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[GaryKeymaster]

Hi guys,

Thank you for the feedback!

The link can now be seen in the “Classroom Sessions” area of the main members page.

And for sure we will be processing the hard-to-see videos and making them available here!

Sorry it wasn’t visible in the classroom … we’re still learning. We bought what we thought was a nice projector, but it’s got its shortcomings and this was definitely one of them. 🙁

Working on the field session footage for this clinic … and will be finished and available this coming week.

 

 

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi Hector,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with everyone here!
It was great to see you and it was our pleasure.

For sure, there is a whole other dimension to being there in person.
The good news for everyone who couldn’t attend is that we’ve captured a lot of good footage & audio.

We’re working on processing all of that, and will make it available here as soon as it’s ready.

Thank you again!!
– Gary

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi Rene,

Yeah, we prefer the whole eBook be what’s shared.
But in your case, as long as attribution to 3four3 and a link to coaching.3four3.com is clearly visible, then it’s cool!

[GaryKeymaster]

Haven’t really looked into it Scott.
Just going off Google’s display

But you’re absolutely correct, we need to be very careful interpreting all those possession %’s.

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi Ryan

Here are my initial thoughts, and we can refine as we go.
The article analyzes the goal-scoring effectiveness at the pro level.

Now, if we want to assess its validity at the youth level that’s a tough one.

Aside from there being no data available, there’s a tremendous variation of factors that exist in the youth game.

For example, having a man-child up top in a U10 game and just launching it to him might be more effective than doing these attacking patterns out wide. However, at the top U18 level, my anecdotal experience tells me the opposite is true.

I’m of course taking two extremes – U10 & U18 – just hoping to make the point. Because I think that line of thinking is what we need here.

Age and level of play…

Absolutely though, come up with variations that you think suit your team (I like yours) … it’s the training of the possession framework the matters most. And establishing patterns out wide are the easiest, and hence the starting point.

Hope that makes some sense. 🙂

Here’s the reference for others:
http://online.wsj.com/articles/are-outdated-soccer-tactics-a-cross-to-bear-keeping-possession-is-the-way-to-goal-1402007011#

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by  Gary.

[GaryKeymaster]

Thank you Joel.

And absolutely Andrew, if we end up doing a clinic, we’ll let everyone here know the when and where.
Yes, attendance for any member will be free.

[GaryKeymaster]

It’s really tough Dana.
That’s why I’m asking for help.

When you think you’ve got a good one, let’s hear it, and let’s scrutinize.

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi Alec,

From what I gather, everything you’re describing is perfectly normal.

It’s been close to 6 months since we’ve essentially said “use these activities as the foundation for your teams, and you’ll start seeing the structure unfold during match play.”

Now, the next phase of work beyond establishing the basic structure (the basic team identity), is to work on maximizing speed of play and *perfecting execution.

Maximize the speed of play and *perfecting execution in every single activity (aka drills).

You’ve got to work on squeezing every last drop of current ability from the players in both the activities & during match play. In match play against weaker opponents, the expectations for execution needs to be such that you’re keeping the future tougher opponents in mind.

All that’s not easy. It taxes the coaches ability to recognize what every player is capable of, and it taxes the coaches vision of what’s happening in real time.

That right there, is what I believe takes a coach to another level.

It takes time Alec. I’m just drawing from my experience in the classroom & on the field… at first it seems a little forced, a little too scripted, a little “fake” if you will … but that’s because we’re are learning. After a while though, if the effort has been genuine and with an open heart, all of a sudden you find yourself executing your teaching naturally. It flows!! And then magic happens.

I don’t know man, that’s the best I can describe it.

As far as training *transition … yes, we’ll be producing film on how we do that. (likely post world cup)
For now, something simple but effective is say … playing an 8v8 possession game in a grid, and emphasizing immediate expansion of players when in possession, and immediate contraction when losing possession.

Field size?
I think more than enough can be achieved in half a field.

