Jonathan Woodgate in Partnership with &Robbie Keane Crossing &Finishing

w w w . e l i t e s o c c e r c o a c h i n g . n e t M A R C H 2 0 2 0

SOCCER

Exclusive Training practices from toppp professional managers

MIDDLESBROUGH JONATHAN WOODGATE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH &ROBBIE KEANE CROSSING &FINISHING

EVERTON WOMEN LINCOLN CITY LMA AMBASSADOR LMA AMBASSADOR WILLIE MICHAEL STEPHEN GRANT KIRK APPLETON CONSTANTINE KALAHAR Match day Counter-attacking Defending Overloading the preparation crosses midﬁeld

EXTRA-TIMEFEATURE BRISTOL ROVERS GOALKEEPERCOACHADRIAN TUCKER INPARTNERSHIPWITH

Elite Soccerispublishedby ISSUE 116/MARCH 2020: FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Green Star Media Ltd Originaltrainingground MBX124 19 Moorfield Road drillsandactivitiesto Slyfield Industrial Estate 4 Guildford getthebestoutofyour JONATHAN GU1 1RU WOODGATE United Kingdom players &R& ROBBIEOBBIE KEANE Email: MIDDLESBROUGH elitesoccer@ Dear Coach, greenstarmedia.net Crossing Welcome to the March 2020 issue of Elite Soccer. We’re not quite at and the end of the British football season, but the decisive weeks ahead Editor: finishingfi nishing Chris Hunt will certainly prove to be the beginning of the end, as teams battle it Contributing Editor: out for vital points at both the top and the bottom of every division. Mark Farthing In this issue we are delighted to introduce five training Consultant Coach: Dave Clarke sessions from some of the most highly respected coaches and Illustrator: managers in the game, who have shared their considerable Richard Palmer experience and knowledge with the readers of Elite Soccer. 7 Design: WILLIE KIRK AT Graphics We kick off this month’s issue with atraining session from EVERTON WOWOMENMEN Photography: the EFL Championship. Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Match day Reuters Woodgate, and his assistant manager Robbie Keane, have contributed asession on crossing and finishing. It’s an activity preparation aimed at giving attacking strike partners plenty of opportunities to make front and back post runs and take side-footed shots Publishedinpartnershipwith: from the edge of the six-yard box, astyle of finishing that Robbie Keane perfected during his long playing career. 11 Everton Women manager, Willie Kirk, has shared asession MICHAEL League Managers designed to be run as match preparation on Match Day -1. He uses Association APPLETON it to reiterate the most important parts of the team’s game plan. LINCOLN CITY St George’s Park National Football Centre, We also have acounter-attacking session from Lincoln City Counter- Newborough Road, manager, Michael Appleton. It’s one that encourages players attacking Needwood, Burton upon Trent, to have the confidence to quickly commit numbers to support DE13 9PD a move during the transition from defence to attack. Tel: +44 (0)1283 576350 Formerly the manager of India’s national team, Stephen Email:[email protected] Constantine has shared aseries of activities that will help Chairman: Howard Wilkinson players to defend against crosses coming in from different Chief Executive: angles, including the dangerous area of players making 14 Richard Bevan STEPHEN headed clearances when facing their own goal. CONSTANTINE LMA AMBASSADOR This publication is protected We also have asession from Grant Kalahar, who has used by national and international his considerable coaching experience to write asession Defending copyright laws. Elite Soccer will take legal action that encourages teams to attack by overloading the crosses against any individuals or midfield. His exercises achieve this by asking defenders organisations found to be infringing our rights, and will to step up to support play in the midfield, or by giving make that action public. forwards the impetus to drop into midfield to receive. It’s No part or whole of this report 18 may be circulated elsewhere a session that certainly encourages attacking play. GGRANTRANT or displayed on any website or distributed commercially I hope you find that the training sessions in this issue KKALAHARALAHAR except under licence from the LMA AMBASSADOR copyright owners. will be of use in your coaching. Elite Soccer will return © Green Star Media Ltd. All next month with five more training activities that will Overloading rights reserved get your team thinking about the way they play. midfieldmidfi eldeld

22 EXTRA-TIME …feature with Bristol Rovers Howard Wilkinson,LMAChairman goalkeeper coach, Adrian Tucker.

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ELITE SOCCER MARCH 2020 MANAGER PROFILES Here are the six managers and coaches we’re delighted to welcome into this issue of Elite Soccer

