All Posts by Mike Saif

1 Finishing from Volleys and Headers

I've always had a standing challenge to my teams (U13 and below), if they score a headed goal, I buy ice cream for the next practice. It's been a way to encourage the players to try and score with their head if they can. This has been most successful with the girls teams I have coached. The extra incentive has become something that the team rallies around.

After spending a few weeks working on our combination play to score we played very well in our next games. Two of our three goals came from combinations in the middle of the field.

Another area that I've wanted to address

1 The Tactic of How to Beat Barcelona

By Waleed Zaghloul.

Watching the latest Classico, I was wondering how much change will be seen from both teams based on the analysis of some vulnerabilities in a previous meeting this year (discussed in previous blogs). Some of the points analyzed back then showed two vulnerabilities for Barca, defending the counter attack specially against speedy opposition and the other was their left back. Real Madrid were overly aggressive in closing down Messi that they left other Barca player wide open at the back. Madrid were also notably losing their heads and committed very hard fouls when whatever they tried tactically did not work. Let us have a look at some instances of the latest Classico and decide for yourselves.

Asleep at the Wheel

This first image shows, in addition to the fact that this goal should very well have been called off for offside, a lack of interest from the Barcelona players. Four of the five players are off position and do not seem to be marking any of the Real players and all four are

4 Developing a Dynamic First Touch, While Improving Speed Dribbling and Sprinting Technique

By Justin Cresser

A good first touch is essential in soccer; and as a coach, one of the coaching points that I repeatedly stress is taking the first touch into Space. Whether it is the space you want to attack with a dribble, or it is into space away from a pressuring defender, taking a dynamic first touch will prove beneficial.

The following exercise is geared towards developing the ability to take the first touch into space, but also incorporates speed dribbling and sprinting.

Divide your players into groups of 2. Each group needs 1 ball. Set up the following station for each pair: Place 2 small cones 5 yards apart so that they are in a straight line. Have both players stand at a cone each so that they are facing each other and ensure one of the players has a ball at their feet. Place another set of 2 cones (5 yards apart) 20 yards to the side of the first two cones so that both sets are in line with each other (Figure 1).

When ready, have the player with the ball pass to their partner and then immediately sprint towards

0 Reading and Anticipating Shots

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on reading the game and anticipating shots.

When training keepers we frequently put them in a situation where they know a shot is coming.  In many cases, not only do they know when the shot is coming but also from where.  To allow the keeper to work on this we can play a 4 v 4 (any numbers really would work) possession game using the width of the 6 as one set of boundaries and the penalty spot to the top of the D as the other set of boundaries.  A keeper is in goal.

Whichever team has the ball must make 3 consecutive passes and at that

0 Small-Sided Game For Heading That Your Players Will Love

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured activities work on heading.  There is an excellent DVD devoted just to heading that you might want to check out at 30 Minute Soccer Clinic - Heading

When you watch a lot of youth games (and it’s probably safe to lump a lot of professional games into this statement as well) you see that heading is an often neglected skill.  Great opportunities are squandered because players aren’t prepared to finish with their head.  Goal scoring opportunities are given to the other team because of bad clearances with the head.

Here is a simple game to work on heading with a purpose.

Start with a 30 x 30 area (size can vary) and have two teams of five plus a neutral player in the grid

One team starts with a ball in one of their

3 Teaching the Movement of the Forwards in the 4-3-3

As I've written about several times, I've been going through the process of training one of my teams to play the 4-3-3 formation. I've always used a 4-4-2 or a 3-4-3 in the past so this has been a learning experience for me as well as the players.

I began with the defensive phase of the game to give the team a foundation to build on. They now have a good understanding of their responsibilities when we don't have the ball and that has made us a tough team create chances against. As a part of this we've worked a great deal on getting our wing backs involved by pushing them forward when we win the ball. This put emphasis on our wide play and we've been able to generate a lot of our offense by attacking the flanks with both our wing backs and wingers.

The area that we have been lacking

3 Is Mourinho's 4-3-3 System Better Than Ferguson's 4-4-2 System?

One of our best selling books over the past few years has been the 4-4-2 v 4-3-3. This book takes an in-depth look at two of the greatest managers/coaches in today's game...Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourhino. Both have incredible records, yet both have their teams play with a different style and formation. Ferguson opts for the 4-4-2 and Mourhinho with the 4-3-3.

