One way to improve your team is to increase its skill level, while improving your team’s decision making is another.

In the video clip below Schellas Hyndman, current Men’s Soccer Head Coach at Grand Canyon University, leads a drill to help improve your teams decision making. The demonstration is part of his presentation at a Glazier Soccer Clinic entitled Exercises to Train the Striker.

Coach Hyndman, who has over 30 years of coaching experience, has excelled at both the collegiate (Eastern Illinois, SMU) and professional (FC Dallas) levels.

For information about gaining access to Coach Hyndman’s full presentation and other great great coaching clinic presentations click the link Glazier Clinics Vault. If you are interested in attending a Glazier Soccer Clinic, click here to find one near you.

The clip has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on

This drill is set up with 6 players that are set up in a rectangular shape. The players on the ends are simulating midfielders and the players in the middle are forwards. Coach Hyndman instructs the players to start with two options by either dropping the pass back or passing to the other forward for a combination play. He then moves to working on a dummy run by the first forward. This player moves inside or towards the middle so the pass is on an angle. Once the pass comes, the players does a dummy run by letting the ball go through to the second forward and then curling off for a pass into space. This drill is continuous in that players rotate around to different spots as the ball goes from one end to the other.

Coach Hyndman discusses several important areas to focus on as a coach to make sure your players are getting the most out of this drill. The forwards need to work together and stay connected. He discusses the importance of the first forward not coming in too far for the dummy pass since this will create a longer run into space. It’s important for the second forward to lead the first forward with their pass so it’s not behind them and also not too far out in front. Also, the midfielders or players on the ends making the passes need to be working with the forwards. Coach Hyndman talks about the importance of action and reaction from players. If the first forward changes their run or moves to a different spot, the midfielder should read this and be ready to connect the pass. This is a common problem with teams as players are not on the same page and will make passes expecting their teammate to be there, but they are making a different run. Practice and repetition help improve this so players can be more comfortable on the field during games.

By Matt Settles

Coach Settles recently completely his 11th season as a high school coach in Indiana. The former collegiate player at the University of Southern Indiana is also a regular contributor to the Soccer Toolbox.

There are tons of soccer drills that any soccer coach can set up during a practice session. It’s very easy to have a great idea and plan only to see it fall apart because it’s too complicated. One of the easiest and most beneficial drills any soccer coach can do is to set up a 4 v 2 drill. There are lots of benefits and plenty of areas to focus on with your players. Whether you are using the drill as a warm up or working on specific areas, don’t lose track that one of the easiest drills may be the most beneficial for your players and team.

Start with a 10 x 10 (yards) grid marked by cones. There are 4 players on the outside or on each side, which are the offensive players. The two players in the middle are the defenders. You can have these players defend for a certain amount of time or set up a rotation where the defenders switch to offense once they win the ball. There are several important areas to focus on with 4 v 2 drills:

Possession

The 4 v 2 drill is a keep away game, so the focus should always be on possession with the offensive players. If you have a more experienced group of players, challenge them to connect a certain number of passes which counts as a goal. Also, use a touch restriction so the offensive players are forced to play quickly. Encourage the offensive players to move on the outside to create passing angles and communicate constantly to help their teammates.

Defenders Working Together

The two defenders should constantly be working together to get the ball back. Talk to your players about the 1st and 2nd defender roles and responsibilities. The 1st defender should be providing pressure and forcing the ball in one direction. The 2nd defender should be supporting and communicating to the 1st defender. Make sure they are staying connected and not getting split by passes. This is a great opportunity to work on defense and stressing the importance of smart defending to win the ball back.

Technical Skills in Live Setting

It’s great if your players can pass, trap, and receive a ball with no pressure, but can they do these things during a game with a defender on their back? The 4 v 2 drill allows players to practice in a live setting and this experience will always be beneficial for games. The offensive players should be opening their bodies as much as possible so they have multiple passing options available.