WILLIEKIRK Trophyinsuccessiveyears. EVERTON WOMEN Astintasassistantmanager JONATHAN ofPremierLeagueLeicester WillieKirkiscurrently themanager Cityincludedtwovictoriesas ofEvertonWomen.Hebeganhis WOODGATE& caretakermanagerin2017but managerialcareerinScotlandin hereturnedtoWestBroomin 2006asanassistantacademycoach April2019andservedasfirst- ROBBIEKEANE forLivingston’s U14teamandwent MIDDLESBROUGH teamcoach.Hereturnedto ontocoachtheU17s.In2009,he managementwithLincolnCity Jonathan Woodgate is the current manager joinedtheacademycoachingstaff early thefollowingseason. of EFL Championship side, Middlesbrough. atHibernian,withresponsibility fortheU17s.Ultimately,Kirkwas During along playing career, he won eight appointedheadcoachofHibernian’s STEPHEN England caps and played as adefender for women’s team.Hisfirstseason CONSTANTINE Leeds United, Newcastle United, Real Madrid inchargesawvictoryinthe2010 LMA AMBASSADOR ScottishCupFinalandthefollowing and Stoke City. He also scored the winning Mostrecently themanagerof seasonheledtheclubtothe India’s nationalteam,Stephen goal for Tottenham in the 2008 League ScottishLeagueCuptitle.In2013 ConstantinehasworkedasaFIFA Cup Final and enjoyed two spells playing hewasvotedScottishWomen’s InstructorandisamemberofFIFA’s for his hometown club, Middlesbrough, FootballManageroftheYear. elitecoachingpanel.Hespenthis In2015hemadethemoveto early coachingcareerintheUSA before hanging up his boots in 2016. Englandandwasappointed andCyprusbefore takingchargeof After abrief spell as an international scout managerofBristolCity,competing theNepalesenationalsidein1999. for Liverpool, he joined Middlesbrough’s intheFA WSL.Hesubsequently Afteraperiodspentastheassistant joinedthecoachingstaffatthenewly directorofAFC Bournemouth’s coaching staff in 2017 and had two stints formedManchesterUnitedWFC, academy,heenjoyedthefirstofhis as an assistant coach with the first before beingappointedmanagerof twostintsasmanageroftheIndian team and aperiod working for the club’s EvertonWomeninDecember2018. nationalteambetween2002and 2005.HethenreturnedtoEngland academy with the U18s. He was ultimately MICHAEL toworkasthefirstteamcoachand appointed Middlesbrough manager reserveteammanagerforMillwall. in the summer of 2019 and was voted APPLETON Amuchtravelledcoach,hehas LINCOLN CITY Championship Manager of the Month alsohadspellsasmanagerof MichaelAppletoniscurrently the theRwandanationalteamand for the first time in December 2019. managerofLeagueOneclub, asheadcoachofbothSudanand Robbie Keane is currently the assistant LincolnCity. Hisplayingcareer Malawi.InhissecondspellasIndia asamidfieldertookinspellsat manager of both Middlesbrough and manager,hetooktheteamfrom ManchesterUnited,Lincolnand 173intheFIFA WorldRankings the Republic of Ireland national team. Prestonbutitwascutshortby inMarch2015to97inDecember He played for many clubs in his career, injurywhile atWestBromwich 2018.Hisautobiography,‘From including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Albion,where hetookonayouth DelhitotheDen’,wasnominated coachingrole afterhanginguphis fortheFootballWriters’ Association Inter Milan, Leeds United and Liverpool. boots.Heworkedwithdifferent bookoftheyear,partofthe He won the League Cup with Tottenham agegroupsuntilmovingupto BritishSportsBookAwards. and was athree-time winner of the MLS becomeassistantmanagerof theseniorsquad.Heservedas Cup with LA Galaxy. He scored 68 goals GRANTKALAHAR theclub’s caretakermanager LMA AMBASSADOR for the Republic of Ireland over an 18-year foronePremierLeaguematch GrantKalaharhasagreatdeal international career, making him the againstWestHamin2011andhe ofexperience ineliteplayer wasappointedasPortsmouth all-time record Irish scorer. He won 146 developmentandinsupporting managershortly afterwards. coachdevelopment.Hehasworked caps for his country, which is also an Irish Hesubsequently enjoyedspells asacademymanagerandheadof record. He has been assistant coach of asmanagerofBlackpooland coachingforNewportCountyand the Republic of Ireland since November BlackburnRoversbefore leading asanacademycoachforBristol Oxford Unitedtopromotion Rovers,CardiffCityandSwansea 2018, arole he has combined with his toLeagueOneinhissecond City. Since 2016hehasbeena Middlesbrough duties since June 2019. seasonincharge.Healsotook lecturerinfootballcoachingat UnitedtothefinaloftheEFL theUniversityofSouthWales.

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MIDDLESBROUGH chance to work in pairs and What do Iget the KEY rehearse their movement to players to do? Ball Jonathan Woodgate movement & Robbie Keane receive the ball, and it also Crossing &finishing Player helps them perfect the art of movement We set up in the final third with Dribble Crossing making an angle when they a goal and goalkeeper. Seven Optional &finishing approach the ball and finish mannequins are positioned movement with the inside of the foot. as shown. To begin with, we’re SET-UP From apsychological point of using eight outfield players, AREA split into four blue crossers Final third view, it helps attacking players EQUIPMENT to get in the right mind set and four blue attackers, set up Balls, bibs, cones, 7mannequins, so they can concentrate on as shown [1a]. The crossers 1 goal finishing from close range. are positioned on cones in NUMBER OF PLAYERS In addition to the finishing the wide areas and they take Up to 10 players +1goalkeeper turns to cross the ball into SESSION TIME benefits, this session gives one of the two highlighted Crossing &finishing: 10mins wide players the chance to delivery areas in the penalty Progressions: 10mins each rehearse their deliveries into box. Two attackers at atime the goalmouth area, and to should make runs into the Overview make supporting runs into delivery areas, one to the near This session is aimed at giving the box when the cross has post and one to the far post. attacking players plenty of come from the opposite wing. They should either shoot or opportunities to make front We would run this session play their partner in to take post and back post runs and once aweek, or maybe a shot on goal. The finish finish with aside-footed shot once every two weeks, should be aside-footed shot from the edge of the six-yard depending on the intensity from the edge of the six-yard box. It gives attackers the of our schedule. box. After each attack, the

1a CROSSING &FINISHING

The crossers take turns to Two attackers should make runs into cross the ball into one of the two the delivery areas, one to the near post highlighted delivery areas in the and one to the far post penalty area

The attackers should either shoot, as here, or pass to their partner to shoot. The ﬁnish should be aside-footed shot from the edge of the six-yard box

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JONATHAN WOODGATE & ROBBIE KEANE: CROSSING & FINISHING

KEY Ball 1b CROSSING &FINISHING 2v1 movement Here the attacker at the Player back post plays his strike movement Crossers should alternate but should always aim partner in for aside-footed Dribble for the delivery areas on the edge the six-yard box shot on goal at the near post

To progress the activity, remove the mannequins and add ared defender inside the penalty area instead 1c CROSSING &FINISHING 3v2 Allow one extra attacker to enter the area with alate run to pick up any rebounds, making it a3v2 attack

