Recruiting For Rotations
No, not squad rotations - positional rotations!
Good morning! I want to talk about how I recruit players who would fit into a rotation in possession, rather than just on a position by position basis
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Exercise of the Week
I love using this game for teaching principles when playing out from the back.
The ball always starts with the in possession teams goalkeeper.
Once the neutrals are removed and you progress the game, you can really begin to take advantage of rotations!
For example:
If the widest player takes a touch inside, who rolls out and overlaps?
If our 6 receives can our widest player make an inside run in behind, while our central defender takes up that wide player/fullback spot?
You spin me right round, baby
When it comes to recruitment for development or first team football, why not recruit players based on the positions they will be playing in during positional rotations in possessions?
We often see the fullback invert as a second pivot, underlap and overlap in the final third, or as a member of a back three in possession while the opposite fullback moves into midfield.
With so many options for the modern player to use in possession, are we recruiting with this in mind?
I’m starting to.
Getting a central defender who can play as a wide center back in a back three, as part of a two defender pairing, and has experience ball carrying to break lines, is invaluable!
How many of these players exist in isolation? Many, probably! So why not recruit them based on the isolated factors and train them to be part of the rotation you’d like to see them in during a game.
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Neat Reads
Neat Reads is a segment where I share an article or podcast that interests me and relates to our weekly theme.
David Webb talks about the differences and similarities of recruitment at youth and pro level. It’s actually one of the listens that has sparked this new thought of mine.
Enjoy!
Conclusion
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See you next week!
Kindest,
Cameron