Best way to teach possession ball?

[Unregistered]

At 8,9,10,11,12 years old we shouldn't be worrying about how many passes a team can string together. Yeah it looks pretty at times, but no matter where you in the country there are only a handful of teams at this age that have the talent to actually string quality passes and possession together on a regular basis. I'm not saying a coach shouldn't coach it, but the focus should be mainly on individual skills.

How often do you see a kid at 14,15,16 that just boot the ball because they have zero confidence on the ball? Its because they never got comfortable with the ball in the first place. That shoul dbe the focus at the younger ages. Sorry we all aren't going to play like Barca at 10 years old, just not going to happen. Theres a reason why in Washington and California and many other states they are playing 8v8, 9v9 and smaller size games even at U11, its because they see the value in getting lots of touches on the ball and the focus on the individual player more than the ability to put together 15 straight passes

This mindset is what is killing our player development!

1) It takes good individual skill to keep possession. So possession soccer and individual skills are not separate philosophical things.

2) How many passes they string together DOES matter. The reason more teams don't/can't do it is because coaches dont make it a priority, and don't understand the details to make it work. The game is about control. Possession is controlling the ball and the game. The ability to string 5 or more passes together ABSOLUTELY matters. And it doesn't matter if you are playing smaller-sided games, more passes = more touches for everyone.

3) We have the player pools to play like Barca (even at U10). But we fail in player selection and in our coaching. The question isn't: "Have we ever birthed a player with the potential to be the next Messi?" it is "Why is he asking you, "Do you want fries with that?""

[Unregistered]

Was just out at an FC Portland practiced for U12s. No actual possession being taught. It was talked about, but it wasn't happening.

Lie - my dd plays on this team. On Tuesday they did 5v2s. Progressed to 9v5. Progressed to 9v5 directional all with many stoppages for teaching.

Instead of believing the posters who are spewing lies, like the other poster said go see for yourself. Go watch them practice.

[Unregistered]

Lie - my dd plays on this team. On Tuesday they did 5v2s. Progressed to 9v5. Progressed to 9v5 directional all with many stoppages for teaching.

Instead of believing the posters who are spewing lies, like the other poster said go see for yourself. Go watch them practice.

First, I never said it was a girls practice. But regardless of which gender my point is that the ENTIRE club is not teaching possession. Always the chance a coach here or there is trying to.

Second, almost every team does 5v2s. Doesn't mean they are teaching possession. The exercises don't prove that possession is being taught. It is more about the overriding philosophy and message of the coach. There are good 5v2's and pointless 5v2s. It is all in the details.

Hopefully FCP's U12 girls are being taught possession soccer. I cannot speak to that particular group.

[Unregistered]

Lie - my dd plays on this team. On Tuesday they did 5v2s. Progressed to 9v5. Progressed to 9v5 directional all with many stoppages for teaching.

Instead of believing the posters who are spewing lies, like the other poster said go see for yourself. Go watch them practice.

It is easy to keep possession when you out number the defenders 2:1. I was at that practice and there was absolutely no intensity. It was a casual game of keep away.

[Unregistered]

It is easy to keep possession when you out number the defenders 2:1. I was at that practice and there was absolutely no intensity. It was a casual game of keep away.

So you were there to watch the boys HS game on the stadium field and you could tell the level of intensity from the grandstands 100+ yds away? Or are you some kind of stalker that hangs out at Liberty watching girls soccer practices?

[Unregistered]

It is easy to keep possession when you out number the defenders 2:1. I was at that practice and there was absolutely no intensity. It was a casual game of keep away.

Your statement proves your ignorance of youth training. There is so much wrong with your response it is clear you are a never was wannabe.

[Unregistered]

There sure are a lot of FC Portland parents from this 01 age group.

[Slow Xavi]

A winner

The original question was the following:

What is the best way to teach possession ball to young players?

The answer is all about creating an environment where players are in the proper progression of complexity and where care of the ball is emphasized. For example from 7-9 years old this would be a 3v3 environment in which players have a huge amount of contact with the ball and make many decisions about when and where it is best to dribble and when and where it is better to pass the ball. Not taking anything at all away from emphasis on isolated technique which is extremely important, but most possession is lost at the highest levels by poor perception and decision making and not by technique. Where to run, how to open the body properly to receive second foot, to look over the shoulder, to get into a lane to receive a pass (into the light) etc... Rondos (keepaway games) of which there are many variations are taught to Spanish youngsters as young as 6 years old. This comes directly from Barcelona youth coaches. The repetition of technique can be learned from a combination of wall work or through analytical exercises at the training session. When players are beginners there should be more time and space and this should be progressively taken away as they become adept at working in tighter spaces. So small sided games (less large team tactics and more important concepts) mixed with technical work away from the training session and during short periods during the training session. Just a reminder that the whole purpose of possession soccer is to move the opponents to one side of the field in order to switch play and attack on the other side taking advantage of 2v1 situations. This is important to remember because the game for our youngsters becomes more lateral rather than just a direct game. This in turn allows for more building of the game rather than just a run and gun approach.

What club are you coaching for? I would consider moving my kids there based on this post alone.

For those who have further interests in how to teach possession ball to american players, consider the 3four3 blog. Think it is quite good on this subject; I don't agree with all of it, it is intentionally provocative (they tend to want to make people angry at them from time to time, I guess in order to drive traffic) and it is entirely directed at the elite player and clubs (which is not for everyone), but it is quite good.

