Development of functional and team play:
Fulfillment of a player’s potential depends on his or her own efforts, the support of teammates and the unselfish guidance of her coach. He or she must be exposed to a playing and training environment, which extends her mental, physical, tactical and technical capabilities to the limit. He or she must have a sound understanding of the game’s principles and concepts. Players should show emotional stability when confronted with pressure situations. Demanding and challenging training sessions and matches are a must.

Coach must be: Charismatic, well informed, up to date, experienced, knowledgeable, articulate, a disciplinarian. No doubts about his/her authority; managerial know-how.

Technique:

• Mastered skills leading to artistry. All at speed under match conditions, demanding excellence. Individual skill covered during warm-up and competitive situations.

• Increase tactical speed (decision-making) with increased pressure and competition. Having the ability to change and adapt to game dynamics, up or down a goal, management of the clock and flow of the game.
  
• Individual:
  • In attack: A good deal of time spent in functional training environments
    
    
    • Decisions based on thirds of the field
      
    • Comfort in playing in the different areas of the field/team (back, middle, front, center, wide).
      
    • Confidence to hold possession as an individual
      
    • Solve problems at the individual level.
  • In defense: Clear understanding of how the quality of pressure affects the ability of the team to defend
    
    
    • Decisions based on thirds of the field.
      
    • Comfort at playing two different positions
• Small group:
  • In attack:
    • Improvisation/deception encouraged
      
    • Advanced understanding of combination play and how to combine to break down a defense
      
    • Balance of possession and penetration with a purpose to score goals
      
    • Recognize opportunities to penetrate by a variety of means
      
    • Attacking in groups of three (forwards, midfielders and defenders)
  • In defense:
    • Pressure, cover, balance
      
    • Control of the game’s speed and direction due to defending decisions
      
    • Recognition of double team opportunities
      
    • Defending in groups of three (forwards, midfielders and defenders)
      
•  • Team: Understanding of lines and linkage between lines. Understand positional and team needs.
  • In attack:
    • Comfort with direct and indirect styles of play
      
    • Combination play with tactical implications
      
    • Sustained possession as a means to break down the opponent’s defense
      
    • Speed of play; the game is faster and more physical
      
    • Creativity, quality of final ball to beat backs
      
    • Understanding how and when to counterattack
      
    • Serving runners in the box
      
    • Organizing the box with runners (penetration, width and support)
      
    • Decisions based on thirds of the fields
      
    • Set plays (80 percent success rate where we get: 1) goal; 2) shot on goal; or 3) corner kick
  • In defense:
    • Comfort with “high pressure” and “delayed high pressure” styles
      
    • Understanding of zonal and man-to-man marking play
      
    • Goalkeeper as the last defender
      
    • Keeping good team compactness
      
    • Stopping the counterattack
      
    • Decisions based on thirds of the field and different systems of play
      
    • Pressing (when and where to pressure, channel and dictate defensively)

    Systems: The recommended system – all. Based on a variety of factors (individual/team abilities, opponent, field conditions, game management etc.). The Women’s National Team, U-21, U-19 and U-16 National Teams predominantly employ three forwards using a 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 system. Note: A great deal of coaching/teaching within 9 v. 9 and 11 v. 11 games.

    Physical: • Fitness work with and without the ball • Flexibility – static stretching after training/matches • Dynamic flexibility – partner stretching • Importance of discipline for warm-up and cool-down • Agility – with and without the ball • Endurance – aerobic and anaerobic • Strength – upper and lower body. Core strength/stability • Balance • Nutrition – proper diet pre-game, post-game, tournaments • Prevention and care of injuries • Importance of rest/recovery – schedule issues relative to the physical demands

    Psychological:
    
    

  • Increased concentration
    
  • Leadership and increased player responsibility
    
  • Discipline
    
  • Accountability
    
  • Goal setting
    
  • Respect for the game
    
  • Self-confidence, self-motivation, goal setting
    
  • Vary program – satisfy players’ urge for competition. Will to win.
    
  • Mental toughness/competitive mentality
    
  • Establish pre-practice and pre-game routine (as individuals and teams)
    
  • Encourage players/teams to watch professional and National Team games on television

    The Game:

  • 11 v. 11