www.elitesoccercoaching.net DECEMBER 2018

SOCCER

Exclusive Training practices from top professional managers

CARDIFF CITY

COUNTER-ATTACKING INPARTNERSHIPWITH AT HIGH SPEED

MOTHERWELL COLCHESTER UNITED SWANSEA CITY CARDIFF METROPOLITAN STEPHEN JOHN ADRIAN ANTHONY ROBINSON McGREAL TUCKER WILLIAMS Attacking duels Attacking the Closerangeblocking Breaking lines final third forgoalkeepers

EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEWS WITH & INPARTNERSHIPWITH

Elite Soccerispublishedby ISSUE 101/DECEMBER 2018: FROM THE CHAIRMANAIRMAN

Green Media Ltd Essential training MBX124 sessions and great 4 19 Moorfield Road NEIL Slyfield Industrial Estate coaching ideas from WWAARNOCK Guildford CAC RDIFFCITY GU1 1RU the best in soccer United Kingdom HigHighh speed Dear Coach, ccoounter- Email: aattacks elitesoccer@ Welcome to the December edition of Elite Soccer. The winter greenstarmedia.net months are abusy time for football in this country, so let us help you plan your crowded coaching schedule with five more Editor: Chris Hunt training session from the best professional soccer coaches Contributing Editor: that the United Kingdom has to offer. Mark Farthing Consultant Coach: We’re pleased to welcome Neil Warnock to the pages of Elite 7 Dave Clarke (Editor, Soccer once more. Currently plying his trade in the Premier STEPHENN Soccer Coach Weekly) League with Cardiff City, the LMA honoured Neil with aSpecial ROBINSONON Illustrator: MOTHERWELL Achievement Award this year when he became the first Richard Palmer Attackingng Design: manager in the English game to achieve eight promotions. For AT Graphics this issue, he has penned asession on counter-attacking at duels Customer Services: Duncan Heard high speed, avital tactic in the modern game. Photography: Stephen Robinson has taken time off from his busy schedule Reuters managing Motherwell in the to write an attacking practice for us. It is focused on encouraging players 10 to use their body strength when receiving the ball with their JOHN back to goal. McGREAL Publishedinpartnershipwith: We also have asession aimed at developing intelligent CCOLO CHESTERUNITED possession when attacking the final third, as used by AAttttacking the Colchester United manager John McGreal in EFL League Two, final third League Managers while Swansea City goalkeeping coach Adrian Tucker has Association St George’s Park written aseries of activities aimed at giving keepers plenty of National Football Centre, experience in blocking and parrying close range shots. Newborough Road, Needwood, The final session of the issue is shared by Anthony Williams, Burton upon Trent, assistant manager of Cardiff Metropolitan University football 12 DE13 9PD ADRIAN club. It helps players to understand the importance of using Tel: +44 (0)1283 576350 TUCKER Email:[email protected] the correct weight and angle of pass while breaking lines. SWANSEACITY Chairman: I hope you find this month’s sessions of help to you in your Close rangege coaching and Elite Soccer will return with five more ingenious Chief Executive: blocking ffoor Richard Bevan training sessions next month. keepers

This publication is protected by national and international copyright laws. Elite Soccer will take legal action against any individuals or organisations found to be 15 infringing our rights, and Howard Wilkinson,LMAChairman will make that action public. ANTHONY Elite Soccer members who WILLIAMS have purchased this report CARDIRDIFFF METROPOLITAN may circulate electronic or hard copies to members of Breaking their own club or school, provided this is done without lines commercial gain. However, no part or whole of this report may be circulated elsewhere or displayed on any website EliteSoccer isamonthlypublicationfor or distributed commercially professional,semi-professionalandaspiring except under licence from the 18 EXTRA-TIME copyright owners. soccer coachesandisavailablebysubscriptiononly. © Green Star Media Ltd. All …with Terry Butcher and rights reserved To subscribe email [email protected] Darrell Clarke

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ELITE SOCCER DECEMBER 2018 MANAGER PROFILES Here are the five managers and coaches we’re delighted to welcome into this issue of Elite Soccer

