By Alex Trukan Transition to attack starts when a team is still defending and out of possession. Their defensive strategy and shape will influence the options available upon winning the ball back. Not only the pressing line will influence the distance to the opposition goal when the ball is won but also the amount of
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By Alex Trukan The following game is focused on developing players’ Aerobic Power, an ability which is fundamental to developing all other physical attributes, serving as body’s recovering system between high intensity actions and bursts. Strong aerobic system ensures proper oxygen supply to muscles as well as improved lungs capacity and blood circulation. This training
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By Alex Trukan This practice is designed to develop Explosive Power which is responsible for sharp sprints to the ball, running duels or 2v2 transition scenarios. This kind of training leads to improved body’s ability to use fuel (ATP) and therefore, produce more powerful and explosive actions. The following practice achieves this in a 2v2
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By Alex Trukan With many teams trying to overload central areas, playing with three central midfielders has become widely used. This often initiates a discussion on whether to play a triangle with a point up (two defensive midfielders) or point down (one defensive midfielder). Both of the shapes have certain strengths and weaknesses. However, whichever
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By Alex Trukan With many teams being reactive and very effective on the counter attack, it is important for our teams to be able to deal with that. Preventing the counter attack and winning the ball back or forcing the opposition to be more patient going forwards will prevent the team from being caught outnumbered
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By Alex Trukan The following practice helps players to improve their starting speed. The difference between winning and losing is often decided by marginal gains. One of the key fitness components that might significantly influence outcomes in a football game is speed. Due to the nature of the game, speed in football is most often
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By Alex Trukan Clearing and filling space is one of the principles of play that can be used across all age groups and levels. It can be used to create space in certain areas, get specific players on the ball as well as enable a team to play forwards. Clearing and filling is simple to
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By Alex Trukan This practice is aimed at developing explosive power – fitness component responsible for quick bursts to the ball, 1v1 duels and sharp recovery after losing the ball. This conditioning component is improved by developing body’s ability to use more fuel, leading to delivering more explosive power. This is achieved in a 1v2
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By Alex Trukan This practice is focused on developing players’ aerobic capabilities which are responsible for quick recovery between high intensity actions. If a player has a stronger aerobic system, it will mean that he will be able to produce high intensity actions more often during the match, with fatigue building up slower. In this
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By Alex Trukan When playing against opposition who restrict space in the central areas well, it might be hard for central midfielders (6 & 8) to get on the ball without pressure and play forwards. One of the ways to overload these areas and build up play might be to have players in more advanced positions
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By Alex Trukan When trying to attack through the wings, getting the ball wide and creating an opportunity to cross is only part of success. The key to finalising wing play are movements that players make in and around the box just before, and as the ball is crossed. There are various combinations of different
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By Alex Trukan The following practice is focused on developing speed of support play and sharp forward runs off the ball. It also develops players’ ability to react quickly and accelerate over short distances. At the same time, players’ anaerobic energy system is improved due to the high intensity of this practice. From technical point
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By Alex Trukan This practice is aimed at developing Aerobic Power, an ability to recover quickly between high intensity actions. In practical context, it might mean that when a player makes a sprint, he will be ready to do another one faster. The second important physical outcome is the strength to hold the ball up
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By Alex Trukan When out of possession, many teams that attack with a 4-3-3 formation turn into 4-5-1. Both wingers tend to drop deeper into midfield lines and form a five player block. There are, however many advantages of using wingers higher up the pitch playing in a line with the striker. This alternative is
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By Alex Trukan This practice is focused on developing an ability to recover quickly between high intensity actions. This means that when a player makes a sprint, he'll be ready to do another one at his highest intensity. Players might therefore, gain advantage over the opposition both in attacking and defending duels. From a technical
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By Alex Trukan Defensive midfielder’s position has been recognised as a key to both defensive and attacking security for years. Many centre backs are becoming confident with the ball and many defensive midfielders are playing as the last man, the center back position has continued to evolve. The line between centre backs and defensive midfielders is
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By Alex Trukan This type of practice is designed to develop strength to stay on the ball under pressure. It will heavily overload leg muscles and joints, forming new connections and increasing their stability. This will help players to be more effective not only in staying on the ball, but also in physical duels both
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By Alex Trukan The full back is, without a question, a player largely involved in an attacking phase of any team. Modern full backs not only produce crosses but also cut inside to finish, combine with midfielders or even take up more play making roles in the centre of the pitch. All of these actions, however,
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By Alex Trukan This practice is focused on developing players’ explosiveness and anaerobic power. These high intensity physical qualities will help them to gain advantage in the attacking and defending duels as well as to be more effective in the penalty box when trying to get into goalscoring positions. In this practice, this is combined
Continue readingBy Alex Trukan Players in many positions are becoming more versatile, the winger is not an exception. Recently, there has been a shift from traditional wingers operating mainly on the touchline and delivering crosses, to more well-rounded wide players covering a more areas on the pitch and producing shots on goal and key opening passes. Having this kind
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By Alex Trukan When playing with a compact defending block, it is harder to cover the width of the pitch if the ball is moved quickly. This is why, usually a ‘weak side’ appears on the opposite side of the ball which can be exploited by the opposition. If the field is switched with pace, it will cause
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By Alex Trukan The following practice is aimed at improving body’s ability to recover quicker between high intensity efforts (i.e. sprint, tackle etc.). This will help players to maintain quantity of actions without feeling increasingly tired (aerobic power) towards the end of the game. This game also focuses on maintaining possession and choosing the right
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By Alex Trukan Italian teams have always been known for having a high tactical proficiency. The ‘defending arts’ have been their major strength and area of focus. Despite many different formations utilised by their teams, it is the 5-3-2 shape that gained popularity in recent years. It is not, however the formation that makes them
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By Alex Trukan This practice is designed to develop players’ short sprinting endurance. This will allow them to produce high quality sprints more often during the game. One of the situations when acceleration over short distances is used is finishing in and around the penalty box. This is why, this practice uses shooting context to
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