All Posts by Mike Saif

0 Can You Clear Me Now?

By Jason Stockmann -

An important skill for any keeper is the ability to take a pass from a defender and then clear the ball. This typically comes in the form of a back-pass or trail-pass from a defender in trouble and the keeper blasting the ball as far as they can in whatever direction they’re facing at the time. This is a good play and any keeper should be able to do it.

But a hallmark of a good or experienced keeper goes a step beyond the haphazard clear. As any pro keeper shows, even in trouble, this clearance should be more than just a kick – it needs to be at worst a good pass and at best the start to a tactical play. When Buffon, De Gea or Ter Stegen gets a pass from a defender, they don’t send it into the stands (usually) – they already know exactly where to place the

0 Building Up with a Back Three

By Alex Trukan

Playing with a back three gives huge advantages in midfield and forward units. It also enables the team to attack through the wings more effectively (using wingbacks) as well as create an overload in midfield. However, one of the trade-offs is playing out from the back which might be tricky and challenging. From the attacking point of view, considering that most of the teams play with two strikers, three players might not be enough to break through the first line of the opposition. Also, having transition in mind, the back three often does not provide enough defensive cover in case the ball is lost. That is why, not a back three, but defensive midfielders are crucial players in the build-up play.

Starting Positions

The middle centre back is usually the primary player to initiate build-up play. That enables the team to play three different directions: centre, right and left. Two other centre backs start quite narrow (in case the ball is lost) in the first phase and then get into wider positions as the

0 The V-Wing

By Jason Stockmann -

I’ve mentioned before that I like to design goalie drills that also use field players or a field drill that actively incorporates a goalie. These type of drills work well for any number of players, can be ideal when maybe only 1 or 2 coaches are present and add to team cohesion by increasing the trust between field players and the goalies.

Today we use this field player-goalie formula to train angles. Specifically, we will be concerned with helping our keepers learn to identify where to place themselves when a player is both coming into and shooting from the penalty box. We want to look at things like getting the right distance between the ball, the goal and any other players that may be open as well as when and how much to commit to going after the ball.

The drill I offer up today is one I call “The V-Wing” and it offers the

0 Creating the 'Third Man' Option

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This is a progression of last week's 4 v 2 into a 5 v 2. You can also think of it as a 4 + 1 v 2 since the fifth attacker is playing in a central role in the middle of four attackers.

The game works on a number of important aspects of the game:

• Creating Passing Options
• Ball Possession
• Fast Recovery of the ball
• Offensive and Defensive support
• Search for the third man option

In this exercise, the

0 Reverse 1 v 1's

By Alex Trukan

This practice is designed to improve the quality of high intensity actions, developing speed and power to accelerate. It is relevant for all the positions, in particular, defenders (e.g. accelerating towards the ball played in behind) or strikers (e.g. getting away from defender). It has also a technical element of turning as well as shooting. For the players it is highly engaging and fun game that develops them physically, psychologically as well as technically.

Set up and Directions

Position two goals with the back to each other, 5 yards apart. Organise goalkeepers into goals. Divide the team into two groups, and set them next to the

0 Attacking Movements of Central Midfielders

By Alex Trukan

One of the advantages of a 4-3-1-2 system is having an overload in midfield (when playing against 4-4-2) without sacrificing the amount of forward players. Playing with a triangle, whether it’s a point up or down, makes supporting of the striker easier, and at the same time, remaining balanced in defence with one holding player. The profile of the midfielders is evolving into multidimensional role, combining qualities to support building up from the back (movements to receive, support, using blind space, passing and receiving range and quality) as well as attacking on the opposition’s half (playing off striker’s shoulder, combination play, through balls, movements to support wing play or shots from distance). Apart several characteristics that remain the same despite of the team tactics, there are also components that change depending on the formation and system employed.

Team Shape – Understanding Context

In order to understand the attacking profile of the midfielders in a given formation, it is important to be aware of the whole team tactics – understand the

0 Shoot 'n Save

By Jason Stockmann -

Getting players to help each other train while at a practice is an invaluable tool for multiple reasons. First and foremost, from a coaching perspective, it can relieve some of the time-crunch pressures we face by letting some players do their own thing while we focus on other aspects; it also lets us impart a sense of responsibility for personal development on the players themselves. From their perspective, this responsibility looks like a bit of freedom and control over their own soccer destiny…and it is a fun and subtle method to increase team cohesion.