Hope something there helps.

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi William,

When we’ve come up against a player like you describe, we absolutely prepare our team on how we want to handle him.

Man marking has been one solution, and it works!
Especially at the youth level. You can completely erase someone from the game.

To do this, we don’t sacrifice our key players or our build-up players (ie the back 5). It’s someone else.
Could be the 8, 10, 7, 9, or 11. That’s up to you.

And your possession-based identity doesn’t have to be compromised, the game just becomes a 10 v 10 one.

Hope that helps a bit.

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi Ryan,

I can get you in contact with Danny & Mike in Spain.
Yes, the emphasis has been Barcelona but our partner network over there is big.

Just shoot me an email.

[GaryKeymaster]

For me, I view what happens in the World Cup through the lens of “what significance it could have domestically”.

With that in mind:

I hope we get absolutely smashed in Brazil!

With that out of the way, I really don’t know how these games will go…

It feels like if we come out and try to play straight up, all our group opponents will abuse us on any change of possession. I know there’s this sentiment of our outside backs projecting forward, but that would get massively exploited.

Now, in the more likely scenario where we play a conservative, submissive role, and hope for set pieces … the games could be close and anything can happen. But as we all know, the team that commands the ball, pretty much commands the game, and the odds.

So … as always outside Concacaf, the United States is in the position of “pick your poison”.

[GaryKeymaster]

Steal! haha

I like it William!
Take all of it, adapt, and make it your own.

As for your situation, that’s a tough one. And it’s hard to give advice without knowing everything.

Generally speaking, and from what I gather from your situation, we wouldn’t tear the player down – neither in front of the team, or in private.
What we generally do is try to form a real human relationship (not a master to servant one) with each individual.

This is about leadership.
We want our players to follow us, because they want to follow us, not because it’s forced on them.

I know, it’s tough. But it is doable. And I think in my opinion, a good place to start is with showing genuine empathy with the player, and building from there. Talk to him how important he is, and how much of a leader you’d like him to become.

If it’s just not working, then yes, it might be time for the bench.

Anyways, that’s what I’ve got for now …
Keep us posted.

[GaryKeymaster]

Con ganas Rene!
No doubt how one communicates to the group depends on age, gender, and level.

Just hoping lots of us are trying to lean towards a culture of excellence, especially as the age group and level gets higher.
(then of course there’s establishing a proper culture with the parents of the group) But that’s another video … 🙂

[GaryKeymaster]

Kyle, 100%!

Culture, culture, culture. It’s no wonder that so many talk about ‘company culture’ in the business world. It’s so important.
But yeah, a sense of family is what we want to build.

One of the challenges, is being able to balance the roles of both authoritarian and best friend.

And yes, a ‘cancerous’ player needs to be dealt with. We’ll always try to be patient and try to work with them, and bring them into the fold. But sometimes, for one reason or another, it doesn’t happen. And then it’s time to make a cut.

The great news is, that once a culture is established … any new player that’s recruited naturally works to adapt (a sort of peer pressure exists).

[GaryKeymaster]

Hi Phil,

My impressions are yes, like you acknowledge, the videography is not easy on the eyes. But beyond aesthetics, it’s really hard to make any assessments without good quality video.

We all have to start somewhere though 🙂 … and I applaud you getting it done and sharing!

From my point of view anyway, you now learn and have a reference to build from.

Main recommendation for future videos: Make a short (~ 1 – 4 minutes) highlighting the execution of 1 main thing you want to show.

For example,

• only capture your successful 3-pass sequences, or
• only capture your players successfully receiving ‘opposite foot’

… and of course some more video quality 🙂

I was able to gather from your vids, however, that the roster level you have is definitely something you can work with (if that means anything to you). And I did witness some intentional receiving across the body.

Keep at it! Try to make capturing and sharing video a regular thing if you can.

p.s. Coincidentally, the next 3four3 article coming next week happens to be on capturing video. haha

 

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