All Posts by Mike Saif

0 Philadelphia 3v3v3 Penetration and Defense Activity

By Keith Scarlett

This activity works on possession to penetrate, combination play, defending, pressure, cover, recovery and communication.

It is important for all the players to be on the same page. Both attacking and defending requires teamwork and that means every single player has to be on the same page. In this activity, we put the players under pressure from all sides and if they don’t play well as a unit, chances are, they’re going to be letting in quite a few in the game. The exercise is about playing your responsibility and staying on top of things. REMEMBER: the FIRST pass is of the utmost importance!

Set-up: The playing area is 30 x 20 meters, divided into two halves of 15 x 20 meters. One ball is used. There are three teams of three players each.

How it Works: The game begins with one team (Red) standing in the middle while the other two teams (Black and Yellow) stand at opposite ends of the playing area. The ball is given randomly to

0 Dribbling Races For Fitness

By Jebreel Bubtana

As always, making fitness exercises fun and adding an element of competition will make your players psychologically more willing to work hard, which will help to develop their fitness. The exercise below will try to do that.

Set up and instructions:

Split your squad into two teams and set up the field as shown below in figure 1.

The first player in each line will now dribble in and out of the cones in the direction as shown by the arrows. When they reach the end cone they

0 Speed Off the Mark and Finishing

By Alex Trukan

The exercise is focused on developing speed off the mark and finishing skills. Short distance speed is required to lose tight marking, win short distance duel or be the first player to shoot from the cross. Therefore, this fitness component is integrated with finishing skills.

Set up and directions
Divide players into two groups and organise them as on the diagram below. One group of players should be placed on the cone in front of the goal, second group of players, on the cone situated on the side of the penalty box. This exercise, ideally needs to be done with 4-6 players and a goalkeeper. That is why, it is suitable for small group training. However, if two independent goals are used, this practice can be also suitable for bigger groups.

First player from the attacking group makes a quick slalom between two mannequins. Shape and direction of runs can be

0 How To Defend Break-Aways

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on defending breakaways.

Start with a keeper in goal, a server 30 yards out with balls and an attacking player facing the server.

The server passes the ball past

0 Spreading the Field With Depth

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on spreading the field with depth.

Frequently when we talk about spreading the field, they talk about getting wide to open up space in the middle.

The part of spreading the field we frequently forget to work on is

0 Avedikian 2 v 2 Forced Man-Marking Activity

By Keith Scarlett

This activity works on 1v1 defending, pressure, cover, recovery and defensive communication.

When moving up the pitch to attack the opposition’s goal, losing possessing can lead to a counter-attack. This technical training activity is designed to help players understand the importance of falling back to defend their own goal. A couple of players will need to pass around or dribble past opposition to score a point and when they do, or if things don’t work out; they need to get back quickly and help out on defense. REMEMBER: the BALL is the MOST IMPORTANT THING!

Set-up:
The playing area is 25 x 20 metres. Only one ball will be in play at a time. There are two-lines on either end of the pitch, the end-line; which is at either end of the playing area and the ball-line; which is 3-metres inside the playing area; per the diagram.

To start this activity, one team starts with possession of the ball, at random. This team’s (the attacking team), players need to

0 Making Runs For Long Passes

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on making a long pass, receiving a long pass and then timing runs for balls served from the side.

With the big emphasis on small sided soccer (which usually means small fields) a lot of players have lost the ability to pass a ball 35-40 yards accurately and also to receive these type of balls. This is a progression which works on that, and a lot more.

Start with a player in the middle of the field 45 yards out or so. Another player is out wide and then there are two players on the other side. There is also a keeper in goal.

The player in the middle starts with a ball and drives a ball out

0 Complete Goalkeeper Warm-Up

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity is a simple warm up that works on collapse dives, high balls and footwork.

Start with a keeper and a server. The server is 10 yards in front of the keeper with a ball.

The server throws a ball to the keepers side and the keeper

1 Dutch Flow Exercise

By Keith Scarlett

This activity works on technical and tactical aspects of finishing, passing, attacking in a 1v1 situation and goalkeeping.

Set-up:
Field length is 44 yards (length of the penalty area). Width is from the edge/corner of the penalty area to the midfield line. Two flags should be placed in the middle of each end line to be used as goals. 4 additional cones should be placed equidistant from each corner-flag (goal-post) and each corner cone on the end lines; per the diagram.

