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Youth Soccer Coaching
4-3-3-1 or 3-3-4-1?
By Coach Paul Davies and
Koach Karl Dewazien
Question:
What's your preference, 4-3-3-1, 3-3-4-1, or some combination thereof?
This will help me in understanding your philosophy, so that we are on the same page when the practices start. I know it's early, but given the right talent and the best case scenario, what is your preference? I am from the old school and am not that familiar with sweeper or stopper. The only type of roaming youth soccer player I am familiar with is what was called the eliminator, a dogging youth soccer player that hung on the heels of a very good opponent youth soccer player. Catch you on the flip side or sooner.
Thanks - Coach Lyle
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Lyle,
Thank you for your early enthusiasm and interest in the coming season. My philosophy ... typically, I line the team up with 4 backs, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards (4-3-3).
One of the two middle backs would be an outright sweeper, if not, the two middle backs both play it interchangeably i.e. one marks and the other sweeps (covers behind back three).
However, there are some people that have become obsessed with systems of
play -- particularly for youngsters. Technique is far more important for
them to learn and practice. Most successful youth coaches put technique
development above everything at this age. This is because there is no
system which will overcome inaccurate passing or shooting; none which will improve ball control; none which will allow for youth soccer players who will not support each other; and none which will allow for youth soccer players who cannot or will not run.
I feel that all of our youth soccer players need to learn both how to attack and
defend. The entire team is part of the attack when we have possession,
likewise they are all defenders the instant we lose it. The closer to the opponents goal we can win the ball back the better. Forwards need to learn how to read defenders moves to beat them and visa-versa.
There is one position however, that I believe is more important than any
other -- the goalkeeper. Our keepers will receive lots of attention before and during the season.
Most important of all, and in addition to all of this, is that the boys
have fun. More fun = lots of touches of the ball. To accomplish this most of my practices typically comprise of four parts.
1. Warm up -- everyone has a ball each (juggling,turns,dribbling , etc.)
2. 1v1 games (with a 2v2 game simultaneously being played in front of goal with goal keepers and net)
3. Coach theme
4. Large game practicing theme by pre-imposed condition for first few
minutes e.g. two-touch soccer for passing/support
I always end practice with free soccer and no game coaching (youth soccer players
time-just like game day)
Game day -- the team try out what they learnt in practice! Coaches
reinforce theme (from previous practice) and make note of what most needs to be worked on i.e. develop theme for next practice.
It is really important Lyle, for us to give game day to the youth soccer players by
limiting our "game coaching" to positive reinforcement and showing our
trust of them by sitting down for most of the game. Trust me ! ... the
more freedom that we give the youth soccer players on game day to play, the better they will play and learn the game. We do most of our work on the practice field and mostly observe on game day.
So that's my philosophy regarding systems of play for U12's. In some other parts of the world (England and Holland), they won't even let them have 11 youth soccer players on the field until they are 13 years old!
Editors Note: We at FUNdamentalSoccer.com endorse this philosophy on
systems of play!
Koach Karl Dewazien
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