To progress the activity further, add asecond red defender “Thisgivesattackers plentyofopportunitiestomake frontpost andbackpost runsandﬁnishwitha side-footedshotfromtheedgeofthesix-yard box” players should reset while another area instead. Again, the crossers to repel the attack, as shown [1b]. The cross comes in from the other side. take turns to cross the ball into the added defender makes it a2v1 attack. delivery areas on the edge of the six- To progress the activity further, we How do Iprogress the session? yard box. Two attackers should make now add asecond red defender. We To progress the activity, we now runs into the delivery areas, one to also allow one extra blue attacker remove the mannequins and add the near post and one to the far post to enter the penalty area with a a red defender inside the penalty and the defender should do his best late run. He should function as a

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JONATHAN WOODGATE & ROBBIE KEANE: CROSSING & FINISHING

rebound man, who clears has got to be effective and as sometimes make is hitting KEY Ball up and finishes from any soon as the defender takes the ball too hard, which loses movement balls coming out of the six- his eye off the attacker to Player the accuracy of the shot and movement yard box, as shown [1c]. look at the ball, then that is causes the ball to miss the Dribble This makes it a3v2 attack. the trigger for the attacker to target. Players need to make For afinal progression, one of make the movement to lose sure their approach to the ball the wide players can join the his marker. We also want to is not too straight and they attack on the side opposite see players finishing with a are not leaning back when to where the cross comes high quality shot on target they finish, otherwise they in from. This makes it a4v2 using the side of the foot. will hit the ball over the bar. attack, as shown [1d]. We want to see the wide When the cross comes players making quality in, another mistake that What are the key things to crosses into the correct attackers make is to take look out for? delivery areas on the edge their eye off the ball, which of the six-yard box. We want to see players affects the ball contact making the right movements and causes them to swing into the penalty area so they What are the typical mistakes their leg and mis-hit the are in the correct position to players might make and how shot. Impress on players meet the incoming ball. The do Iavoid them? the need for concentration movement from the striker A typical mistake that players in these circumstances.

“As soonasthedefendertakes hiseye offtheattacker tolookattheball,thatisthetriggerfor theattackerto makethemovementtolosehismarker”

1d CROSSING &FINISHING 4v2

In the ﬁnal progression, allow one of the crossers on the opposite side to join the attack to make it 4v2

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EVERTON WOMEN for the up and coming match. using 10 players in each rondo KEY In alot of ways, it is our most box, playing 8v2. The eight blue Ball Willie Kirk movement important session of the week. players pass the ball to keep Player Match possession under pressure movement Final details about set-pieces Dribble preparation are given to the players and the from the two red defenders, session basically summarises who try to win the ball and clear SET-UP everything that we have worked it out of the area, as shown [1]. AREA on earlier in the week. We use The player who lost possession Up to full pitch this session to reiterate the switches roles with the EQUIPMENT most important parts of our Balls, bibs, cones, mannequins, defender who cleared it out of 2 goals game plan and we deliver our the area and play continues. We NUMBER OF PLAYERS final messages to the team. play four minutes at two-touch Up to 20 players +2goalkeepers and three minutes at one-touch. SESSION TIME What do Iget the players to do? With the touch restrictions, the Warm-up rondo: 7mins passing players should always 11v11 game: 20mins Warm-up rondo Unit work: 15mins After the players carry out be thinking about their options Small-sided game: 8mins the prehab work in the gym, when they receive the ball. they run through anumber If the possession team Overview of movement and activation manages to string 15 passes This session is designed to be exercises [not shown] with together, the two defenders run as match preparation on the physical performance stay in for another round. Match Day -1 and it is our last coach to prepare themselves We want the players to take training session before agame. for the session. This usually this seriously but we always By the end of the session we lasts 10 to 15 minutes. try to ensure that there is an have to ensure that all the final Next we set up two 10x8 yard element of fun to the session, details are covered in order rondo boxes (we’re showing so nutmegs and passes to be satisfied that we have just one here, but we use two to that split the defenders prepared the players properly include the full squad). We’re count as three passes.

1 WARM-UP RONDO

The eight blues pass to keep possession. They are two-touch for four minutes and one-touch for three minutes, so they must always be thinking about their options

The two red defenders try to clear the 10 ball out of the area. The defender who clears it switches roles with the player who lost possession and play continues

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WILLIE KIRK: MATCH PREPARATION

KEY Ball 2a UNIT WORK: ATTACKING movement Player The centre forward lays the ball movement off to the attacking midﬁelder, who Dribble drives forward and shoots

CF W W The centre midﬁelder AM starts play by passing to the centre forward CM

The centre forward lays the ball off to 2b the attacking midfielder and then makes W CF a run into the penalty area The left winger receives on The right the move and winger makes takes the ball W a supporting to the by-line back post run before cutting AM back to the midfielder, who shoots When the first time first attack is dead, the AM second attack The begins with attacking the centre midfielder midfielder passes to the passing into left winger the centre and makes a forward again forward run CM

What do Iget the players to do next? our ‘press’ from the front, and we Unit work: attacking 11v11 game run through our set-pieces as they The forward players will work Next we set up on afull pitch for happen during normal play. We on their crossing and finishing an 11v11 game [not shown]. The will manufacture any set-pieces and will try some combinations that don’t happen naturally and starting 11 will have been named in that we have identified will work ensure that the opposition re-enact the team meeting prior to training. in the forthcoming match. what we expect from the next day’s We will play 11v11 for approximately We set up for the attacking practice opponents. 20 minutes, stopping and starting in the final third of the pitch, with a play frequently to recap the tactical goal and agoalkeeper in their normal work that has been covered during What do Iget the players to do next? positions. Mannequins are set up to the week. We will also ensure the We split the group so defenders represent defenders. We’re using players are comfortable with the plan and attackers go into their own six outfield players: two wingers, for our ‘build’ from the goalkeeper, separate practices to train as units. two attacking midfielders, acentre