Each goal should have a goalkeeper in it whom is playing full-out and the balls should be split into two groups and placed

0 Explosive Power In Continuous 1v1s

By Alex Trukan

The exercise is focused on improving explosive power in 1v1 situations. This fitness component is responsible for better quality of speed and strength in football actions. Therefore, development of explosive power can help in winning running duels, dribbling and 1v1 scenario. 

Set up and directions

Organise an area of 20x30 m. with goals placed on each end and marked with cones. Divide a team into two groups of 4 (one goalkeeper per group). Make sure the are min. 4 balls in each goal. The exercise starts with a goalkeeper playing the ball into one of the players from his team. Each 1v1 game lasts up to 6 seconds or to the first goal scored.

As we can see on the diagram below, the game will often require a player in possession to

0 ASUS Nexus 7 Screen Problems

Problems ASUS Nexus 7 Screen Cracking On Its Own. This is my story of my experience of owning a Nexus 7 tablet made by ASUS. Before I get into my story, here is a link if you have a problem with ASUS and want to file complaints about them at the Better Business Bureau My story

1 Chesterfield Shooting Activity

By Keith Scarlett

This activity works on finishing, passing, one-touch play and goalkeeping.

Set-up three cones facing one-goal at the top of the box. One cone each should be placed at the point where the field markings form the intersection of the penalty area and “D,” while the third cone should be placed 10 metres out from the edge of the penalty area in a straight line with the penalty spot forming a triangle; per the diagram.

To start this activity, all of the balls should be placed on the “left” cone and the team should be broken up into three different groups with each group being assigned to

0 Decision Making and Distribution

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on distribution and decision making.

There are two parts of distribution that must be practiced on a regular basis, unfortunately, both tend to get ignored.

The first part is the technical side. Rolling balls with proper pace and to the proper spot. Longer throws so that they are easy for the receiving player to handle etc.

The second part is the decision making part. Who should the ball be

5 Aerobic endurance in possession game 2v2+4

By Alex Trukan

This exercise is focused on improving aerobic endurance. Developing this physical component will enable the players to maintain high quantity of actions throughout the whole match. In addition to that, it includes technical content such as passing, receiving, support and transition.

Set up and directions

Organise a square of 15-20x15-20m. Divide the group into two teams of 4. Two players from each team should position themselves behind the opposite sides. Another two players should stay inside the square. The practice is 2v2 possession game with 4 lay-off players. The attacking team’s (black) objective is to transfer the ball from one side to another (opposite). They can also use 2 yellow lay off players positioned sideways. If the defending team (yellow) gains possession, they score in the same principle, but using yellow players as a targets and black players positioned outside as a lay-off players. This exercise can also be done using 10 or 12 players but in that case the area should be bigger. If the ball goes out of play, supply next ball immediately.

Upon receiving the ball from the target player, two players inside should

0 Playing Out of Pressure

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on playing the ball out of pressure in order to go forward.

Start with a 20 x 10 grid with two attacking players and one defending player. One of the attacking players starts with the ball in the middle of the grid with his back to the defender. The other attacker is further back from the end line they are attacking.

The attacking players are trying to dribble the ball across the end line behind the defender. In games, players sometimes have a tendency to

0 The Importance of Communicating With Field Players

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s topic deals with communication.

One of the most common responses when speak with keepers about the need to increase and/or improve their communication is “I am communicating a LOT”. When I first started to get that response I thought it was a defense mechanism OR they were simply lying because I could hear that they weren’t communicating well.

In time, I found they weren’t lying but rather, they didn’t

0 Spatial Awareness is a Myth - Tottenham Hotspur

By Vasco Mota Pereira, PortuGOAL correspondent

Playing football it the highest echelons revolves around much more than simply nutmegs and tackles. Despite what the vox populi may have us thinking, results are more than the mere consequence of wanting the win more than one's opponent or "getting stuck into them".

Even though the motivational aspects of the game are all too important, the proper organisation of a team may help players even more - particularly when they are exhausted, hearts beating at 180 bpm and little oxygen actually getting to their brains, impairing the decision-making process. That is why well-oriented exercises in training sessions are vital to get the team to perform consistently week in, week out, rather than succumb to the players or supporters' moods.

As mentioned in the previous post, zonal marking seems to be all but disappearing in England. With the influx of foreign managers and players towards the Premier League, the English game became more Continental and not as insular - in short, less about individual duels as Sir Bobby Robson liked to emphasize during his stint in Portugal. However, with the advent of 4x2x3x1, teams tend to be a little less packed down the middle and to defend in two banks of four, often opening up huge gaps in between their lines.