The argument as to who is better or what formation is better is too contentious for any book to answer. But what this special book, 4-4-2 vs 4-3-3, does do is to analysis in-depth the differing formations, strategies and tactics used by the two managers.

Through assessing the key players, the way in which the team adapted to new signings and how both managers adjusted their team's play to get

6 Developing Aerobic Endurance and Dribbling Skills

By Justin Cresser

Soccer involves performing repeated high intensity actions over the course of a 90 minute (less for younger players) game.  A high level of aerobic endurance is therefore required by soccer players as this component of conditioning aids in recovering from these high intensity actions, and prevents a decrease in technical performance that occurs with fatigue.

One of the best methods to improve aerobic endurance is interval training, a form of cardiovascular training that involves performing short periods of high intensity work interspersed with work periods of lower intensity.

Consider the following dribbling activity, which uses the interval training format, to enhance the aerobic capacity of your players.

Set up 8 to 10 small cones, 5 yards apart, 15 to 20 yards from the top of one penalty area. Give each player a ball and instruct them to dribble around inside the playing area using small touches while keeping their heads up (Figure 1). They are not allowed to go outside the penalty box and they must always be moving.

After 90 seconds, have all players dribble as fast as possible, but

0 The Psychology of the Pre-Game Warm-Up

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s topic deals with the psychology of the pre game warm up.

The technical and tactical sides of goalkeeping are important.  The psychological sides are just as important (and possibly even more so).

As a coach, when the teams are warming up prior to a game, I want to watch my keeper but I will also watch the other teams keepers.  If I see bad technique, poor footwork or an overall lack of athleticism, I’ll make note of this and make sure the team I’m coaching is aware of this and encourage them to shoot whenever possible because it looks like the keeper position is a weakness.  If the keeper looks like they have good technique, good footwork and is athletic I most likely will not mention the keeper at all.  Based on this alone, I know if the keeper I’m coaching works hard in warm ups, shows proper technique, footwork and attitude, there is a good chance the opposing team will notice this as well.  This means that encouraging the keeper warm up with a

0 A Small-Sided Game With a Twist

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity is a small sided game with a twist.

Start with a keeper in goal, 2 attackers and 2 defenders.  The attackers and defenders start around the 12 yard spot.  A server starts with balls around 30 yards out.

In this example, the black team is attacking and

0 Forcing Opposition Back and Finding Space the Barcelona Way

By Stevie Greive

As the ball is returned to Pique, Iniesta checks his run for the 4th time! This time, as Alonso is too far away, he wont be able to press effectively and stop Iniesta receiving with ease. Iniesta dribbles back then passes back to Pique, then circles round the back of Alonso. Xavi is ready to make his circle run, and when he does, Messi will fill in his space (positional rotation).

Note the Real Madrid players circled and who they are supposed to be marking – Diarra (Xavi) Pepe (Messi) Alonso (Iniesta) and Di Maria (Alves). Only Pepe is

1 Integrating Short Sprints into a 3 V 3 Small-Sided Game

By Justin Cresser

Playing a 3 v 3 small-sided game (SSG) is an excellent way to improve the anaerobic endurance of your players. It is also an excellent way to work on basic group defending and attacking. However, by making one simple modification you can get all the technical and tactical benefits of a normal 3 v 3 SSG and also target starting speed as well as acceleration. This exercise also places a greater emphasis on the anaerobic component.
Set up a 20 by 20 yard playing area. Place two small goals (1.5 yards apart) on the end line at the bottom of the playing area.  Each goal should be 1 yard in from the closest sideline (Figure 1). Have 3 players stand a few yards apart, 10 yards behind the end line with the goals. These are your defenders. Have another 3 players stand a few yards apart on the end line at the top of the playing area. These are your attackers (Figure 1).

Play starts with one of the 3 defenders playing a hard pass along the ground to any of the 3 attackers. As soon as

0 Using Small-Sided Games to Develop Players

Most coaches use small-sided games as part of their training sessions. Sometimes this is limited to a 10 minute scrimmage at the end of the session.

