Tag Archives for " Booked "

0 The Formation of the Future - Part Two

By Stevie Grieve author of, Attacking in the 4-2-3-1  (Read Part One here)

Recently, Chile played against Spain, and deployed a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Arturo Vidal as the number 10, which performed 2 duties.

• He was the outlet for central penetration as he is capable of creating and scoring goals
• He has a great engine and works hard defensively, show in his performances for Juventus

Vidal’s role was to stop Spain from gaining easy possession in the build-up and consolidation phases of play, giving the defence time to reset into shape.

As Spain played with their usual tiki-taka game, and with a mixture of a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations (both with a false 9), Chile’s 3 central defenders could afford to make sure that one can go out to mark the false 9, as there were no players to mark centrally, only wide. The Chile wing backs were asked to mark the attacking full backs of Spain if they came forward, but often they came back to help the defence and mark the wingers, allowing the near side centre forward to play against the full back and stop him from being an outball, or commonly, not moving forward ahead of the ball as Chile would be left

0 The Formation of the Future - Part One

By Stevie Grieve author of, Attacking in the 4-2-3-1

Coaches nowadays are always looking to find a way to take advantage of the spaces left by each formation that is commonly used in football, whether it is 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 or 4-5-1. I feel that the way the game is going, the next major ‘trend’ in football may well be the utilisation of a flexible 4-6 man midfield/attack, in the form of a 3-3-3-1, 3-3-1-3 or a 3-2-4-1 or 3-4-2-1.

Most teams play with a lone striker and the space made around the centre backs made by forcing full backs to defend from wider positions means that they either allow more space for flexibility centrally, specifically around zone 14 (the zone UEFA studies suggested most goals are scored from), or they defend narrower, allowing the attack to pass the ball wide and then draw out full backs and wide midfielders, and try to exploit the space in the spaces they have just left to press the ball.

If we analyse Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, when Busquets drops deep, Alves and Abidal pushed into midfield, creating a flat 3-4-3 with Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, Pedro and Villa wide with Messi in the fairly new ‘False 9’ position between midfield and attack – playing as a center forward in a more withdrawn role to play between the lines and either bring out a center back, or pull deeper a central midfielder to pick him up.

If neither happens, he finds himself able to receive and turn with Pedro and Villa making diagonal inside runs from

2 How to Exploit the Central Midfield of the 4-2-3-1

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Coaching the 4-2-3-1 Advanced Tactics here  AND his new book, Beating the 4-2-3-1.

This article is an excerpt from the chapter called "Exploiting the Central Midfield" from our new book, Beating the 4-2-3-1.

Attacking the centre of the 4-2-3-1

When attacking the 4-2-3-1, one of the main strengths is the base of 2 players infront of the back 4, but playing in a manner which forces one of the players to come out and press, especially against a dribbler who likes to play quick passes in their stride while running, can be an easy way to penetrate the midfield line, pull a central defender out for a through ball into a run behind the defence, or even allow for long range shots if enough space is created.

Drawing out one of the defensive midfielders isn’t always easy - playing with several players occupying the same space can allow for wide attacks, wide play can force one of the players over to help the full back press the ball and leave central space.

Chelsea v Napoli – Napoli’s 3-5-2 (3-4-1-2) overcomes Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 via central attacks

Wing Backs provide support on the sides to move holding midfielder over to play 3v2 on the side

Cavani pulls wide to leave Hamsik and Lavezzi playing 2v4 against Chelsea’s centre backs and holding midfielders. Napoli’s left wing back support’s on the overlap bringing

2 Coaching the Barcelona 4-3-3 Attacking

This article is an excerpt from our new eBook by Scott Allison - Coaching the Barcelona 4-3-3

Attacking in the Final Third

Exercise 1: Combination play in and around the box

Objective:
To develop good combinations in and around the box that lead to goal-scoring opportunities in the scoring zone from central positions.