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WILLIE KIRK: MATCH PREPARATION

midfielder and acentre forward. the left, as shown [2b]. The and work as aunit to defend the KEY Ball Here we are running two attacking midfielder passes to space in behind. We will also movement the left winger, who receives try to include some transitional Player attacks. In the first attack, movement as shown [2a], we work on on the run and takes the ball work too. Here we show the Dribble attacking movement and to the by-line before cutting players working on defending finishing. The centre midfielder back. After making his pass, crosses and second balls. starts play by passing into the the centre forward has made a We set up in the final third of centre forward, who lays the ball run into the box, creating space the pitch, with agoal and a off to the attacking midfielder on for the attacking midfielder to goalkeeper in their normal positions. We’re using eight the right for atouch and ashot. meet the cut back and shoot first time. The right winger has players, split into adefending Immediately after the first unit of five and three attackers. attack is dead, the second also made aback post run into the box to support the attack. The defenders line up with attack begins, working on a back four and adefensive scoring from cutbacks. The midfielder, while the attackers centre midfielder starts play Unit work: defending have two wide players and a again by passing into the centre The defensive players will centre forward. The centre forward, who lays the ball off normally work on defending forward starts play by to the attacking midfielder on crosses into their penalty area combining with the wingers

“Thisisourmostimportantsessionoftheweek.Final detailsofset-piecesaregiventotheplayersandthe sessionsummariseseverythingwe have workedon”

3 UNIT WORK: DEFENDING The back four have to work as aunit to defend against the cross. Here they drop together and when one clears the ball, they all push up as aunit

W RB CB CB LB

The defenders link with the The centre forward starts play by defensive midﬁelder to clear the combining with the wingers to set ball to safety, so the team can one of them up to cross into the box launch acounter-attack

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WILLIE KIRK: MATCH PREPARATION

KEY Ball 4 SMALL-SIDED GAME movement Player Each new game starts with a movement direct shot from one of the new Dribble teams coming onto the pitch. Two teams play a5v5 Teams take turns to take the game for 60 seconds starting shot in each game

Two more teams wait off the pitch 24 for their turn to play If ateam each other scores, they restart play from their own goalkeeper

“Weneedtoensurethattheplayersareempowered to makegooddecisionsduringthematchthefollowingday” to set one of them up to cross into with the teams taking turns to certain things and they might the penalty area and the back four start play –each team takes the want ablack and white answer but have to defend with the help of a starting shot every other game. ocassionally the answer is grey, so we defensive midfielder, as shown [3]. need to ensure that the players are What are the key things to look for? empowered to make good decisions How would you put this into agame We need to ensure that the starting during the match the following day. situation? 11 are very clear on their roles and Small-sided game responsibilities during the session, How do Iprogress the session? both in and out of possession and We set up an area of 24x36 yards with The session changes slightly a goal and agoalkeeper at each end. regarding set-pieces. If there are every week in terms of the detail We’re using 20 outfield players split any doubts or questions, we need within it because we are always into four teams of five. Two teams to nail them before the players play a5v5 game for 60 seconds, while leave the training ground that day. making our game plan specific the other two teams wait off the pitch This means that if something isn’t to the identified strengths and for their turn to play each other. Each working, as coaches we need to be weaknesses of our next opponents. new game starts with adirect shot comfortable making changes. However, it will be very much kept at goal from one of the new teams within our own playing principles. coming onto the pitch, as shown [4]. What are the typical mistakes Sometimes we will make changes If ateam scores, they restart play players might make and how do I to the rondos, amending the area from their own goalkeeper. avoid them? size or the conditions. We may also We play eight 60-second games, At times the players can overthink leave out unit work some weeks.

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LINCOLN CITY behind and in wide areas. of 70x44 yards (or between KEY Players like this session the two penalty boxes on a Ball Michael Appleton movement because it is game-related normal pitch), with agoal and a Player Counter-attacking goalkeeper at each end. We’re movement and it helps our approach Dribble to matches because we feel using 18 outﬁeld players. We SET-UP teams defending deeper is set up ared attacking team AREA becoming agreater trend 70x44 yards of six and ablue defending/ EQUIPMENT in the modern game. It also counter-attacking team of six, Balls, bibs, cones, poles, 2goals exaggerates the importance of who both start in the defending NUMBER OF PLAYERS decision making, improves the half of the pitch. In addition, six 18 players + 2 goalkeepers detail of passing and requires yellow neutrals are positioned SESSION TIME high quality movement. around the outside of the Counter-attacking practice: 15mins We would use this session in defending half. The neutrals Progression 1: 15mins the run up to facing ateam Progression 2: 15mins are one-touch and they can who commit numbers forward support the team in possession. Overview and potentially play with a Play starts with the coach back three, where they can passing into the attacking team, This session is all about be vulnerable in wide areas. counter-attacking and it who must try to score in the goal encourages players to be in that half. The defending team organised and conﬁdent, so What do Iget the should attempt to win the ball that during the transition from players to do? and launch acounter-attack to defence to attack they are able Counter-attacking practice score in the other half, as shown to quickly commit numbers in We set up aplaying area [1]. We play for 15 minutes.