I’m a firm believer that this player-to-player training is especially helpful when it is done with goalkeepers. Whether at a practice or during pre-game warmups, two goalies working with each other not only potentially frees up coaching resources, but

0 Four Zone Game

By Alex Trukan

This game is a perfect option to challenge the players in tight 1v1 situations with the defender from the back. That will develop players’ strength, core stability, balance as well as agility to keep possession of the ball away from the defender and at the same time progress as a team onto opposition’s half and score. It is highly motivating and engaging game for almost all ability levels.

Set-Up and Directions

Set up a pitch of approximately 25x35 yards. Divide the pitch into four smaller areas. Place one goal on each end. Divide the team into two groups of five, organise goalkeepers in goals. Set every player on each team into different area, so in each of the

0 Form and Function of a 4 v 2 Game

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

Today's small-sided game is called by different names depending on where you're from. It's been called, 'Rounds', 'Rondo' or 'Sily'.

The game works on a number of important aspects of the game:

• Creating Passing Options
• Ball Possession
• Fast Recovery of the ball
• Offensive and Defensive support
• Search for the third man option

In this exercise, the

0 Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen 08-29-15

HOW THE MATCH WAS WON by Keith Scarlett Bundesliga August 29, 2015 Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen Bayern Munich’s first real test of the season was against one of their more serious rivals in Germany, Bayer Leverkusen; a team feared for their pressing. Yet, they were able to get by with their technical quality and

0 Stay on Target

By Jason Stockmann -

Too often it seems that when coaching younger ages and planning practices we forget a major element of the game – goalies. Sure, we send them to goalie-specific training when offered and we have good intentions by not pigeon-holing a kid as only a goalie at that young of an age, but we all still have those couple of kids that tend to be our main goalies. We train the team in defense, offense, set pieces, etc. – so why do we not work more with the keepers as well?

In all honesty, this is most likely due to lack of time, skill and/or extra help at practices. But I refuse to take that as the answer and just let the goalies flounder on their own – they need help from us and they need to work with their teams. Working with the team on drills helps out in two solid ways by letting the keepers show off their own skills (building confidence) and lets the field players see that they can trust their keepers. This keeper-field player trust is a huge aspect of the

0 Breaking Lines of Pressure- Part 3

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This is a progression of the game from last week. It is played with three teams of six players. It can be played with fewer players on each team or using a neutral player if number divisible by three are not available.

The difference with this game is that there is one player from each team positioned in the middle zone.

The game area is 45 x 42 yards and the game is played in two 15 minute halves.

This exercise is played by three teams. Two teams work to possess the ball and one team defends.

The field is divided into three small ones: two areas for the

0 Four Corners Game

By Alex Trukan

This practice is designed to develop players’ capacity to sprint with and without the ball over short distances. The ball work is incorporated in order to link it to football specific context as well as to increase players’ motivation. In addition, players change direction and angles of runs to make it even more realistic. The exercise is ideally working with 12 players (work to rest ratio automatically managed), but it can be adapted to suit team needs.

Set Up and Directions

Organise a square of approximately 8-10 yards in length and width. Place additional cone in the middle of the square. Divide the players into four groups. Each groups’ starting position is on the

1 Variation of the 4-2-3-1 Formation

By Alex Trukan

Argentinian coach, Marcelo Bielsa, that has recently led Athletic Bilbao and Chilean national team is known for attacking and dynamic style of play with high energy and pace. His teams can be distinguished by extreme work rate, vertical passes, quick possession as well as attacking through the wings. In the meantime, his ideas are driving the project of bringing Olympique Marseille back to the top football. Despite quite visible and unorthodox style of play, Bielsa has employed numerous formations over the last seasons including: 4-2-3-1, 3-3-3-1, 3-3-1-3 or 4-3-3. One of his major formations working in OM was 4-2-3-1 which was often employed against weaker teams.

Basic Shape in Possession

When in possession of the ball, Bielsa has used four defenders who were usually positioned asymmetrically (one full back forming back three, second one higher up the field), two defensive midfielders (one playing higher, one dropping into defensive midfielder role), number 10 playing off striker’s shoulder and supporting on the flanks, two wingers playing wide and central striker who moves across and

1 Footwork and Handling in the Warm-Up

By Tony Englund -

Goalkeeping warm-ups typically feature isolated handling and footwork exercises, and one of our points of emphasis in our club setting is to roll these two elements together in the warm-up to create more efficient and realistic training. This article features a trio of simple, favorite means of mixing these critical elements in the warm-up.

#1: Zig-Zag and Save

The goalkeeper does footwork through the

2 Overloads and Underloads Game

By Alex Trukan

This is a great game focused on improving multiple physical attributes including aerobic and anaerobic power (high intensity efforts and recovery time between them). Apart from that it forces players to adapt to different overload and underload situations. From the technical point of view, it includes a variety of 1v1 and 2v1 situations which then build up into 4v4 game. The practice is suitable for almost every age group and level of players.

