Brazilians learn the game by playing the game.
In many countries
training sessions are focused around drills and exercises that isolate
techniques and tactics. Brazilian coaches spend most of their time
creating playing environments with
small-sided games that put an
emphasis on the specific areas of the game but also train the player
‘globally’.
Global Training is the idea that once individual
techniques are taught, the players need to apply those techniques in
realistic game situations that will train players technically,
tactically, physically and mentally.
José Mourinho and Gus Hiddink are
professional coaches that use this type of training at the highest
level with great success. Brazilian players grow up with small sided
games as part of their individual development and team training
sessions.
Incorporating these games into your training sessions
will help you breakdown the game into realistic situations while
focusing your players on competing and adding an element of fun to the
practice that will increase their motivation to train and learn.
Author,
Eduardo Andriatti Paulo, has coached professional youth clubs in Brazil
including Ituano FC and Inter Club Korea. Paulo has also coached and
lectured on the Brazilian Methodology in Guatemala, Canada, Bermuda,
and many other countries. He is currently the Educational Director of
BFUT Instituto Brasileiro de Futebol and coach with the Westfield
Soccer Association and the Summit Soccer Association in New Jersey.