All Posts by Mike Saif

0 Functional Defending Session with Front Three

By Eric Clermont -  In the modern game today, the demand of players technically, tactically and physically have increased considerably over the past ten years. Defenders are expected to build out from the back, midfielders are held accountable for defending deep runs into the box and forwards are also told that they must defend from the

0 Numbers Up Numbers Down Game

By Alex Trukan This game is focused on developing aerobic power with high intensity running intervals. It is also very stimulating tactically as the players have to deal with numerous situations including both overload and underload scenarios. That makes the practice realistic to the game and engaging. From the pure technical point of view, it

0 Building Out From The Back

By Eric Clermont -  Introduction: After many years of working with different coaches at the youth level at various levels of the game, (including Academy, club and even with school teams) it is still disappointing to me that when asked how they did on the weekend, most ‘youth educators’ will start by giving me the score

1 Four Grid Game

By Alex Trukan This practice is a fun game that can suit all age groups, ability levels and can be adapted in many different ways. From a conditioning point of view, high intensity, short periods of work are designed to develop sprinting power that can be repeated in the game as many times as possible.

0 Dealing with Crosses

By Josh Jones-Keen - Collecting the ball from a cross can fill a Keepers team with confidence as well as give an opportunity to launch a counter attack. Nailing the basics is important; ‘W’ formation Eye on the ball Timing Positioning Footwork Collecting the ball at the highest point the keeper can reach Communication Warm Up

0 Possession to Move the Opposition

By Alex Trukan Since the successes of the teams like FC Barcelona and Spanish national team in the recent years, many teams were trying to adapt ‘possession’ football approach. It has been widely used, however at the same time, widely misunderstood. The ‘tiki-taka’ style started to be played for the sake of it, and not

0 Goalkeepers Footwork

By Josh Jones-Keen - I find a Keepers footwork is often overlooked. I believe it can be the difference between getting across to save a shot and not. What I look for in footwork is: Short, Sharp Sidesteps No heel clipping No crossing over It’s that simple. I find the 3 S’s stay in players’ heads

0 Switching Play Possession Game

By Alex Trukan The Switching Play Possession Game is highly engaging and high intensity game aimed mainly at more advanced players of higher ability. It helps to develop power to recover what helps in producing anaerobic actions more often. The practice strengthens aerobic energy system which generally acts as a platform to all football actions.

0 Functional Rondos

By Eric Clermont -  While the use of rondos in youth practices is commonplace, many coaches use the activity merely as a technical exercise to warm players up before starting the major part of their practice. Of course, the activity is a great tool to teach the key aspects of maintaining possession; namely the angle and

2 Defenders Joining the Attack

By Alex Trukan Defenders have been valued not only in defence but also in attack for the last couple of years. Full backs were a major revelation at the World Cup in 2002 and since it became common and obvious when a full backs is utilised on the opposition half. Centre backs’ role in attack

4 Winning the Second Ball

By Eric Clermont - 

During the past ten years and beyond, football has seen the rise and fall of Spain and the re-emergence of Germany as the global superpower on the world stage. The world of youth coaching will always attempt to replicate the ‘flavor of the month’s’ style and at this point in time, this revolves around building out from the back, attempting to keep possession at all costs, use combination play, mobility and technical quality to break the lines and score ‘the perfect goal’ with 55 passes from back to front without the opposition touching the ball. The developmental positives for youth players throughout the growing ages are also great, meaning that players can both gain success playing this way (given they are given time to develop in this way) and improve as football players.

While I am a major advocator of this school of thought and the perceived positives, I have also noticed the lack of defensive capability and ability of youth coaches to teach ‘the nasty side’ of the game. While I may seem unfair in my criticism, (and of course, there are exceptions to the rule) I urge you to watch a youth team who is comfortable in possession play against a direct team who looks to lump the ball forward. Many teams will struggle more against these types of team due to the

1 Aerobic Passing Game

By Alex Trukan

This practice have multiple outcomes in the technical corner including passing, receiving as well as movement off the ball. In addition to that, it develops the capacity of the body to recover quickly, what will lead to producing more high intensity actions throughout the game. That happens due to development of aerobic energy system. The practice can be well adapted to different age groups, number of players and ability levels.

Set up and directions

Set a square of approximately 15 x 15 yards, then further divide it into four smaller squares by putting a cone in the middle of it. Organise a group of players inside the

0 Dealing With Crosses & High Balls

By Josh Jones-Keen -

Dealing with crosses is about being brave & strong both mentally and physically. Give the strikers something to worry about and give the defenders nothing to worry about.

Warm Up

A strong part of dealing with crosses and high balls is footwork. This warm up works on the basic fundamentals of dealing with an unopposed high ball. To start I would have the keepers perform a footwork drill, for the benefit of this session I have used a ladder but you could use an assortment of

0 Classic Counter-Attacking

By Alex Trukan

According to the type, counter-attack can be divided into four different styles: solo, classic, collective and advanced. Solo involves a player picking up the ball and running with it to score, while other players just make supportive runs to create space. A Collective one is based on a group of midfield players who play against disorganised defence. The Advanced type is when the ball is won higher up the pitch due to pressing being applied. The Classical type of counter-attacking strategy, which involves regaining possession deep in their own half and using quick play to progress forwards and score will be presented below.

