August 2006

PAGE 19

Chalk Talk

Watch and Learn

2) Fitness (Physical)

·

Is the strategy effective and appropriate in the

· Do the players display the speed, strength,

different 1/3's of the field?

power, and endurance that their particular role

·

Does the team have internal guidance

in the game demands?

(leadership)?

·

Are key players taking responsibility for

By Dave Schumacher

Defending

compactness and team shape?

WSYSA Coaching Director &

1) First Defender (pressure)

6) Restarts (includes throw-ins)

US Soccer National Staff Coach

· Do the players recognize when to become the

· Is the ball pressured quickly?

first defender? Are they in a good starting

· Do the players recover quickly to goal-side?

y the time you read this article the 2006 World Cup

B

position?

· Are they organized?

will just have concluded. These games were a fan-

· Do they deny penetration - stop opponents from

· Do they have the appropriate players (size)

tastic opportunity for coaches to test their match analy-

turning?

heading ability etc. in proper areas?

sis skills. Watching games at this level not only gives

· Apply "Controlled Aggression"

· Concentration

you a chance to enjoy the game as a spectator, but also

· Stay on their feet

7) Goalkeeper

the opportunity to gain valuable information as you

· Know when to tackle

· In command/instill confidence

analyze the game from a coach's perspective. As many

2) Second Defender (cover)

· Communication

of you know, match analysis is a critical aspect of

· Support the first defender

· Is he/she in connection (compact) with

coaching since most of our training sessions and prior-

· Angle and distance of support

teammates?

itizing as a coach comes from watching games.

· Maintain vision of ball and marking assignment

· Decision making

I'd like to offer the following outline for your use

· Ability to track players

· Clean/safe handling and field skills?

as you view these types of games with the hope that it

· Communication

will enable you to add depth to your coaching skills this

Attacking

3) Third Defender (balance)

season. Analyzing the game and learning to recognize

1) First Attacker

· Track runners away from the ball making forward

the strengths and weaknesses of individual, group, and

· Is first touch positive?

runs

team performance plays a significant role in your prepa-

· Is first option to penetrate by means of

· Squeeze space toward center of field

ration and success as a coach.

1) shot,

· Communication

Hopefully you will find this information valuable

2) pass,

4) Group Play

and it will help sharpen your coaching eye.

3) dribble?

· Do players in the immediate area of the ball

· Is choice of 1, 2, 3 correct?

Analyzing the Team

· Is it done quickly?

know how to combine and communicate to

· Is the player's technique successful?

effectively defend?

1) Attitude (Psychological)

· Communication

· What is the quality of passing?

· Competitiveness

✔ Accuracy

· Desire to play

5) Team Play

✔ Weight

· Concentration (particularly in transition)

· Do all players make immediate transition to

✔ Timing

· Confidence

defending the moment the ball is lost?

✔ Angle

· Does the team play as a unit?

· Mental toughness

✔ Disguise

· Is there pressure, cover, balance, and

· Work rate

·

Is the choice of pass appropriate?

· Commitment to high standards

compactness?

· Goalkeeper's role?

· Imagination

(continued on page 27)

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