Setup:
In this exercise you need a minimum of 8 players and a goalkeeper attacking a goal (For larger groups duplicate the exercise with another group going towards another goal. Use a penalty box area and have two groups working from either side of the goal. Players positioned on the goal line start the exercise with a ball. Three players are positioned in a triangle at the edge of the box (use markers as a guide for players). One Goalkeeper in the goal:

Instructions:
The exercise begins with player A passing the ball to player B. A then moves forward and player B plays a quick combination with A. A then passes to C. C plays a pass to D and makes a

6 Exercises For the Triangle Midfield

Our new book, The Triangle Midfield, includes a free eBook with an additional 10 exercises and small-sided games to train the core techniques and tactics required to play with a midfield triangle.  I have shared the introduction below as well as the Exercise #1.

Introduction

This is a collection of drills and exercises you can use to train in any triangle midfield formation. The exercises are designed to get the players moving the ball quickly in an organized and disciplined fashion, elements needed to be successful in the triangle midfield. Some of these exercises are generic enough that they can be used with all players as they will focus on all of the elements of technical training (preparation, skill and speed). Use them to develop a quicker technical mentality for your players while also developing them in the training exercises shown in the Triangle Midfield Book. It is important that you first focus on the technical aspects of the triangle midfield and making sure that the qualities you need for each position are present in the players you have in these positions. Here are some suggestions of qualities you should be looking for:

Attacking Central Midfielder- You need players that are very good technical players. They need to read the game very quickly and must be dangerous when going forward to attack the goal. The player should have good physical speed but, more importantly, explosive technical speed and the ability to receive and play with a soft touch. They must see the field very well and be able to distribute the ball to create attacking opportunities. This player is your playmaker and considered to be the HEART of the triangle midfield. They must also be very fit.

Holding Central Midfielder- This player or players must be the physical presence of your midfield. They will always challenge anyone who attempts to

0 Balancing Attacking and Defending During Games

By: Dan Minutillo - Author of Formation Based Soccer Training

Coaches of great soccer teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal struggle to find and maintain a balance between game day offense and defense measured by goals for as compared to goals against. Arsene Wenger, longtime coach at Arsenal, said as late as April 2013, over 30 games into the EPL season that Arsenal had only now just found the proper balance between offense and defense during League games--too many goals against, not enough goals for. Numbers up on attack, high in the front third of the pitch but numbers down in the middle third of the pitch when defending on transition.

Offensive balance means that a team has not over committed players high up field going forward on attack during the run of play to expose it to quick transition if it loses the ball. Defensive balance means that a team has held shape and has committed enough players or the right players behind the ball as the team is attacking to slow transition in the event the ball is lost. Defensive balance promotes the freedom of movement of the attacking players during an attack but offensive balance does not likewise influence defensive balance. This will make more sense as the theme of this article is developed.

What is game day offensive and defensive balance and how is it attained by a team?

Game day offensive and defensive balance is a tactical maneuver, no matter what formation is used, to ensure

0 Attacking the Barcelona Way - Passing Exercise

We have a great new video series called Attacking the Barcelona Way. These are new style "Tactical Analysis" videos. You won't see usual "old school" type footage with players demonstrating drills and exercises. 

These videos go much deeper and include actual real game footage, where the coach analyses the tactics, breaks down movement, sequences, combinations, goals, etc. and then describes training sessions you can do to help train your team to produce the same style of play. Also included is an eBook of all the training sessions covered in the video.  Here is part of the eBook from the first video that takes a look at a passing exercise.  The eBook shows more progressions of this exercise as well as lots more exercises that appear in the videos.  For more info on the Attacking the Barcelona Way videos and eBook, click this link.

Attacking the Barcelona Way - Passing Exercise

In this exercise we look at a player with his back to goal receiving under pressure from a tight marker from behind.

The defender is passive, but must pressure the player so it is realistic.