Using the target man

When counter-attacking from deep position it is often a case of having 10 players behind the ball what makes it extremely difficult to collectively threaten the opposition defence. That is why, it is crucial to have a target man in front of the ball who can be used as a player to pass to and gain time for the supporting players to arrive. His positioning should be ideally on the weak side of the

0 Valencia v AS Monaco 08-19-15

HOW THE MATCH WAS WON by Keith Scarlett Champions League August 19, 2015 Valencia 3 - 1 AS Monaco What regrets will AS Monaco have after this match! Convincing collectively, Leonardo Jardim's men were sealed by individual errors, each time punctuated by a Spanish team; 3 shots on target resulting in 3 goals. The gap was

0 Dutch Passing Pattern

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

These exercises are based on Dutch training methods. The Dutch are considered one of the most technical in the world.

The exercise is a 4+2 player’s game.

The focus on this exercise is on maintenance of ball possession, player’s movement and exchange of quick passes.

The exercise is completed in a 15 x 12 yard area. Each player is limited to two touches on the

0 2v1 Practice to Develop Anaerobic Power

By Alex Trukan

This practice develops the ability to repeatedly produce high speed and power actions throughout the game. Relating to the context of the game, it might be used in a counter-attack scenario or when defending outnumbered. Simple set up and organisation makes it easy to adapt as well as manage regardless of the group size and ability level. On the top of that, players find this practice competitive and motivating.

Set up and directions

Organise an area of approximately 25x35 yards. Place two gates (3 yards width) on both ends of the area. Divide the team into two groups and further divide both groups into three smaller groups. There are three starting positions on each side of the area, between and next to the goals. The middle starting position is for defenders, while the two in the

2 Shot Stopping

By Josh Jones-Keen -

Whilst the game adapts and changes the number one job of a keeper remains keeping the ball out of the net. This session works good footwork and great shot stopping technique.

Warm Up

Starting the keepers just in front of the goal line & server just behind the penalty spot, the keeper must run forwards a couple of paces and the server drop volleys the ball into the chest area of the keeper who makes the save.

Once the keepers have had a few goes at upright saves move on to

0 Midfielders Getting into Goalscoring Positions

By Alex Trukan

Modern players are becoming more universal and adaptable to different situations and requirements. Defender is no longer responsible just for defending and striker’s role have evolved and now different types of strikers have emerged, who not only score, but assist, distribute and defend. Midfielders’ role has been probably the most multidimensional out of all the positions for many years. These type of players have numerous responsibilities both out and in possession of the ball. One of the crucial elements that can make a good midfielder a great one is his scoring ability.

Working off striker’s movements

The type and direction of midfielder’s forward run will be determined by the position of the striker who should move across the opposition back line and create space for the

0 5 v 5 + 2 Transition Game to Develop Aerobic Power

By Alex Trukan

This game has many outcomes in different aspects of the player development. From the physical point of view, it develops aerobic power, which ensures the recovery between high intensity actions is quick and efficient. Apart from that, it focuses on the transition phase from defence to attack and vice versa. In addition it contains many specific technical elements like long passing, receiving and finishing. It is especially suitable for 14+ players.

Set up and directions

Cone off the area of approximately goal box width and 30-35 yards length. Place second goal on the end opposite the big goal. Divide the team into two groups of 6, place goalkeepers in goals. Four players from each team play inside the area (4v4 + GK’s), while two remaining players are positioned outside the

1 Defending From the Front in a Flat 4-4-2

By Alex Trukan

Playing with two strikers up front gives an opportunity out of possession to force the opposition into central areas of the pitch as well as wide. That gives a chance to adapt to the opposition more fluidly as well as to be more flexible when defending. Having a block of two units of 4 players in a line in behind two forwards is a simpliest way to get compact and narrow when out of possession and is an easiest defending strategy for players to understand. On the other hand, using flat lines poses a danger when defending against opposition playing in between the lines, for example offensive and defensive midfielders.

Team shape – playing 1-4-4-2

The team is playing with three flat lines: 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 strikers. The main strength of this formation when out of possession lies in the ability to

0 Distribution

By Josh Jones-Keen -

As the game evolves so does the pressure on goal keepers. Not only do they have to keep the ball out of the net but they now have to act as a very deep lying play maker, starting plays from the back. This session works on the techniques involved in doing so and gives the opportunity for the keepers to link back in with the rest of the squad after the technical practice.

Technical Warm Up

Two goal keepers are positioned around the 6 yard box. With two servers out wide of the 18-yard box.

The servers play the ball in along the floor and the

0 Team Shape and Ball Circulation

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This 2 v 2 + 6 game is an excellent way to work on team shape and ball circulation for teams playing a 2-4-2 formation in a 9 v 9 game.

The game is played in a 15 x 12-yards area. Each player is limited to playing two touch. Five consecutive passes are worth one point. The game is played for 10 minutes or to a certain number of points.

Exercise

The two central players in possession work with the

0 Attacking Quickly

By Alex Trukan

In the times, when the teams are organised in defence so well, narrowing up spaces and patiently pressurising and covering, it is difficult for the teams to break through and create chances using conventional possession play. Therefore, it is becoming more and more popular not to try to possess the ball, but rather invite the opposition to attack and exploit their weaknesses in transition phases. One of those methods is a quick attack, a golden mean between patient positional attack and counter attack. It can be classified as a part of attacking phase, however it has still many transitional characteristics such as quick penetration, exploiting spaces in behind of the opposition defence, through passes, early crosses or forward runs.

Initiating the attack – Priorities

When defensive unit is in possession, the