Rec coach here. Been coaching the same teenaged team for 3 years now. I find that scrimmaging or not in training is a balance. Until last fall I used regular scrimmages in training sessions and moved to more half field situational work (1/2 field, 2 mini on the other side) like you described in the video, but I found that I stunted my teams creativity and had to add scrimmaging back into training plans (at least once a week) and sprinkled in some set piece work when the opportunity arose. I found that I had to use conditions in scrimmages to reinforce themes for the week to allow the players to allow for more creativity. Each team has different chemistry and it could have been how my team reacted to less open play, but one benefit of scrimmaging over the years is that it helped foster a love for pickup/sandlot play.
@@MrCoolmusclecar so difficult to find pickup games for u16 and below, for various reasons (in my area it’s a mix of kids finding parents to drive them and self organization as parents are hesitant to organize it for kids). But yes pickup is so important for creativity!
I used this practice structure as a guide with my fall U11 team, and it resulted in some really productive sessions. As others have said, I agree with eliminating scrimmages as they ultimately end up being super disorganized, don't offer ideal coaching opportunities, and as you pointed out, don't allow for recreating in-game scenarios consistently, but my players are so used to scrimmaging at the end of practice and enjoy it (our program promotes the play-practice-play approach), they ask about it throughout most of the session, and we end up working it in for the last 15-20 mins. It does end up feeling kind of pointless though when things start getting disorganized. Hoping to incorporate pattern choreography and dedicated runs more into the sessions this spring. Still my number one resource for coaching, thanks again for the great content.
I don't scrimmage at every practice but when I do it's usually conditioned. For example, all restarts start from the keeper and you can work on building out of the back/pressing while still doing a lot of reps. Or, let's say in that practice we were working on breaking pressure by linking with our center mids, I'd put a condition on the game that the players can't go to goal unless they link with a CM by breaking a line of pressure, etc etc
@@CoachRorySoccer @ryanmillertradingeconomics8183 noted, thank you both! I've done that a little in the past (ie. minimum number of connecting passes before going to goal), but I'll definitely keep the conditioned scrimmage approach in mind in the future to make the most out of scrimmages.
I break out sessions into four groups: Building from own goal, Attacking in opposition half, Defense, and set pieces. One of the reasons I break out set pieces separate is in my 11v11 teens, we do competitions for who is going to take penalty kicks, corner kicks, and free kicks.
I COMPLETELY agree with you regarding scrimmage. I find it actually damaging to a team given the time you could have spent on other things. I see more talented teams be at a huge disadvantage against teams with less talent who have practiced more game related scenarios over scrimmages. I do competitive scenarios with fixed starting positions and the teams alternate between offense and defense in set scenarios. I call it "Groundhog Day" training. Two teams re-create the same real game scenario over and over trying different approaches. It is SO much more effective than scrimmage.
Another great video coach. Thanks again. I'm in the process of getting my USSF D License. I'm glad I'm going through the process, but I will say I've learned far more from your videos than I have on the course thus far. 🤨
Thanks! There are pros/cons of the licensing process etc. I am planning a video on that topic but wanted to go through US B first. I have my US C and UEFA B. Thought it would be a good video to show the two licensing bodies and my experience with both.
Would love to see how you plan out your whole season. I've used so much of your advice with great success, but still feel like i'm gong week to week, instead of an organized vision for the whole season. Thank you for all you do!!!
Good idea for a video. Some of the trouble is season plans differ greatly from team to team depending on the context, level, and age of the specific team.
Some type of Scrimmage is essential IMO. It’s the most game like part of training and key in evaluating which players are able to apply the training to a match like setting. However, if you always have low numbers at training, it could be a little difficult to replicate that match like environment.
No scrimmages is from what I've seen extremely rare in Switzerland. The coaches usually try to remind the players of the points made in the session during the scrimmage, and let them try to apply it in a "real" setting
If you have U10 with 10 players, playing a 5v5 where you always start from the GK if the ball goes out gives plenty of build up chances. Lots of reps! If they dont do it the way you would like, you can stop them and reinforce every now and then.
Mixed messages here about scrimmaging but from your video about how they coach in Argentina my takeaway is it's all about short sided scrimmaging (playing in general vs. drilling) so that kids get multiple touches on the ball. (Correct me if I'm wrong as it's been a while since I watched that one.) I'm talking 12 and under here. Yes, instruction before, during and after is key but you want the kids to figure things out themselves (trial and error) and be creative which they can do from playing as much as possible vs. drilling. A mix of both is advantageous but I think it's common sense to apply what you are drilling with and through scrimmaging.
Great video as always. Though I’d have to say it’s the first “soccer Jesus” I’ve seen and I thought I watched a lot of RUclips. Scrimmages? It’s a reward for a great game over the weekend or working hard during practice. But not the norm. Scrimmages and the striking on goal exercise you’ve mentioned before (which in my area are called “ice cream sundaes” because kids love to score on goals) are rewards for working hard in my opinion. Looking forward for the follow up videos!