1 COUNTER-ATTACKING PRACTICE

The blue defending team must win A red attacking team of six and ablue the ball and launch acounter-attack defending/counter-attacking team of six to score in the other half both start in the defending half of the pitch

Play starts with the coach passing Six yellow neutrals are positioned around the into the red attacking team, who must outside of the defending half. They are one-touch try to score in the goal in that half and they can support the team in possession

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MICHAEL APPLETON: COUNTER-ATTACKING

KEY Ball 2 PROGRESSION 1 movement Player movement Dribble To progress, play the same game as before but now the blue counter-attacking team must pass the ball through one of the three gates before they can score

The yellows still support from the On winning the ball, the blue outside of the defending half and play defending team must quickly make one-touch for the team in possession the transition to counter-attack

“Thissessionencouragesplayers tobeorganisedand conﬁdentsothatduringthetransitionfromdefence to attack,they are able toquickly commitnumbers”

How do Iprogress the session? the players for more detail on the team mates should drop into their Progression 1 pass and to highlight key areas for own half to receive the ball from To progress the activity, we play the counter-attacking team to exploit him and they then build an attack the same game as before but this at speed. We play for 15 minutes. into the other half where they must time we add three gates halfway try to score. The blue defending between the centre line and the Progression 2 team must now set up to intercept, goal that the blues are counter- To progress the activity further, we or tackle to win the ball before it attacking. The counter-attacking now remove the gates and ask the gets into the danger areas. When team must pass the ball through goalkeeper of the red attacking team they win possession, they should one of these gates before they can to start play with apass out from the counter-attack with speed, as score, as shown [2]. This is to ask back. As it’s now free play, some of his shown [3]. We play for 15 minutes.

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MICHAEL APPLETON: COUNTER-ATTACKING

How would Iput this into a the opposition and limit the What are the typical mistakes KEY Ball game situation? touches in the opposition half. players might make and how movement We particularly want to see do Iavoid them? Player As this activity is already a movement small-sided game, it can easily teams counter-attacking with Players can sometimes Dribble be progressed into afull 11v11 width and players creating rush their decision making, game with the basic principles angles off the ball to help but while the body is of play remaining the same. with link play. Players should racing, the mind should also make dynamic runs remain calm. Ensure What are the key things to look beyond and between the lines players stay composed out for? to stretch the opposition. through the transition from We want to see the possession Always make sure that the defence to attack and do team maintaining ahigh players continue to pass the not play ‘direct’ because ball speed in order to move ball with quality and detail. there is space behind.

“Playerscansometimesrushtheirdecision making,butwhilethebodyisracing,themind shouldremaincalm” 3 PROGRESSION 2

The blue defending team must now set up to intercept or should tackle to win the ball, as here. Some of the reds should drop into their own half Then they should counter-attack with speed to receive the ball from the keeper and then build an attack into the other half where they try to score

To progress further, the goalkeeper for the red attacking team now starts play with a pass out from the back

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LMA AMBASSADOR our defenders to take up the primary session, so our KEY positions that will help them defenders get consistent Ball Stephen movement do that. Defending is key to practise in these types of Player Constantine the success of any team and situations. If it’s acrossing movement Dribble Defendingcrosses there is nothing quite like a session and we are working on solid back four and a1-0 win! SET-UP the delivery of the cross or the AREA In this session we will look at runs of the strikers, the back Up to two third of pitch defending crosses coming in four will come in at some point EQUIPMENT from different angles, including during those sessions and Balls, bibs, cones, poles, 2full-size facing our own goal. This is get more work in. Defending goals not often touched upon as crosses is something that we NUMBER OF PLAYERS defenders are usually facing Up to 16 players +2goalkeepers can never work on enough, the cross or it is coming across SESSION TIME especially when defenders Warm-up: 15mins them –we will obviously are facing their own goal. Defending crosses: 20mins cover these situations but this 9v9 game: 30mins session also covers defending the cross when facing the goal. What do Iget the players to do? Overview Naturally it is aquestion of the Warm-up This session is designed to angle you are running back to We set up between the two rehearse players in defending the goal at and the type of ball penalty boxes of anormal pitch, against different types of cross that is being played but we coning it off to awidth of 50 from avariety of positions train for every eventuality. yards. We’re using 16 outﬁeld on the pitch, so we set things We will work on this quite players split into two teams. An up in such away that forces regularly, even if it is not attacking team of 12 players are

1 WARM-UP

The blue outside players cannot The red inside players must try to intercept pass to anyone on their own side of or force amistake. If they gain possession, the area. They must pass to ateam they should clear the ball out of the area mate on adifferent side of the area

The blue outside players must pass the ball through the central area without the four reds intercepting. The outside players are two-touch

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STEPHEN CONSTANTINE: DEFENDING CROSSES

spread out around the outside of the KEY area, with four on each side and two 2a DEFENDING CROSSES Ball movement at each end. They must stay on the 3 2 1 Player movement Play starts outside and are limited to two-touch Dribble so they move the ball quickly. We also with aone- two played have adefending team of four players between the making up aback four and they are players on locked inside the central area. poles 1and 30 2 before the The outside players must pass the attacker on ball through the central box without pole 1crosses the four defenders intercepting. the ball into The outside players cannot pass to the defending zone anyone on their side of the area and therefore must hit diagonal balls or pass directly across the area to their team mates on the opposite side. After clearing Our focus is to get the back four to 30 their see things together and try to react lines, the as one. They must try to intercept the defenders The back must sprint ball or force amistake by the outside four are out to the players and if they gain possession waiting end of their inside their zone they should clear the ball out of the zone and 15 area, as shown [1]. They must do must clear this successfully ﬁve times before the ball they can come out of the centre. without it touching They then swap places with four of the ground the outside players. We time each 3 2 1 game and the team with the longest time on the inside are the losers.

