5 tips when short of players for a match

As a coach, you spend days planning and preparing for each matchday.

You deliver sessions on training nights, developing your players’ technical and tactical awareness and supporting their physical development so they are ready for the game at the weekend.

Everything is in place and you are raring to go - what can go wrong? Players not turning up for the match at the last minute, that’s what. 

As a coach of a female college team in the UK, I’m no stranger to this. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a season where this has not happened at least once - and I’ve been in college soccer for more than 20 years.

I’m not talking about going from a squad of 16 down to a bare 11. That is frustrating, but manageable. 

No, I’m talking about going from 11 or 12 players down to 10 or nine, and leaving you short. How can you manage this?

01 Don’t take it personally

There are lots of reason why a player might let you down at the last minute and some are out of your control.

However, it is important to pick this up with them at another time so you can discuss the issues and the impact it has on the team. After all, you want to reduce the likeliness of this player doing it again.

Talk to the team about the importance of communication before fixtures to help get them into good habits and to take responsibility for their actions.

02 Consider your new formation

If you are short on numbers, you will have to make changes to the style of play.

Personally, with 10, I would always drop players into the back to secure the defence and create a 4-3-2 formation. If you’ve only got nine players, use only one forward.

This encourages your team to absorb pressure and reduces gaps for the opposition to exploit.

03 USE A quick forward or centrE midfielder

As the defence will be absorbing pressure for most of the game, you need to make the most of any counter attacks.

Putting a fast and competent player in a more central and/or advanced role, in midfield or up front allows the rest of the team to have a target player to aim for. Therefore, the defence can aim for that player to catch the opposition out.

04 Don’t ask players to chase the game

Playing for 90 minutes with reduced numbers is tough, so players need to think smart.

Instead of closing down in the opposition’s half, I ask my players to let the opposition come to them and secure their own half. 

Their objective is not necessarily to dive in and make a challenge, but rather to wait for the opposition to make a mistake - such as an overhit pass or a poor first touch - and then to pounce and win the ball back. 

Players then have the confidence to hold their ground and the energy to regain possession or make recovery runs within their own half.

05 play narrow 

Keep the formation within the width of the penalty area. That way you can get your players to save energy by playing in the target areas. It also allows you to defend the key space and keep the team condensed.

 

You need your players to play with confidence, so play them in positions they are comfortable with and try not to make too many changes to the formation. Your stronger players will be able to cope with change but some others may not. 

Positive encouragement and instruction will also help your team feel more supported to get through the game.