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| Coaching via Small-Sided Games |
Training with 8 v. 3 and 10 v. 5 is ideal in shaping a team
By Craig Brown
Here are three examples of how former Scotland National Coach Craig Brown used small-sided games in his coaching scheme.
Three central defenders
The exercise starts with the goalkeeper releasing the ball into a central area of the field, where there is a 5 v. 5 + 1 or 6 v. 6 + 1 situation. The area involved is the central area of the playing pitch, at least 35 yards from the goal.
After the target number of passes, for example four or five, has been achieved, the possession team is then allowed to “break” into an attack against, initially, no defenders.
Later a defensive unit of three or four players can be introduced and the exercise then becomes realistic. Offside is in operation and the coach has the opportunity to work with his defensive players as well as advising the attackers on methods to score.
A final progression would include inserting a permanent striker or strikers who remain in the attacking area and are joined by the team attaining the required number of passes.(see diagram at right)
A further advancement is for the game to be played in both directions in a 70-yard pitch. In this instance the teams in the central areas have a specific direction of attack that comes into operation after the required number of passes has been achieved.
Shaping a team — 8 v. 3
In this instance the desired team formation is 3-5-2. The practice pitch, initially of three-quarters length (70 yards) would be used for a game involving 8 v. 3 players.,br />
The team of eight, the possession team, is shaped up with three defenders either in a flat zone or with two markers and a free defender (libero or sweeper). The midfield consists of five players placed across the pitch as shown in the illustration. This team of eight plays against the three defenders of the opposing team, again shaped appropriately to suit the requirements of the coach.
The game starts with a throw-out from the goalkeeper of the eight-man team which plays against three defenders. This heavy numerical superiority enables predetermined practice moves to be carried out.
Clearly, each attack should end in a goal attempt because of the numerical advantage. When the attack is finished either by scoring, a save from the goalkeeper, a goal-kick or the defenders winning possession, the five midfield players now play with the original three defenders and attack the opposite goal. This means that, initially, three team colors are required, one color for each of the defending three players and another color for the five midfield players. The game proceeds from end to end allowing the coach to make relevant points and even to introduce set piece situations. (see above diagram)
Playing 10 v. 5
Still using the same size playing pitch, two strikers are added to each of the teams. The initial team of eight will have two front players in the color of the defending three. Similarly, the three defenders used at the beginning will also have two strikers in their color who immediately defend the initial throw-out from the goalkeeper.
The structure now is 10 v. 5 players that, because of the clear overload in favor of the possession team, should result in a purposeful attack resulting from each team movement. Again, the five middle players join with the other five players (three original defenders and two new strikers) to attack the opposing goal once the previous attack has broken down. Many attacking moves and offensive set piece situations can be carried out. Equally the defensive strategy, involving the three defenders, can be perfected.
The one disadvantage in this structure is that the wide midfield player of either side has to reverse his role when playing for the opposing team. For example, the wide left player in one direction becomes the wide right player going the other way. Similarly, the two inner midfield players are assuming the opposite role when playing in the other direction. This can be eliminated by extending to a full-size pitch and introducing another five midfield players. Now there is the full game potential in which all that has been learned can be reinforced. (see above diagram)
The original structure of 8 v. 3 and the later 10 v. 5 make ideal training games of a functional nature when working with a team squad of 17 or 18 players. The potential for coaching in a game structure is obvious.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the November-December 2002 issue of Soccer Journal. Craig Brown has been a guest clinician at NSCAA Academy courses and has appeared on NSCAA Convention programs.
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