Manchester Youth Soccer League

Manchester Youth Soccer League

The MYSL is a fall soccer program for young kids in Manchester, Dorset, Rupert, Pawlet, and Danby Vermont.  Grades Pre-K-2nd participate in an in-house program while grades 3rd-6th play on travel teams in the John Werner Youth Soccer League (JWYSL). 

The MYSL is for all children regardless of ability.  Kids get equal playing time and support from our coaching staff with an emphasis on the following:

• Learning the Game - Teaching kids soccer skills (dribbling, passing, shooting) and tactical skills (attacking and defending shape).
• Basic Values - Focusing on such things as making friends; supporting teammates; sportsmanship; respecting adults; and many other life lessons.
• Having a Blast - It's our bottom line and hopefully it's yours.

Since there are no league standings, winning takes on a new and better meaning; that is, becoming a better player - a better person - and creating fun filled memories.

THE TRIANGLE

The triangle is the most fundamental soccer shape teammates form once they gain possesion of the ball.  Shown below are 3 passing situations (Figures 1,2,3).  A1 (1st attacker) has the ball while D1 (1st defender) is moving in to challenge for the ball.   

 

 

 

Important Bullet Points (click on pic):

 

 

 

 

 

Figure #1 - WhenA1 has the ball, his/her teammates should give her at least 2 forward passing options - one LEFT & one RIGHT.

  

Figure #2 - As D1 approaches the ball, he/she casts a widening defending shadow behind him/her.  A1's teammates must get out of that defending shadow by spreading out.

 

Figure #3 - D1 is making a tackle on A1.  A1's teammates must retreat to a completely flat (horizontal) position to receive a pass.  This is call a "square pass".

                  

In a 8v8 game, the 8 field players (including the goalie) can pre-set 3 triangles (click soccer field below).  However, soccer is not a stagnant game.  Therefore, as the ball moves around the field, the players must constantly reset their triangles which requires teamwork and attacking imagination.

 

 

In summary, the triangle shape gives the player with the ball 2 forward passing options.  A team that can successfully form these triangles, can play a "cat and mouse" keepaway game all over the soccer field.  And as we all know, it's a lot more fun being the cat in this game. 

 

 Video Clip

 

Pro Evolution Soccer show a number of examples of the triangle pass - click here 

The Diamond - Down The Field Option

As we learned above, the triangle shape gives the attacking team a passing option right and left (plus back).  In addition, it stretches our opponents defense from sideline to sideline.  Since soccer is a game of keep away, we want to create maximum dribbling and passing space once we get the ball.  Therefore, not only do we want to “widen the field”, but we also want to “stretch it” vertically.

This is accomplished by the diamond attacking shape with a player at the top of the diamond.  Shown below (click to enlarge) is a 8v8 game using a 1-2-3-2 tactical formation. 

As you can see, there are 3 pre-set diamonds:

1. Goalie - Right Back - Left Back - Center Mid
2. Right Back - Right Mid - Center Mid - Right Striker
3. Left Back - Left Mid - Center Mid - Left Striker

Question - When either the goalie, or wing backs have the ball, what is his/her best passing option?

Answer – The high pass to the top of the diamond because we’ve beat more opponents with a single pass!!!  Therefore, when you get possession of the ball, your first option should always be a vertical pass to a teammate or attacking space down the field.  This will give our team more scoring opportunities and keep our opponents from compressing their defense around the ball. 

Sweeper Keeper - In order to make the triple diamond effective, the goalie should play an active role as a field player (sweeper) in addition to being a net minder.

Video Clip

Shown below is a series of triangle and diamond passes used by the attacking (white) team to maintain ball possession (keep away) while advancing the ball down the field to score.

 

First To The Ball - Be Aggressive

Butterfly or deerfly, which kind of soccer player do you want to be?  The obvious answer is a butterfly.  After all, it’s beautiful and graceful ---- poetry in motion.  A deerfly has to be the most ugly and annoying bug in the universe.  They constantly bounce off your head until they drive you insane. 

 

When playing against a well skilled opponent, the most important thing that keeps you in the game is aggressive play.  Therefore, be a deerfly rather than a butterfly; that is, win those 50/50 balls; play hard but clean; be bugging, swarming, and totally annoying to your opponent .  It’s a mental commitment that translates into physical play. 

 

 

The morale of this story is be aggressive!!!  Don’t be a spectator – there are enough of those on the sidelines.   First to the ball (an annoying deerfly) is fundamental at any level of play.

 

Video Clip

 

Here's an example of aggressive play leading to a score!!!