| Cup Winner's Recipe for Success |
Coaches use an age-appropriate program and a systematic talent promotion
By Gerard Houllier
The French recipe for success
The French youth soccer training system has attracted attention in the last several years because of the success of France at the international level. This article is reprinted from Success in Soccer magazine and gives examples of attacking schemes from French youth training and appeared in the January-February 2003 issue of Soccer Journal. The author is a former head coach of Liverpool FC and technical director of the French Soccer Association.
Current youth training methods in the land of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 Champions are an example to us all. Ultimately, they are the products of a systematic talent-promotion system. The training concepts described in this article are an important source of information used by French youth coaches to build an efficient, age-appropriate training program for individual and group tactics.
Attacking combinations in the middle
1. SETUP
• An attacker with ball (A) stands about 35 yards in front of a goal with goalkeeper.
• A defender faces the attacker.
• Two wall passers (B) wait in front of the penalty area to help the attacker.
2. SETUP
• A passer stands on the sideline with several balls.
• A passer stands on the sideline with several balls.
• A midfielder (A) just in front of the center circle. An attacker (B) and defender stand about 15 yards in front of a corner of the penalty area.
• GK stands in the goal.
3. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 2.
4. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 2, but with an extra attacker (C) just outside the penalty area.
A. SEQUENCE:
• The attacker tries to get past the defender and shoot.
• The two wall passers (who must pass directly) can play wall passes with the attacker.
• This gives the attacker the opportunity for either wall passes or a solo run (after faking a wall pass).
FOCUS ON:
• Playing wall passes appropriate to the situation.
• Finishing quickly.
B. SEQUENCE:
• The passer starts the combination with a precisely aimed pass to the midfielder.
• The midfielder then passes to the attacker, who has to get clear of the defender as follows: First, fake an opening run toward the goal, then stop the run in order to show for a quick pass. Then, 1 v. 1 to finish.
FOCUS ON:
• “Checking” to get open.
• Finishing quickly after a 1 v. 1.
C. SEQUENCE
• Same as Exercise 2, except that now the attacker has to get open as follows: First, show for a quick pass, then sprint around behind the defender and receive the real pass on the run.
• Afterwards, the attacker shoots, either directly or after dribbling toward the goal with goalkeeper.
FOCUS ON:
• Changing directions to get open
• Finishing quickly after receiving a pass.
D. SEQUENCE
• As above, the passer starts the combination with a pass to the midfielder.
• The midfielder passes the ball on to the attacker, who gets clear of the defender.
• The attacker then finishes with a solo run or a wall pass with C, and ultimately shoots.
FOCUS ON:
• For the attacker, getting open and controlling the ball
• Solo run or combination play.
ATTACKING COMBINATIONS ON THE WINGS
1. SETUP
• A passer stands just in front of the centerline.
• An outside defender (A) stands across from the passer on the wing.
• An outside forward (B) and defender.
• Two central attackers C and D.
2. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
3. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
4. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
A. SEQUENCE
• The passer starts each play with an accurate pass to A.
• The outside forward gets clear of the defender (change directions!) And shows for the pass.
• After controlling the ball and turning to face the defender, the forward goes to goal, either with a solo run or in combination with C and/or D.
FOCUS ON:
• Getting open on the wing.
• Finishing quickly.
B. SEQUENCE:
• As in Exercise 1, the passer starts each play.
• However, this time, outside forward B uses a different method of getting clear of the defender and shows for a long pass from A.
• Afterwards, B crosses in front of the goal to D.
FOCUS ON:
• Getting open on the wing.
• Scoring on crosses.
C. SEQUENCE
• As in Exercise 1, the passer starts each play.
• Outside forward B gets clear of the defender and plays the ball directly back to A. A one-touches to D, who passes back to B as B gets open on the wing.
• Afterwards, B crosses in front of the goal to C.
FOCUS ON:
• Fast combination play on the wing.
• Scoring on crosses
D. SEQUENCE
• As in Exercise 1, the passer starts each play.
• Outside forward B gets clear of the defender, controls the pass and turns to face the defender.
• Afterwards, B breaks through on the wing, either with a wall pass with D or a solo run.
FOCUS ON:
• Fast combination play on the wing
• Using the outside positions.
2 V. 2 IN THE CENTER OF THE ATTACK
1. SETUP
• Two attackers play against two defenders, about 30 yards in front of a goal with goalkeeper.
2. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
3. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
A. SEQUENCE
• The two attackers play 2 v. 2 against the two defenders to break through and score.
• They may use various attack tactics, depending on the situation. One possibility is the wall pass (or fake wall pass).
FOCUS ON:
• Setting up shots with wall passes.
• Finishing quickly.
B. SEQUENCE
• Another possibility for 2 v. 2 combination play: First the second attacker (B) jogs toward the defender then accelerates to get behind the defender. The attacker with the ball passes diagonally into the second attacker’s path to set up a shot.
FOCUS ON:
• Getting open quickly, with changes of tempo.
• Finishing quickly after combination play.
C. SEQUENCE
• Another possibility for 2 v. 2 combination play: The second attacker suddenly starts a lateral run, then cuts and shows for a long penetrating pass from the attacker with the ball.
FOCUS ON:
• Getting open quickly, with changes of tempo.
• Finishing quickly after combination play.
4. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
5. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
6. SETUP
• Same as Exercise 1.
A. SEQUENCE
• Another possibility for 2 v. 2 combination play: Attacker A dribbles diagonally toward the closest defender. Suddenly, Attacker B makes an overlapping run behind A.
• A passes into B’s path (or fakes a pass and tries to score on a solo run instead).
FOCUS ON:
• Setting up shots with overlapping runs.
• Finishing quickly.
B. SEQUENCE
• Another possibility for 2 v. 2 combination play: Attacker A dribbles laterally toward Attacker B, who moves in to the middle and takes over the ball there.
• Important: When you take over the ball, speed up to make room for a shot.
FOCUS ON:
• Setting up shots with takeovers.
• Finishing quickly.
C. SEQUENCE
• Another possibility for 2 v. 2 combination play: First, the second attacker jogs toward the goal, then suddenly sprints toward the attacker with the ball and shows for a short pass.
• While controlling the ball, the second attacker turns to face the nearest defender and attacks.
FOCUS ON:
• Fast combination play.
• 1 v. 1 to finish.
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