Tag Archives for " Pearson "

0 Finishing from Long & Short Range

By Sean Pearson Area: 45x35yards Players: 12 Teams: 2 Length: 20-25mins A lot of players I have coached tend to be hesitant of when to strike the ball at goal as well as be almost shy to shoot in case they miss. So instead of shoot they ‘pass the buck’ and let the next player

0 Attacking Through the Wide Areas

Attacking Through the Wide Areas

By Sean Pearson

Small Sided Game: Attacking Through the Wide Areas

Area: 45x40yards
Players: 16
Teams: 2
Length: 20-25mins

This game has 3 areas. 2 wide areas (5x45) and a middle area (45x30). Each area is split into 2 halves. It is 3v2 in both middle sections and each wide area has a single unopposed player. When the ball is not in the player’s half of the field they must all come towards the middle of the field to simulate a ‘high line’. Make sure to inforce offside if a player is beyond the last defender when the ball is passed.

Objectives

• To get the ball to the wide players
• For the wide player to understand how, where and why to cross the ball
• Where and when to make a forward run

When the team with 3 players in the middle area has the

2 Developing Defenders with Patience

By Sean Pearson

Session Length: 90 mins

A lot of sessions focus on defending when players are dribbling the ball towards the defenders. I can’t remember seeing a session that focuses on defending players with their back to goal. This is an extremely important part of defending, because if done right will frustrate the opposition, slow down the opposition’s attacks and make them predictable. A lot of what I will cover will be counter intuitive to your players as they will want to lunge, kick and pursue the ball but is important not to let them do any of this and to be patient to know when and where they can win the ball.

Warm-Up Time: 10 mins

To warm up the specific muscles used heavily in

1 Supporting the Striker

Small-Sided Game - Supporting the Striker By Sean Pearson Area: 45x30yards Players: 10 Teams: 2 Length: 20-25mins This game has 3 zones. 2 end zones (10x30) and a middle zone (25x30). 1 striker and 1 defender allowed in each end zone and the defender must stay behind the striker. Everyone else in the middle zone. Each

0 Penetrating Through the Lines

By Sean Pearson

This session is purposely detailed to give you, the coach, as much information on why, where and how specific things should happen.

Session Length: 1hr 30mins

Warm-Up Time: 10mins

• In pairs pass through gates. Make sure the pair are 10-15 yards apart when passing.
• Player A passes ball the player B, B takes ball and dribbles, player A finds a new gate, player B passes to player A’s feet through the gate.
• After the players have been going for a minute, introduce body position and receiving on the back foot. Explain how the receiver should have their shoulder facing the ball, NOT the chest. The reason is because, when the chest is facing the ball, every first touch is back in that direction. When your shoulder points to the ball, this opens up the body to a sideways stance and naturally the instep of the back foot (which is the foot furthest from the ball) is now at a different angle and will push the ball forwards, in front of you but at a different angle. Later we will see why this is important.
• Make players aware that it is not just good enough to stand sideways and face the side of the field but the must face in field to see as much as they possibly can. This may mean turning 180 degrees to be in the correct position. You will see players cheat and receive on their front foot because they are being lazy, do not let this happen and reinforce correct body shape.
• Explain that their first touch must not stop the ball underneath them, so their head goes down to see the ball for their second touch, but it should be pushed in front of them so they can make a decision with their second touch.
• Move on to receiving the ball on the move. Here player A passes the ball into the space beyond the gate for player B who is at the side of the gate and can run onto the pass. Again it is important to have your shoulder facing the direction of the passer, to turn your body and receive on your back foot in order to go forwards with your next touch.

0 Reversed Passes

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