All Posts by Tom Mura

0 #049 Preparing for the US Soccer Rule Changes

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4 General Counter Pressing (Gegenpressing)

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 In these activities we are working on our team ability to quickly work to win the ball back after possession is lost. Exercise #1: In an

0 #048 Do Your Players Lose the Ball Under Pressure?

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0 Switching the Ball in a 4-3-3

By Sean Pearson Area Size: Central Area: 30 x 40 yards, Channels 5 x 40 yards Teams: 5 v 5 + 2 Time: 15 Minutes Objectives To understand when to switch the ball To relate the switch to the formation 4-3-3 To understand how to switch depending on opposition player positioning This is a practice I have adapted from when

0 #047 Finding the Moment to Go for It

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0 Forward Counter Pressing (Gegenpressing)

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 In these activities we are working on our forwards ability to counter press and win the ball back quickly after losing possession. Exercise #1 In an

0 #046 Encouraging Creativity and Developing Confidence

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0 Penetration Through the Lines

By Sean Pearson Area Size: Central Area: 15 x 30 yards, End Zones 10 x 30 yards Teams: 6 v 6 + 1 Time: 15 Minutes Objectives To move the ball through all 3 zones via passing or dribbling Make the field as big as possible Understand the best option to move the ball forwards depending on the

0 #045 30 Scoring Methods for Small-Sided Games

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1 Possession to Finish

By Sean Pearson Area Size: Central Area: 18 x 22 yards, End Zones 18 x 10 yards Teams: 5 v 5 + 1 Time: 20 Minutes Objectives To pull defenders out of position To create chances to finish To make players aware of the different finishes available depending on the scenario I feel a lot of coaches

0 #044 The Key to Being an Effective Coach

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0 Defensive Pressing

By Sean Pearson Area Size: 18 x 22 Yards Teams: 3 v 3 + 2 Time: 12 - 15 Minutes Objectives For the defending team to work together as a unit To press the player on the ball and the surrounding players To cut half of the field off to force the player on the ball in a

0 #043 Great Shooting Activities for the Winter Months

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0 Attacking Activities from the Midfield

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 In these activities we are working on our midfielder’s ability to use movement and run to goal. Exercise #1 Beginning 15 yards outside of the 18

0 #042 Training the Keys of Possession Play

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0 Running Beyond the Striker

By Sean Pearson Area Size: 2/3 of Field Teams: 8 v 8 Time: 20-25 Minutes Objectives To draw defenders out of position To realize when to run beyond the striker The players in black are set up in a 4-3-3 point down system (without full backs). This allows the #8 & #10 to start higher and closer to

1 Dribbling and Passing Indoors

During the winter I like to focus on ball possession and combination play. The game of Futsal puts a high value on these skills and working on them often will not only make the team more successful indoor but also carry over to the outdoor game in the spring. One of my favorite exercises to

0 #041 What is Tactical Periodization and How to Use it

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1 Three Fakes Every Player Should Know

I believe that we should teach our players to be very comfortable and confident with the ball by teaching them different fakes . During the initial learning phase I want the players to use them every time they get the ball. Some coaches say that you can't teach creativity but I think that you can give them the tools and then teach them how to use them. This can look a bit rough at first as the players get comfortable with the fakes but if they use them enough they learn when to use a move and when to choose another option.

There are so many different fakes you can teach that an important question becomes

0 Combination Play Training Session

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 In these activities we are working on our ability to combine and eliminate defenders with movement. Exercise #1 In an area approximately 30 long x 20

0 #040 Technical and Tactical Q&A

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0 Reversed Passes

By Sean Pearson Area Size: 2/3 of Field Teams: 8 v 8 Time: 20-25 Minutes • To draw opposition players out of position with our body shape • To be aware of our surroundings of when to accomplish a reverse pass What is a ‘reverse’ pass? A reverse pass is when a player is going/facing one direction and

2 3 v 1 Instead of 5 v 2

Most coaches I know use some variation of a 5 v 2 keep away game in a limited area. I've never liked 5 v 2 as a teaching tool because I have always felt that it was too static. Anson Dorrance did a great demonstration at our International Seminar a few years ago where he

0 #039 The Foundation of Effective Defending

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