All Posts by Tom Mura

0 Transition / Switch of Play Using Goalkeepers

0 Pressing in a 4-3-3

0 Defending in a diamond shaped 4-4-2

0 Right Time, Right Place

0 5 v 5 - Movements Off The Ball

0 #077 Five Keys to Youth Soccer Success

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0 Dangerous Spaces Between Centre Back and Full Back

0 4 v 4 with Two Soccer Balls

0 Dummy Give & Go

0 4 v 2 to 3 v 1

This week's Animated Drill Video is of a possession activity that I first saw done by ACF Fiorentina during a coach's tour we organized to Italian Professional Clubs. It's a great variation on the 4 v 1 rondo game that many of us use with our teams. The diagram is being created with the session planner

0 Defensive Shape and Movement

0 How to Deal with Balls Cut Back from the Endline

By Patrick Kasperitis - A common soccer tactic is for the attacking teams to have a player drive towards the end line and play a ball at a backwards angle toward the top of the 6-yard box. This type of play allows for the ball to already be behind the defenders and allows the attacking players

0 #076 Breaking Down and Teaching Skills

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2 9 v 9 Player's Roles and Reponsibilities

This week's Animated Drill Video is one that I recorded for my team before the start of the season. I had planned on going over this at training that night but our session was canceled because of the weather. We had our first game on the weekend and I wanted the players to have this information

0 Attacking Against a Flat 4-4-2

By Alex Trukan Defending in a flat 4-4-2 formation is one of the most widespread ways to set up a team when out of possession. It is relatively simple to implement, effective and suits a lot of players. When executed correctly, it can be very difficult to break through. This is why, it often poses

0 Should You Come Out or Stay Back?

Today’s featured activity works on communication, tactical awareness and foot skills. This activity involves balls played beyond the last defender and the keeper having to make a decision regarding coming out for the ball, staying back, playing safe or retaining possession. To start, have a keeper in goal, a server at midfield with some balls

0 Linking Up to Attack

By Sean Reed -  Objective This session will focus on working with players with their link up and combination play to create opening and opportunities. Session 1 Diagram 1 Set Up Players are split into groups of 3 1 ball between the 3 players Playing a 1-2 refer to diagram 1 Player 1 plays a pass

0 Turning to Finish

By Alex Trukan This practice is aimed at developing explosive power and acceleration. This physical quality is crucial when competing in 1v1 duels, sprinting to win the ball or chasing the striker. In this practice, conditioning element is combined with 1v1 duel as well as technical ability to turn and finish. It is highly engaging

0 Recovery Runs

By Sean Pearson Area Size: half a 7 v 7/9 v 9 field Teams: 2 teams (4 v 3) Time: 15 Minutes Objectives To slow progression of the attacking team down To recover into positions of support Set-Up The area needed is half a field, teams are in 3’s (plus a GK) the attackers start with

0 Training Twin Strikers in a 4-4-2

By Chris Kouns USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College This session will offer potential combinations for the #9 and #10 players to use in order to create scoring opportunities. Initial Introduction of Movements and Warm-Up

0 #075 When It's Just Not Working

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0 Exploiting Transitions Game

By Alex Trukan This game is focused on developing anaerobic energy system which is responsible for high intensity, short actions during the match. It is especially important in transition phases when every second counts. Both in transition to defence and attack, speed of reaction is crucial. This practice challenges players to make quick decisions upon

0 The Back Line in a 3-5-2

By Alex Trukan Playing with three central defenders and two wingbacks has become increasingly popular over the last years. Having three players positioned centrally at the back gives more room for central midfielders to go forwards and helps to create an overload in midfield. It also provides a better opportunity to use half spaces between

0 Awareness and Switching

By Sean Pearson Area Size: 30 x 30 yards Teams: 2 teams (4 v 4) Time: 15 Minutes Objectives To be aware of where your team is and the position of opposing players To understand when, where and why to decide to switch the ball Set-Up Place 4 goals in each corner of the area, 2