• Player 1 passes to Player 2
• Player 2 moves towards

0 Barcelona Tactical Analysis Videos

We have a great new video series called Attacking the Barcelona Way. These are new style "Tactical Analysis" videos. You won't see usual "old school" type footage with players demonstrating drills and exercises. These videos go much deeper and include actual real game footage, where the coach analyses the tactics, breaks down movement, sequences, combinations,

1 Why the 4-2-3-1 Is the Formation of Choice

Discover How to Harness the Exciting 4-2-3-1 Formation and Replicate the Devastating Attacking Power of the World’s Most Successful Teams   If you've been looking for a way to coach your team how to play the 4-2-3-1, you've just found it. Coaching the 4-2-3-1 is a special 12-part video series which provides a comprehensive tactical and training guide to this exciting

1 Penetrating With Killer Passes

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Coaching the 4-2-3-1 ADVANCED Tactics,  Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics.

Barcelona in the 2012/2013 season have been almost unplayable. Last season, they became slightly predictable, they suffered from no width or balance, especially on the left side, which Jordi Alba has fixed this season, and suffered from being too focused on playing centrally, and retaining possession when penetration opportunities have become available. This season, Alba has contributed to the width and balance issue on the left side, but more noticeable has been the massive amount of ‘killer passes’ being played from all over the field. In this game, Alexis, Messi and Villa all scored from a killer pass from different areas of the field.

Alexis’ goal – Iniesta plays a through ball 40 yards from goal between the center backs

Iniesta dribbles forward with Alba in support on the left to make a 2v1. As Iniesta cuts inside, Alexis knows that a space between

0 The Secret to Training and Motivating Advanced Players

This advanced soccer coaching program of 6 eBooks and 10 videos will give your players that extra 5-10% they need to develop them from being a ‘talented’ player to an ‘elite’ player   The Complete Guide to Coaching Advanced Players’ by Canadian U18 National Team Coach, Rob Gale is a soccer training course specially designed to give players

3 Passing and Possession With Creativity

Watch Chelsea Academy Coach, Ben Mitchell in action and gain a blueprint for creating your own progressive passing drills   Get your players passing like champions! Creative Passing Drills is a five-part video series that shows you how to run progressive passing and receiving sessions that give your players more touches than conventional sessions. Led by Chelsea Academy

0 Attacking With Creativity

Take a virtual pitch side seat and watch how Chelsea Academy Coach, Chris Woodward trains players to move, think and react so they can be more creative in attack   This special six-part video series runs you through a complete creative attacking session with Chelsea Academy Coach Chris Woodward. Watch how Woodward trains a group of

1 Coaching Soccer the Spanish Way

Today's article is an excerpt from our new book, Coaching Spanish Soccer by Jordi Pascual

Coaching Spanish Soccer contains the player development and training methodology that has made Spain the #1 Soccer Nation in the World tells you everything you need to know about Spain’s rise to dominance. With an in-depth look at the players, formation and the infrastructure that created a golden era of success, this comprehensive book is the ultimate guide to unlocking the secrets to Spain’s success and how you can apply them to your own team.

This excerpt shows one of the training sessions introduced in Spain by Johan Cryuff when he was the manager at Barcelona in the '90s.

Coaching Spanish Soccer

We talked before about how are the sessions organized in Spain and what is mainly the methodology. In this chapter, we’ll see some of the most typical exercises used in Spain.

The first thing to notice is that these activities can be used (and they are used), at all levels and ages. “Rondos” and possession games are introduced at early stages of development. It won’t be strange to find kids of 9-10 doing it. It’s just a question about how to adapt the size of the grid or the number of players and coaches.

The first one is one of the most typical in warm-up, being used, first, by FC Barcelona (as far as I know, it was used in the 90s, when Cruyff was the manager; probably, it’s one of the exercises he

1 Attacking From the 2nd Line In the 4-2-3-1

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics.

In this exercise; the player in Red is the goal scorer from the 2nd line.

The defender can only press the striker once the ball is passed and on the way to the striker’s feet. The striker must

3 Arsenal v West Ham – Good movement Disrupts the West Ham Defense to Score Four In the Second Half

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics.

