go’s, crossovers), it
allows the square pass, it will create isolation for the 1v1. The
4v4 game forces all players to be involved and will guarantee plenty
of repetition and decision making. Defensively players will not be
able to “hide”, it will allow a team to press immediately and
allow the players to understand the basic defensive principles
(pressure, depth, cover, balance, delay) and will repeatedly allow
teams to deal with transition (the moment in which a team switches
from attack to defense or vice versa).
Fútbol Playa/Beach Soccer by Miguel A. Vera León - http://www.photographyblogger.net/18-sweet-soccer-pictures/
Modifying the basic method to achieve our objective
With the
root being 4v4, we can branch off and modify the small sided game.
Depending on what we are teaching the small sided game can be
tailored to accommodate the group, we can offset the balance of the
teams (4v2, 4v3, 4v1, 5v2, etc), we can minimize or expand the space
that we use (minimizing space will increase pressure, expanding will
give players more time), we can add conditions (1 touch, 2 touch,
etc), we can modify the rules (4 goal game, play through a zone, must
make an overlap run before scoring, etc).
During the
4v4 or modified version of the small sided game, the coach must ask
him/herself the following:
What is the objective? Is it being achieved? If the answer is Yes >
How can I make it more difficult? If the answer is No > How can
I alter the game to help my players achieve the goal?
Is the
game flowing? If the answer is Yes > How can I increase pressure?
If the answer is No > How can I alter the game to ease the
pressure and allow a flow to the game?
Players
should understand the game and the objective, it should be made clear
to them what they are trying to achieve. With the base of 4v4 and
its alterations the players will not only learn to play the game and
improve in their technique and decision making, but they will also
have fun. This after all, is why we play the game.
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