What do Iget the players to do next? Defending crosses 2b 3 2 1 We set up on the ﬁnal third of the pitch with agoal and agoalkeeper. After touching the Three poles are placed on each edge of their wing, as shown, and a30x15 yard zone, the The second defending zone is marked with defenders turn cross comes and sprint back in from the cones in front of the penalty area. to their starting opposite side We’re using 10 outﬁeld players positions on of the pitch, split into an attacking team of six the edge of the with play and adefending team of four. One penalty area again starting ready for the with aone- attacker starts on each of the wide next cross two between poles and the defending team form the players a back four in the defending zone. on poles 1 Play starts with aone-two played and 2 between the players on pole 1and 30 pole 2before the attacker on pole 1 crosses the ball into the defending The zone, as shown [2a]. The back four defenders have to are waiting inside their zone and clear the must clear the ball without it touching ball without 15 the ground. After clearing their lines, it bouncing before the defenders must sprint out to the sprinting end of their zone. The defenders out to the then turn and sprint back to their edge of starting positions on the edge of the their zone 3 2 1 again penalty area ready for the next cross. The second cross comes in from the opposite side of the pitch, with play again starting with aone-two

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STEPHEN CONSTANTINE: DEFENDING CROSSES

between the players on pole 1 3 combine before the ball is How do Iprogress the activity? KEY Ball and pole 2before the attacker crossed, as shown [2c]. As this To progress this activity, we movement on pole 1crosses the ball into Player time the defenders are dealing would add acouple of strikers movement the defending zone, as shown with across while facing their on the edge of the penalty Dribble [2b]. The defenders again own goal, it is vital that they get area to make sure that the have to clear the ball without it their feet and positioning right defenders understand that a bouncing in their zone before in order to clear the ball safely poor clearance could result sprinting out to the edge of their away from the danger areas. in ascoring opportunity. zone. After touching the edge of the defending zone, the back The players would then reset four now sprint back into their and we would repeat the drill, How would Iput this into a own penalty area to deal with ending with the third cross game situation? the ball coming back across coming in from the player 9v9 game them from the player on pole on the opposite pole 3to We set up between the penalty 3 –the players on poles 2and ensure all players are used. areas of afull-size pitch with a

“Inthissessionwe willlookatdefendingcrossescoming infromdifferentangles,includingfacingourown goal”

2c 3 2 1

The players on poles 2and 3 combine before the ball is crossed in by the player on pole 3

As the defenders are dealing with a cross while facing their own goal, it is vital that they get their feet and positioning right in order to clear the ball safely 30 After touching the edge of the defending zone, the back four now sprint back into their own penalty area to deal with the ball coming 15 back across them

3 2 1

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STEPHEN CONSTANTINE: DEFENDING CROSSES

KEY Ball 3 The defenders must try to win the ball, head clear We play a9v9 game with normal rules, movement Player and, if possible, launch acounter-attack. Here the except only the wide players are allowed in the movement defender clears while facing his own goal crossing zones and they cannot be tackled Dribble

The unchallenged wide players should deliver good quality crosses

“Theabilitytoreacttotheincomingdangerisvitaland we wanttoseedefendersclearingtheballhigh,wide, longandawayfromdanger” goal at each end and awide crossing We play for 15 minutes and then react to the incoming danger is zone marked on each wing with cones. the game will be completely vital and in this case we want to see We’re using 16 outﬁeld players and free, with no restrictions on defenders clearing the ball high, two goalkeepers split into two teams tackling the wide players. wide, long and away from danger. of nine including keepers. We play a 9v9 game with normal rules, except What are the key things to look out What are the typical mistakes only the wide players are allowed in the crossing zones and they cannot be for? players might make and how do I tackled. We look for the unchallenged We want to see the back four avoid them? wide players to deliver good quality acting together as an effective Not clearing the ball well enough and crosses and we are looking for their unit. We would also be looking presenting scoring opportunities is team mates to try to get on the end of for the defenders to use effective a common mistake, as is getting the the crosses to score. The opposition, communication and good positioning, feet wrong because to clear crosses meanwhile, must try to win the ball as the distance between the players successfully, players need to be on and counter-attack, as shown [3]. is very important. The ability to the front foot and not standing ﬂat.

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LMA AMBASSADOR per game while still being able and two neutral end players. KEY to manipulate the ball with The coach starts play by passing Ball Grant Kalahar movement quality, all require regular to one of the teams of three, who Player Overloadingthe training. The practices here movement pass the ball under pressure Dribble midfield allow for high repetition in from the other team, as shown functional ways in order to [1]. If necessary, the possession SET-UP develop, refine and maintain team can use the support of AREA these actions and enhance the neutral player at the end Up to full pitch performance in matches. of the half they are in, giving EQUIPMENT I like to work on specific Balls, bibs, cones, mannequins, them apotential 4v3 overload. 2 goals principles of aconsistent game If the team in possession NUMBER OF PLAYERS model in every practice and makes 15 passes without losing Up to 20 players +2goalkeepers run linked practices focused possession (10 if they are a SESSION TIME on atheme on different days youth side), they are free to play Receiving and releasing: 18mins of the week. The smaller the ball through the mannequins Overloading the midfield: 22mins practices usually take place Overloading midfield game: 32mins to the neutral player at the other 11v11 game: 26mins on MD-4 (the furthest point end, scoring one point. Both from the games) and are very teams follow the ball into the Overview high loading exercises that other half and the possession focus on specific principles This session focuses on creating team continues to keep the ball. and sub-principles. The larger and exploiting receiving angles If the pressing team wins the practices are examples of the and overloads in midfield to ball and plays it to the opposite principles when trained on play the ball with quality behind neutral player with the first or MD-3 and MD-2, which link the the opposition defence. second pass, they gain one point. whole team together more. In elite football and in elite youth If the pressing team forces the development, ball management ball off the pitch, they are given metrics such as achieving pass What do Iget the players to do? possession with aball served completion rates of around 80 Receiving and releasing into the other half but no points. per cent at high ball speeds We set up an area of 48x20 yards Passes over waist height under very high pressure, and split into two halves, with three aren’t allowed and players are the ability to accelerate and mannequins lined up on the restricted to two seconds on the decelerate to get pressure on halfway line. We’re using eight ball to increase the intensity. the ball and change direction players divided into two teams We play four blocks of three at high speed over 1,000 times of three who start in one half, minutes with rest in between.

