In my years in youth soccer I have often been asked "why don’t we practice plays?" While set plays or re-starts as they are often referred to in soccer are extremely valuable and need to be part of a teams’ armory especially at the older age groups (U13 and older), we need to remember that it is a game that truly belongs to the player, there are no time outs, or line changes that allow the coach to directly influence a specific moment in game. Once the whistle is blown at the start of the halves the coach has to rely on what has been taught on the training ground to affect the outcome of the game because the game is so fluid. When it comes down to it, it’s all about the decisions the players make as individuals and units.
I feel the paragraph in italics below may further assist in this often asked question.
Alan Foy Executive Director
YOUTH TRAINING 1 SUCCESS IN SOCCER May 2008
Drill less, play more!
Part 3: Match-character training for game action speed by Hermann Bomers
In part three of our series, Hermann Bomers focuses on game action speed and presents two practice games for each age level (basic, intermediate and advanced).
A basic prerequisite for winning soccer is the ability to instantly make decisions that move your team closer to its objective. This ability is known as game action speed.
In today’s soccer, defenders try to outnumber their opponents around the ball and put pressure on the ball carrier. With a well coordinated defense, this wall becomes nearly impossible to crack. There’s no point in practicing set movement patterns, as no two game situations are alike. What are needed are fast, appropriate reactions to sudden and unexpected interference. Players must develop a comprehensive repertoire of skills so they can choose the tool they need to succeed in any situation. Unexpected moves that take opponents by surprise offer the best chance of success.
However, these skills are acquired not through drills, but by playing practice games. This is true at every age and ability level.
