- A wide range of accurate passes
Passing is an essential skill in football where the ball is transferred from one player to another. To pass the ball players must select the type of pass they will perform, then time and execute the pass. Natasha needs a selection of different accurate passes so that possession can be maintained and goals can be scored.
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Knowledge of rules and tactics
All footballers need to know the rules of the game so that they do not give away free kicks or penalties. They also need to know the rules so that they do not get given a yellow or red card. Natasha needs to know the offside rule, how to throw a ball properly (if it goes out of play) and what tackles are acceptable and which are fouls.
Natasha, being the captain, must also know tactics which she can talk about with the team manager. These tactics include: set plays and formations.
As Natasha is the captain of the team she needs good leadership skills. She needs to be confident and able to instruct her team with the team manager and assistants. She is a main leader for the team while actually playing.
- Quick reaction times and good anticipation
At higher levels football can be a very fast game. Therefore, players need quick reactions to adapt to other player’s skills (football is an open sport). Natasha is in a position which can create opportunities for goals. Consequently, she needs fast reactions to get possession of the ball in order to create goals.
Anticipation is strongly linked to having quick reaction times. Good anticipation in football basically means reading the ball well. Natasha must watch the ball and react to deflections, flick-ons and rebounds. Natasha must also predict where the ball will be kicked to. If a player has good anticipation and reactions then they will be a top player in the team.
Natasha is a defensive midfield player. However, if it is necessary or an opportunity arises then she will try to score. Shooting is a skilful action which must have accuracy and power. Although, power must have a measure of control to try make sure that the shot is on target. Also, players should try regaining balance before shooting to try ensure that the shot is on target. Shooting needs constant practice to enable the player to shoot with good technique even under pressure.
GCSE PE Coursework Section Two
Identify and describe in detail the strength of the player/participant and the effects these have on performance.
Natasha plays as the centre midfielder and captain of her team. Midfielders are players whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders. Their main responsibilites are to maintain possession of the ball, taking the ball from defenders and feeding it to the strikers, as well as dispossessing opposing players. Most managers field at least one central midfielder with a marked task of breaking up opposition's attacks while the rest are more adept to creating goals or have equal responsibilities between attack and defence. Midfielders typically exhaust the most energy during a match due to the distance they cover on a pitch, as at times they can be called back into defence or required to attack with the strikers. Natasha is a defensive midfielder. Defensive or holding midfielders are central midfielder who is positioned in front of the back defenders for defensive reasons, therfore "holding back" the freedom of the opponents to attack. This specialist midfielder's responsibilities are to tackle the ball away from the opposing team's attackers and midfielders and to safely pass the ball to the strickers. Not only do the players protect their team's defence, they also give the midfielders oppotunites to play with more attacking skills without the worry of defensive work. Natasha is specifically a central midfield player. Central midfielders play several roles on the field of play, depending on their particular strengths and weaknesses and the tactics of the team. They are the link between defence and attack, and must also defend when the opposition are in possession. Their central position enables them to have an all-round view of the match, and as most of the action takes place in and around their area of the pitch. Overall, I feel that the most important skills for a player in Natasha’s position are tackling, keeping possession, passing, anticipation and endurance. Natasha possesses these skills which makes her good in her position. I closely analysed Natasha’s performance in game and training situations and have came to some conclusions of her strengths as a midfielder:
Natasha displays good tackling skills in her game play. She is confident to make tackles and uses a wide range of tackles to reclaim the possession from the opposition. She performed block and side tackles in her game play and in training. She can time her tackles accurately so that she does not commit fouls or unsuccessfully gain possession. Natasha’s confidence and precision in tackling makes her a good defensive central midfielder. Her tackles often lead to regaining possession and creating opportunities for goals.
Keeping possession is a key skill in football as without ball possession goals will not be created. When you have possession of the ball you have possession of the ball, you’re your team plays the game. During Natasha’s training sessions she plays games which test her ability to keep ball possession. This particular drill consisted of two players trying to keep possession of the ball against one defender who has to put pressure on the player with the ball. Keeping possession is one of Natasha’s strengths which allows her to control the game and create opportunities for goals to be scored.
Passing is a vital skill in football. Natasha displays constant accuracy in her passing. She also displays good long passes, picking out stickers who are in a position to potentially score. Natasha has a large variety of passes, using different parts of her feet. She usually uses the inside of her foot to pass the ball. This part of her foot has the largest surface area, thus giving her the most control and accuracy. Natasha also uses the outside of her foot and the inside edge of her foot to curve the ball to her team mates. She has good footwork and has very good control of her feet, and therefore, she has good control of the way she hits the ball. Natasha shows good passing skills and passing is her strength which makes her particularly excellent in her position. Her accurate passes often lead to shots on goal; she can increase the team’s success due to her passing skills.
