Use of Space Index 1. Working Out The Space •
Grid Areas - a basic formua
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!arger groups
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"irces # other shapes
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$andom areas
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%&uffer% 'ones
(. )!A**I*G the Space for a session •
+aximising time and space a,aiabe
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exampes
. Safe ones •
What are the/0
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Wh/ do e use them0
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When can the/ be used0
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2o to use them most effecti,e/
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Where can the/ be used0
3 4*5 O*4S •
What are the/0
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Wh/ use end 'ones0
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When to use end 'ones
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2o to use them
6. Target # Wa )a/ers •
What are the/0
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Wh/ use them0
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2o to use them
1.Working Out The Space Without doubt getting the correct si'e and make-up of the pa/ing area is a fundamenta ke/ to effecti,e and fun soccer sessions. If the area is too arge7 the practice or game becomes a ph/sica endurance test. If it is too sma7 it is e8ua/ demanding as pa/ers are orking at a frantic pace to tr/ to find both time and space. In both cases nobod/ rea/ practices or earns an/thing. The ma9or aim of a coach or teacher is to impro,e techni8ue7 and this essentia/ on/ happens hen pa/ers ork in sma groups7 ha,e pent/ of touches of the ba and ha,e the time and space in hich to practice and experiment. *atura/ the better pa/ers: become7 the smaer the area needed. Techni8ue practice needs to be done at a soer pace than :match: speed7 and in more space. It is up to the coaches;teachers to pro,ide dris and sessions hich ao the pa/ers time and space in hich to practice. A basic formua that man/ coaches ork to is the grid area<
Working ith arger numbers
Other shaped Areas could be: •
Triangles
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Squares
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Rectangles
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Diamonds
Even a Random shape like that below can be used effectivel:
&uffer ones What are the/0 •
Areas used between the practice !ones for safet" i#e# Reducing risk of plaer being hit with the ball
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$rovides good coaching positions to take up
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Avoids disruption of practices through stra balls from other areas
What si'e0
Dependant on the practice
=$eference< >idar session< cick here
(. )!A**I*G The Space for a session Wh/0 •
To move effectivel from one practice to the ne%t during a session
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&inimise time spent setting up various practices
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&a%imise use of time and space available
4xampe of ho to minimise mo,ement and re-organisation through 3 practices.
The area is appro%imatel '(%'(ards# There are )* plaers# )# $assing practice in a )(%)(d area# + plaers per group# + groups# A ,buffer, !one separates each group# -# . combining - groups" the '( % )( ard area is used for a driven or long/lofted passing practice involving 0 plaers# A ,buffer, !one again separates both groups# '# . moving onl 0 cones" the practice develops into a 'v' plus - target plaers, possession game# The area is now appro%imatel '(%)' ards" and is separated b a smaller ,buffer, !one# +# . now moving + cones" the practice ends with a small sided game of +v+ plus - 1oalkeepers# * neutral plaers on the sidelines# The are involved in the practice and rotate regularl with plaers on the pitch#
. WO$?I*G With Safe ones What are the/0 •
Safe !ones are designated areas marked on the plaing area in which plaers are deemed ,safe, from the opposition
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Onl certain plaers can move into and out of these areas with and without the ball
Wh/ use Safe ones0 •
The provide an area for plaers to move into where the can receive the ball unopposed
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The are useful for practicing specific techniques and whilst in the safe !one plaers can slow down and concentrate solel on this technique
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The often allow a practice to flow more easil
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The can also be used for position specific practices
When shoud the/ be used0 •
$articularl useful when introducing oung plaers to a new skill in small sided games
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Safe !ones also work well when practices involve plaers of mi%ed abilities# 2n these games a coach ma offer the safe !one to the weaker plaers" giving them a bit more freedom to participate in and en3o the practice
2o to Use Safe ones0 •
&ake colour co/ordinated where possible as visual aid for plaers
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To maintain realism" condition time and4or touches within the safe !one
Where to Use Safe ones0
Depending on the nature of the session: )# At the end of the practice area# -# On each side of the practice area# '# 2n the corners of the practice area# +# 5or specific areas of the pitch#
3. Working With end 'ones What are the/0 •
End 6ones are designated grids placed at the ends of the plaing area and are commonl used as a place where a ,goal, or point mabe scored
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Onl certain plaers are normall allowed into an End 6one with or without the ball
Wh/ use 4nd ones0 •
The provide an area for an end product when there are no goals available
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The are useful to keep a game competitive without balls going astra
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To avoid congestion on the pitch
When to use end 'ones •
End 6ones are particularl useful in possession practices when plaing without goals or goalkeepers# 5or e%ample the team in possession can score a point or ,goal, b passing to a teammate who moves to receive the pass as it is entering the !one
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The can be used to highlight specific techniques and skills in small sided games# 2n games involving dribbling or running with the ball" for e%ample" plaers either score" or are deemed ,safe, when entering the !ones
2o to Use 4nd ones0 •
&ake colour co/ordinated where possible as visual aid for plaers
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Dictate who can enter the End 6one" i#e# onl plaers dribbling the ball or receiving a pass are allowed in
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Once plaers are in the !one the cannot be tackled
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2f coaches wanted to keep the tempo of the practice high" once a plaer enters the End 6one his4her team keep possession and immediatel pla in the other direction
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Dictate when plaers can enter the End 6one i#e# a plaer is deemed offside if he4she is standing in there before a pass is delivered End 6ones mabe combined with ,safe, !ones" whereb plaers can move into their own !one with or without the ball to get more time and space
Some e%ample practices with End 6ones:
6. WO$?I*G With Target;Wa )a/ers What are the/0 •
Target47all plaers are specific plaers to pass to or in some instances used as ,goals,
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7all plaers can be used as additional team members or as neutral plaers to support team in possession
Wh/ use Target;Wa )a/ers0 •
7hen an end product is required and goals are either not available or necessar
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To reduce congestion in a small area whilst keeping all plaers involved
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To keep balls in pla and prevent them going astra
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The can be particularl useful to keep the tempo of the session high
2o to Use Target;Wa )a/ers0 •
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$osition target4wall plaers where the will support the specific practice# 5or e%ample in a shooting practice game" target plaers can be positioned on the line alongside the goals and used as plaers who can set up shooting opportunities for the attacking team 7all plaers should be used to keep practices flowing# The can be either neutral and pla for both teams in possession of the ball" or as additional plaers outside of the plaing area Rotate Target47all plaers regularl# 2n the case of target plaers this would normall occur at ,time/out, intervals# This could be the same with wall plaers" but as an alternative the rotation could occur as in a game" whereb after receiving a pass" the wall plaer comes onto the pitch with the ball" e%changing places with the original passer# 2n a progressive practice it could" indeed" be e%changing places with an plaer from that team Rotations and4or ,time/outs, are essential to both prevent boredom of plaers when around the outside" and also to allow rest periods when the tempo is particularl high for those on the pitch
Some e%ample practices with Target47all plaers:
