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FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2 COACHING
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LEVEL 2
Improve the Technique of Support Play
Improve the Technique of Support Play
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INTRODUCTION
Mike Trusson, who is a very experienced Football Association Level 2 Tutor and has tutored on over 50 Level
2 Courses, has written the content for the Technique of Support Play.
Mike is also the owner of www.grassrootscoaching.com which has over 300 animated, interactive 3D coaching
sessions and a comprehensive section on the FA level 2 practical coaching curriculum with videos and
downloadable PDF’s.
The graphical content has been designed using Coaches Chalkboard, which is a very simple to use online
football training planning software tool, which is available FREE at
www.grassrootscoaching.com/freefootballcoaching/
WHAT IS A TECHNIQUE
A technique is a basic building block of football. For example, the technique of support play is the ability of
players to support the player on the ball. The easiest way of a player being able to do this is to move to
provide a good support position that allows the player on the ball to pass easily and effectively, therefore being
able to keep possession and retain the ball more effectively.
The more opportunities the player has to practice this technique in a game related practice, then the better the
player will be at mastering these basic techniques of the game, which will improve the players confidence and
the more chance they will have of improving as a player.
A technical session is unopposed so that the players can practice these techniques without the pressure of a
defender or opposition player, which allows them time to focus and have time on mastering the technique.
But, players also need to be appropriately challenged in the practice. So in this session, there are
progressions that include both teams playing at the same time, with two balls. This will force the players to
play with their heads up and be aware of players around them – a key component of the Technique of Support
Play.
We have also included challenges. Players love the competitive element of the challenges. But that
competitive factor of the challenge will also make players hurry their passing as they strive to compete. As a
result the quality of the passing will decrease as players lose composure and rush to make the passes as
quickly as they can.
This allows the coach to help the players make decisions about the timing, angle and distance of their support
positions and the right time to pass quickly, to pass first time and when to control and pass. As a result, the
players’ performances through these challenges will improve.
PROGRESSIONS
Look out for the progressions to The Technique of Support Play – The Skill of Support Play and Small Sided
Games to improve Support Play.
In addition there are E Books available covering the Technique, Skill and Small sided games for all the FA
Level 2 Practical Curriculum.
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1. ORGANISATION.
Organise 3 areas of 20 x 15 yards, with
a 5 yard gap in between each area.
Position 3 players in each area and a
floating supporting player in between
the areas, effectively “Between the
lines”
There is one football that starts with
one of the end groups.
2. PURPOSE
The objective of the practice is for
players to provide support, behind, “In
between the lines” and in front of the
ball.
The ball is passed from the end area,
to the middle area, to the opposite end
area and then back through the middle
area to the end area again.
The floating players change and rotate
as the ball is passed, but there should
always be one floating player “In
between the lines” and in front of the
area where the ball is
3. START
The player on the ball should have
support behind and wide of the ball.
The ball can now be recycled across
the width of the pitch safely.
The wide player receiving the ball can
now be in space, get their head up and
look to pass forward.
EQUIPMENT
Supply of footballs, cones to mark out areas and bibs.
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4. THE FLOATING PLAYER 1
The floating players should look to take
a position in front of the ball and “In
between the lines” of the areas.
In this example, the floating player has
supported in front of the ball, turned
with the ball and can play forward to
the next area
5. THE FLOATING PLAYER 2
The floating players should look to take
a position in front of the ball and “In
between the lines” of the areas.
In this example they have received the
ball and set it back to a supporting
player behind the ball, who can look to
pass forward to the next area to a
supporting player in front of the ball
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6. BALL PASSED FORWARD TO
THE NEXT GROUP
The group in the next area have now
supported in front of the ball and
received the forward pass. (like a full
back passing forward to supporting
midfield players)
The floating player now joins that
middle group and one of the players
from this group now makes a forward
run to become the next floating player
“between the lines” see diagram.
Communication between the players is
very important.
One of the players in this group must
look to provide a good angle and
distance of support behind the ball. The
second player should look to support in
a wider area so the ball can be
switched to space and the new floating
player looks to provide support in front
of the ball “between the lines”
The third group (forwards) should also
be looking to support in front of the ball
in anticipation of a forward pass
7. OPTIONS AND DECISIONS
The player on the ball should always
have at least four support options,
behind the ball, in between the lines,
wide of the ball and in front of the ball.
The player on the should be
encouraged to think about what their
passing decision is, whether to go
backwards, forwards, to the floating
player “between the lines” or wide.
They should also be making decisions
about whether to control and pass or
pass first time.
As soon as the ball has been passed,
players will have to readjust their
support positions.
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8. ROATATION OF PRACTICE
The practice now continues in the
same pattern, end to end and back
9. KEY COACHING
Early, timed movement to provide
support behind the ball, between the
lines, wide and in front of the ball
Good angle and distance of support for
the ball
Good communication, both verbally
and with body language from the
supporting player
Decisions of player on the ball of best
passing options
Readjustment of supporting positions
as the ball is passed
10. PLAY WITH TWO FOOTBALLS
Practice now involves two footballs.
This will test the players’ awareness,
timing and readjustment of support and
spatial awareness.
Players will now need to be aware of
not only the football that is near them,
but of the other football.
This will encourage players to play with
their heads up and make better support
and passing decisions.
Players will have to communicate and
rotate positions so that there are
floating players “between the lines”
related to where the footballs are.
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11. CHALLENGES
Play with two footballs. This will test the
players’ awareness, timing and
readjustment of support and spatial
awareness.
Timed challenge – For 1 minute and
playing with two footballs can the
players pass and support and keep the
footballs moving from end to end as
quickly as possible without making a
mistake.
