1. Transition 5v5-7v7-9v9-11v11 Thursday 11th 2013 Keith Webb RCDM &
Jamie Godbold RCDM (5-11)
Cambridgeshire FA Inservice Event

2. Reasons kids play:-
I like playing with my friends
“ I love playing football because it’s fun”
I like meeting new friends through football
Trying my hardest is more important than winning
It’s a really good game and I love it

3. Transition
How is 7v7 different from 9v9 and how is 9v9 different from 11v11?
What football are you more likely to see in a 9v9 game that you wouldn’t see in a 7v7 game?
What do our players need to learn in 9v9 to prepare them for 11v11?

4. Transition
Plus 2 players and more space / offside?
A middle third to play though
More wide play
More than 3 lines in the team formation
Space in behind for through balls
More of a defensive unit
Bigger area for GKs to use – sweeping and distribution
Offside – timing of runs / defence pushing up / space behind
Longer phases building with the ball

5. A Coaching Philosophy? Playing formats
Research from around the country has highlighted a number of different aspects:
Children are starting formats too big for them too early
The jump from 7v7 to 11v11 is too big
Going onto a full size pitches at 11v11 is not child centred
1.1m children want to get better at the game
A Coaching Philosophy?
Try to play ‘football’
Try to improve and work at my challenge(s)
Play within the laws & demonstrate discipline
Try to win the game….but not at the expense of 1-3

6. Image
“The problem is, in England, you teach players to win the game. In Spain we teach them to play the game”
Jose Mourinho 2010

7. Preparation for Change
During Preceding Season
Organise to play 9 vs. 9/11 vs. 11 games against local opposition
Organise a central venue festival against local opposition
Introduce elements of the future format to training sessions (offside, three/four players in a unit, GK’s as outfield players)
Pre-Season
Discuss with parents as part of new season parent meeting
Establish performance objectives (not outcome ones) with your players/team
Continue with ‘During Season’ suggestions
New Season
Try to maintain your philosophy (and practical approach)
Measure & develop your players/team objectives
Reward effort & progress ahead of short term success

8. Suggested Player Rotation in Mini-Soccer
1 – All players experience every position (including GK and substitute) equally
2 – Try to rotate positions every 2-3 weeks (remember that left defender + right defender etc. are similar) 6 2 1 7 4 3 5 8 9
Try to consider:
a. The more positions that players practise in (regardless of favour, size, speed or current ability) the more rounded a development they will experience

9. Team Challenge – When to and when not to pass forward
Theo
Try to work out when to pass the ball & when to Run with the ball
Gary
Can you push the defence up with the ball
Gareth
Joe
Wayne
Try to work out when to come off your line
Try to find spaces in behind defence
Look for opportunities to switch play
John
Try to mark goal-side of the striker
Ashley
When to use tricks & skills to beat a player

10. No. 7 – Central Forward
When the ball is passed into your feet and you have your back to goal, try to control and pass back to midfielder or wide to wingers
Try to receive the ball ‘side on’
Shoot early when its on and take time with your shot when you have time
Close down defenders quickly - don’t give defenders time on the ball
Stand on the goalkeeper for corners for

11. Suggested Positional Experiences for 9 vs. 9 – 3-3-2
a. Starting to specialise – 4 positions in first half of the season; in 2nd half of the season, swap for the other four (so full experience gained during season) – group additional players into either front 4 or back 4 and rotate when making changes 7 2 8 1 4 5 9 6 3

12. Suggested Positional Experiences for 9 vs. 9 – 2-3-2-15 8 1 4 9 6 7 3

13. No. 2 – Right Back Be close enough to winger to pressure first touch
Provide balance when ball is on the other side of pitch ( no further than the near post) and drop off when the centre back goes to head the ball
Show winger inside up until level with penalty box then show them down the line
Join in when attacking down the right. Look for opportunities to overlap
Take all throw ins on the right side (quickly if momentum is with us)

14. Suggested Positional Experiences for 11 vs. 11 – 4-3-3
a. Some specialisation – generally experiencing three-four positions and playing on both sides (right + left) 7 2 8 5 1 4 9 6 10 3 11

15. Suggested Positional Experiences for 11 vs. 117 2 10 8 5 1 9 6 4 3 11

16. Team Challenge – When to Keep it, When to Risk it
Theo
Phil
Try to work out when to pass the ball & when to Run with the ball
Look for opportunities to RWTB up the wing
Scott
Gary
Try to look for passes into the forwards feet
Can you push the defence up with the ball
Wayne
Gareth
Joe
Try to find spaces in behind defence
Steve
Try to work out when to come off your line
Look for opportunities to switch play
John
When can you help out in attack
Try to mark goal-side of the striker
Ashley
Ashley
When to use tricks & skills to beat a player
Try to link up passes into midfield

17. No. 4 – Deep Lying Centre Midfielder
Try to spot times when to play in behind full backs
When passing into forwards feet encourage support from 8 and 10
Front screen opposition forwards intercepting balls into feet and steal from the front
When playing a free role demand ball from Goalkeeper/Defenders and initiate attacks with forward passing if possible
Be close enough to 5, 6, 8 & 10 to pick up the second balls from their challenges for the ball.

18. Practical Examples - Possession
The game in the middle is your reference point. The other three practises, potentially, help players to develop the skills and understanding to maintain possession of the ball. Look at the games and decide which ones would your players like to play. ( you don’t have to go 1,2,3 if you don’t want to) but sometimes it might.
Possession is not just about the pass. It’s about having the ball. Look at quick passing, through passing, safe passing, dribbling, running with the ball, shielding and protecting possession.
Involve your goalkeepers. They can play in all parts of the session. Urge them to practice their foot skills as well as their handling skills. Consider them as outfield players with handling skills

19. 3 2 Possession 1 2 - Keeping + Risking Possession
1 ball – blues vs. yellows (rotate teams)
Score a point for every pass played to your team. Can use outside players to help keep possession but no point scored if passing to outside (when to risk, when to keep)
Add – split pass (between two opponents) worth 3 points – give + go = 5 points 1 2
1 - Developing Possession Skills
Three groups – ball per group
Red’s on perimeter; can move along their side of the box, receive and play to any other available red (below waist height)
Yellows + blues – move ball amongst your group – look for the times to pass or run with the ball
Try to find spaces between other colours to play through
Game
Yellows vs. Reds (playing in central area (can be square from previous practices – blues provide two side supporters and two GK’s
Work ball into end area before finishing (offside applies) – work out when to run ball/pass ball into scoring zone and when to look after it 3
3 - Protecting Possession
1 ball – blues vs. yellows (rotate teams)
Score by working ball into one of the 3 boxes (only 1 attacker and 1 defender allowed in box at a time) and keeping it under control in box for 5 seconds (shielding)
Defender tries to knock ball away from attacker and out of box to prevent goal being scored (providing pressure)
Can use outside players (reds) to help keep possession

20. Notes