1 RECEIVING AND RELEASING

The blues can use the support of the If the red pressers win the ball and play it to the yellow neutral player at the end they are opposite neutral with the ﬁrst or second pass, they in, giving them a4v3 overload gain apoint. They follow the ball and keep possession

The blues pass the ball under pressure from the reds. If the blues make 15 passes they can pass Passes over waist height aren’t allowed and players are 48 through the mannequins to the yellow neutral at restricted to just two seconds on the ball the other end for one point. Both teams of three follow the ball and the game continues

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GRANT KALAHAR: OVERLOADING THE MIDFIELD

KEY Ball 2 OVERLOADING THE MIDFIELD movement Player The red receives and must combine with his team mates under movement pressure from the blues to transfer it to one of the neutrals on Dribble the opposite side to score apoint. They score two points if the ball A neutral passes through the central diamond, as here from above the ball (representing a forward) Play can move starts with inside the a neutral pitch to create yellow a midﬁeld passing the overload at any ball to one of time unless the reds the centre back has already stepped in, as here 24

A neutral from below the ball can move inside the area 30 to create an overload if aplayer from the possession team plays aone-touch bounce pass to him. This represents a centre back stepping in

What are the key things to look out an area of 30x24 yards with a4x4-yard create an overload if aplayer from for? diamond in the centre. We tend to run the possession team plays aone- We look for good quality passing this around the centre circle, which touch bounce pass to him (this and receiving at high speed. Players gives an area where the three central represents acentre back stepping should look to make split passes, midfielders can work under intense in). Aneutral player from above the including through the mannequins. pressure in apart of the pitch where ball (representing aforward) can We also want to see good movement they are mainly used in matches as move inside the pitch to create a from the passing team, so when they links from the defence to attack. We midfield overload at any time unless are off the ball the players create are using 10 outfield players split the centre back has already stepped angles to free themselves up for a into ared possession team of three in. Passes over waist height aren’t pass to support their team mates. and ablue pressing team of three, allowed and players are restricted We want the first defender to put plus four yellow neutrals who start in to two seconds on the ball. each of the four corners of the area. pressure on the ball quickly and his The themes worked on in the first team mates to support the press Play starts with aneutral passing the activity are still key and are linked without getting split. We also want ball to one of the reds. The red player into more of atactical focus now, with to see fast and clear responses on must receive the ball and combine centre backs playing into the midfield transition, with players able to switch with his team mates under pressure three and aplayer joining in from immediately to their new roles. to transfer it to one of the neutrals on the back line or the forward line to the opposite side, as shown [2]. This help create an overload in midfield. scores apoint. If the possession team We play four blocks of four minutes. What do Iget the players to do next? can play through the diamond in the Overloading the midfield centre of the area while transferring We now run an activity where we the ball, it’s worth two points. What do Iget the players to do next? try to overload the midfield using a A neutral player from below the Overloading midfield game centre back or aforward. We set up ball can move inside the area to We set up aplaying area between

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GRANT KALAHAR: OVERLOADING THE MIDFIELD

the two penalty spots on a as much as possible. We also zones on the pitch but this KEY Ball pitch and cut the width down encourage centre backs to is just for players to use as movement to somewhere between the step up or forward players to reference points and to help Player movement edge of the penalty area and the drop into the midfield to create emphasise the change of Dribble touchline. The pitch is then split attacking overloads and make pace when the ball breaks into six zones and amidfield box defence-splitting passes. out of the midfield lines to the is marked out around the centre If there is not enough high attacking lines. We’re using circle, as shown [3]. We have a speed running in the practice, two full teams of 11 and all goal and agoalkeeper at each we shift the focus to counter- normal rules apply, except end. We’re using 16 outfield attacking for afew minutes corners and throw-ins must players split into two teams per block. To do this we award be taken within three seconds of nine including keepers. double points for moving the to ensure players maintain It’s a9v9 game with normal ball forwards through acouple the intensity of the game. rules, except all corners, throw- of zones with the first pass and Play starts with one of the ins and restarts have to be taken then scoring, or for scoring centre backs, who plays a within three seconds. Play within 10 seconds of winning one-two with the other centre starts with one of the centre the ball back in your own half. back and then the team has backs, who plays aone-two We play four or five blocks to build an attack with the aim with the other centre back and of six minutes with rest of scoring in the opposition then the possession team has between each block. goal. If play goes through the to build an attack with the aim of centre circle in the build-up scoring in the opposition goal. to agoal, it is worth double, How would you put this into a Players can also score points by as shown [4]. We encourage a game situation? moving the ball through each forward to drop into midfield zone. Two points are scored if 11v11 game or acentre back to step up to the ball is played through the We set up on afull size pitch create amidfield overload in the central midfield box and we with agoal and agoalkeeper build-up to an attack. We also encourage players to do this at each end. We mark six encourage the wide players

Play starts with one of the centre backs, who plays a 3 OVERLOADING MIDFIELD GAME one-two with the other centre back. Then the team has to build an attack and score in the opposition goal

Players can score points by Two moving points are the ball scored if through the ball each zone is played through the central midﬁeld box

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GRANT KALAHAR: OVERLOADING THE MIDFIELD

KEY Ball 4 11v11 GAME movement Player Play starts with the centre backs playing a If play goes through the centre movement one-two and then the team has to build an attack circle in the build-up to agoal, it is Dribble with the aim of scoring in the opposition goal worth double

Here the blue centre forward has dropped into the midﬁeld to create an overload in the build- up

