Editorial by Coach Karl Dewazien
Books, articles, courses and dialogue espouse the changes of the modern game. The era of one-dimensional play, i.e. forwards –score, midfielders – link, and backs –defend, has evolved. Individual responsibilities have now been combined to fit into team effort. The individual and his team are asked to respond to ball possession, that is "we" have the ball so all players become attackers; "they" have the ball so all players must concentrate on defending. The habit of responding to ball possession must be instilled into each player on the team. This can only happen, I believe, through the use of goals in all activities and games during practice.
Very young players should never train without goals or targets, one to attack and one to defend. This process will eventually instill the instinctive reactions demand in today’s game. We must begin with the 1 vs. 1 game as our teaching tool to initiate this expected result. Fortunately, with time, patience and courage the 1 vs. 1 game will instill the habit of attacking when in ball position and defending when not in ball possession. The player has no options or time to respond otherwise – They either have the ball and try to score or They don’t have the ball and they most stop the opponent from scoring. We must also include Teaching games into our practice.
Let us take a look at a typical half-field practice.Attackers (players with the ball) Their assignment is one-dimensional: Go for goal and score. Which by the way is a great motivator – players love to score goals! But, what happens when they lose the ball? When the Attackers lose the ball – the coach stops the action…and restarts it by giving the ball back to the attackers at midfield. Is this realistic? Would this ever happen in any game? Defenders (team without the ball) Their assignment is, also, one-dimensional: Stop the attacker from scoring – take the ball away. Which by the way is a great motivator (for a little while) because players love to score goals. So, what happens when the defenders gain ball possession? When the Defenders gain ball possession – the coach stops the action…and restarts it by giving the ball back to the attackers at midfield. Is this realistic? Would this ever happen in any game? Surely you realize that both situations are totally unrealistic.
We know that the Laws of the Game do not allow the coach on the field. We know that the Laws do not allow the coach to give the ball to either team. We know that the Laws do not allow the coach to take the ball from either team. We know and yet we practice in this manner. Yet, breaking the Laws of the Game is not the worst result of using games without two sets of goals. It is what we place into the sub-conscious mind. It is the habits we instill in the players. Habits which in many cases can not be reversed because of the intense action in a game.
First, let’s look at the habits that we are instilling in the attacking players. Lose the ball ‘relax’ someone else will get it back for me! Conversely the defending players are being taught. Gain ball possession ‘stop’ give the ball back to the opponent. The subconscious mind records what happens in practice and plays back this learned action in the game – and that is a fact! Is this what we want from our players and yet we practice in this manner. Let’s change our attitude and the environment. Always have goals to attack and goals to defend in all activities and games. By adding a second set of goals, to the half-field game for example. We change the demands on the players. And we can create realistic game habits in the process and that is a fact!Have the Attackers – attack the regulation goal they will face in the game. But, once they lose the ball – they must immediately defend two small goals placed at the half – way line. Habit created: With ball – try to score! Without ball – must immediately get the ball back; in other words become a defender. Have the Defenders – defend the regulation goal that they will protect during the game. But, once they gain ball possession – they must immediately attack the two small goals placed at the halfway line. Habit created: Without ball – defend! With ball – must immediately become an attacker, in other words attack opponent by going wide. Hopefully, you can see that the addition of the second goal(s) created the realistic atmosphere needed to teach the players game related habits.s These habits will eventually transfer themselves into the league game.
Our goal as youth coaches must be to develop all around players (one’s who can attack and defend), players who are prepared to meet the demands of the modern game. We must begin with the 1 vs. 1 game – which must be played at every practice. The 1 vs. 1 game that must be played everyday at home. We must, also, play realistic small-sided games. No matter the game – they must have goals –One goal to Attack –One goal to Defend. Goals – They are The Missing Link!
