By Philip Cauchi - Title: Reacting quickly to visual stimuli. Aim: To develop quick reflections specifically for goalkeepers. Key points: 1. Ready stance in goal. 2. Focus on the position of the ball. 3. Look at the hips of the attacker to anticipate where the shot is aimed. Practice: Shooting with three goals. Preparation: Three
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By Philip Cauchi Aim: Progress the attack. Team function: In Possession. Key concepts: 1. Off-the-ball movement to open passing lanes. 2. Create passing angles. 3. Attract defenders to create space. 4. Staggered lines. 5. Control with the back foot. 6. Do not turn into pressure. Practice 1: Receive and play forward on the half turn.
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Relay Games For Soccer Endurance Aim: To develop soccer-specific endurance Introduction: The following are three relay games that target the development of soccer-specific endurance. Although personally I am more in favour of global and small-sided games to develop endurance, these might prove handy in introducing variety to the training routine, to
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By Philip Cauchi - Title: Defending crosses. Aim: To develop the communication between the goalkeeper and the two central defenders when dealing with crosses. Key points: 1. Ready stance in goal. 2. Distance between the goalkeeper and the two central defenders. 3. The goalkeeper needs to communicate continuously with the team and especially the central
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By Philip Cauchi Aim: For the players to meet the ball and prevent that it is intercepted by an opponent. Team function: In Possession. Key concepts: 1. Move to open a passing lane. 2. Receive the ball on the back foot. 3. Pace in the pass. 4. Oriented control. This training session is suitable for
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Combined strength in the 1v1. Aim: To develop soccer-specific strength in the duel. Organization: Mark an area measuring 12 yards by 8 yards with a mini goal post at both ends. A scoring zone is to be marked 2 yards from both ends. On one side of the area are 2
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By Philip Cauchi - Title: Guess who’s going to shoot! Aim: To develop goalkeeping quick reactions and shot stopping techniques. Key points: 1. Ready stance with the weight on the balls of the feet. 2. When turning always have your hands in front of the body. 3. Body weight slightly forward with the knees bent.
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By Philip Cauchi Aim: To press with intensity and determination to recover the ball upon losing it. Team function: Negative transition. Key concepts: 1. Closest defender to the ball to apply pressure. 2. Take a step forward upon losing the ball (reduce space). 3. Collective pressing. 4. Create overloads around the ball. 5. Cut off
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By Philip Cauchi Question - I only have my players for two training sessions a week, so I have to do the fitness work in the regular training sessions. Do you have any good drills where I can teach technique and even tactics while getting some conditioning work in? The below practices can aid in
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Technical and rapidity parcourse. Theme: Speed, agility and quickness. Development of the soccer domains: Technical-tactical: Dribbling, controlling the ball and kicking. Mental: Maintain focus. Socio-psychological: n/a. Physical: Perform rapid movements with and without the ball. Organisation: We have five setups (or parts) as shown in the below diagram. In part one
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By Philip Cauchi - Title: Combined plyometric and reaction saves. Aim: To apply the proper mechanics of saving a shot after landing from a jump. Key points: 1. After landing, the foot to the side of the dive should be placed diagonally forward towards the side of the dive prior to making the save. 2.
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By Philip Cauchi Question - I only have my players for two training sessions a week, so I have to do the fitness work in the regular training sessions. Do you have any good drills where I can teach technique and even tactics while getting some conditioning work in? The below practices can aid in
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By Philip Cauchi Title: 1v1 duel to finish on goal. Theme: Strength endurance in the duel. Development of the soccer domains: Technical-tactical: Receiving with a good first touch, dribbling and controlling the ball under opposition pressure and finishing on goal with accuracy and power. Mental: Maintain a positive mentality to dribble past the defender and
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By Philip Cauchi - Title: Playing the ball with the feet under pressure Aim: To be able to play accurate vertical passes when under pressure. Key points: 1. Be light on the balls of the feet. 2. Oriented first touch. 3. Weight and direction of the kick (pass). Practice: Receive the ball to score in
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By Philip Cauchi Question - I only have my players for two training sessions a week, so I have to do the fitness work in the regular training sessions. Do you have any good drills where I can teach technique and even tactics while getting some conditioning work in? The below practices can aid in
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Soccer specific speed in a 1v1 situation. Theme: Soccer speed with the ball. Development of the soccer domains: Technical-tactical: Run fast with the ball, keep control of the ball and accuracy in the shot. Mental: Focus on finishing the attack even while under pressure from the defender. Socio-psychological: N/A. Physical: Quality
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By Philip Cauchi - Title: Saving low driven shots drills Aim: Save low driven shots aimed towards the corner of the goal. Outcomes: 1. Start in the ready position with the hips slightly inclined forward. 2. Take a step forward before diving to make the save. 3. Lead into the dive with the toes of
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By Philip Cauchi Question - We don't have a goalkeeper coach, so I have to do all the GK training. I have to get this done in regular training sessions with the team, so do you have any ideas for me to get my goalkeeper training done at the same time as my players? The
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Soccer specific aerobic circuit. Theme: Maintain the quality of soccer actions. Development of the soccer domains: Technical-tactical: Concepts of triangles, distances and angles, space creating and quick ball circulation. Mental: Attitude towards winning the ball immediately upon losing it. Socio-psychological: Communication (verbal and visual) and collaboration. Physical: Maintain the quality of
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By Philip Cauchi - Title: Saving low driven shots. Aim: Use the scoop technique to save shots close to the body. Outcomes: 1. Feet shoulder-width apart. 2. Stay behind the ball’s trajectory. 3. Eyes fixed on the ball. 4. Be light with the weight on the balls of the feet. 5. Arms and hands close
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By Philip Cauchi Question - We don't have a goalkeeper coach, so I have to do all the GK training. I have to get this done in regular training sessions with the team, so do you have any ideas for me to get my goalkeeper training done at the same time as my players? The
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Quick transitions. Theme: High intensity intermittent. Development of the soccer domains: Technical: Passing, dribbling, running with the ball and shooting. Tactical: Attacking in a numerical superiority and defending in a numerical advantage. Socio-psychological: Concentration, composure, quick decision-making, communication and collaboration. Physical: Quick recovery between soccer actions. Organisation: The practice area should
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By Philip Cauchi - Aim: Narrow down the opponent’s shooting angle. Outcomes: 1. Feet shoulder width apart. 2. Toes pointed forwards. 3. Knees slightly bent. 4. Be light on the balls of feet. 5. Eyes focused on the ball. 6. Lean slightly forward. Practice 1: Catching mid-level balls from three different shooting angles. Preparation: Goalkeeper
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By Philip Cauchi Title: Combined technique and strength endurance. Theme: Applied strength. Development of the soccer domains: Technical: Attacking heading, aerial passing, dribbling, feints/fakes, and tackling. Tactical: Defending 1v1. Mental: Concentration, quick shift of focus (attacking in a 1v1 after heading the ball) and attitude to the positive or negative transition if the defender wins
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