After breaking down Manchester United's vulnerabilities, it is now time to take a look at Tottenham - specifically their match against Southampton a couple of weeks ago and the Saints' goal.

Tottenham had lost the ball a few seconds earlier whilst attacking down their left wing. Southampton followed the textbook and immediately

0 Speed Endurance and Ball Control

By Alex Trukan

The exercise is focused on improving speed endurance and ball control. Enhancing speed endurance by increasing the capacity of phosphate energy system will enable the players to make explosive actions even in the final parts of the match. This practice can be done with various number of players and modifications. It is also convenient to use half circle as an area to work in.

Set up and directions

The exercise is set up as shown below. Half of the players is positioned outside the grid with one ball each, while the second half is inside the area. Inside players show up to receive the ball, play one-touch back (can be modified) and sprint in the opposite direction over 5 meters. That should be done with maximal effort. Players repeat this action every 10 seconds. After 6-10 repetitions, players should rest actively (juggling/slow pace ball manipulation etc. ) for 4-6 mins. The exercise should contain 2-4 sets. Afterwards, outside players should swap positions with inside players.

Delivery of the ball should be varied. It can be both ground and aerial. Outside players can challenge inside players by

0 One v One's With a Twist

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on 1 v 1 play with an emphasis on the first touch.

Start with a 20 x 10 grid with an attacking player on one end line and a defender on the end line. A server, with balls, is in the corner near the defender.

The server starts by playing a ball, on the ground, to the

0 A 1v1 Goalkeeping Game

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity is a 1 v 1 game working on many aspects of goalkeeping.

When I started training keepers I worked with one keeper at a time. Much of the time was spent on technique, fitness and shot blocking but I struggled trying to figure out how to get them more game related training without bringing in a couple of teams. The solution ended up being quite simple, bring in

1 Manchester United's Defensive Frailties

By Vasco Mota Pereira, PortuGOAL correspondent

Much has been said and spoken about Manchester United and their faltering form. The transition from Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes was bound to include some bumps along the way, but the former Everton manager is bound to be found scratching his head while reviewing some recent results and displays. Moyes was considered to be a reactive, reliable, safety-first manager, but his credentials have left much to be desired so far. And while reading through most of the English football press might lead one to believe that it is all a matter of simply adding a few players to the squad, it is hardly the case.

Case in point, the first goal Swansea scored at Old Trafford last weekend for the FA Cup. Manchester United are picked apart smack down the centre by 4 simple touches from Swansea, starting from their centre-back. Since the match is pretty much in slow motion, it is difficult to accept such bad defensive positioning from the current English champions.

Swansea's centre-back Chico Flores has the ball and already United look out of position. Javier Hernández is contributing nothing defensively and Danny Welbeck is

0 Speed and Power in 1v1

By Alex Trukan

This exercise is focused on improving Speed and Power in 1v1 situations. Maximum effort up to 10 seconds improves quality (explosiveness) of football actions by enhancing anaerobic energy system. 1v1 duels are present in all areas of the pitch, on every level of the game.

Set up and directions
The exercise is set up as shown below. Coach plays the ball in the middle of two players who run and compete for the ball. First player to touch the ball becomes attacker, second player becomes defender. The aim of the attacking player is to score. When defending player gains possession, his aim is to pass the ball to the coach. Attacker has 5 seconds to score. Make sure there are min. 8-10 players (4-5 pairs) to allow enough rest between repetitions (work to rest ratio 1:5/1:6). Coach should provide variety of passing types (ground/aerial/bouncing/curved). To increase competitiveness, award points for each goal.

As we can see on the following diagram, first player to the ball becomes attacker and his aim is to

2 Warm-Up For Passing and Dribbling

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity is a warm up that works on short passing, turning while receiving the ball, dribbling, turning off the dribble and longer passes.

Start with server with a ball and a player 30 yards away (in this example, there is only one server and one player but you would have many going at the same time in a team training session). There should also be a line 15 halfway between the server and player.

The player checks to the ball and the server passes it so

0 Receiving the Ball With the Outside of the Foot

By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activities work on receiving the ball with the outside of the foot.

There is a tendency to “kill” the ball when receiving it with the inside of the foot (to kill the ball simply means to stop the ball completely as opposed to receiving the ball and keeping it moving). While it’s certainly possible to keep the ball moving with the inside of the foot, it’s even easier to do with the outside of the foot so these two activities work on receiving the ball with the outside of the foot.

Start with two players 15 yards apart. One of them should have a ball.

The player passes to the other player who must