Tag Archives for " Steven Smith "

Winger Play and Possession

By Steven Smith This session is designed to emphasize winger play to encourage outside to inside attacking patterns. The build-up occurs with smaller sides of play (numbers) and increases to include large sided play. Coaching should encourage players to play to targets on the inside of the field but then find wingers. Each activity can have

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Tactical Possession Training for Defenders and Attackers Separately

By Steven Smith This session will move from a warm-up that requires precision passing to tactical decision making during possession. The defenders and attackers are trained separately and will require more than on coach to run correctly and supervise the activity. A fitness activity is introduced prior to the tactics in order to train them while

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Possession Penetration Crossing Practice

By Steven Smith This session is designed to be a progression from possession, to penetration and finally including crossing skills at the end. The session will require concentration on the part of players as there is clear functional tactical elements to the session. The pace must be kept high moving from activity to activity in order

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Short Sided Target and Wing Play

By Steven Smith This session will focus on target play but while looking to change the point of attack when hitting the target. Players must be given feedback on finding passes that move the ball away from pressure and finds open spaces on the field. Movement to full sided play in the final activity must still

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Front Third Possession Progression

By Steven Smith This session is designed to move through a sequence toward emphasizing possession in the front third. The coach must focus his or her attention on the act of possession as feedback is given in each activity. Safety in controlling and owning the ball is of highest priority. The final activity will be functionally

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Team Transition

By Steven Smith This session is designed to emphasize transition in all portions of the field. Transition is necessary in single person counter attack, whole team counter attack and even repossession in the front third. This concept must be trained and cannot be expected without training. Teams that transition effectively are more likely to take advantage

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Possession in Tight Spaces

By Steven Smith This training session will focus on the importance of maintaining possession of the ball in very restricted spaces. It is likely designed for more senior players who have strong technical ability but is designed to increase that ability under pressure with little time and space. Activity 1: Three Squares Setup: Taking risks and

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Attacking Through the Striker

By Steven Smith This session is designed to support target play especially coming from the midfield central players. Many modifications can be made to have the striker receive from various positions on the field. Activity 1: Dutch Squares Warm-up Setup: Three square grids are set up with 10-yard by 10-yard dimensions with barrier space between each

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Teaching Attacking Principles

By Steven Smith This session is designed to support the following attacking principles: Direct when possible o Defined by longest ball forward that maintains possession or puts us in a better scoring opportunity. May be to the forward, may be over the top of defense may be to other players. Preferences:  To the forwards feet

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Small Group Defending

By Steven Smith This training session emphasizes small group play and defending the vital zone with crossed balls. Finishing activities designed to give repetition will also be a focus. Lesson 1: Brazilian Warm-up Setup: Three to four sets of the triangles are set up as shown in the first diagram. Three players are in each triangle

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Possession for Scoring Training Session One

By Steven Smith Possession of the ball is an essential element for game domination. However, in the modern game a team can possess the ball for long periods of time or a majority of the game and not be successful in winning the game. The team must be effective in their possession and it must result

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