Development of functional and team play

Fulfillment of a player’s potential depends on his or her own efforts, the support of teammates and the unselfish guidance of her coach. He or she must be exposed to a playing and training environment, which extends her mental, physical, tactical and technical capabilities to the limit. He or she must have a sound understanding of the game’s principles and concepts. Players should show emotional stability when confronted with pressure situations. Demanding and challenging training sessions and matches are a must.

Coach must be:
Charismatic, well informed, up to date, experienced, knowledgeable, articulate, a disciplinarian. No doubts about his/her authority, managerial know-how.

Technique:
• Mastered skills leading to artistry. All at speed under match conditions, demanding excellence. Individual skill covered during warm-up and competitive situations.

Tactics:
• Increase tactical speed (decision-making) with increased pressure and competition. Having the ability to change and adapt to game dynamics, up or down a goal, management of the clock and flow of the game.

• Individual:
In attack: A good deal of time spent in functional training environments.
• Decisions based on thirds of the field.
• Comfort in playing in the different areas of the field/team (back, middle, front, center, wide).
• Confidence to hold possession as an individual.
• Solve problems at the individual level.

In defense: Clear understanding of how the quality of pressure affects the ability of the team to defend.
• Decisions based on thirds of the field.
• Comfort at playing two different positions.

Small group:
In attack:
• Improvisation/deception encouraged
• Advanced understanding of combination play and how to combine to break down a defense.
• Balance of possession and penetration with a purpose to score goals.
• Recognize opportunities to penetrate by a variety of means.
• Attacking in groups of three (forwards, midfielders and defenders)

In defense:
• Pressure, cover, balance
• Control of the game’s speed and direction due to defending decisions.
• Recognition of double team opportunities.
• Defending in groups of three (forwards, midfielders and defenders)

Team: Understanding of lines and linkage between lines. Understand positional and team needs.
In attack:
• Comfort with direct and indirect styles of play.
• Combination play with tactical implications.
• Sustained possession as a means to break down the opponent’s defense.
• Speed of play; the game is faster and more physical.
• Creativity, quality of final ball to beat backs.
• Understanding how and when to counterattack.
• Serving runners in the box.

In defense:
• Comfort with “high pressure” and “delayed high pressure” styles.
• Understanding of zonal and man-to-man marking play.
• Goalkeeper as the last defender.
• Keeping good team compactness.
• Stopping the counterattack.
• Decisions based on thirds of the field and different systems of play.
• Pressing (when and where to pressure, channel and dictate defensively).

• Systems: Based on a variety of factors (individual/team abilities, opponent, field conditions, game management etc.).

Physical:
• Fitness work with and without the ball.
• Flexibility – static stretching after training/matches.
• Dynamic flexibility – partner stretching.
• Importance of discipline for warm-up and cool-down.
• Agility – with and without the ball.
• Endurance – aerobic and anaerobic.
• Strength – upper and lower body. Core strength/stability.
• Balance.
• Nutrition – proper diet pre-game, post-game, tournaments.
• Prevention and care of injuries.
• Importance of rest/recovery – schedule issues relative to the physical demands.

Psychological:
• Increased concentration.
• Leadership and increased player responsibility.
• Discipline.
• Accountability.
• Goal setting.
• Respect for the game.
• Self-confidence, self-motivation, goal setting.
• Vary program – satisfy players’ urge for competition. Will to win.
• Mental toughness/competitive mentality.
• Establish pre-practice and pre-game routine (as individuals and teams).
• Encourage players/teams to watch professional and National Team games on television.

The Game:
• 11 v. 11.