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Ttransitions
Here is a diagram I'm working on trying to explain decision making, linking principles of play and transitions. Any feedback?
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SSG: Defending when outnumbered
Here is a small sided game I used in training this week, initially the plan was to coach the midfielders how to deal with an overload and being outnumbered. The practice worked well, using 2 neutrals...
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3 Player Finish
Here is a finishing practice which encourages;Finishing on the moveFinishing under pressureAssisting - weight and angle of passCombination playThird man runsSET UPPlayers work in 3's, above is a...
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New eBook...Contributors welcome!
In July 2014, I compiled a series of coaching practices from a variety of coaches. If you haven't seen it you can download it here. This has had over 10,000 downloads now and has hopefully helped...
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Defending!
Here is an image I have been looking at for a few weeks. The aim was to create a visual for players that helps them understand defending, and what I refer to as a priority checklist of defending. This...
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CENTRAL MIDFIELD ROTATION
Over the last few sessions I have really focused on rotation and playing through the midfield. Here a few practices I've have used to coach this based on a 4-3-3. The aims of the sessions are;To...
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PLAYING FORWARDS
Here is a practice I used with an under 10 group this week. The aim was to encourage the players to recognise when to keep possession and when to play forwards. The practice built up from something...
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FOOTBALL PHILOSOPHY
Here is a document I have been working on for a long long time. Its purpose is to share my vision on how football should be played and the demands on the players. Over the 20 slides it...
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Unopposed Passing: Movement to get offline
Here is a very basic passing session, which I've used to introduce the concept or highlight the importance of 'movement'. When you consider that 98% of the game players DO NOT have the ball, we...
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POSSESSION...WITH A TWIST!
Here are a few possession practices you can try with your players, they are all slight TWISTS on some 'classic keep ball' practices . All of these practices can be tweaked depending on the theme of...
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VARIATION OF PASS, VARIATION OF RUNS
Here is a Small Sided Game (SSG) which looks to encourage different types of passes and different types of forward runs.SET UPThe pitch is set up with 2 small goals as per diagram, size depending on...
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Positional play - Defending
This is a practice I delivered this week to improve defenders positioning in relation to the ball and the goal. This practice is designed for those playing the 11v11 game and starts unopposed.The...
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Counter Attack - Forward Pass and Forward Runs
This practice looks to encourage forward passes and runs to create overloads, and introduce the concept of counter attacks.Counter attacks- use the oppositions lack of defensive organisation to your...
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Heading ideas
Here a few ideas to improve heading techniques, as always adapt to suit. You can download the PDF here.All images are created using Academy Soccer Coach
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Defending Out of Balance
When playing an expansive or possession based approach there can be times that you leave yourself exposed, if you misplace a pass or get caught with players high up the pitch it can be costly. In these...
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Switching Play!
Here is a session I ran today with a group of 16-18 year olds. The focus of the session, from my perspective was "Playing from the tight" but I simplified the message to the players as "Switching...
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DEFENDING IN AND AROUND THE BOX
The main aims of this session are;- Lots of repetition of the key principles of delay, deny and deflect- Progressing from defending 1v1 to as a unit- Repetition of blocks, headers and clearances-...
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SSG: Promotion / Relegation
Here is a twist on the classic 'promotion and relegation' small sided games. This concept was explained to me by Dan Micciche on CPD event this season and players really enjoy it.Its great for;Ball...
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BUMPY ROADS AND BARE FEET....FOOTBALL IN UGANDA
In June 2015 I visited Gulu United, the only full time football academy in Northern Uganda. The driving force behind the academy is Adrian Bradbury, a Canadian who lives in Gulu with his wife and two...
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UEFA A PRE-COURSE TASK
In June 2015 I started block one of the UEFA A Licence (Part One). I have a few other things to blog about the course, which was a fantastic experience, but lets start at the start! A pre-course task...
View ArticleUEFA A: PLANNING A SESSION
Here is an insight to the UEFA A Licence Part 1. In the video below I'm discussing with the tutor group and tutor the session I had been asked to deliver, which was "Coach a team to attack with 2...
View ArticleUEFA A - Coach a team to operate with 2 quick strikers
Here is a practical session from the UEFA 'A' Licence - Part 1, the topic was 'Coach a team to operate with 2 quick strikers', this session was delivered at St Georges Park in August 2015. Any...
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