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USWNT Posession Style Soccer - Goal vs New Zealand

The US Women's National Team is the #1 ranked female soccer team in the world. They are the defending champions of the Women's FIFA World Cup, and various other competitions. The below example from their match vs New Zealand on May 16, 2019 is an excellent example of their style of soccer using possession and build-up tactics. Rather than doing everything in their power to force the ball to the goal, they are patient and make possession of the ball their priority. Gradually the New Zealand defense becomes less-compact and openings appear. This is the time the USWNT makes their move. But until then, patience team-oriented possession of the ball including: Turn the dribble backward to shield the ball, then make a drop pass back to a teammate behind. Dribbling back away from pressure, then making a long drop pass to the left back. Drop pass back to the center back. Center back switch fields forward to the right back. Right back with pressure send drop pass back to ce
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The value of 4v4 & small-sided games

Small-sided games like 4v4 are highly valuable for player development at all levels. These games require players to increase their technical skills & tactical understanding, rather than simply rely on their physicality. Finding solutions to congestion and tight-space is extremely useful in full-sided soccer. 4v4 forces this scenario. Consider the following: The US Womens National Team (the US World Cup team) is the best professional Womens Soccer Team in the world. See the USWNT Training in Portugal playing 4v4:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8uF2w5k3zQ FC Barcelona (Messi's team) trains using 4v4 possession activities in small spaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ElfXRFIhA Futsal: Futsal is a 4v4 (+ goal keeper) adaptation of soccer played indoors in a smaller space. The benefits of outdoor 4v4 are very similar to Futsal. Consider the following statements from world-class professional soccer players on these small-sided games: Lio
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"The Scissors" dribbling move

The Scissors is a very popular dribbling move that isn't that hard to do. It is also sometimes called the "outside stepover" (not to be confused with the "inside stepover). Here's a simple video showing how to do the scissors move: Here's a video showing world famous Christiano Ronaldo using the scissors repeatedly to confuse and throw off opponents, so he can dribble past them:
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"The Lunge" dribbling move

"The Lunge" is one of the most simple and effective dribbling moves. It is sometimes also called the "Body Feint", or some simply refer to it as "drop the shoulder". Many regard Lionel Messi as the best soccer player in the world, and he has heavily relied on this simple move to help him accomplish this. Below is an instructional video on this move. It is truly simple, and extremely effective. The move is performed by: Slowing the dribble of the ball as you approach an opponent. 3-4 feet before reaching the opponent you perform the move by: Stepping forward alongside the ball with your right foot (there should be 1-2 feet of space between your right foot at the ball). Perform a partial lunge with the right leg by: Bending the knee nearly to a 90-degree angle and leaning the upper body forward to the right (this causes the opponent to think you are going to the right). Then quickly before straightening your right leg, bring your left foot be
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Every player needs a move!

Every player U10 and up should have at least 1 dribbling move/feint they can use to dribble past an opponent in a one-on-one situation. Our players choose 1 move each season. Over the course of the season they will work on perfecting that move. This season my U10 players are all working on The Lunge (I chose this for all of them because it is easy and highly effective). Our U13 players have all chosen between The Lunge and The Scissors. A blog page explaining how to do each of these moves has been created and linked to here: The Lunge The Scissors Having 1 polished move in the repertoire of each player will help them to be much more effective in dribbling past opponents. This increases overall confidence with the ball, thus decreasing anxiety when the ball comes to them in game situations, thus enabling them to have composure, see the field and their options and make better decisions with the ball.
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Not bunching up from US Womens National Team

Players and parents. The US Women's National Team is the #1 ranked women's soccer team in the world. They are the current champions of the World Cup and last week became the champions of the 2018 She Believes Cup, beating England, Germany and France. Below is a clip from their snowy match against Germany which demonstrates a core principle we teach. Not Bunching Up. Use the space and form triangles. I love seeing the player who typically plays right forward realize she needs to relocate, as her teammate with the ball is quickly driving into that corner. There is no use having 2 teammates stuck in the same corner. So she abruptly chooses to use the space appropriately. Instead of congesting it, she gives her teammate the room and finds other open space where she can be useful. A great example for our girls that even at the highest levels of soccer this is an issue they constantly deal with. This example is great because it is obvious and so deliberate. (be sure to
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