3X3 – The Revolutionizing Force To Women’s Football Development

We at Gibraltar Wave FC have discovered a new sport #3x3eachSoccer. Our research has made it more apparent how #3x3eachSoccer benefits grass players and for a long time it has been a favorite and most fun session for many top teams especially in warmer times of the year!

However it`s only recently been evaluated for its validity to player development in the way other small-sided games like futsal and the many other forms alternatively to the grass. But, it is clear now, #3x3eachSoccer is not only amazingly fun, but also an integral part of developing a more technical, tactical, and stronger soccer player and most importantly a future football game in its own right.

I`m happy to say Reygadas Sports Group has taken #3x3eachSoccer under its wings. We shall soon be airborne.

The unique approach of 3x3eachsoccer in developing women’s football.

#3x3eachSoccer helps maintain players on their toes. A talented player shall no more sit on her laurels and wait for the ball to come before she begins to play. Players work harder without any coach demanding it.

Simply putting players on the sand will not only do this but also make players quicker, stronger, and tremendously more confident on the ball.

Everything you do on the sand is 100% transferable to improve the grass game and skills. #3x3eachSoccer is the perfect complement to the grass game as it is played in the air when trained correctly. Adding #3x3each-Soccer training as part of the curriculum will expedite and certainly help recreational to advanced players reach another level in skills and development.

Running in High Heels

We have coined the term “Running in High Heels” which goes straight to the point of players being on their toes more. As coaches spend a lot of time telling players to be on their toes to get a quicker step to the ball. Many spend time doing various techniques from heel lifts, to “pitter-patter” speed steps, and speed ladder. But, when you run in sand correctly, Running in High Heels, with your toes entering first and your heels out of the sand (always, even when standing), it not only creates “starting blocks” under your feet, making you move 3-4 steps quicker over ten, but also develops the twitch muscles, tendons, and joints to react quicker once you go back to grass. Players coming from the sand will feel like they are floating on turf or grass especially after repeated sessions on the sand. If for no other reason this is the simplest and most advantageous motivation for coaches to put their player’s toes in the sand.

Lifting, “The new Juggling”

#3x3eachSoccer is played in the air when done correctly. Lifting to self is a technique we have coined “The New Juggling” because it is critical for all players to eventually be able to do it. It is also as frustrating and monotonous as our staple juggling at the beginning of each session.

This is done primarily with the “Three Small Toes” doing the scooping and lifting with the big toe and second toe (long toe) providing balance. The significance of this training is three-fold and its benefits are tremendous.

First & Second, the action of scooping to self and lifting is developing the muscles on the outside of the leg (1st) and therefore the outside of the foot (2nd). This is something most coaches almost never do especially with younger players. The most coaches do is teaching players to dribble and touch with the outside of the foot because as we all know we run faster with the ball doing so. But, the action of lifting develops the outside of the foot touch, strength, as well as creating familiarity with flexing and locking the ankle in a way we do not teach in the grass.

All emphasis is “in-step” (shooting) and “inside of the foot” which is 100% inside of the leg development. “The New Juggling”, that of lifting the ball develops and strengthens the ability to lock the ankle.

Third, this practiced technique now allows your players to have a far greater developed weapon in regards to scooping, shoveling, and lifting the ball for greater distances while standing still or even on the run. This is a savvy technique rarely developed on grass, but can be found more prevalent on the futsal court. It clearly gives players more choices about how to approach the ball when they have more mastery of the entire foot.

The emphasis of 3x3eachSoccer is to have fun while establishing the building blocks for the future. If you get players to scoop pass in beach competition you are way ahead of the game, but notice when players hit the grass they now have new technique not found as easy before being in the sand.

Shooting

This is easy to explain, but more difficult to conceptualize. The first is the actual technique which NEEDS to be addressed by any coach taking players into the sand. The highest amount of injuries comes from players feet. Most of these injuries revolve around broken toes or getting “turf toe”. This is easily corrected which would eliminate a majority of injuries in beach soccer.

When striking the ball in the sand you need to develop the technique of clenching your foot in the same sense as with your hand punching someone. As coaches, we do not normally tell our players to clench their toes inside their boots. Why would we? Except, if we would, the player would be striking with a tighter locked ankle and more solid predictable surface which would actually hit the ball harder and with more accuracy.

Think of it this way…what creates a more solid and powerful strike? An open-handed, fingers extended, slap, or a closed handed punch? Wouldn’t it be logical to believe the same of your foot, although you cannot wrap your toes as profoundly as your fingers the surface is more predictable to control and be more solid.

Now, how does this eliminate the specter of toe injuries in beach soccer? It is really simple. As you learn the technique of kicking in the sand you curl your toes back. It is a learned technique which takes a few sessions to get used to…like “Running in High Heels”… but as you do this the player’s practice by walking around kicking the top inch (centimeters) of the surface. The big toes and the rest are tucked so there is no drag. They are protected not only from the sand, but also much more from any contact which may be had. In addition, if they take this back to the grass and curl their toes in their boots you will quickly realize how much harder they strike the ball, like punching.

This does not even address the most important aspect which is hitting a ball on an uneven surface. Tell your players day 1, “NEVER HIT A STILL BALL IN THE SAND”, unless they clearly see it sitting on top of a ridge. This is because a “still ball” is usually sitting in a hole and doesn’t go anywhere and hurts when you kick it.

A player develops the MENTALITY of slowing down the ball as it rolls in and out of holes in the sand they become adept at striking on the top of ridges. This comes back to the grass in a way which is simply so advantageous its hard to really express. But, in simple terms, a young player, who has already developed the opportunity of slowing down their mind through this repetitive action will inevitably have the skill to do so with every ball approaching them in the grass. Therefore making them calmer, more skillful, and therefore better quicker than simply only being on the grass and/or other flat surfaced pitch or field. The change in dynamics of the uneven surface predictably improves a players vision on the ball exponentially.

Again, this really only scratches the surface

Gibraltar Wave FC wants #3x3eachSoccer to be extensively trained and we have a portfolio of the right coaches and introduce this spectacular sport which gives a great chance for development of grass players, especially girls and women and be a platform for girls and women to improve Body and Mind Health while offering a spectacular Gen Z sport for the billions of football lovers worldwide.

Clubs, players, investors, broadcasters feel free to get in touch for more information.

We are working on having a #3x3eachSoccer this summer in the Bull Ring of Los Barrios.

The most Spectacular, Cheapest and Healthest sport for all. This is #3x3eachSoccer.

Conclusion

The bright future of women’s football development with 3x3eachsoccer. In conclusion, 3x3eachsoccer is a revolutionizing force behind women’s football development. By prioritizing the development of the whole player and providing personalized attention, 3x3eachsoccer is helping female football players reach their full potential. With its unique approach to training and commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive sports culture, 3x3eachsoccer is poised to continue leading the way in women’s football development for years to come.