| Junior Soccer - Systems of Play | | | | However, a system while being important, is not |
| All levels of soccer are played by creating | | | | what winsgames alone. Your players will win and lose |
| tacticalopportunities while in possession or restricting | | | | you games notnecessarily the system. |
| youropponent when not in possession. | | | | Mini soccer is no different to the senior game in |
| Dependant on where and who has possession on the | | | | thisrespect. While there maybe fewer players on the |
| field ofplay determines what your team should be | | | | pitch, yourjob as coach is to decide on the correct |
| doing. | | | | system of play foryour team according to the skills |
| We should encourage decision making with all our | | | | that you have at yourdisposal. |
| playerseven at an early stage, and there are two | | | | In the early days, it is important to give all players |
| basic questionsthat they should always be asking | | | | anopportunity to play in different positions. |
| themselves: | | | | I don't believe anyone can tell with any certainty at |
| How can I help my team to keep possession of the | | | | 8-12years of age whether a player is defender, or |
| ball andadvance? | | | | attacker. |
| What could I do to help my team regain the ball and | | | | Sure, some kids may display a keener eye for goal |
| preventthe opposition from advancing? | | | | or bemore physical in a challenge but we shouldn't |
| So, what is a system of play? | | | | pidgeon holeor restrict their development to a single |
| A system of play is a plan, you are probably doing it | | | | playing position. |
| now,sending your team out on to the field in a | | | | However, this doesn't mean that you can't play with |
| startingformation and asking players to undertake | | | | asystem even though you may be shifting players |
| certain tasks. | | | | around indifferent positions. |
| In today's soccer, numeric combinations are used | | | | (One word of caution though, don't expect miracles. |
| todescribe certain systems, you will have heard of | | | | If youare playing kids in a number of positions, please |
| the 4-4-2, | | | | allowthem a little latitude as they may stray a bit!) |
| 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-3-3. | | | | ==================== |
| What these numbers represent is the number of | | | | Join our FREE soccer Tip of the Week and discover |
| players thatwill typically occupy positions within the | | | | morehints, tips and techniques to improve your |
| three key zoneson the pitch namely defense, midfield | | | | coaching andyour teams performance. |
| and attack. | | | | |