Simple Game Principles
There are a few fundamental principles of good team football play that can be taught to all levels of players. These basic principles can be taught in practice drills and also by introducing a condition during practice games. A condition is an artificial rule that encourages a certain kind of play. For example, "For the next five minutes, to encourage passing, you are not allowed to dribble when you receive the ball." Five key principles and some ideas for game conditions are outlined below.
Principle No. 1: Support the Player with the Ball
Football is a team game. When a teammate has the ball, it is essential that they practice with at least one teammate and preferably more. As a coach, it is important to have several playing options for athletes, besides dribbling alone. Beginner players tend to stand and watch what the player with the ball will do. The player with the ball needs their teammates to either move into an open space within passing distance or call for the ball.
Practice Game Condition
When a coach calls "freeze," all players must stop where they are. The coach then asks the players what they could do to help the player with the ball. The player then runs to an open space to receive a pass. During match play, praise players who are supporting the player with the ball.
Key Words
- Move To Get Open
- Call For The Ball
Principle No. 2: Play Safe From The Back: Pass Out Of Your Own Half, Do Not Dribble
When a player has the ball, they have three options: pass, dribble or shoot. The question is what to do and when? A simple principle in your defending half of the field is to play "safely and simply." Usually, it is safer to pass the ball quickly up field rather than dribble. If a player is tackled while dribbling near their own goal, the result will often be a goal for the opponents.
Practice Game Condition
A coach can encourage safe play by instituting a "two-touch" or "no dribble" condition on play in a team's defending half. During match play, praise players who make quick passes out of defense.
Key Words
- Play Simple
- Pass From The Back
Principle No. 3: Take Risks in Attack: Use Dribbling Moves in the Opponent's Penalty Area
The opposite of principle 2 applies when you have moved the ball up field near the opponent's penalty area. This is the time to encourage more risky play and encourage attackers to try to dribble directly at goal and beat opponents with fakes and moves. Of course, well-placed passes can also work with crosses from the wings to attackers in the penalty area.
Practice Game Condition
Players must "dribble and shoot" when they are in or near the opponents' penalty area.
Key Words
- Use Your Moves
- Go To Goal
Principle No. 4: Use Your Wings
There is plenty of space on the field. However, teams will often fail to make good use of this space. One of the typical mistakes is playing the ball too much up the middle of the field where the greatest concentration of defenders are waiting to tackle or intercept. It is often effective to play the ball wide to the wings, and attack down the side of the field before moving toward the goal.
Practice Game Condition
The ball must go out to the wing during an attack, for a goal to be scored.
Key Words
Principle No. 5: Shoot Whenever You Have a Good Opportunity
Although football is a passing game, once a player has any reasonable chance to score, they need to shoot, even if there is another player in a better position. A pass to a teammate may result in an interception or loss of ball control.
Practice Game Condition
To encourage shooting, award one point for any shot on goal that requires a save from the goalkeeper and three points for a goal.
Key Words
- If You Have A Chance, Shoot
