By Mike Smith Question - I was recently asked about the pros and cons of the 3-2-3-2 formation, as well as some ways to play it by a coach who was just looking for ideas. I myself have often played with what is essentially two lines of 5 and am glad to offer my insight
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By Mike Smith One of the best developmental tactics I use to create vision in players, especially goal scorers and ball handlers, is dropping my wing mid back and in to create a double overlap with the outside back. The purpose is two fold: One, if you do not feel your team is able to expose
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By Mike Smith - If you have a keeper who is progressing well, and is making a ton of saves in shooting drills and warm ups, don’t be satisfied without pushing them a bit more. One of the easiest things to do to “push them” is to put them on the line backwards, facing away
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By Sean Reed - Objective For this session we are focusing on working with the Fullback defending in wide areas. Set Up First Part • The area is approx 30yds (with a 10yd end zone) x 15-20yds • (1) Is the defending players • (2) Are the players receiving the ball from the defender to
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING Developing Soccer Intelligence Through 4v4 By Philip Cauchi Table of Contents PART ONE Introduction Training Methodology PART TWO Various Uses of 4v4 4v4 as Part of the 11v11 Game PART THREE Game-Like Training PART FOUR Rondos to Develop Positional Awareness in 4v4 Introduction The purpose of this book is to guide coaches
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING Developing Soccer Intelligence Through 4v4 By Philip Cauchi Table of Contents PART TWO Various Uses of 4v4 4v4 as Part of the 11v11 Game Various uses of the 4v4 The 4v4 game can be used for different purposes. It could be used as a tactical guideline to develop beginners. It may
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING Developing Soccer Intelligence Through 4v4 By Philip Cauchi Table of Contents PART THREE Game-Like Training Game-Like Training The training situations described in this chapter are in progressive order. This means that they progress upon each other where the learning bar is always increased. 1v1 on four goals. Aim: Run with the
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING Developing Soccer Intelligence Through 4v4 By Philip Cauchi Table of Contents PART FOUR Rondos to Develop Positional Awareness in 4v4 Rondos to Develop Positional Awareness in 4v4 4v1 Keep away. Set-up: Area measuring 8 yards in length by 6 yards in width. Four attacking players, each situated on a side of the
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By Philip Cauchi Moment of the game: Opponents in possession. Theme: Defending from the front. Age category: Under 17 to senior team level. Number of players: 18. Aim: To prevent the opponents from playing penetrative passes. System of play: 1-4-4-2 Key performance outcomes: Strikers make play predictable towards the outside. Apply pressing on closed balls.
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By Keith Scarlett This activity works on communication, defending and problem-solving. Set-up: A 40 yard by 30 yard grid. There are two teams of 7. The players are numbered 1-7 on each team. The two teams play possession. The team that starts on defense starts with player #1 down on a knee while the offensive
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By Anthony Hazelwood Circuit Training can be a very effective method to stimulate and increase anaerobic lactic power. The objective of a lactic power circuit session is to stimulate the system to increase its output or rate of energy production. The following activity has a team of 20 players performing a circuit training activity. The
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By Matthew Carroll Description: The purpose of transition keep away is to simulate the pressure experienced under build up play, with the overall result of by retaining possession in a team’s own third they open up opportunities in the opponent’s final third. Setup: Two boxes 30x30 boxes with a goal at the end of one
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By Mike Smith Question - Do you have ideas and thoughts on how to best run high school tryouts? Try outs in any sport at any level can be one of the most important and stressful events for players AND coaches. Because of this fact, having a good plan is a must. I am entering
Continue readingOver the past few months we have added tons of new members...both Free Members and Elite Members. Check the video for an update with details of new books, discounts for Free Members, and more. As always, we love your feedback. If you have any thoughts or ideas on how we can improve our memberships, please
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By Mike Smith - It is a great day in the progression of a team when a coach isn’t lured into having the keeper simply kick the ball as far down the field as possible anytime they come away with it clean. Actually, there should never be a situation where a coach doesn’t allow a
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By Sean Reed - Objective For this session we are focusing keeping possession in a 4v4 + 3 neutral players. Set Up 1. 2 teams of 4 players + 3 Neutral players 2. The area between 10-15 x 10-15yds (dependent on level, challenges) 3. Team (Yellow bibs) in possession remain on the outside of the
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By Mike Smith I had the opportunity this week to watch the Nashville SC of the USL take on ( and defeat ) the Colorado Rapids of MLS in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. While on paper Nashville may have been overmatched, the way the game was played told a different story. Nashville played brilliantly with
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By Philip Cauchi Moment of the game: In possession. Theme: 1v1 in attack. Age category: Under 9 to under 12. Number of players: 16. Aim: To dribble past the opponent in a 1v1 situation. Key performance outcomes: Direction oriented first touch. Quick footwork with the ball. Feint to disguise and unbalance the opponent. Quick change
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By Keith Scarlett This activity works on speed of play. Set-up: A 40 yard x 30 yard grid with a 20 yard x 15 yard grid in the middle of it. There are two teams of 7. The two teams play possession with the only restriction being that only one-touch is permitted inside of the
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING 4-3-3 Defending By Luca Bertolini Table of Contents PART ONE Introduction Basic Principles of Play Without the Ball - 1 PART TWO Basic Principles of Play Without the Ball - 2 Transitions to Defend and Key Defending Principles PART THREE Players/Positions Roles and Responsibilities PART FOUR 4-3-3 Defensive Shapes Introduction As already analyzed
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING 4-3-3 Defending By Luca Bertolini Table of Contents PART TWO Basic Principles of Play Without the Ball - 2 Transitions to Defend and Key Defending Principles Basic Principles of Play Without the Ball - 2 When the pressing lines are overcome, as in this example, Liverpool retreats the positions in with very
Continue readingWORLD CLASS COACHING 4-3-3 Defending By Luca Bertolini Table of Contents PART THREE Players/Positions Roles and Responsibilities Players/Positions Roles and Responsibilities Goalkeeper: • Direct the defense line while the team is attacking • Direct the defense positioning of the team when is defending inside the first third • Awareness to support the team when it's
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