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hi all,trying to get my u13s boys to push up together as a back 4 always 1 holds back playing the other team onside .any ideas.thanks
For starters, don't get too impatient with the boys. It's common that even at this age, the boys can be caught ball-watching a little (or daydreaming about scoring the most beautiful goal ever). Work on it during training during a 7-a-side session, for instance, by having them touch a cone (or something) after every attack by the opposition. Only after having touched that cone, which is up field or halfway line, can they be involved in play again. Another way of working on it is by connecting them through a piece of string or a bib that they have to hold on to. Let them defend 2v1 sessions like this so they become more aware of each other. Finally, in these situations, one player should always lead. You can't have four boys deciding among themselves. One should call the line, for better or worse, and others can follow. For this to happen though, you need someone who's mature and vocal enough to do this and this can be a tall order for some boys of this age.
I have added a drill that might practice awareness of movement off the ball. You can edit this one as you like to suit your particular problem.

in more ways than one
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