Developing the Individual Player

The Individual Player The Player Development Magazine

Developing Individuals in team settings

Plus 'Why train players to use both feet?'

Contents Page 3 - Welcome Page 5 - YouTube Page 6- Developing Individuals Page 10 - OpportunityElite Store Page 22- Why use both Feet?

Page 26 - Strength & Conditioning Page 27 - Follow us

Welcome Developing individual players is the main focus within youth development. We all want our teams to play well, but it is important that the player develops and realises their potential. As players and coaches we need to focus on helping ourselves, or our players, especially at the youth levels, improve technically.

Technical development is very important. The more touches players can take on the ball, the better they become.

In this month's edition we take a look at developing individual players in team settings, getting the best technical development out of all players within the group.

We hope you enjoy the read!

Elliott Everson, Founder, OpportunityElite

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Technically Develop the Individual.

The most important thing in youth development is the player. Developing players should always come first but, at times, it can be hard to develop the individual in a team setting. It may be that there is a big game coming up, or a large group of players within the squad. So how do we develop an individual, helping them reach the next level of their game and progress as far as they can within football?

Firstly, we'll look at the technical elements of developing an individual player.

What areas of the player's game, or technical skills, are most important to helping create footballers who have skill, confidence on the ball, influence on the game and high technical ability?

There are some key areas that should be developed initially to help build the player's confidence and performance. Building these key areas will allow for a more technical player to develop, fulfilling their potential.

We think that it is very important to focus on developing a player in technical areas. Some players can be more athletic, more physical and dominating in a game. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this but there comes a time, especially in youth football, where the more physically dominant, commanding and imposing players will be caught up with in their growth by others. We have all seen it before where there is a ten year old head and shoulders above everyone else physically, able to dominate matches, predominantly due to their size. Eventually, other players grow, catching up physically. If we haven't helped these young players, no matter what physical size, develop technically then they will be behind when they reach senior football.

The key should be to focus on technical development.

The first part of developing a player technically should be first touch.

First Touch Controlling the ball with a good first touch is vital to the development of the individual. It is incredibly important and something that should always be practised, with a quality first touch always emphasised. We don't just want players to be able to control the ball, we should be aiming at helping them put the ball in the position that either takes them away from pressure, allows them to move forwards, or generally position it in the most effective position.

Practising this is vital to the development of a player.

Quite often players will initially look to control the ball, making sure that they don't lose it. With confidence and plenty of practice the player should soon feel calm and in control when receiving the ball. As soon as they feel relaxed they will begin to look at positioning the ball in a place where they can affect the game, or that passage of play, the most. Continued practice of this will allow them to improve their confidence and begin to see controlling the ball as a routine, rather than doubting themselves.

At first, we should try and practise unopposed with our first touch, allowing players to work in twos or small groups, including different variations in movements, speed and angle of passes. As players become more comfortable we can then begin to develop pressurised and opposed situations. Players will only become more confident in controlling the ball if we emphasise the importance of not fearing mistakes. We all make mistakes. Instead of worrying about them, how can players learn best from them to improve their game?

First Touch Wall Ball Techniques

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Close Control Once the ball is under close control, we need to make sure that players are comfortable in keeping it. That doesn't mean we're asking the player to keep control of the ball with plenty of touches. Can the player keep control under pressure, making sure that they have the ability to keep possession for the team?

Important elements of close control are ball mastery training and turning. Ball mastery provides fantastic opportunity for development of technical ability in players. Keeping control with different movements, the use of both feet, development of co-ordination and quick thinking, allows players to significantly develop their close control.

Practising to control the ball with a good first touch, then being able to keep it under close control, away from opponents, provides the building blocks for developing high level technical players. One player at the moment who, at the very highest level in the Premier League, stands out is Eden Hazard. He can control the ball and then, with fantastic close control, manipulate the ball to where he wants it. This creates plenty of dribbling, passing and shooting opportunities for himself or the team. If we can develop great first touches and fantastic close control then we will see players with the basis for great technical ability on the ball. Players with the co-ordination to twist and turn, moving their feet in line with where their head wants them to go, all while keeping control of the ball, will have much greater chance of developing into successful players.

Ball mastery is crucial to developing close control. This can be practised within warm ups and technical elements of training. It basically provides players with the opportunities to compete against themselves, challenging them to perfect a skill that they previously struggled with. Over time, this training will allow players to be more confident on the ball, to the point where one day we see a player perform a ball mastery skill in a game, without them even thinking about it!

30 Ball Mastery Exercises

Dribbling It's not often in today's game that we see wingers taking on their full back, getting to the touchline and clipping crosses in to the box. It seems to be that dribbling isn't a trend in football at the moment. Football is similar to fashion in that different trends come back around and different styles of play come once again to the fore.

In our opinion, dribbling is a trend that will come to the fore once again.

All players need to be comfortable on the ball and develop the ability to beat their opponent, with the ball at their feet. Developing the control, change of direction, and speed of the dribble, are very important to improving players technically. If opponents struggle to get the ball off you, then you are going to be a great threat.

As with most technical elements of training, we feel that players should practise unopposed at first. Training in an unopposed manner allows players to develop the technique and confidence on the ball. Quite quickly after practising unopposed, even in the same session, we should work on the opposed side of dribbling. Plenty of 1v1 variations, skills, techniques and games should be used.

The dribbling techniques of players will improve hugely, but we must make sure to encourage it within training and games. Players will lose the ball, quite often in places that we don't want them to but they mustn't be discouraged.

Players and coaches must remember that each mistake we make is one step closer to successfully mastering the skill, or technique.