Top football players have good anticipation; they can read the ball. While watching Natasha’s play she displays good anticipation. She reacts quickly to deflections, flick-ons and rebounds. As Natasha can react quickly and read the ball well, she can help to create chances of scoring goals.
Natasha is highly motivated to win and she has high fitness endurance levels. This is good as she will need this motivation and endurance to play for the demanding length of a full football match (90 minutes or more- depending if there is a winner or on the type of competition). Natasha trains regularly to improve her cardiovascular endurance. Endurance is one of Natasha’s strengths and her team’s success benefits from her motivation and fitness to put full effort into the entire match.
GCSE PE Coursework Section Three
Identify and describe in detail the weakness of the player/participant and the effects these have on performance.
Natasha is a very good footballer and leads her team into winning many games. She rarely makes major errors while performing important skills like tackling or passing. Natasha has good tactical awareness, timing and anticipation. Her work rate and effort is high as she is a dedicated, motivated, enthusiastic sportswoman. However, there are a few aspects of her game play that could improve to be even more successful:
Natasha plays a very defensive game. She prefers staying behind the other midfielders, so that the opposite team cannot easily get into their attacking half of the pitch. Defending is a good skill to have, however, to win you also need to have very good attacking skills. If Natasha does not improve her attacking skills, her team will not create as many opportunities to score. This will make Natasha an even better player as she will be exceptional at in every element of football, both defending and attacking.
Agility helps performance in activities that require you to change direction quickly whilst keeping balance, strength, speed and body control. As football is an open sport any thing can happen so footballers need to be agile in order to react quickly to sudden movements or the other team’s attacks. Natasha is quite agile although if she were more agile she would be able to react more rapidly. As Natasha’s agility is not as good as it could be her performance may suffer. For example, she may not be able to get past a defender as she cannot change directions as fast as some footballers. Also, she may not be able to react to the person she is marking’s fast actions which could lead to their team scoring. She cannot make as many interceptions as her agility is not at the optimum level.
Natasha is right footed and she predominantly uses this foot to kick the ball. Although Natasha can use her left foot well it is still weaker then her right. If she could improve her weaker foot she would perform better as she would be able to dribble, pass, tackle and shoot with both feet. It is important that her left foot is strong as if not Natasha may find herself in situations where using their weaker foot is essential so it needs to be strong.
Natasha is a very good long distance runner. However, when it comes to sprinting she is not as good. Having speed is important as without it Natasha may not be able to outrun the other team’s defenders and keep up with the person you are marking.
Natasha performs the important skills in football very well. However, heading the ball is one of her weaknesses. Heading is important as the ball is in the air quite a lot of the time during a game. In football, heading is a way of scoring (attacking headers) and also a way of regaining possession and getting the ball out of your goal area (defensive headers). As Natasha is not as good as heading the ball it affects her performance as she cannot easily score or regain possession as she is not very good at directing the ball into specific areas by heading. Also, Natasha cannot always defend by heading as she cannot jump very high and make contact with the ball.
GCSE PE Coursework Section Four
Suggest what training practices might be used to maintain the strengths but in particular, the weaknesses, you have identified
Training to maintain and improve Natasha’s good:
Natasha is good at keeping possession in the game. To maintain and improve this skill she could, with her team, practice and training drill which consists of a 7v2 possession game. The objective is to get the players in possession controlling the ball, communicating effectively with one another and accurate passing. The work area can be increased to work the two defending/chasing players harder and work on longer passing or the area can be reduced so that the first touch, shielding and shorter passing is worked on more acutely by the players in possession.
This drill is effective as it not only improves possession skills. In this drill many skills have to be performed (tackling, marking players and spaces, passing, communicating and controlling the ball).
To carry out this drill you need to set up an area approximately 20 yards x 20 yards with four sets of pairs in the center. 3 pairs will play keep ball with a floating player who is continually on the possession team. A pair is designated as defenders / chasers who must put pressure on players who are in possession of the ball. This drill requires good communication from the two chasing players as well as the players who are aiming to keep possession. They should signal both verbally and visually where they want the ball playing, talking to the player in possession.
As the chasing / defending team force an error either by the ball going out of play or an intercepted pass then they join the possession team and the pair that picked possession become the chasing team.
