WORLD CLASS COACHING
Soccer Intelligence
By Jason Carney
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part Six
TRAINING SESSIONS
Training Sessions
1. Playing through the midfield
Warm up and technical
Exercise:
• Area: 25 x 25 with 4 cones placed at an angle in the middle of each line (as shown)
• The exercise shows 10 players starting with two soccer balls. (Can be done with more players)
• The ball is passed clockwise.
1. The two balls are passed at the same time.
2. Play starts with a pass to the central player who opens up his body, receives with the back foot, (Right foot) and passes to the next player.
3. All players take a quality first touch behind the cone, pass and follow the pass.
4. Clockwise – Players on the inside open up and receive the ball with their RIGHT foot. Outside players take their first touch with their LEFT foot. Counter clockwise – Players on the inside open up and receive the ball with their LEFT foot. Outside players take their first touch with their RIGHT foot.
Tactical conditioned game
Exercise:
Set up 20 x 80 with three zones 25, 30 and 25 yards. GK + 7 v 8 attackers.
1. The coach serves the ball into the defensive third where one of the three defenders receives possession.
2. The two opposition players work to delay play and, if possible intercept and clear.
3. In this 3v2 situation a pass is played into the middle third where there is a 3v3.
4. Once the ball has been played, the defender in the best position to support the three players moves forward to create a 4v3 overload.
5. The four in the middle zone now work to keep the ball against the three defenders before the opportunity comes to pass forward to the final zone where there is a 2v2 situation.
6. Once the ball is moved forward one of the middle four advances to make a 3v2 in the final third.
7. If yellows win the ball, they have to complete 5 passes for a goal.
8. If you have lots of players, they are placed on the outside, ready to replace another player.
Coaching points:
• An appreciation of where to pass and move. Players work for space while retaining possession.
• Do not get caught square. Always show at angles. Going and checking is important in creating space.
• Finish the session by removing all cones and adding wide players.
2. Running with the ball
Warm up and technical
Exercise:
• Area – The cones are staggered 30 yards apart in length and 20 yards apart in width. Players at the starting point each have a ball and one player on each of the other cones without a ball.
• To keep the exercise going, have two players situated at a few cones, one with a ball.
1. Players run with the ball to the next player.
2. They pass the ball and then stay at that cone until the next player arrives.
3. The player at the end of the exercise runs with the ball back to the start.
Coaching points:
Fitness. Technique of running with the ball.
Tactical conditioned game
Exercise:
Area – 60 x 30 (Three 20 x 30 grids) Middle zone is empty. The exercise is shown using 13 players. 5 v 2 in one grid 4 v 2 in the other.
1. In the 5 v 2 Grid. Players keep possession for 4 or more passes.
2. After 4 or more passes, a player can run with the ball to the next group to create a 5 v 2 in that grid.
3. The running player must pass the ball to a team-mate before entering the grid.
4. Players that are now in the 4 v 2 grid swap defenders.
5. The coach has all the balls so he can keep the game flowing. If the ball is won by a defender, call out a player, serve in a ball and have them start the exercise again.
Coaching points:
• Enthusiasm, intelligence and energy
• Patience in possession, movement to find space. Create angles.
• Decision making to find the right player who can exploit the space in the middle zone.
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for players that take the opportunity to run with the ball.
3. Switching play
Warm up and technical
Exercise:
Set up: 40 x 20 area with 12 players (Two groups running simultaneously)Two balls are used.
1. The balls are passed clockwise focusing on details of passing: Accuracy,weight & timing
2. All players take two touches.
3. Players pass and follow their pass.
4. The middle player is switching the field. He opens up the body, receives the ball on the back foot and passes the ball to the correct foot of the next player.
Variation:
• Play the opposite direction
• Add another ball
Coaching points:
• Quality of passing - Details
• Body shape
• Communication
Variation
• Same set-up as above using two balls.
• The ball is now played one touch in the central area.
