| We all speak about giving the game back to the kids but how many actually DO something about it? I want to share with you something I accidently developed out of curiosity and which currently seems to be succeding beyond my expectations. I looked at the best of 4 disciplines and tried to see if I could integrate those best parts into one routine/game which would answer a lot of questions regarding the rigidly structured SSG format. The 4 disciplines were: 1.PLAYGROUND FOOTBALL 2.HOMEWORK PRACTICE 3.PLAY 4.DEVELOPMENT The best parts of playground football are: * the absence of officials, * very few aims (get the ball-try to score) * complete and constant competitive action * goals The best parts of homework practice are: * no fear of mistakes * practice what YOU want * achievement is personal * creation of autonomy in progress The best parts of play are: * fun * no fear * no rules about numbers * everyone can take part The best parts of development are: * recognise aims/targets * understanding of what is needed to develop * progress can be measured and seen * fulfilment of reaching a goal I then experimented with different ideas and came up with something which I introduced to different teams, this being a game called "OUTRAGEOUS". This is a normal game of football but where there are: NO REFS NO COACHING NO WINNERS/LOSERS NO SET NUMBERS FOR EITHER SIDE ( one team may have an extra one or two players) NO SET AREA OF PLAY NO OFFSIDES NO TACKLING only interceptions of passes or mistakes by opponents The only requirement is that EVERY pass, shot, cross, control, dribble, save, header MUST BE OUTRAGEOUS so no normal passes, every player is encouraged to try something outrageous ALL the time. Now I began giving teams 15 minute games to see what would happen and it just exploded into something very special instantly. The players played as if a weight were lifted from them. They all began to try things that they were too afraid to before NOT because they were scared of getting shouted at, but because of the constant culture of telling players to PASS PASS PASS. I even saw one lad of 12 try a bicycle kick near the corner flag which he caught absolutely perfect and it whistled into the top corner of the goal despite the heroics of the bemused keeper. Even the GK's had to try and do outrageous saves. Because of the NO WINNER/LOSER aspect, the fear evaporated form both sets of players and the things they were doing were unbelievable. The manager and parents remarked that the boys wouldnt stop talking about it afterwards and the only thing they didnt like about it was that they wanted to carry on. The amount and quality of the goals that were scored was a real eye opener. After this initial success I tried it with various age groups including a mens team and the SAME outcome appeared. Not only that but the REAL bonus was that the players took this new found confidence (or lack of fear) into their matches and performances climbed dramatically. I feel that coaches can sometimes lose the magic of what its like to just play and how big a part this has in actual development. I have certainly added this to my armoury. What coaches have to be aware of is that this type of activity is a 'trade off' of ideals. For the experienced coach, they would like to see players keen to develop their skills and playing experience with a commitment and mental strength to withstand the pressure of competition and improve all round.
Kids just want to play and have fun So, I will introduce this activity as a kind of reward for their endeavour and hard work in previous sessions/ routines and challenge them to know the difference in 'Outrageously Good & Outrageously bad'. The players will readily accept hard work if its UNDERSTOOD by them (which is the coach's responsibility) and where that activity fits into their playing. I have been evolving this to try and get a happy medium where the players retain the 'free of fear' attitude to play but also to see if development can be introduced.
What I have found is that we look at ONE aspect of play (i.e. Attack) and then we play a normal SSG but on Attack the players have to be OUTRAGEOUS in their play whereas defending and midfield play are(hopefully) to be less 'outrageous' except for a long attacking pass which CAN be part of an attack.
Counter Attack comes to mind here. I have had positive feedback from players trying this as it seems to be a nice balance of (as topshot says) using both the creative AND logical parts of the brain in their decision making. I have been approached by 8 clubs who have been to see this in my sessions and after talking to their players, want to set up a small 'league' between them where the players can play 'outrageous matches' where the scoreline is secondary to the fun factor, if a team collectively performs 'outrageous' moments of skill etc then an 'O' point is awarded. The team with the most 'O' points at the end of the allotted time (again no limit), then they get to have their picture taken as a group of THEIR choice (no mooning though)
In fact there was even a suggestion that extra 'points' could be awarded for an outrageous moment that leads DIRECTLY to a goal.
I'll let you all know how it progresses.
By the way. I HAVE registered this idea!!!
|