Equipment required:
Lots of balls, nine players, cones and coloured bibs
This drill influences the attackers to:
- keep close control
- use a variety of feints, turns, stops and starts
- shield the ball to prevent defenders from getting a foot in
- listen and take visual cues from supporting players
- accurate passing to feet
- create space through effective movement
- fake passes to create openings
This drill influences the defenders to:
- always close down and chase the player on the ball
- deny space and limit passing opportunities
- work hard
- be highly communicative with each other
Development:
- Increase or reduce the size of the area to work the players differently
- Play 3 touch then reduce down to one touch football
- Condition the game so that a player in possession has to run around the furthest cone away from them once they've passed the ball, this will work on their fitness too
- Condition the players to use their weakest foot only
Training to maintain and improve Natasha’s good:
Natasha has accurate passing skills. To maintain this accuracy she should, with her team, do passing practices. One drill to develop general passing and controlling techniques, as well as awareness of where to pass the ball is called the circle drill. This is where a group of players stand around the centre circle with four posts positioned in a 'diamond' pattern approximately 15 yards away from the centre lines. One player passes the ball across the circle to the feet of another and immediately follows his pass to change over with the player who then controls and passes to another player in the circle. Players are not allowed to pass to those on their immediate right or left side. Any player who gives a poor pass, or collides with the ball as they are both traveling across the circle, must sprint around one of the four posts before joining up with the game again.
Equipment required:
A football pitch with a centre circle, 4 posts, 9 players, some balls and coloured bibs
Development:
The coach can impose certain conditions, such as controlling the ball with the outside of the foot, looking for a bended pass, or only passing with the weaker foot.
Also, as players improve, the coach can introduce a second and then a third ball, which should be in motion at the same time. Players in this situation should call out an individual's name before passing the ball to him.
Training to improve Natasha’s weaker:
- Long-distance defensive heading skills
Natasha needs to improve her heading skills if she wants to perform even better. To do this she should practice her defensive heading skills.
For a defender, the penalty area is the area of danger. It is essential therefore that those defenders are first to the ball and attack the ball. When heading, defenders will usually have the advantage of the ball coming towards them. Determination and courage are important qualities to posses when heading for distance. Having reached the ball first, the defender must head the ball high, long and wide to give his defense time to reorganize and adjust.
To determine your average heading distance stands against the wall and heads the ball outwards towards the two cones. Where ever the ball bounces acts as your base line. For this drill move the cones to this spot and work from that line. From the cones, throw the ball slightly forward and up into the air. On its descent head the ball high and long towards the wall. The higher the ball hits the wall the more powerful your heading will become. Be alert to all rebounds and control them efficiently. Jog back to the base line and repeat practice. An aggressive frame of mind is vital.
Equipment required:
6 cones, player(s), a wall and a few balls
Key elements of a defensive, long-distance header:
- The player’s eyes should be fixed on the flight of the ball
- Contact is made with the center of the forehead. As the forehead is the hardest and flattest part of the skull, it will lend to a more powerful and accurate header
- Contact on the ball should be made through the center and below the horizontal mid-line of the ball. This will direct the ball upwards
- The header must be aggressive
- On the approach to the ball, the player must slightly arch the back and tighten the neck muscles
- Immediately on making contact with the ball, the player should quickly swing the upper body and make contact on the ball with the center of the forehead.
Further power can be achieved by pulling the arms back when making contact with the ball
- When heading for distance, the ball should be headed high, long and wide
← A diagram of the Long-distance defensive heading drill
Training to improve Natasha’s weaker:
- Shooting on target skills
Natasha is better at defending then she is at attacking and scoring. The following training practice will help to develop controlled shooting skills.
The squad is divided up into three groups, who retrieve the ball or defend/attack in the game. The game is played in one of the football pitch’s halves, with two small goals on the half-way line. The coach has a few balls in the centre circle; when he passes a ball to a player this signals that the team with the ball must attack and attempt a shot at goal, while the other team must defend and try eventually to play the ball through one of the small goals. If the defenders manage to do this, then they receive the next service from the coach and attack the goal, while the other team now defends. However, should the attacking team get a shot on target they receive the next service, or if they manage to score they receive the next two services.
Equipment required:
1 half of a normal football pitch, two small goals, players, coloured bibs and a few balls
Development:
The coach can 'punish' teams who shoot inaccurately when not under pressure, or who fail to accept shooting chances, by giving the next service to the other team.
The coach can impose one- or two-touch play to quicken shooting.
Groups change around after a set period of time and scores are recorded.
Training to improve Natasha’s weaker:
- Left foot (dribbling skills)
Natasha is right footed, though in football you need to use both feet well in order to perform at a higher standard. A simple slalom drill will not only improve her left foot’s accuracy, but will also increase her dribbling skills and speed.
The Slalom runs are marked with poles or cones, in an area approximately 25X10 yards (see diagram). The squad is arranged in small groups behind the slalom, with the leading player having the ball. On the signal, the player proceeds to run and dribble the ball through the slalom, finishing with a straight speed run and placing his foot on the ball so that it is stationary for the next player. This continues until each member of the group has had a go. Any player who misses a pole or comes out of the zone must return to the last pole before re-starting his run.
Equipment needed:
4 cones, players, lots of poles (or cones) to mark the slalom run, players and lots of balls
Development:
Perform varying techniques or 'tricks' on the ball with both feet
Increase the number of runs
Increase the difficulty of the slalom by adding more posts
Give points to whichever group completes a set number of runs in the fastest time