1. Player 1 passes the ball long to player 2.
2. The receiving player 2 plays the ball one touch to player 3 who plays the pass into space for player 4 to run on to.
3. Player 4 dribbles and passes to the next player.
4. Play the opposite direction
Coaching points:
• Details of passing
• Timing of the run from player 4
Switching play...continued
Tactical conditioned game.
Exercise:
Set up: 60 x 40 area with 14 players
1. Play 7v7 with each team defending three goals as shown.
2. The object of the exercise is for each team to score on the oppositions three goals.
3. The team in possession must look to pass the ball quickly and switch play.
4. If they cannot score they must keep possession.
Coaching points:
• Move the ball quickly
• Vary the switch. Short quick passes or a long ball.
• Create 2v1 situations
• Communication
Variation
1. Progress the session by adding a sweeper for each team behind the goal line.
2. The teams cannot score a goal in a goal that the sweeper is protecting.
3. this forces the teams to switch the ball quickly.
Coaching points:
• Players lift their heads to see where the sweeper is located.
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for players that take the opportunity to switch play.
4. Transition and possession
Warm up
Exercise:
1. Set up 5 x 20 yards two sets of players.
2. Have two players at the front of each line leading the warm up.
3. Help players with some exercises for the first few weeks or just let them run it themselves if age appropriate.
4. Exercises includes dynamic exercises while each time the intensity is increased to where the final exercises are sprints.
5. Involve a ball a do some passing patterns.
6. This will incorporate great team spirit. Each practice designate two new players to run the warm up.
Game related practice
Set up 24 x 24 (four 12x12 boxes) with 9 players (3 teams of 3). 3 yard goals are placed at each corner of a box.
1. The black team starts with the ball, the red team places a player in each vacant box while the yellow team stay on the center cone.
2. A yellow player enters the black teams box, attempting to win possession.
3. The blacks have to keep the ball for 5 or more passes before passing to a red player.
4. Once the pass is made to a red, the other two reds quickly join the box where the ball is, while the blacks now occupy the vacant squares.
5. The yellow that was just defending joins the center and a new yellow comes in to defend.
6. If yellow wins possession and passes out to a team-mate, they can then attack one of the three corner goals protected by a lone opponent.
Coaching points:
• Awareness of others
• Quickness to other boxes
Transition and possession...continued.
Tactical conditioned game.
Exercise:
• Area: Set up 60 x 40 grid split in half. Exercise shows 14 players, 7 v 7. (Can be done with more players)
• The coach has all the soccer balls.
1. The coach serves in a ball. Three defenders from the opposite team enter the area.
2. The purpose of the exercise is for the 7 players to play possession while the two defenders attempt to win the ball back and pass it to their team-mates in the opposite area.
3. If the defenders are successful, they then move back into their area along with three defenders from the opposite team.
4. If the ball is kicked out by a defender, the coach passes a ball back in for the attacking team to start playing again.
Variations:
• Play 7 v 4 if the group is more advanced.
• Play two touch
Coaching points:
• Create space. Know when to take a touch or play a one touch pass.
• Communicate. Defenders close down passing angles.
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for players reacting to winning and losing possession of the ball.
5. 100 quality passes
Technical warm up
Exercise:
• Area: Three 5 x 24 channels with all players at the start with a soccer ball (as shown)
• The inside central player receives the ball on the back foot. The outside player, with their first touch, moves the ball into the next channel.
1. Starting player passes the ball to the correct foot of the next player and follows the pass.
2. Central player receives the ball on the back foot and passes to the correct foot of the outer player, and follows the pass.
3. Outer player takes a first touch into the next channel and passes to the next player and follows the pass.
4. Once the final player of the group receives the ball, they move the ball wide and run with the ball through the gate and then joins the starting line.
Game related practice
• Set up 30 x 24 split in two 30 x 12 playing areas. The teams start in opposing halves.
1. The coach serves in the ball to the yellow team.
2. Three blacks move into the yellow half and attempt to win the ball.
3. Yellows count the number of completed passes.
4. Once a tackle or interception is made by a defender, the blacks move back into their playing half, along with three yellows.
