All Posts by Mike Saif

0 A Sweeper or a Zonal Back Four

By Philip Cauchi Question - What is easier to teach and why? A flat back four or a back four with a sweeper? Which of the two system is easier to teach is a very open question as it depends on the level of game insight and general soccer abilities your players possess. Moreover, how

0 Lose Your Marker to Score Conditioning Game

By Philip Cauchi Theme: Rapidity. Development of the soccer domains: Technical: Receive and control the ball while moving at speed. Finish with accuracy. Tactical: Getting unmarked to receive the ball. Mental: Quick thinking under opposition pressure of what moves to perform to lose the defender. Physical: Perform rapid movements while maintaining the body in a

0 3v2 to 5v5 Transition Game

By Matthew Carroll - Description: The purpose of this grid game is to create moments of transition focusing on building from the back and the counter attack. By creating a smaller field and more transition moments the players can more effectively envision and execute lighting fast counters from goalie buildup. Setup: Create 2 connected 30x30

1 Each Role in the 4-2-3-1

By Matthew Carroll Along with the 4-3-3, the 4-2-3-1 is one of the most commonly used formations at the professional level today. It is a uniquely flexible formation that can be used to fit any number of styles of play. Below are listed some general roles that players should be aware of when playing within

0 Saving the Ball With Your Legs

By Mike Smith - Maybe not every game, but certainly every season I have ever been a part of I can remember a great kick save or two. I actually had a keeper several years ago who routinely pulled off amazing kick saves,( most of the time at the expense of the more fundamental text

0 Two Team Crossing and Finishing Drill

By Arthur Bell - Setup: Area – half field. Players x 12 - 18. GK x 1 Cones x 6. Poles x 3 Balls x 6 Execution: Players divided into two groups or teams. One player in each group at each of their coloured cone. Player A passes to player B, player A then sprints

0 Scoring Goals With Set Plays Vol 2 eBook

0 Possession Small-Sided Game

By Keith Scarlett One 40 x 40 yard grid with two 5 yards end zones. The team is split into two groups of 7. Each team has a “free zone”, which is their defensive area. They cannot be tackled by opponents here. Play is restarted with a pass-in when the ball goes off the pitch.

0 Possession Until You Can Play Forward

By Philip Cauchi Introduction: This session is designed around securing possession of the ball until the moment to play forward is on. Our focus in this session is to develop the individual within team training. Therefore, we focus mainly on developing game insight, and decision-making both with and without the ball. Decision-making without the ball

0 Exercises to Train Visual Perception Part 5

By Philip Cauchi Question - Do you have exercises where I can train "Visual Perception" where the players will be better at scanning the area? In Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, I shared some exercises.  Here are the final set of options. Exercise 17: X pass and follow. Area: A square with sides measuring

1 4v4+4 Aerobic High Intensity

By Philip Cauchi Development of the soccer domains: Technical: Maintain the quality of technical actions high for a prolonged period of time. Tactical: In the offensive phase, circulate the ball rapidly with the intention of playing vertically. When the ball is played vertically, the players should quickly provide the target player with support. In the

0 Small-Sided Color Recognition Game

By Matthew Carroll - Description: The Color Recognition Game is a good way to get players to start reacting to visual cues, players will be in various angles and therefore will be forced to turn their heads to view the pinny thrown in the air, this naturally teaches players to check their shoulders Setup: Create

0 Different Ways to Play the 5-4-1

By Matthew Carroll Newcastle United under Rafa Benitez, with their limited resources, were able to find some minor successes with this formation in the 2018-2019 season. Under Rafa’s replacement, Steve Bruce, the Toon were also able to gain signature wins over Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United during the 2019-2020 season using the same tactics and

2 Getting Your Chest on the Ball

By Mike Smith - “ You play goal keeper with your feet, not your hands.”….. “ And really, you are trying to get your chest to every ball.” These two statements rocked my youthful understanding of goal keeping as at 10 years old I was really really sure being a goalie was all about using

1 Triangular Passing Drill

By Arthur Bell - Setup: 30 x 30 yard area. Players x 12. Cones x 6. Balls x 3 Execution: 3/4 Players at each corner of the large outside triangle. One player in the small central triangle facing one of the outside groups. First player on the outside with the ball passes to the facing

1 Scoring Goals With Set Plays Vol 1 eBook

1 Strength and Defensive Position Training

By Philip Cauchi Description: Strength training involves u high amount of muscular tension to oppose a resistance. In soccer, strength training to develop strength should be done in relation to what the players require to perform at their best on match day. Position and role specific strength development depends however on general strength. General strength

0 Small-Sided Game For Competitiveness

By Keith Scarlett This activity helps bring out the competitiveness of all the players and their drive to win. Four 5 X 5 boxes are set up with balls piled up in between the 4 boxes. The team is split into 2 groups. In each box there are 3 on offense and 1 who will

1 Visual Cues Small-Sided Game

By Matthew Carroll - Description: The color game is especially useful for younger players to help them get used to recognizing visual cue that correspond with a physical movement. Even the fastest dribbler on the team will struggle with the game if they cannot adjust to the games visual cues so it can also help

1 Exercises to Train Visual Perception Part 4

By Philip Cauchi Question - Do you have exercises where I can train "Visual Perception" where the players will be better at scanning the area? In Parts 1,2  and 3, I shared some exercises.  Here are some more. Exercise 13: Pass with accuracy to the correct player. Area: 12 yards x 12 yards with a

0 2v2+GK Explosive Sprints

By Philip Cauchi Development of the soccer domains: Technical: Quality of technical actions performed at speed and under opposition pressure. Turn with the ball, dribble at speed, pass with accuracy, oriented first touch and finish at goal with accuracy. Tactical: In the offensive phase, provide quick support in attack while timing forward runs. Follow up

0 Positional Play – Portuguese eBook

0 Delayed Central Pressure to Stop Three Man Combos

By Mike Smith I have told my team several times, if I could get them to understand 3 and 4 and even 5 man combinations at the high school level we would make some noise in the state tournament every year. The fact is, most teams understand the basic “ give and go” two man combo

0 Drill to Play Through the Central Area

By Arthur Bell - Setup: Age and stage appropriate area. Cones x 8. Outfield players x 12+. Balls x 2 Execution: First player passes long to second player. Second player receives and lays ball back to the supporting third player. Third player plays ball in front of the fourth player. Fourth player moves to the