STEPHEN relegation to League Two in May 2016 NEIL WARNOCK ROBINSON and, such was the improvement in CARDIFF CITY MOTHERWELL form under his stewardship, he was voted the division’s manager of the Currently in charge of Premier Stephen Robinson is currently the month for December that year. Cardiff City, Neil Warnock is one of the most manager of Scottish Premiership experienced managers in English football and side Motherwell, arole he has held a member of the LMA’s 1000 Club hall of fame. since since his appointment in ADRIAN TUCKER SWANSEA CITY In a38-year career, the long list of clubs he has February 2017. managed includes Notts County, Huddersfield As aplayer he was acentral Adrian Tucker is currently enjoying Town, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, QPR midfielder, coming through the his second stint as goalkeeping and Leeds United. He has achieved eight youth ranks at Tottenham. He went coach with Swansea City. promotions, arecord in English football, and on to represent Bournemouth, He started his career with the three of these promotions have been to the Preston North End, City and Football Association of Wales in their . Luton Town, and he also earned technical coaching and development As aplayer, he was awinger for Chesterfield, seven caps for Northern Ireland. department and he also spent three Rotherham United, Hartlepool United, He kicked of his coaching career years as manager of their women’s , Aldershot, Barnsley, York City and with numerous roles at the Irish FA, national team. Alexandra, but he retired at the age of 30 including as manager of the U17s He joined Swansea for the first time to move into coaching. and the U21s. He also enjoyed aspell in 2009. As goalkeeping coach, he was akey member of Brendan His first managerial job was with non-league as first team coach of the senior side, Rodgers’ back room staff when Gainsborough Trinity in 1980. He subsequently helping manager Michael O’Neill the Swans gained promotion to the managed Burton Albion and Scarborough, through the Euro 2016 qualifying Premier League in 2011, and he went winning promotion to the Football League with campaign and at the European on to help the team win the League the latter in 1987. Championship finals in France. Cup under Brian Laudrup in 2013. He achieved more notable success with Notts He joined Motherwell as assistant He has also worked as goalkeeping County, leading the ‘Magpies’ from the Third manager in 2015, before taking over coach with both the England U21 Division to the top flight in successive seasons. as manager of EFL League One side side and with , and as After abrief spell at , he moved to Athletic the following year. an academy goalkeeping coach at Huddersfield in 1993, winning promotion to Returning to Motherwell as first Birmingham City. the First Division through the play-offs in his team coach, he was soon installed as second season. He enjoyed more play-off manager and, in his first full season success with Plymouth Argyle, leading the club in charge, he reached the final of ANTHONY to the Second Division. both the Scottish League Cup and WILLIAMS In 1999 he was appointed manager of his the . CARDIFF METROPOLITAN boyhood club, Sheffield United. He took Currently assistant manager of the ‘Blades’ to the semi-finals of both the JOHN McGREAL Cardiff Metropolitan University League Cup and the FA Cup in 2003, and COLCHESTER UNITED FC, Anthony Williams holds both earned promotion to the Premier League as After a17-year playing career spent the UEFA Alicence and the UEFA Championship runners-up in 2006. with Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town Goalkeeping Alicence. After aspell at Crystal Palace, he joined and Burnley, John McGreal started As aplayer, he served as akeeper QPR in 2010, winning the Championship and his coaching career at Colchester for numerous clubs, including promotion to the Premier League. In 2014 he United, where he was appointed as a Hartlepool, Bristol Rovers, briefly returned to top flight to manage Crystal professional development coach at and Wrexham. Moving into coaching Palace for asecond time. the club’s academy in 2009. while still aplayer, he worked as a He was appointed manager of Cardiff in 2016, He later became co-manager of goalkeeping coach with Bury, and rebuilding the team and taking the Welsh club the U18 side that won the Football as assistant manager with to promotion to the Premier League. League Youth Alliance South East Town in League One and with title and the Youth Alliance Cup, in League Two. He was honoured with an LMA Special before becoming manager of the Achievement award this year, after becoming He has also worked as agoalkeeping Colchester’s U21s. the first manager to win eight promotions in coach with the Wales U17, U19 and the professional leagues of English football. He was appointed the club’s first U21 teams and as acoach educator team manager after Colchester’s for of Wales.