Set-Up and Directions

Organise a pitch of approximately 30x40 yards with one goal on each end. Divide the players into two groups and position them next to the goals. Organise one goalkeeper in each goal. Provide a

2 Role of the Wing Backs in the 1-3-5-2

By Alex Trukan

The 1-3-5-2 system has gained popularity in the last couple of years and is now employed by many teams around the world. One of the most remarkable examples include Holland national team in the 2014 World Cup. Apart from creating overload in midfield areas, one of the main advantages of 1-3-5-2 formation are wingbacks, who help in forming a block of five players out of possession, as well as support two strikers and midfielders when attacking.

Out of Possession – Basic Shape

When the ball is in the central areas, the wingbacks’ role is to drop back and form a line with the back three. Their main responsibility are opposition’s wingers as well as supporting central defender in case he is following striker dropping deep. The distances between wingbacks and

0 Breaking Lines of Pressure- Part 2

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This is a progression of the game from last week. It is played with three teams of six players. It can be played with fewer players on each team or using a neutral player if number divisible by three are not available.

The game area is 45 x 42 yards and the game is played in two 15 minute halves.

This exercise is played by three teams. Two teams work to possess the ball and one team defends.

The field is divided into three small ones: two areas for the

0 Olympic Lyonnaise v Rennes - 22-08-2015

HOW THE MATCH WAS WON by Keith Scarlett Ligue 1 August 22, 2015 Stade de Gerland Olympique Lyonnaise 1 - 2 Rennes After two disappointing outings in their matches against Lorient and Guingamp, Olympique Lyonnais stepped out at home in their third Ligue 1 match. With a very defensive starting lineup featuring no striker, Rennes managed to

1 Running with the Ball and Anaerobic Endurance

By Alex Trukan

This practice is based on developing an ability for repeated and regular high intensity efforts. That is achieved in a technical practice combining elements of running with the ball, passing and acceleration off the ball. It can also be used as a part of tactical programme focused on developing counter attack and transition play. Ideal number for this practice is between 8 to 10 as it then automatically manages work to rest periods.

Set Up and Directions

Organise two channels of 15-30 yards. Place two gates between them as shown on the diagram below. Divide the players into two groups and place each group at the

0 Dealing with Break-Aways Part 2

By Tony Englund -

When I give goalkeeper training sessions to coaches, many ask about teaching their goalkeepers to deal with break-aways. In the first of a two-part article on the subject, we looked at building the goalkeeper’s confidence in blocking and closing down. In this second portion, tips for dealing with the break-away situation in match-like situations will be shared.

Break-Aways – Straight On The attacker starts his run from 25 yards before goal. To begin with, all break-ways are straight on to

0 Building From the Back Against Medium Pressure

By Alex Trukan

Building up from the back has been a buzzword in soccer over the last years. Some teams have applied it effectively, others, however, struggled to understand the purpose of it which has led to many misunderstandings around the topic. Building-up from the back has many variations and types, some involving more direct play using long passes into striker’s foot, some are based more around sequence of shorter passes and patient progress through the thirds (depending on the philosophy of the club, opposition characteristics, pressure applied or result). However, regardless of its variation, the main aim remains the same: transfer the ball into opposition’s half and start creating chances. Therefore, as coaches, it is important to remember, that if the opportunity for a direct pass into strikers arises, it should be taken as soon as possible. At the same time, it shouldn’t be the only option. In this article, some aspects of the more common way of a building-up from the back against medium pressure will be presented.

Central defenders in possession

When the goalkeeper is in possession, central defenders usually become first players available to receive, starting the build-up play. Therefore, they shouldn’t possess lower technical abilities than midfielders or strikers. Unfortunately, that is often neglected and has negative effects on the

2 Breaking Lines of Pressure

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This is a progression of the game from last week. It is played with three teams of six players. It can be played with fewer players on each team or using a neutral player if number divisible by three are not available.

The game area is 45 x 42 yards and the game is played in two 15 minute halves.

Two teams work to keep possession and one team defends.

The field is divided in three small ones: two fields for the attacking teams and one central zone for the defense.
Each field has six attackers that must

0 Attacking and Defending Possession Game

By Renato Lopez Moreira - 

This game is played with three teams of six players. It can be played with fewer players on each team or using a neutral player if number divisible by three are not available.

The game area is 45 x 42 yards and the game is played in two 15 minute halves.

Two teams work to keep possession and one team defends.

The field is divided in three small ones: two fields for the attacking teams and one central zone for the defense.
Each field has six attackers that must