Goal Kicks for 8v8 – young players

[Scott NelsonParticipant]

Gary & fellow members, I’m looking at how to modify the Goal Kick model to an 8v8 setting for a U9 boys team.  Right now we are playing a 3-3-1 and I will either add a defensive mid or go to a straight 3-2-3 next year at 9v9.

So I am thinking:

My Outside backs take the CB positions

My Center Back takes the DM position

My Wide Mids take the OB positions

My Center Mid and Forward provide a medium and long option in the middle of the park

Pros/Cons/Improvements/Other Options/Better Ideas?

The biggest challenge my group has is the first ball delivered by the goalkeeper.   They are good enough to dribble or combine out of trouble once they get it.  Right now most of my kids can play it accurately AND with pace only about 5-6 yards beyond the box, so the opponents don’t have a lot of ground to defend if they want to press us.   I put in a petition to my league to allow U8-U10 kids to take Goal Kicks from the top of the box.  Seems like a no-brainer for young ones, and the coaches all liked the idea,  but I am not counting on it being implemented any time soon.  We did okay (as in kept the ball more than half the time and only gave up one goal) without a set pattern but we are also moving up a division so I expect our mistakes to be less forgiven.

Also I am wondering if we can get some game footage of Gary’s teams building up through goal kicks. I only remember one instance from the clips.   Unfortunately for me, it doesn’t seem like they get too many opportunities in their games 🙂

 

[Scott NelsonParticipant]

Never mind.  Saw the other section and someone already addressed this topic

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

Hi scott,

where did you find it? I’m in the same boat at the moment heading into the 2015 season this spring. RSVP.

cheers,

R

[Scott NelsonParticipant]

Dang Robert… Over a year ago.  Not sure where it was but I’d look at the blogs from the beginning, not the end.  For what it’s worth, I ended up doing exactly what I proposed  above.  Worked okay, , though we also did get the league to move the goal kicks up to the penalty spot.

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

Oh, well, Scott. It was worth a try anyways… Thx for your prompt feedback.

[Scott NelsonParticipant]

http://www.coaching.3four3.com/forums/topic/8v8-goal-kicks-set-up/

<span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);”>I think this was it…..</span>

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

FWIW, Scott, I set out our stall last season as follows:

————–GK————–

—-OFB————-OFB—–

————-HMF————-

—-OMF————-OMF—-

————–B2B————–

————–STR————–

Whereby the HMF doubled as a CB & the B2B had true freedom to roam. When the latter pushed up, the HMF pushed up with him & the OFBs too, albeit a bit delayed. This we did to great effect, though I hasten to add that it was more jungle ball than true football. This season will be my trial run using the 3four3 approach. It will require a great deal of patience, but I’ll combine it again with the Play Better approach. I’m at the bottom of the (hopelessly broken) Canadian soccer pyramid up here, so tapping into the intrinsic motivation of the boys to perform is a bit a nuanced challenge. 🙂

Cheers,
R.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by  Robert Kleemaier.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by  Robert Kleemaier.

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

And now I see that you’ve found it, Scott. Much obliged! 🙂

[Robert KleemaierParticipant]

Erratum: I see the link to Play Better is corrupt. The URL is: goplaybetter.com. HTH.

[Author]

Posts