Hey Rory, love the videos. Can i ask something? How long should i spend on skills in sessions? We only train once a week, for 90 minutes . Its hard fitting a lot in
@CoachRorySoccer thanks mate, we have a good core of players, with some weaker new players to the team. I just don't think (could be wrong) standing them in a lonely doing step overs etc would be beneficial?
I'm new to coaching soccer and never played when younger so I'm a bit naive. are you coaching your team to know the responsibilities of each position or are you assigning positions? I'm also curious your thoughts on in-game substitutions. for my son's rec league, all players must play 50% of the game.
I discovered Coach Rory 2 years ago when my rec team players were in 3rd grade. He helped me out tremendously. We went from bunch ball to possession based with a formation(shape).We practice once a week and play one game a week. My advice would be to choose a formation that Coach Rory has videos on and stick to it until it’s time to change (7v7 to 9v9 for ex.). During practice, work on ball control (toe taps, tick tocks, sole roles), 4v1 rondos to work on receiving ball across the body and moving to receive the ball and communication, 2v1 standard battle boxes to work on breaking the line and 2v1 throw ins so you won’t turn over the ball as much in games. Then do pattern choreography so players learn the shape and different positions. Bring a board to draw up the shape so it gets ingrained in their brain. Depending on the age, this is at least a year’s worth of session planning. Stick with it and your team will progress and your players will become better teammates. Again, Coach Rory has videos for all of this. Good luck!
I totally agree on eliminating scrimmages. It is often unorganized and doesn’t focus on the skill or concept you are coaching. I coach a 7v7 team with 11 players and those numbers don’t work out well for any type of scrimmage.
You could go 6v6 with a grown up in one of the goals. You could go 4v4 with three teams. Many times you have 10 instead of 11, so you go 5v5. Can engage in different rule sets. Ball always starts with the GK after goals and when the ball is out and put a 3sec start clock on them. Keeps the intensity high and you get build up chances probably 50times during 20min.
Rec coach here. Been coaching the same teenaged team for 3 years now. I find that scrimmaging or not in training is a balance.
Until last fall I used regular scrimmages in training sessions and moved to more half field situational work (1/2 field, 2 mini on the other side) like you described in the video, but I found that I stunted my teams creativity and had to add scrimmaging back into training plans (at least once a week) and sprinkled in some set piece work when the opportunity arose. I found that I had to use conditions in scrimmages to reinforce themes for the week to allow the players to allow for more creativity.
Each team has different chemistry and it could have been how my team reacted to less open play, but one benefit of scrimmaging over the years is that it helped foster a love for pickup/sandlot play.
@@MrCoolmusclecar so difficult to find pickup games for u16 and below, for various reasons (in my area it’s a mix of kids finding parents to drive them and self organization as parents are hesitant to organize it for kids). But yes pickup is so important for creativity!
Such a good topic. I have worked on this for years. I finally have a formula that works, but I love to learn from videos like yours. Thanks.
I used this practice structure as a guide with my fall U11 team, and it resulted in some really productive sessions. As others have said, I agree with eliminating scrimmages as they ultimately end up being super disorganized, don't offer ideal coaching opportunities, and as you pointed out, don't allow for recreating in-game scenarios consistently, but my players are so used to scrimmaging at the end of practice and enjoy it (our program promotes the play-practice-play approach), they ask about it throughout most of the session, and we end up working it in for the last 15-20 mins. It does end up feeling kind of pointless though when things start getting disorganized.
Hoping to incorporate pattern choreography and dedicated runs more into the sessions this spring.
Still my number one resource for coaching, thanks again for the great content.
I don't scrimmage at every practice but when I do it's usually conditioned. For example, all restarts start from the keeper and you can work on building out of the back/pressing while still doing a lot of reps. Or, let's say in that practice we were working on breaking pressure by linking with our center mids, I'd put a condition on the game that the players can't go to goal unless they link with a CM by breaking a line of pressure, etc etc
This is a great point. Conditioned scrimmages where coaches stop it etc are by far the best if you are going to scrimmage.
Thank you!
@@CoachRorySoccer @ryanmillertradingeconomics8183 noted, thank you both! I've done that a little in the past (ie. minimum number of connecting passes before going to goal), but I'll definitely keep the conditioned scrimmage approach in mind in the future to make the most out of scrimmages.
I break out sessions into four groups: Building from own goal, Attacking in opposition half, Defense, and set pieces. One of the reasons I break out set pieces separate is in my 11v11 teens, we do competitions for who is going to take penalty kicks, corner kicks, and free kicks.
I COMPLETELY agree with you regarding scrimmage. I find it actually damaging to a team given the time you could have spent on other things. I see more talented teams be at a huge disadvantage against teams with less talent who have practiced more game related scenarios over scrimmages. I do competitive scenarios with fixed starting positions and the teams alternate between offense and defense in set scenarios. I call it "Groundhog Day" training. Two teams re-create the same real game scenario over and over trying different approaches. It is SO much more effective than scrimmage.