Training your third defender to be in proper position is a key component of a successful defense. In the video clip below Schellas Hyndman, current Men’s Soccer Head Coach at Grand Canyon University, discusses position and balance during his Coaching the 3rd Defender demonstration at a recent Glazier Soccer Clinic. Coach Hyndman breaks down the roles and responsibilities of the 3rd defender in a 3 v 3 drill that allows the players and teams to work on defense and defending in small groups.

The grid is set up approximately 20 yards in length and 30 yards wide. There are three small goals used on each end of the grid that teams can attack and try to score on. The teams are split up into different colors with three players each on three teams. One team starts with the ball attacking one direction and the second team defending. Once the defensive team wins the ball, there is a goal scored, or any change in possession, the offensive team goes off the field behind the goals they were attacking. The defensive team on the field now transitions to be the offensive team. The third team waiting off the field on the opposite end steps on to be the defensive team. This constant rotation allows the drill to keep going with every team playing both offense and defense.

For information on how to gain access to Coach Hyndman’s entire presentation as well as hundreds of other great clinic presentations click the link Glazier Clinics Vault. If you are interested in attending a Glazier Soccer Clinic click here to find one near you.

The video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on.

There are several coaching points from this drill regarding the 3rd defender:

Balance

The 3rd defender provides balance for the team. If this player pushes too far up or back, they create holes and gaps that other teams can attack. There should be constant communication from this player to his or her teammates as they can see the entire field.

Depth

The 3rd defender must see the ball and the player they are defending. This requires depth or dropping back to make sure a player can see both. It is also very important to have a good stance and angle so this player is not closing their body to either the ball or the offensive player.

Defender Roles

The first defender should put pressure and close down the ball. The 2nd defender should support the first defender in case they get beat on the dribble. The 3rd defender should provide both balance and cover for both the 1st and 2nd defenders. All players need to understand these roles and the responsibilities that come with each one as there is constant interchanging that goes on during a game.

If you are looking for another shooting drill to add to your coaching toolbox check out the video below. Charlie Cooke, Director of Coerver Coaching USA, instructs players on a Competitive Shooting Drill during his Creating and Converting Goal Chances demonstration. This effective drill not only involves shooting, but dribbling, defending, and offensive to defensive transitions.

The grid is set up and marked by two cones, which are 5 yards out from small goals that are 12 yards apart. This is called the shooting zone, which is the point where players must cross first before taking a shot on goal.

There are two teams and lines marked by cones 14 yards away from the goals. The drill begins with one player from a team dribbling with a ball from their line to shoot in one of the small goals. As soon as this players shoots, a player from the other team is allowed to start dribbling towards the goals with the objective of shooting and scoring before the first player recovers and defends the shot. This rotation continues throughout the drill as players are encouraged to attack either goal to score.

This drill comes from Coach Cooke’s presentation at a Glazier Soccer Clinic. If you are interested in gaining access to his full presentation and hundreds of other video presentations click the link Glazier Clinic Vault. If you are interested in attending a Glazier Soccer Clinic click here to find one near you.

The video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on.

There are several key coaching points to take away from this drill:
Be aggressive on offense

All players should be dribbling at speed and trying to score if the goal is open. If the player can sense the defender is closing them down quickly and may block or deflect the shot, the player should switch directions and attack the opposite goal. This is a great opportunity for players to practice being aggressive and taking chances, which is what you want your offensive players doing in the attacking third of the field during a game.

Be smart and fast on defense

The defending player must close down the attacking player quickly, but they also need to be smart in trying to force them wide and to a bad shooting angle. Players should be instructed to not overrun the play or be too aggressive. In a defensive recovery position, the main priority is to put pressure on the player and ball. Make sure the offensive player can feel the defensive player closing them down and be in a position to help if the play continues (blocked shot, rebound, etc)
Quick transitions from offense to defense
Once the attacking player shoots, they must immediately transition to defense. Coach Cooke discusses this during the drill with a player and instructs them to not make a wide turn or take extra steps. Players need to be quick with their footwork to stop and change directions while turning to sprint towards the player and ball. This type of transition occurs all the time during a game and is very important for players to learn and understand.