All Posts by Mike Saif

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

0 Throwin’ & Rollin’

By Jason Stockmann -

As most US-based coaches should be aware of by now, the USYS has released some major changes that will be mandated as of the Fall 2017 season*. These changes are US-based, but it’s important for soccer in general because it is meant to further align the US with how the rest of the world plays the beautiful game. And whether you agree with them or not…the changes will happen.

One subtle but key change is the idea of build-out lines for the U9/U10 (7v7) age group (there are no keepers below U9 with these changes). This line is set a bit outside of the penalty box and restricts the opposing team from crossing it until the keeper has put the ball into play, by passing or throwing the ball to their team. Because of this idea, punting will not be allowed at this level.

This can be a major – and possibly painful – change for youth US teams…but the benefits a team can gain both at the youth level and far beyond could be great. Too often youth goalies get the ball and immediately punt the ball. And why do they rely on punting? Because if the ball is closer to the goal, it must be easier to

0 Reaction Game with Dribbling

By Alex Trukan

This practice is focusing on developing reaction time and quick bursts of acceleration over short distances. Its’ design ensures the practice is fun and challenging at the same time what makes it suitable for almost all age groups. Relating to the match context, the exercise will help the players to make quicker decisions, react and accelerate to win possession or make a tackle.

Set up and Directions

Set up four cones, two on one side, and two opposite them. Organise two players, both of them between two cones, opposite

0 Game for Changing the Point of Attack

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This 10 v 10 game to work on changing the point of attack.

The game is played in a 50 x 35 yard area for 25 minutes.

Exercise

The field will be divided into three areas. The team who is

0 Four Goal Directional Game

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This small-sided game is played with two teams of seven and three neutral players who always assist the team in possession. The game is played in a 30 x 30-yard area with two small goals at each end. Each team defends one end and attacks the other.

The attacking team works to keep possession and move the

0 Defending to Counter-Attack

By Alex Trukan

Football can be divided into three phases: attack, defence and transition (attack – defence, defence – attack). That division simplifies the game and makes it easier to understand and coach, however, any division carries with itself a danger of isolating components from the bigger whole and losing the complexity and realism of the game. Putting all of that into context, the way your team attacks, will affect how it defends. The way your team defends will affect how your team will attack. All of the four phases are linked and interconnected. Modern football has become a game of ‘chess’, where every move will have an influence on other and players have to think couple of steps ahead. For example, if you want to exploit the opponents on the counter attack, the preparation starts when your team is in the defensive phase. The technical details of defending will be then influenced by the next phase which is a transition to

0 1v1 Race Circuit with Finishing

By Alex Trukan

The presented exercise is designed to develop repetitive short sprinting power in a running with the ball scenario with a finishing element. From the physical perspective, it helps the players to be quicker and more explosive when trying to win a race to the ball or be faster than the defender in and around the box. That is linked to technical element of running with the ball and shooting on goal. The organisation of the practice ensures that work to rest ratio is easier to manage as well as players get enough repetitions without long waiting periods.

Set up and Directions

Cone off two channels of approximately 20 yards in length and 4 in width. Place one goal on the opposite ends of the channels. Divide the players into pairs and set half of the pairs at the beginning of one channel (opposite the goal) and the other half at the start of the second channel. Two coaches/players are needed to play the

1 Incorporating Keepers

By Josh Jones-Keen -

Incorporating Keepers in sessions can be tough. Most grassroots coaches have limited Keeper experience or might not have the resources available to provide Keepers separate coaching opportunities. Likewise it is becoming more and more important for Keepers to be comfortable with the ball and their feet and to be able to create attacks with varied passing. Training as a whole team can really help understanding and build great relationships between Keepers and the rest of the

0 Training Two Central Players

By Renato Lopez Moreira -  This is a progression of last week's possession game. You can also think of it as a 4 + 2 v 2 since two of the attackers are playing in a central role in the middle of other four attackers. The game works on a number of important aspects of the game: Minimum of

0 Give-and-Goes and Sprinting

By Alex Trukan

The following practice is aimed at developing an ability to sustain the amount of sprints and high intensity actions throughout the whole game. This physical component is linked into technical content of passing, one-two’s and receiving. The practice can be adapted to suit different numbers as well as physical focus. More players involved, as well as smaller area will mean longer resting periods. Also different passing combinations can be used to increase variety.

Set-Up and Directions

Organise a square of approximately 5x5 yards. Set four players outside the square, one on each side, and one player in the middle of the square, with the ball. Area size and

0 Developing Wing Play

By Alex Trukan

Attacking through the wings requires many unique characteristics of players, including not only technical and tactical side, but also physical and mental aspects. Qualities, such as speed, flair, combination play, patience or simply crossing technique are essential. From the tactical perspective, utilising wide areas can be useful due to the change in the attacking angle, more spaces to exploit or an opportunity to cross the ball into penalty box. Having all of that in mind, it is also crucial to avoid utilising wings just for the sake of doing it. Wing play should be used as a tool when attacking centrally is not available or difficult to execute, remembering that breaking through the centre is a priority.

Preparation Phase

Even before the ball is played out wide, it is important to open up spaces and get into starting positions enabling to attacking through the wings effectively. One way of doing it is to overload central areas of the pitch by the inside movements of wingers, strikers and central midfielders. That will enable the team to exchange a number of passes in the middle to drag the opposition towards the