Week 2 Practice - set plays

Tonight we welcomed another new player, and are happy to have Amber as a part of the Sharks!

We worked on set plays (throw-ins, kickoffs, goal kicks, corner kicks), stressing where each position is to be for those important plays.

Throw-in

Occurs when the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline. The ball is thrown in with both hands from behind the head. In order to be a legal throw both the player's feet must remain out of bounds and on the ground. We practiced the mechanics of throws, learning how to take a step into the throw (to get more power) but keeping the toe of the back foot on the ground. Unless there is a substitution there is no need to wait to throw the ball in.

When we have a throw-in, typically one of the defensive players will take the throw so the wing can move forward down the sideline. The center should also be available as a target ahead of the throw but more toward the middle of the field.

Kickoff

Occurs at the beginning of each quarter (alternating which team starts with the ball) and after a goal. The player taking the kick must play the ball forward and it must be touched by another player before he or she can touch it again (ie., you cannot just start dribbling off of the kickoff). All players must start on their own side of the field, and all opposing players must remain outside of the center circle until the ball is kicked. Players must wait until the referee blows the whistle before kicking the ball off.

When we have a kickoff we have two plays to choose from.

1. The center and one wing come together at the ball, with the other wing out wide. The wing touches the ball forward to the center, who controls the ball and either passes it ahead wide to one of the wings or dribbles forward. We will use this if we are playing against an opponent who is less aggressive in challenging the ball.
2. The center takes the kick with both wings wide. The center will attempt to play the ball forward at an angle toward the corner of the field (in the space between the opposing wings and defense). Our wings will run forward to try to win the ball.

When defending a kickoff the center plays directly ahead of the ball, and each wing should be between the circle and the sideline, back about 10 yards from the midfield line. Defenders should be about midway between midfield and our goal line.

Goal Kicks

Occur when the ball goes out of bounds beyond the goal line after being last touched by the offensive team. The ball is placed at the corner of the goal box and put back into play by an offensive player. The ball must leave the penalty box before any other player may touch it.

When we have a goal kick one of our defenders will take the kick so the goalie can remain in position in goal. Wings should be out wide and the center should be forward toward midfield, depending on how far our player is able to kick. The other defender should be in the center of the field near the top of the penalty box. The player taking the kick should try to place the ball toward the outside of the field, NOT into the middle of the field or across our goal.

When defending a goal kick our offensive players should position themselves so they have an opportunity to win the ball on the kick. Our defensive players should be as far forward as the opposing player closest to our own goal.

Corner Kicks

Occur when the ball goes out of bounds past the goal line after being last touched by a defending player. The offense places the ball in the corner of the field (on the side of the goal on which the ball went out of bounds) and may kick the ball back into play.

When we have a corner kick typically the wing on that side will take the kick. The center should be near the goal box as far towards the center of the goal as possible (depending on how far our player can kick). The opposite wing should be just outside of the far goal post, near the top of the penalty box. The defender on the side of the kick should be outside of the penalty box, in between the goal and the sideline. The opposite defender should remain back in the middle of the field.

When defending a corner kick, the defender on the side of the kick should stand right next to the near goal post. The goalkeeper should remain in the center of the goal. The far side defender should be in the middle of the penalty box, covering an opposing player. All three of our offensive players should come back to help cover opposing players.