The fundamental R's in the AM Soccer Code are designed on the basic skills that each player should possess, relating to an appropriate standard of football performance.The R’s are constantly on show in each aspect of technical training.
For example, the highest statistics in any game of football is passing (releasing). The number of passes recorded is always the highest statistic in data, and to pass the ball a high number of times as a team, players are required to possess a technical efficiency to receive, release and retain the ball.
The other option is not passing, would be to run with the ball, until a passing, crossing or shooting option exists (releasing). Within the AM Code, running with the ball consists of two techniques. The first technique, which is used most commonly in tight spaces, is ‘dribbling’ & is defined as one-step-one-touch. This technique has players touching the ball after each step which keeps the ball close to their feet, supporting fast changes of direction and skill moves, through quick decision-making.
The second running with the ball technique, is ‘carrying’, which is used predominantly in large spaces where the player in possession has more time or is aiming to cover more distance. This likely exists in a 1v1 dual with an opponent or when a player has a large area of free space to run with the ball and wants to travel at high speed whilst still in control of the ball.
Retaining the ball, therefore, becomes a biproduct of successful receiving, running and releasing. If a player within the team fails to retain the ball, the likelihood is that they lost possession when receiving the ball with poor technical control, running with the ball if they lost a 1v1 dual or a release that didn’t find a team-mate or didn’t result in a goal. It is worth noting, receiving, running and releasing could all be of a high-performance standard, but the risk involved in each of these aspects could be the reason for not retaining the ball. Risk in football includes forward passes, 1v1 attacking duals, crossing or shooting, meaning there is an element of risk to every moment in the game.
For a team to perform effectively in a game situation, this ultimately relies on the technical skill capability of each player and their ability to perform the 4 R’s in pressurised situations. The AM Code recognises the need for development of all R’s and has a focused repetition through-out the curriculum, with each R repeated twice or more.
Additionally, with relation to all other skills and thinking football themes, the R’s are also practiced often subconsciously by players when participating in other skill practices and small sided games, due to the repetitive volume in which these actions exist in football.