5. The coach serves in a ball for the black team.
6. The teams must remember the last number that was called out before they lost possession and then when they restart, they continue from that number.
7. First team to get to 100 passes accumulated from each time they are in possession, wins.
Coaching points:
• Awareness of others, create angles and space
• Defenders press as a team
• Communication
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for players that are willing to pass the soccer ball.
6. Counter attack
Technical warm up
Exercise
Set up area is two 15 x 15 boxes with 6 players and one soccer ball. One player is positioned on each end line.
1. Every player has to touch / pass the ball. The last person to receive the ball passes the ball long to the player on the opposite end line.
2. All four players now move into the opposite playing area. The player who passed the ball to the end line player, swaps positions. The end line player who has just received the ball passes to one of the incoming players who start the same passing sequence.
3. Every player has to touch / pass the ball. The last person to receive the ball passes the ball long to the player on the opposite end line.
Variation:
• Add a defender
Game related practice
Set up on half a field 8 v 5. In a 20 x 30 area place 9 players 6 v 3 and two strikers and two defenders on the edge of the 18 yard box.
1. The coach serves in the ball to the black team.
2. After 5 or more passes the dark team pass a ball to one of the strikers.
3. Once the pass is made two black players can go and support the two strikers and one yellow player can go and defend (4v3)
4. Attackers attempt to score quickly.
5. If yellows win the ball, they have to try and get the ball to the coach.
Variation:
Involve more players attacking and defending
Add wide players
Coaching points:
• Awareness of others, create angles and space
• Defenders press as a team
• Communication
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for players that notice when the counterattack is on.
7. Pressing
Technical warm up
Exercise:
Area – Three 12 x 12 boxes with 4 players in boxes 1, 2 and 3 with one ball in each box.
1. Two players start at the cones on the end-line as shown.
2. The players that are in the 12 x 12 area pass the ball and move in their own area working on their technique.
3. On the coaches signal, the two players sprint round the cones to box one and enter the 12 x 12 area.
4. They attempt to win the ball while the 4 players play keep away.
5. Once they win the ball, they move into box two until they have won the ball and then into box three. Once they win the ball in box three, they sprint through the two cones.
6. The coach times the players to see how long it takes.
Coaching points:
• Praise the competitive actions
• Team work
Game related practice
Set up 60 x 40 with 8 v 4. The coach has all the soccer balls and a stopwatch. Each game runs for 90 seconds.
1. The coach serves in the ball to the dark team.
2. The four yellows work together to win the ball while the dark team look to keep possession.
3. As soon as yellows win the ball, that ball is no longer in play and the coach serves in another ball.
4. The coach counts how many balls are used in the 90 seconds of play.
5. After 90 seconds of play the switch to new defenders.
Coaching points:
• Yellows press the play and work together.
• Forcing the play to tight areas.
• Defenders press as a team
• Communication
Pressing...continued
Tactical conditioned game.
Area – 60 x 40. 7 v 7. Two 10 x 10 areas with one player from each team (can be your GK) inside the 10 x 10 zone. One ball is used.
1. The object of the exercise is for players to apply pressure and not allow passes to the player standing in the 10 x 10 area.
2. As soon as a player in possession has an opportunity to pass the ball to the player in the 10 x 10 area, they do so.
3. The defending team must apply pressure quickly to stop the pass.
4. If goalkeepers are not used in the 10 x 10 zone, the player that makes the pass into the 10 x 10 zone, switches with the inside player.
5. Once the player catches or receives the ball in the 10 x 10, they serve it to another player on the opposite team, so they can now attack the opposite area.
Coaching points:
• Defending team apply pressure.
• Players anticipate on the field of play.
• Team work and communication.
• Enthusiasm, intelligence and energy
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for the team that presses together and has good communication with each other.
8. Keep your defensive shape
Technical warm up
Exercise:
• Area – 24 x 25 (Two 12 x 25 areas)
• 4v4 with three target players outside the area.
• The coach has all the soccer balls.
