Spark Soccer

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

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