15 One v One Skills

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Passing Working on player's first touch, close control and dribbling, develops their technique on the ball greatly. We can't, however, just focus on players keeping the ball. Can we make sure that our, or our player's, passes are crisp and positive with speed and accuracy? Players need to realise where to put the pass; do they play it ahead of their team-mate who has space ahead of them? Or do they play the ball to the side of their team-mate, so they can keep the ball from their opponent?

Passing shouldn't be rushed and players shouldn't just think they have done a good enough job by getting it to their team-mate. Instead, we should focus on them playing the ball while making the right decision.

To help this, we need to train players and help them develop with a whole range of passes, short sharp one touch, middle distance passes, long passes, and passes with different parts of the foot.

Start off with passing over shorter distances then, as the player develops, focus on the range of passes. It's great to have players who possess the ability to pass the ball over different distances. It takes practice though, especially when striking the ball over distance with the laces.

Focus on the unopposed techniques first, then small sided games to develop the movement, weight of pass, decision making and quality.

Long Distance Passing

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Striking the Ball Striking the ball correctly is a difficult skill. How often do we see players try and shoot on goal and hit the ball as hard as possible, only to wildly slice it out of play? It happens even at the very top level of football. Striking the ball is a very important factor in developing the individual player.

Can we get the ball where we want it to go with accuracy, speed and control?

It isn't about players hitting the ball harder, it's all about technique. When shooting or striking from distance can they get their head over the ball, body weight forward and shoot on their laces?

It's an important part of technical development and an area we see that many players need development in. We've just got to make sure the point of contact with the foot on the ball is correct and that we aren't losing our balance when striking.

We have the four other technical areas, now with the fifth we want to have the end product, striking the ball exactly where you want it with technique, control and speed.

Technical Areas when Striking from Distance Standing foot placed firmly next to the ball for balance and stability.

Body weight forward to control the shot.

Strong ankle to strike through on the laces.

Keep body weight over the ball as you follow through.

Shooting with Control and Power

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How do we improve the technical ability of players while in team training sessions?

So we've looked at what areas of a player's development are important in order to develop technical footballers, but how do we do that when we are in team sessions?

It can be difficult as there are so many factors to consider when coaching.

We have a number of players, there may be behaviour management, differing levels of players, odd numbers and the list goes on.

One of the most important aspects is to increase the player's contact time on the ball. We want them to be taking as many touches as they possibly can.

Try to limit standing around in lines waiting for the ball, we want them involved quickly, taking more touches and practising more techniques. Try and have a ball each; the warm up for young players should always include the ball. Think of the time it takes to run around the pitch twice and stretch: how many touches can you take in that time instead?

We've got to help players take more touches on the ball, getting them more confident, helping them feel that the ball is an extension of their body.

Ball mastery drills are the perfect place to start. Lots of short, sharp movements and touches on the ball are great for the developing player.

Initially we would practise skills unopposed, then progress into opposed work. We will always come across players who are playing at a higher level than others within the team; we should try and challenge them. Encourage them to try their weaker foot, or give more specific instructions. This can even be the case for each player on the team. At the start of the season assess their technical ability, look at the areas that they may need to improve and then set them goals and mini challenges throughout the training sessions.

The most important thing though is to always have enough footballs for one per player!

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Become Both Footed, reach your potential.

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Why Practise to Become Both Footed?

If you have a very good strong foot, then why spend time practising on the other? Could that time practising your technique on your weak foot be better off used elsewhere?

It's a question asked, and thought, quite a lot. If you are great on one foot, then is there much point in practising on the other?

There absolutely is...

Developing players to become both footed is a very important aspect of technical development. It creates more opportunities for the player to influence the game, maximising their potential. How many times have you seen a central midfielder control the ball on their right foot, proceeding to pass out to the right wing, almost forgetting there is a left winger? Other times we see the centre back too afraid of passing the ball to their midfield with their weaker foot, instead opting for the inaccurate clearance that just gives the ball to the team anyway; or the striker who has a great chance to shoot early, but decides to take one extra touch to put the ball on their strong foot.

Being one footed can limit your game. Being either footed can help you flourish and maximise your potential.

In a game of football we actually touch the ball much less than we realise.

The ball is also in-play for much less of the game than we think. Therefore, when we get it, we need to be positive and maximise our opportunities.

Training and practising with both feet allows us to do just that.

Both footed players also bring an element of unpredictability to the game; do they move the ball to the left, or right? A one footed player, however, is easier to read and defend against.

Players need to take as many opportunities as they get during the game. We can't worry about crossing, passing, or shooting the ball because it's on the wrong foot. Enough practice and these worries won't be an issue, the player will instead become much more effective.

As players progress and play against more competitive teams and individuals, the speed of play, mentally and physically, increases.

Players will soon become caught out, crowded and pressured into making mistakes if they are just a one footed individual.

If we have the use of both feet, then how many more passes will we make, touches on the ball will we take, crosses, extra shots, goals will we score?

Being both footed opens up more doors, allowing you to play in different positions and maximise your opportunities. We have to make our own opportunities and take them waiting for them doesn't work.

Become both footed and maximise your opportunities, working toward fulfilling your potential.

The Both Footed Player

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Strength & Conditioning With our Strength & Conditioning Coach, George Lyons

This month's strength & conditioning exercise is the deadbig extension, a simple core exercise vital for footballers. It is so important as strong and stable players far outweigh the importance of being muscular.

Step 1

Start on your back with your knees at a 90 degree angle and your arms straight.

Step 2 Extend both arms and legs together, holding the bottom position for 2 to 3 seconds.

Then return to the starting position.

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