Love it.
Another great video coach. Thanks again.
I'm in the process of getting my USSF D License. I'm glad I'm going through the process, but I will say I've learned far more from your videos than I have on the course thus far. 🤨
Thanks! There are pros/cons of the licensing process etc. I am planning a video on that topic but wanted to go through US B first. I have my US C and UEFA B. Thought it would be a good video to show the two licensing bodies and my experience with both.
Would love to see how you plan out your whole season. I've used so much of your advice with great success, but still feel like i'm gong week to week, instead of an organized vision for the whole season. Thank you for all you do!!!
Good idea for a video. Some of the trouble is season plans differ greatly from team to team depending on the context, level, and age of the specific team.
Some type of Scrimmage is essential IMO. It’s the most game like part of training and key in evaluating which players are able to apply the training to a match like setting. However, if you always have low numbers at training, it could be a little difficult to replicate that match like environment.
No scrimmages is from what I've seen extremely rare in Switzerland. The coaches usually try to remind the players of the points made in the session during the scrimmage, and let them try to apply it in a "real" setting
Understood. My personal opinion.
If you have U10 with 10 players, playing a 5v5 where you always start from the GK if the ball goes out gives plenty of build up chances. Lots of reps! If they dont do it the way you would like, you can stop them and reinforce every now and then.
Mixed messages here about scrimmaging but from your video about how they coach in Argentina my takeaway is it's all about short sided scrimmaging (playing in general vs. drilling) so that kids get multiple touches on the ball. (Correct me if I'm wrong as it's been a while since I watched that one.) I'm talking 12 and under here. Yes, instruction before, during and after is key but you want the kids to figure things out themselves (trial and error) and be creative which they can do from playing as much as possible vs. drilling. A mix of both is advantageous but I think it's common sense to apply what you are drilling with and through scrimmaging.
Great video as always. Though I’d have to say it’s the first “soccer Jesus” I’ve seen and I thought I watched a lot of RUclips.
Scrimmages? It’s a reward for a great game over the weekend or working hard during practice. But not the norm. Scrimmages and the striking on goal exercise you’ve mentioned before (which in my area are called “ice cream sundaes” because kids love to score on goals) are rewards for working hard in my opinion.
Looking forward for the follow up videos!
😂
Nice
great vid
Thanks!
Hey Rory, love the videos. Can i ask something? How long should i spend on skills in sessions? We only train once a week, for 90 minutes . Its hard fitting a lot in
Depends on the age and skill of the team. The younger the age and less skilled the team the more I would do it.
@CoachRorySoccer thanks mate, we have a good core of players, with some weaker new players to the team. I just don't think (could be wrong) standing them in a lonely doing step overs etc would be beneficial?
Coach Rory: do you ever make time in team practice sessions to work on technical skills such as dribbling or passing?
Younger teams absolutely
What is the software program you use to show your patterns etc. Enjoy watching your vids.
It’s called tactical pad.
i very rarely scrimmage during team sessions.
Same.
I'm new to coaching soccer and never played when younger so I'm a bit naive. are you coaching your team to know the responsibilities of each position or are you assigning positions? I'm also curious your thoughts on in-game substitutions. for my son's rec league, all players must play 50% of the game.
Yes. Depends tbh if you in a rec league level may be more appropriate to do other training and activities
I discovered Coach Rory 2 years ago when my rec team players were in 3rd grade. He helped me out tremendously. We went from bunch ball to possession based with a formation(shape).We practice once a week and play one game a week. My advice would be to choose a formation that Coach Rory has videos on and stick to it until it’s time to change (7v7 to 9v9 for ex.). During practice, work on ball control (toe taps, tick tocks, sole roles), 4v1 rondos to work on receiving ball across the body and moving to receive the ball and communication, 2v1 standard battle boxes to work on breaking the line and 2v1 throw ins so you won’t turn over the ball as much in games. Then do pattern choreography so players learn the shape and different positions. Bring a board to draw up the shape so it gets ingrained in their brain. Depending on the age, this is at least a year’s worth of session planning. Stick with it and your team will progress and your players will become better teammates. Again, Coach Rory has videos for all of this. Good luck!
How long are your sessions
1.5 h usually
@CoachRorySoccer I usually only have an hour, what parts would you leave out
I totally agree on eliminating scrimmages. It is often unorganized and doesn’t focus on the skill or concept you are coaching. I coach a 7v7 team with 11 players and those numbers don’t work out well for any type of scrimmage.
You could go 6v6 with a grown up in one of the goals. You could go 4v4 with three teams. Many times you have 10 instead of 11, so you go 5v5. Can engage in different rule sets. Ball always starts with the GK after goals and when the ball is out and put a 3sec start clock on them. Keeps the intensity high and you get build up chances probably 50times during 20min.