Connect Footwork, 1v1s and 3v3s at TST
3v3s at TST.
In the past there has been alot of overly physical selfish play and forced 1v1s in the 3v3s.
At TST , we want players to use more game intelligence in the 3v3s and see the 3v3s as team exercise with strong 1v1 elements rather than the other way round.
With this said think about the following:
- What is a general definition of the game at individual level that connects footwork, 1v1s and 3v3s and offers a framework that connects all of these (rather than them being 3 separate components)?
- Why do we do footwork?
- How does footwork blend into 1v1s and 3v3s....what is its fundamental purpose?
- What are 1v1s all about (at a fundamental level)?
- What is the best way to teach 1v1s so it blends better into a team based mindset?
- How does footwork and 1v1s fit into a team based framework?
- What are all the key ingredients in a team focused 3v3?
- Do we teach all these key ingredients?
- If not, do we need to reduce the 30 minutes of 3v3, and add in a specific 15 minutes where we add the missing components of technique that the footwork / 1v1s fail to address?
I think we will learn best, if we learn off each other by all sharing our views on these questions.
If you are not comfortable with pitching in, then at least write down your views and compare them to those who are happy to share their thoughts.
Looking forward to the barrage of replies !!!!
What is a general definition of the game at an individual level that connects footwork, 1v1s and 3v3s and offers a framework that connects all of these (rather than them being 3 separate components)?
The game at an individual level (when in possession) can be defined as
an exercise in the manipulation of time and space to improve the position of the ball.
When coaching footwork, or 1v1s or 3v3s I use this definition as a base. Is that what is being practiced? Is this what I see in action when they play?
Why do we do footwork?
We do footwork so players can manipulate their time and space to improve the position of the ball.
- Improve the position of the ball means => pass into a goal, pass to a team-mate in more space, or who has more time, or who is higher up the pitch, or is closer to the goal, or is a step closer to a better pass. If none of the passing options are better than continuing to run with the ball, then a player should continue to run with the ball, whilst also constantly assessing for the moment when a pass becomes a better option than running with the ball.
How does footwork blend into 1v1s and 3v3s....what is it's fundamental purpose?
- Footwork is primarily about game functional touches (where the ball and player move together fluidlily from 1 space to another) in an efficient and effective way. :
Think of footwork in same way as chords on a guitar.
Chords are a step up from musical notes, and can be practiced in isolation,
but they can't be used in song until they have been practiced enough and are combined in a certain way.
Footwork also covers agility, balance, coordination.....and ultimately it is about the ability to interact with the ball, in an effective and effcient way, without thinking about it and without looking at it.
- Footwork is not for just 1v1s, although can be used in 1v1 moments. In fact it could be argued that footwork is mostly used to avoid a 1v1s.
- Footwork is the subconscious element in a 1v1. [The conscious part is 'what is the problem and how do I solve it'? ]
- When an attacker interacts with a defender, footwork is about getting to a space quicker than the defender.
[ I like the saying : 'A 1v1 is a race to space'
[ and not about getting past the defender. A 1v1 may in fact sometimes mean moving away from a defender and not engaging at all].
- In a 3v3 the footwork is for the same reason - footwork and 1v1 ability are used to improve the position of the ball.
I like the saying :
Use footwork to get yourself out of trouble, not put yourself in it .
In other words : Let the 1v1s find you - don't go looking for them.
What are 1v1s all about (at a fundamental level)?
- 1v1s are a relationship between the attacker, space and the defender.
- A 1v1 is simply about space, and a defender is just an annoying thing standing in the way of some of the space....but not all of it.
- An attacker isn't trying to get past the defender. They are instead, trying to get to an important space before the defender can stop them.
- A 1v1 is about the attacker watching the defender, and seeing which space is being defended well and which isn't. When watching the defender, the attacker is watching their feet, their momentum, their stride pattern, their body position, their balance, their relative speeds, their relative directions of movement....etc...etc
- The attacker must also be very mindful of the distances between them. Too close and the attacker might get tackled. Too far away and the defender doesnt need to interact.
1v1s are not about tricks and moves at a fundamental level.
These are only necessary if the defender isn't giving the attacker something to react to.
Ways to win a 1v1
- if the defender has got his feet wrong then a 1v1 one should be easy to win.
- 1v1s can be simply an aggressive touch to space combined with speed.
- 1v1s can be quick feet (FFP) based (if the defender dives in).
- 1v1s can be FFP based - just simply move the ball out of the defender's reach.
- 1v1s can be based on an initial movement to space....and a reaction to this.
- Only when none of the above work, should 'moves' be introduced.
It is also important to realise that 1v1s occur in a whole bunch of different ways . An attacker trying to get past a defender is just one type of 1v1 and actually does not occur that much in this way, in a game. I call these 'pressure problems' and there are about 8 of them i think.
What is the best way to teach 1v1s so it blends better into a team based mindset?
- My view is : Play 1v1s on a wide pitch with 2 wide goals (plus add some extra constraints to promotie more technical moments), rather than a long pitch with one goal.
- This offers the attacker 2 big spaces to attack / play with.
- It means the defender has to now defend 2 lateral spaces.
- This way also links nicely into a 3 v 1 or a 4v2 rondo. The 1v1 is the use of lateral space rather than beating a player.
How does footwork and 1v1s fit into a team based framework?
Footwork is used to get to a better space. 1v1s should not be any more important than playing a simple pass. Everything is about' improving the position of the ball'. If all players on a team do this, then it provides a very strong team based framework. Footwork is an essential component when trying to improve the position of the ball but is not more important than a simple pass.
What are all the key ingredients in a team focussed 3v3?
The components of the individual technical cycle of football are the main ingredients.
- When in possession:
- Positioning (left, right, middle, angles that open passing lines, play high like a 10, low like a 6, wide like an 8 or any variation in between).
- Body shape (see as much of the game as possible, always able to check forward, connect the passing line in and the passing line out).
- Playing with the head up. Check And scan. [Constants when playing]
- First touch that solves a problem.
- Ball moving which improves the position of the ball.
- Intelligent release (make life easier for the receiver - not harder).
- When out of possession do the above but in reverse.
Do you teach all these key ingredients at an individual level?
Only you know. We will introduce a 15 minute window into a TST session to try to teach players who to better play 3v3.
Should we reduce the 3v3s down to 20 min and add in a specific 15 minutes where we add the missing components of technique, that the 'FFP work / 1v1s' fails to address.
yes
How?
- A rondo.
- EG : A simple 3v1 (use an out of bounds middle square in which the ball cannot travel through and build towards 2 square (Adv 3v1)) or
- Play a 4v2 (so players can work on their left / right / middle positioning.
- 3v3s with constraints....
- A '1 touch-2 touch' 2v2 or 3v3 using bounce players. (Advanced : Bounce playershave 1 touch - Inside players have 2 touch).
- A 3v3 tutorial teaching 6/8/10 rotating triangles.
|
Check out these pages before you coach at TST. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Page | 1 | |
| Page | 2 | |
| Page | 3 | |