During the spring season I will often run an entire session that revolves around two or three small-sided games to reinforce technical or tactical topics that we have covered a number of times during the fall and winter. As the session continues the players move in and out of the two or three different games. Each one has a slightly different challenge for the players to solve. The players enjoy the change of pace and the games help the players connect the skills we've developed to the game itself.

I'm always on the lookout for games that are a bit different. A book that we recently released has given me a number of good games that my players have really enjoyed.  Check it out here.

Developing Creativity Through Small-Sided Games, is written by Brazilian soccer coach, Eduardo Andriatti Paulo. He feels that the Brazilian system has moved away from

0 A Coach's Guide to the 4-3-3

We are really excited about our new book, A Coach's Guide to the 4-3-3. Check out the introduction and a sample excerpt below.

INTRODUCTION

The Brazilian National Team under Aymoré Moreira in 1962 was one of the first top tier teams to use the 4-3-3 formation. It was a variation from the 4-2-4 previously employed by the Brazilians. Subsequently other great teams have made

0 Improving Footwork and Positioning

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on footwork, positioning and shot blocking.

Start with a couple field players near the top corner of the 18 with balls and a keeper in goal.

The first player starts dribbling across the

0 Finishing With Pressure Around the Box

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on finishing around the 18 and dealing with pressure.

Start with a server with some balls around 25 yards from goal.  A forward starts on the 18 and a defender is marking the forward.  A keeper is in goal.

The server plays the ball into the forward and the forwards job is to

0 Distributing With the Feet

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on receiving a ball with the feet and distributing under control.

Start with a keeper in goal, a three yard wide gate at the top corners of the 18 and a server 25 yards out with some balls.

1 Footwork, Shot Blocking and Recovery

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on footwork, shotblocking and quick recovery.

This activity requires a keeper, a full sized goal, a cone, a server and a few balls. The keeper starts at one of the posts and the cone is set in the middle of the goal, four yards out. The server has some balls at the 12 yard spot.

0 Explosiveness and Shot Blocking

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on explosiveness and shot blocking.

This activity works best with 6 hurdles (approximately 1 foot high) although it can be done with 3 or, if you don’t have access to hurdles, you can use cones, bags etc. One hurdle is set just inside the post and two more are two feet apart toward the middle. If you have 6 hurdles, do the same with the other three from the other post. There are two cones 3 yards apart in the middle of the top of the 6 yard box. A keeper starts just outside of one the posts and a server is inside the D with a ball.

1 How to Catch With Soft Hands

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s featured activity deals with coming forward to meet the ball while catching with soft hands.

This activity uses 3 cones, a keeper, a server and a ball. Two of the cones are 4 yards apart and the third cone is 2 yards back from center of the line made up of the other two cones. The keeper starts at the back cone and the server is 10 yards away with the ball.

2 Body Position to See the Whole Field

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter. Today’s topic deals with keeping your body open to see the whole field.

It’s extremely easy for a keeper to get caught up ball watching and while it’s true the keeper wants to watch the ball, he must also see the rest of the field as well.

When the ball is on one side of the field there is a tendency for the keeper to turn his body in a way so he is square to the ball (in the diagram below, the keeper is positioning his body so that if the black player with the ball were to shoot, the keepers chest is perpendicular to the flight of the ball.

0 Beating the Offside Trap Follow-Up

In a post last December I talked about how I was working with my team to understand the different ways to beat the offside trap. Some of the ideas and exercises I use are from the book, 'Offside!'.

A reader suggested that runs from the midfield was another way to effectively defeat the trap. Here's what David Williams says about these types of runs in, 'Offside!':

"Tell the loan striker to restrict his runs forward

0 Diving With Strong Hands

Welcome to the Goalkeeping Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on diving, coming forward and strong hands.

A keeper starts on a line with the coach facing him 5 yards away with a medicine ball in his hands.  There is another line 18 yards away.

The coach drops the medicine ball slightly out in front and

0 Head Up For Longer Passes

Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter.  Today’s featured activity works on short passing, movement and then getting the head up for the longer pass.

Start with 4 even groups in each in their own 30 x 30 grid.  There is one ball per grid

The players pass amongst each other within their