One other point (and one that blog makes): teaching possession ball is as much an art as it is a science. For example, been wrestling with how to introduce pattern passing to my youngsters (which the USSF youth coaching manual could be interpreted to say is TOO YOUNG to introduce to), and have come across the following 2 challenges:

-see some of our top athletes going into a shell since we started emphasizing some pieces
-within my group of players, there are some that are further along in problem solving on the field than others, and the most effective players in games are not always the ones that are furthest advanced in reading the game

Assuming that I choosing the perfect games/methods for introducing (an assumption I am not making by the way), one of the additional challenges as a coach is how to communicate at the child's level, keep their fire going, but also direct it towards what we are building as a team.

Been searching for others' perspectives on the subject and not blown away by what I have come across . .. there are multiple pieces to that puzzle and I would be weary of anyone who claims that they have a simple formula, or absolute in what is the right age to introduce.

[Unregistered]

What club are you coaching for? I would consider moving my kids there based on this post alone.

For those who have further interests in how to teach possession ball to american players, consider the 3four3 blog. Think it is quite good on this subject; I don't agree with all of it, it is intentionally provocative (they tend to want to make people angry at them from time to time, I guess in order to drive traffic) and it is entirely directed at the elite player and clubs (which is not for everyone), but it is quite good.

One other point (and one that blog makes): teaching possession ball is as much an art as it is a science. For example, been wrestling with how to introduce pattern passing to my youngsters (which the USSF youth coaching manual could be interpreted to say is TOO YOUNG to introduce to), and have come across the following 2 challenges:

-see some of our top athletes going into a shell since we started emphasizing some pieces
-within my group of players, there are some that are further along in problem solving on the field than others, and the most effective players in games are not always the ones that are furthest advanced in reading the game

Assuming that I choosing the perfect games/methods for introducing (an assumption I am not making by the way), one of the additional challenges as a coach is how to communicate at the child's level, keep their fire going, but also direct it towards what we are building as a team.

Been searching for others' perspectives on the subject and not blown away by what I have come across . .. there are multiple pieces to that puzzle and I would be weary of anyone who claims that they have a simple formula, or absolute in what is the right age to introduce.

I am sure some trolls will attack this but the fact is that this is the philosophy at THUSC. There is a strong emphasis on small sided games, individual development and confidence on the ball. THUSC teams struggle at younger ages since they are behind tactically.

I'm not saying THUSC is perfect or anything, but the fact is that they focus on this type of development. Go watch their teams play or watch one of their practices.

[Unregistered]

I am sure some trolls will attack this but the fact is that this is the philosophy at THUSC. There is a strong emphasis on small sided games, individual development and confidence on the ball. THUSC teams struggle at younger ages since they are behind tactically.

I'm not saying THUSC is perfect or anything, but the fact is that they focus on this type of development. Go watch their teams play or watch one of their practices.

Oh please, you can't be serious.

[Unregistered]

I am talking about the boys soccer on this. Not everything on this post is girls soccer related parents. Look at all the soccer schools in the Northwest area regardless and you will see the stronger players are Washington up north. Overall, if you went outside your geographic area you would see this. I bet if you looked at the schools north most would say Seattle players. Bottom line I guess is which teams do the best overall and that would have to be team up north boys or girls.

Maybe if you repeat yourself over and over you'll convince yourself you are right despite being wrong.

[Unregistered]

This mindset is what is killing our player development!

1) It takes good individual skill to keep possession. So possession soccer and individual skills are not separate philosophical things.

2) How many passes they string together DOES matter. The reason more teams don't/can't do it is because coaches dont make it a priority, and don't understand the details to make it work. The game is about control. Possession is controlling the ball and the game. The ability to string 5 or more passes together ABSOLUTELY matters. And it doesn't matter if you are playing smaller-sided games, more passes = more touches for everyone.

3) We have the player pools to play like Barca (even at U10). But we fail in player selection and in our coaching. The question isn't: "Have we ever birthed a player with the potential to be the next Messi?" it is "Why is he asking you, "Do you want fries with that?""

Ahhh thank you, you are a breath of fresh air and give me hope that there are people out there that get it. I am the poster who originally responded to this guy's misguided views. What bothered me so much was that what this guy is espousing is exactly what is wrong with youth soccer. There is such a big gap between quality development and what is actually practiced, so many coaches and clubs that talk a big game about how effective they are at development and about how they are all about development, and yet their actions and their knowledge is, in reality, miles from anything close to it, and I don't think they even realize it.

[Unregistered]

For girls have them join one of the Timber Alliance club like Westside Timbers or Eastside Timbers.

Have to be careful as some people won't get your sarcasm! But that's funny sh*t!!

[Unregistered]

Your statement proves your ignorance of youth training. There is so much wrong with your response it is clear you are a never was wannabe.

And from your post you must have an "A" license and from England.

[Unregistered]

Ahhh thank you, you are a breath of fresh air and give me hope that there are people out there that get it. I am the poster who originally responded to this guy's misguided views. What bothered me so much was that what this guy is espousing is exactly what is wrong with youth soccer. There is such a big gap between quality development and what is actually practiced, so many coaches and clubs that talk a big game about how effective they are at development and about how they are all about development, and yet their actions and their knowledge is, in reality, miles from anything close to it, and I don't think they even realize it.

STFU, you don't know crap about development.