Tim Schulz currently serves as the US Under-20 Women’s National Team head coach.  The U.S. U-20s are coming off a successful CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Qualifying Tournament in Mexico at the end of January. The USA won the tournament to secure a berth in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championships, being held in Russia from Aug. 17-Sept. 3, 2006.  Schulz is also a USSF National Instructor and serves as the State Director for Colorado.  He holds a USSF National “A” license, a NSCAA National Advanced license, and a National Youth license.

The following session was observed at a recent Region IV coaches symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada and submitted by Dana Taylor, head coach at Oregon Sate University.  The session follows the whole-part-whole teaching method as opposed to a session transitioning from simple-complex.

Passing – Developing Attacking Patterns of Play

Warm Up:
Players performed various dynamic movements as well as static stretching exercises prior to beginning the session.

Activity #1:

Set Up:
An 8v8 is organized on a half-pitch as shown below in Diagram (a). The teams are based on the 3:5:2 and 3:4:3 formations. Since the numbers are 8v8 the setup is – Team (A) 2 forwards, 5 midfielders, 1 goalkeeper. Team (B) 3 defenders, 4 midfielders, 1 goalkeeper.

Objective:
Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal. Emphasis is placed on various attacking patterns – width in attack, overlaps, playing to the strikers etc.
Total Time – 40 minutes

Coaching Points:

• Try to coach as the game is flowing – limit the stoppages!
• Look for patterns to develop.
• Positive encouragement at all times.

Activity #2 Pattern Play:

Set Up:
Players are organized on a half-pitch as shown below in Diagram (b).

Pattern 1: Overlap
Ball is passed wide to player (A) who dribbles inside to open up the channel for the overlap. The nearest forward (B) checks to the ball and then curls away to get in the box for the cross. Player (C) has started an overlapping run to get in a position to cross the ball. The two forwards as well as the attacking midfield player get in or around the box for the cross.

Pattern 2:
Ball is passed square to player (A). The nearest forward (B) has checked to the ball and then curled away to create space for the second striker. The ball is passed into the second striker (C) and laid back to (A). The ball is then played down the line for a cross from player (D). The two forwards as well as the attacking midfield player get in or around the box for the cross.

Pattern 3:
The ball is played into the nearest forward (C). Forward (C) lays the ball back to supporting midfield player (A) who plays it first-time out wide for player (D). The two forwards as well as the attacking midfield player get in or around the box for the cross.

Pattern 4:
The ball is passed wide to player (D). The nearest striker (B) curls away to create space for the second striker (C). The ball is played into the feet of the striker (C) who dummies it for the attacking midfield player (E). The attacking midfield player (E) has burst forward to support the attack. On dummying the ball the striker spins quickly to receive a first-time ball from the attacking midfield player. Striker (C) may now be in a good position to shoot on goal or pull the ball across the face of goal for his/her supporting players.

NOTE: Repeat all patterns on both sides of the field – alternate sides to allow recovery.

Total Time – 25 minutes.

Coaching Points:

• Sharp Passing.
• Clean runs to clear space.
• Communication “leave it”, “Yes” etc.
• Look for details – squaring up to the ball, collecting without a skip, checking at the right time, attacking the ball when receiving, sprinting when needed, following up on shots, keeper “Away”, angles of runs to allow getting to the needed area at the right time.

Activity #3 Triangle Passing:

Set Up:
Two triangles are created with cones – (One triangle shown for illustration purposes in Diagram (f) below) An equal number of players are positioned at each cone. Each side of the triangle is approximately 18 yards long.

Objective:
Player (A) begins the sequence by driving forward into the space. Player (A) passes to checking player (B). Player (B) receives the pass and lays it off immediately to oncoming (A). Player (B) must now spin to receive the return pass from (A). Player (B) then repeats the sequence by taking a positive first-touch and driving into the space towards (C). Play is continuous. Switch directions when necessary.
Total Time – 10 minutes.

Coaching Points:

• Sharp passing.
• Run smooth “like an athlete”
• No skipping prior to receiving the ball.
• Call for ball.
• Check at the right time!

Activity #4:

Set Up:
An 8v8 is organized as in Activity #1. Both teams compete for possession of the ball and attempt to score in their opponents goal.

Note: All previous coaching points are emphasized.

Cool Down:
Players are paired off and perform various light jogging activities. Static stretching exercises are performed.
Total Time – 10 minutes.