In the recent Arsenal v West Ham United match, the score was 1-1 at half time. Santi Cazorla was playing at the top of the midfield triangle in a 4-2-3-1, and was being followed almost everywhere across the line between midfield and defence by Mark Noble. In the 2nd half, Arsenal changed shape slightly, with Cazorla dropping into a midfield 3 with Wilshere and Ramsey, in theory, allowing himself to drop deep and play without Noble. In effect, Noble continued to follow Cazorla as he moved even deeper, and this allowed lots of space to open between the lines and opened up passing lanes that Noble had previously covered playing in the defensive midfield role. In one instance, Cazorla’s goal, Noble followed him around the field but once Cazorla passed and moved to the blindside, Noble never recovered into position, and Arsenal exploited this via good movement from Podolski, Gibbs, Giroud and Cazorla.

Cazorla inside his own half in possession

Cazorla has dropped almost into a defensive midfield position to receive and distribute, but Noble has

0 Coaching the 4-2-3-1 Training Games

By Stevie Grieve, Author of Coaching the 4-2-3-1, Modern Soccer Tactics and Winning Soccer Tactics. Grieve is the author of the "original" Coaching the 4-2-3-1 book and has now authored a book that focuses on the advanced tactics of the 4-2-3-1.  This article is from the free eBook, Small-Sided Games to Train the 4-2-3-1.  This eBook is given free

0 Working on Anaerobic Fitness in a 1v1 Situation

By Jebreel Bubtana, BRASA, Brazilian Soccer Academy

This is a great way to get your players working hard in a 1v1 situation and you can set this up a number of times using small groups to keep your players active throughout the exercise.

The exercise starts just outside the 18 yard box with an attacker, defender and goalkeeper as shown below in figure 1.

The attacker will go 1v1 against the defender who is stood around the penalty spot. The aim for the attacker is to

1 Paired Technical and Conditioning Circuit, with Finishing

By Daniel Severn

This exercise focuses on many key aspects of the game; first time passing, the volley pass, shielding the ball, aerial control, through balls and crossing and finishing. You can also incorporate your goalkeeper(s) into this practice very easily.

Before starting, ensure the players are thoroughly warmed up as this is a high tempo, continuous exercise.
I like to set the team targets to reach during this exercise (goals scored; successful passes; total number of circuits within the time etc). Or I may reward the ‘best performing pair’ with the captaincy for the scrimmage – something they will feel proud of.

Set-Up and Directions

Set up the six stations as shown in the diagram (station 6 uses the

1 Continuous 2v2 with Four Goals

By Daniel Severn

This week’s exercise is designed to help build better aerobic and anaerobic endurance. It involves short sprints, quick changes of direction, recovery defending and also helps to develop a better focus and awareness. The exercise is played at a very high tempo with the players rotating each time the ball goes dead (goal, turnover in possession, ball out of bounds).

Set Up and Directions

For this exercise you will need 4 goals, a set of soccer balls and a minimum of 8 players divided into 2 teams. Mark out a 20x20 meter area. Set up is shown below (Fig 1).

Ensure each team has a good supply of soccer balls; this will help to keep

1 The First Touch Box - Agility, Control and One-Touch Passing

By Daniel Severn

The first touch box is an exercise I love to use with all of my teams. With this exercise you can work on the players 1st touch from the air, on the ground, first time passing, volleying, heading, chest/thigh control – the possibilities are endless. Agility is a key aspect of the game that is developed thoroughly with this exercise due to the high tempo and constant changes of direction. It is also easy to add in competition to this exercise, having the players compete as teams, or against the players within their group, will only add to the intensity.

It can be used as either a Warm-Up or as the main Technical part of your session.

As there are so many aspects to this exercise; control, aerial control or first time passing/volleying, we can adjust accordingly to suit all age groups and levels. I will share some of these variations at the end of the article.

To start, you will need to divide your players into groups of 3. Two players will have a ball, one without. The two with the ball will stand on any two sides of the square. The third player will begin in the center of the square as shown below. I set up 4 of these squares all approx 5m x 5m, allowing 12 players to be involved at the same time – this number changes depending on the number of players in your practice.

The First Touch Box – 1. Set Up.

Here is how