Timed challenge – For 1 minute and
playing with two footballs how many
times can they transfer the ball from
group to group
12. PROGRESSION
Progress the practice to the Skill of
Support Play
13. KEY COACHING
Encourage the players to
communicate, both verbally and with
body language, both when they are
supporting the ball and to decide who
is going to be the floating player.
The players should look to make their
support movement early and to think
about the angle and distance of
support.
As a simple rule, support is needed in
the direction the player on the ball is
facing, either behind the ball or in front
of the ball.
As the ball is passed, support players
will need to move and provide different
support options. Think not only of
support for where the ball is, but also
where it’s going!
On the next 4 pages there is an FA level 2 Coaching Session Planner Template. Please feel free to print
it out and use. You will need to complete the details relevant to your session and needs.
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Coaching Session Planner
Candidate
Coach
Date Produced
Coach Educator
Time Available
No. of Player
Age
Information on Players
Ability Level
Medical Info.
Particular Needs
Location
Facility Needs
Equipment
Needs
Information on Facilities and Resources
.
Session Date
Goals, safe and suitable playing area. Toilets
Balls, bibs, cones, Poles for goals
Health & Safety Check Players for injury and for personal health and safety. Suitable footwear, clothing,
shin pads, jewellery, Complete pitch check and ensure first aid kit and mobile telephone
are on site.
Risk assessment carried out prior to session start.
Action Plan,
Points from
previous
Sessions:
Session Aim
Give good demonstrations and intervene as appropriate. Ask questions of players. Use
Guide and Discovery style of coaching with players. Progress the practice to the players
needs
Session Plan
To improve the technique of support play
Timings
Warm Up
Activities
Gradual increase of warm up activities with the ball. Looking to
increase the pace and intensity of the players movement to game
intensity prior to the session. Looking to increase heart rate and
blood flow. Also looking to tune the players in mentally to the
upcoming session. Stretching of the main football muscle groups
10 minutes
Cool Down
Activities
Gradual decrease of physical activity – run to jog to walk. Gentle
stretching of the main muscle groups. Gravity led exercises to rid
the body of lactic acid.
10 minutes
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Session Plan
Improve the Technique of Support Play
Session
Title
Key
Technical
Aspects/
Factors
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Timings
KEY COACHING
Early, timed movement to provide support behind the ball, between the
lines, wide and in front of the ball
Good angle and distance of support for the ball
Good communication, both verbally and with body language from the
supporting player
Decisions of player on the ball of best passing options
Readjustment of supporting positions as the ball is passed
Session
Content
25 -30
minutes.
ORGANISATION.
 Organise 3 areas of 20 x 15 yards, with a 5 yard gap in between each
area.
 Position 3 players in each area and a floating supporting player in
between the areas, effectively “Between the lines”
 There is one football that starts with one of the end groups.
PURPOSE
 The objective of the practice is for players to provide support, behind, “In
between the lines” and in front of the ball.
 The ball is passed from the end area, to the middle are, to the opposite
end area, and then back through the middle area to the end area again.
 The floating players change and rotate as the ball is passed, but there
should always be one floating player “In between the lines” and in front of
the area where the ball is
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LTPD 4-Corner Model Outcomes
When planning your session you will need to consider what outcomes you are trying to achieve in relation to
the 4-corner model. You should aspire to identify outcomes for all 4-corners for each of your sessions.
Technical
 Passing
 Receiving
 Ball control
 First time passing
 Decisions
Psychological
Physical
 Running
 Turning
 Balance
 Agility
 Changes of pace and direction
Social
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Imagination
Decision making
Confidence
Self Belief
Decision making
Fair play
Communication
Team work
Development of the Session
Some players are struggling to
Make the area bigger to give the players more space and time.
cope with the session, how would Slow down the practice to walking pace, and then increase the
you adapt it to make it more
pace, as the players get better. Spend more time on the
achievable for them.
technique with the players.
Some players are finding the
session to easy, how would you
adapt it to make it more
demanding for them.
Progress to two footballs quicker.
Make the area smaller
Introduce the challenges sooner
Identify what sessions you would Create space
ideally have coached prior to this
session
Identify what the session content Forward runs / forward passing
might be for the next session.
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Coaching Session Self Evaluation
Candidate Coach
Session date
Were the
arrangements and
organisation of the
session appropriate?
Size and pitch appropriate for the age group. All equipment ready and
organised
Was the health and
safety of the
environment and
session maintained?
Risk assessment carried out prior to session start, no issues.
Did the session content Discussed with the players and let them come up with the answers,
deliver the outcomes of which they did very well?
the 4-corner model?
Did the session content Pretty much. They can all master the technique of support play. Need to
meet the player’s
focus on decision making
needs and
expectations?
Was your coaching
style and
communication
appropriate to the
players?
I gave good clear instructions and used the EDI formula when coaching.
I also asked players questions on their performance and used Guide and
Discovery to help players find out their own solutions to problems
Did the player’s
performance improve
as expected?
There were improvements as individuals and as a group. Although one
or two players need a bit more individual help
What feedback have
you had from other
people involved in the
session?
I had pretty positive feedback from the players and the parents watching.
I also asked a Level 2 qualified coach on their views and they were very
positive about the session
If you were to coach
this session again,
what might you
change?
I would have spent more time initially getting the pattern of the practice
right, so that players understood what they were doing better. I could
have stepped in and shown them this
The aim of the next
session might be:
Forward runs for forward passing
Personal Action Plan:
Particular points that you think you should address at the next/future sessions:
Progressed quicker to the challenges, which the players really enjoyed. Observe more and
coached sometimes from good practice when players had done well, rather than from coach from
mistakes.
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PERSONAL NOTES:
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www.grassrootscoaching.com | [email protected] | 01273 90 6943
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