Unleash Your Players’ Potential: World Cup Activities for Their Development

Here are our FUNdamental SOCCER ideas for players to implement while watching the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup games from July 20 to August 19. Coaches can consider assigning these activities to their players, as they provide a great opportunity to learn and improve by observing the best players in the world.

 Materials needed: Marking pen and sheets of paper. Drawing a soccer field on the sheets is helpful. These materials will be used to record your observations and keep track of the player’s performance throughout the game.

Assignment: Observe A Particular Player

Instructions:

a. Use a plus (+) mark for every pass when possession is kept.

b. Use a minus (-) mark for every pass when possession is lost.

1. Use a plus (+) for successful -Immediate- One Touch Passes
2. Use a minus (-) for unsuccessful -Immediate- One Touch Passes

1. Use a plus (+2) for successful –Control & Second Touch Passes
2. Use a minus (-2) for unsuccessful –Control & Second Touch Passes

1. Use a plus (+3) for successful – Three or more Touch Passes
2. Use a minus (-3) for unsuccessful – Three or more Touch Passes

Once you have completed your observations, total the numbers and prepare for a discussion.

Consider what the difference is between the player positions and types.

Are there any patterns you and your players can pull out of the numbers?

Do forwards play more riskily than defenders? Or faster?

How many mistakes do the best-attacking players make? More or less than other attackers?

What were the passing stats like for the goal scorers? And assists? Did they tend to also have more mistakes due to taking more risks, or not?

OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Assignment:  Observe A Particular Player
2. Assignment:  Observe One Team’s Back Players 
3. Assignment:  Observe One Team’s Midfield Players
4. Assignment:  Observe One Team’s Forward Players

Instructions:

1. (F+) for every successful (Forward Pass)
2. (F-) for every unsuccessful (Forward Pass)

1. (S+) for every successful (Square Pass)
2. (S-) for every unsuccessful (Square Pass)

1. (B+) for every successful (Back Pass)
2. (B-) for every unsuccessful (Back Pass)

1. (L+) for every successful (Long Pass)
2. (L-) for every unsuccessful (Long Pass)

1. (Sh+) for every successful (Short Pass)
2. (Sh-) for every unsuccessful (Short Pass)

Again, see what patterns you and your players can identify. What is the completion rate for each of these different types of passes? Which players tend to make which types the most? Can your team’s playstyle use any of these patterns to improve?

Assignment:  Observe the Goalkeepers

Instructions:

a. (B+) for every successful (Bowling Release)

b. (B-) for every unsuccessful (Bowling Release)

a. (T+) for every successful (Throwing Release)

b. (T-) for every unsuccessful (Throwing Release)

a. (F+) for every successful (Foot Release) Volley, Punt, or Goal-kick.

b (F-) for every unsuccessful (Foot Release) Volley, Punt, or Goal-kick.

Total the Numbers and Have a Discussion.

MORE OPTIONS

Chart Throw-ins: Direction Thrown and Results (+ or -)

Place Marks from where Shots on Goal are Taken and Results (+ or -)

MAKE THIS A FAMILY AFFAIR 🙂

1. Get the Parents involved.
2. Make Bonding Efforts during the ‘Assignment Results Discussions.’

These activities not only make watching soccer an enjoyable experience but also provide an opportunity for players to learn from their heroes. Professional soccer games are filled with countless teachable moments, and engaging players in recording and discussing data from these moments can enhance their focus and promote mutual learning. Encourage players to bring their recorded data into practice sessions for further discussion, enabling them to delve deeper into these moments and learn from one another. Additionally, feel free to introduce other tasks for players to observe and record while watching games, expanding their perspectives and enriching their learning experience

Be Creative When Coming Up With And Giving Assignments!