1. The 4 players cannot come outside their area.
2. The coach serves in a ball.
3. The objective of the exercise is for the players in possession to pass to any of the target players. The ‘back four’ move as a unit to block the passes.
4. If a pass is blocked or a pass is made to the target players, the game continues.
5. Change target players
Coaching points:
• Team-work and communication
• Positional sense, angles, balance of the four players
Variation
• Area – 30 x 25 (Two 12 x 25 areas on the outside, with a 6 x 25 central zone)
• 4v4v4 with defensive 4 in the central zone. The coach has all the soccer balls.
1. The 4 players stay in their area.
2. The ball has to be played on the ground.
3. The coach serves in a ball.
4. The outside players pass and move until they see an opportunity to pass through the central players.
5. If a pass is blocked, the middle players play the ball back or the coach serves in a ball. If a pass is made to the target players, the game continues.
6. Middle players move as a unit to try and block passes or stop passes being made.
Coaching points:
• Coach defending, pressure, cover, balance, depth.
• Speed of thought.
• Team work
• Communication
• Positional sense, angles
• Balance of the middle four
Keep your defensive shape...continued
Exercise:
• Area: Half a field with two teams 7 v 6 + GK. Two 3 yard goals are placed on the halfway line.
1. Play 7 v 6 in the attackers favor. The number of players can be changed depending on the formation you want to work on.
2. The coach serves the ball to any dark player.
3. The defence move as a unit to close the play down. Pressure, cover and especially balance has to be used because the defence are playing a man down.
4. If the defence win the ball they attempt to keep possession and score through one of the goals on the halfway line.
Variations:
• Build up to 11 v 11 if possible working on team defending.
Coaching points:
• Communication from the defending team is so important
• Players must have the knowledge to spot the danger
• Even though numbers are down on defense, encourage the players to double team the player in possession, win the ball back and quickly counter attack.
• Players need to understand when to delay the play so defenders can recover.
9. Passing and possession
Game related practice.
Exercise:
• Area – 30 x 33 6v6v6. Six defenders are placed in the central three yard channel. In the other areas are two groups of 6 players.
• The coach has all the soccer balls.
1. The coach serves the ball to the attackers.
2. Two defenders enter the playing area.
3. The attackers complete 5 or more passes before passing the ball through the middle zone.
4. If the pass is completed, the two defenders return to the middle zone and two new players enter the playing area.
Coaching points:
• Measured possession and the time timing of the pass
• Movement
• Communication
Variation
• Area – 45 x 25 (Three 15 x 25 zones)
• 4v2 is played in each zone.
1. The dark players put together three or more passes before moving the ball into the next zone.
2. Players must stay in their allocated zone.
3. See how many zones the players can get through?
Variation:
• Remove the zones and play 6 v 6 v 6 in a 60 x 40 yard area.
Coaching points:
• Weight accuracy and timing of passes
• Tempo - Players should learn the difference in speed of play
• Movement without the ball
• Communication
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for team possession and decision making qualities.
10. Finishing in the box
Game related practice.
Exercise:
Area – In the penalty box add two more six yard boxes. There is a goal with a goalkeeper at both ends. Three teams of four players.
1. The yellow zone is the key area where chances are finished..
2. The first team of four attack. A wide player dribbles down the side and crosses the ball.
3. The other 3 attackers run into the yellow zone staggering their runs.
4. When they finish they move behind the goal they attacked and the next group attack the opposite goal.
Variation:
• Add 1 or 2 defenders
Game related practice
• Area – Penalty area 8 v 4
• Reds are placed on a cone with soccer balls as shown. They remain outside the penalty area and are given a number 1 - 4 by the coach. Inside the penalty area is 4v4. The coach designates a defending team (Yellows)
1. The coach calls out a number.
2. That number plays a ball into the playing area. The attackers combine and can use red players to get a shot at goal.
3. Red players cannot shoot.
4. When the move comes to an end, the coach calls out another number.
Coaching points:
• Decision making to shoot
• Quick movement
• Outside players may look to set up a goal scoring opportunity
• Finish the session playing a scrimmage. Look for staggered runs that create chances.