The blue wide players pin the red wide players back and the centre forward plays the ball between the full back and the centre back to create an attack “Themaintacticalfocusisontheabilitytothinkastepaheadusingthe situationsandpatternsasafoundationtocreateoverloads” of the possession team to pin the system so the team in possession pressure on the ball consistently defending team’s wide players back has to make five one-touch passes in while also maintaining some and if the centre forward drops into a row to score, or they have to make reference to compactness. midfield, he should try to play the five passes in 8-10 seconds or the This means we can practice the ball between the full backs and the defending team takes possession. technical actions of receiving and centre backs to launch an attack. In the 9v9 or 11v11 games we can add releasing the ball in something We play two blocks of 12 minutes. a time constraint on taking ashot approaching game conditions. We stop the game randomly to after the ball breaks into the attacking The main tactical focus is on the allow players enough rest to lines to make sure the work done ability to think astep ahead using play at speed when working. tactically and technically to achieve the situations and patterns as a the midfield overload can go on to hurt foundation to create overloads How do Iprogress the session? the opposition with an end product. which can be used to supply the In terms of progressing it for a forward players with aquality pass. higher technical demand, we tend What are the key things to look out It’s very important that players to add more conditions or targets. for? understand how the movements of For example, in the Receiving and Each of the practices primarily the midfield and the wide attacking Releasing practice, if the technical focuses on attacking skills under players allow the centre backs and quality is high under suitable pressure, so we make sure that the the centre forward to come into pressure we will change the scoring team that is defending gets good midfield to create a4v3 overload.

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EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEW: ADRIAN TUCKER

comfort zone, but beyond that there are real benefits to be had. How does the goalkeeper coach work with other technical staff members and lead aprocess of THE MODERN change? Here I’m focusing on a week in which acoach is preparing the team for set-pieces. Set-pieces are akey element of GOALKEEPER the game, whether they be set- pieces taken for the team or against it, and they are akey part of the pre- match process that will take place COACH each week. Some coaches spend minutes on this, some spend hours Bristol Rovers and others devote days to their goalkeeper coach, preparation. Whatever the format, the quality of the preparation is vital Adrian Tucker, talks and here I’ll be highlighting the key through the weekly role that agoalkeeper coach can play in preparing the team for what responsibilities may lay ahead. of the modern PREPARATION FOR goalkeeper coach MATCH DAY in preparing In the early part of the week, the process of the set-play analysis for amatch starts with the identification of the match day trends of the opposition. A number of clips are sought to highlight the opposition’s strengths and suggested weaknesses, generally sourced from scouting and game analysis services such as Wyscout or Instat. Next, discussions are had with the first-team coach andnotes are made in preparation, in order to formulate a number of practical ideas. There are also further discussions with players in asmall sub group, giving them an idea of what the latter part of the week will present and therefore paint apicture for them of what is required. This also gives them the sense of ownership of the process going forward. Once these ideas have been formulated properly, he modern and future ultimately be for the benefit usually by Match Day -2, goalkeeper coach is of not only the individual it is time for the gaffer to more than just “the guy goalkeeper coach, but hear more about it. The Tthat prepares the club’s for the keeper, the team goalkeeper coach should goalkeepers”. In today’s game and the club as awhole. Intoday’sgame present his practical he should have agreater role to Just the process of taking thegoalkeeper ideas for preparation and play in the process of pre-match on more responsibility explain the reasoning preparation, particularly in the area behind his plan. Then he at work often helps of set-pieces, where he should be coachshouldhave should listen carefully! achieve greater respect liaising with other staff members agreaterrole to Hopefully the feedback and working with the head coach or from all areas in the is positive and atime can manager. workplace, and the role playintheprocess be planned where these Liaising with other members of of goalkeeper coach is no thoughts and ideas for staff outside of the “goalkeeper’s exception. Progressing ofpre-match the training field can union” is now essential. The role of the role can help with preparatioon be fine-tuned and a the goalkeeper coach is changing a coach’s personal discussion can be had and greater responsibilities are development and will about how and when it sought for the role, which will take him out of his will all be delivered.

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EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEW: ADRIAN TUCKER

The allotted time you have, the way working within a technical team, the manager wants the plan to be I would always seek to include delivered and the format it follows other members of the coaching becomes part of the planning for team in the process of preparation the team or against it. The technical Match Day -1. In some instances, for outﬁeld elements. There are elements required from the players it may help to show and discuss opportunities to have elements of are also presented, such as the type this plan with the players and the the plan questioned, but to remain ofdelivery, thetimings of movement, coaching staff in the meeting room, open-minded in any the positioning of players and the to again give all parties further process creates a speed of their movements. Areas for detdetaailils to ddigigesesestt prior to greater rreespespect success and areas that may imimpplleementmentaatiotionn between all thethe Ireallybelievethat cause challenges to the of the pplplalaann.. AAss indivindividuals in tththehee team are also highlighted. a goagoalklkeeeepperer decdecisiisioon-n-mmakiakingng todaay’sgoalkeeper Practical examples coach process. can then be delivered; at coachesneedtobe all times the process of IMPLEMENTING preparedtorespond delivery is undertaken with THTHEE PLAN the manager overseeing By Match DDayay tothedemands the full process and -1 hopefully the ofthemodern continually being given manager has the opportunity to step seselleectcted thethe environment forward to enhance and team and ththee clarify any thoughts they goagoalklkeeper may have about the way coachach ccaann things are going. formulrmulaattee the ttaacctticical The reason for this article is to organisation of each propopoosseded highlight the importance of the seset-pt-pllayay,, whethetherer tthathathat be for goalkeeper coach making personal progress within the demands of the current working environment. There may or may not be opportunities to work outside of a coach’s comfort zone, but as an experienced goalkeeper coach and UEFA coach educator, I believe today’s goalkeeper coaches need to be prepared to respond to the demands of the modern environment and are able to liaise with a number of other individuals and coaching departments within that process. That is a skill in itself. The process offers many challenges but ones that today’s goalkeeper coaches can hopefully address head on and with full conﬁdence.

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