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CARDIFF CITY KEY Ball Neil Warnock “In this session the players really enjoy movement Player High speed movement being given some freedom in terms of Dribble counter-attacks their attacking combinations” SET-UP AREA Up to two thirds of pitch EQUIPMENT Balls, bibs, cones, 2full size goals Set up play with a3v2 Both starting attackers quickly follow NUMBER OF PLAYERS in each half in favour of the ball into the other half, giving their Up to 18 players +2goalkeepers the red defenders team a4v3 advantage as they try to score SESSION TIME Attack vdefence: 30mins 1a Small-sided game: 30mins Overview The session is about counter- attacking. It specifically encourages attackers to make key penetrating movements that are all very realistic to a game situation. The counter-attack is an integral element of the modern game and teams can utilise this tactic to their advantage. In the Premier League, the average counter-attack lasts 14.7 seconds, however for a counter-attack ending in ashot, the average is 16.7 seconds. In this session, giving the The attackers either side of goal start play by combining. They then pass into the players eight seconds to score other half. From the starting pass, their team has just eight seconds to score works well for us. This makes Once the first attack is dead, or the session realistic to the the eight seconds have elapsed, game as agood amount of goals the coach serves another ball in are now scored on the break to the attacking team against adefence that is out 1b of shape. However, if needed the time restrictions can be adapted to meet the demands of the level played at. In this session, the players particularly enjoy being given some freedom in terms of their attacking combinations. Typically, we will run this practice on aTuesday (MD-4). Most players will see this as just The attacker an attacking session, however receives the ball on the defenders are equally the half turn before important because we need to passing to ateam mate be clinical both when attacking and defending.

What do Iget the players to The attackers should use the spare man to their do? advantage and set up a Attack vdefence scoring opportunity We set up between the penalty boxes with agoal and akeeper at each end. The playing area is

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NEIL WARNOCK: HIGH SPEED COUNTER-ATTACKS

KEY Here the striker holds up Ball the ball while waiting for movement support from team mates Player movement Dribble

1c

The two starting players Once the second attack quickly join the striker in is dead, repeat the practice the other half to make it a in the opposite direction 4v3 attack. The blues have using the same rules just eight seconds to score coned off to the width of the penalty to attack the same goal as before, as What are the key things to look out area. We’re using 18 outfield players, shown [1b]. This phase is intended for? split into six defenders (the reds) to represent acounter-attack failing Technically there are alot of elements and 12 attackers (the blues). Three but the ball being recovered by a that will be tested by this activity. We defenders and two attackers start team mate, who launches asecond want to see attackers using positive in each half. The remaining eight counter-attack. and progressive play to maintain a attackers wait in pairs on either side After the second attack is dead, good tempo in the attacking waves. of both goals. repeat the practice in the opposite We also want to see players getting Play begins with the attackers beside direction, as shown [1c]. their shots off quickly and clinically one of the goals. Two of them enter but without resorting to forcing play the playing area and combine before when the shot isn’t on. passing to their team mates in the How do Iprogress the activity? We encourage attackers to make the other half and making runs to follow We can limit the amount of touches the ball, as shown [1a]. This creates a a player makes on the ball or change pitch big, using the spare man to their 4v3 overload in the attackers’ favour, the time constraints. We can also add advantage. We also ask players to use but they must move quickly as teams or remove players from either of the different types of delivery, such as only have eight seconds to score. teams. The starting positions of the crosses, cut backs and through balls. Once the eight seconds are up or the defenders are also adaptable and we In the second wave, we want to see ball has gone dead in the first attack, can start them deeper to encourage the attacker using agood first touch the coach then serves arandom early crosses. when receiving from coach. pass into an attacker, who receives To give the keepers involvement in the Tactically the areas that the players the ball on the half turn. The player attacking phase, they could play the run into are vital, as two attacking then combines with his team mates ball directly to the forwards. players cannot be mirroring each

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NEIL WARNOCK: HIGH SPEED COUNTER-ATTACKS other’s runs. Positive overlaps are Problems also arise if the midfield How do Iprogress the game? also encouraged. players don’t play the ball to the To progress the game we can restrict This drill is demanding and requires attackers early enough, or if the wide attackers to using aone-touch a good level of physical output. Also, man fails to take on the defender in finish. We will also condition the working under the pressure of atime a 1v1 because he’s not positive or defending team to make aminimum constraint will benefit the mentality aggressive enough. of four passes after winning the ball of the players. Being able to work Players need to ensure that the back from their opponents and we quickly and under pressure are all activity is match-realistic and played encourage them to play forwards key to the modern game, so we test at pace –it won’t work if the players when possible. this to the maximum in our training are operating at half pace. sessions. What are the key things to look out How would you put this into agame for in the game? What are the typical mistakes that situation? players might make, and how do I Small-sided game Make sure that the attacking team incorporates all of the coaching avoid them? Next we play asmall-sided game. points from the initial practice. The practice won’t go smoothly if we The area size can be adapted to suit have astriker who holds on to the the numbers, but here we are playing We also want to see the wide player ball for too long or doesn’t hold it up 9v9 including goalkeepers, in an on the opposite side to the attack enough. We must also ensure that area of 60x40 yards, as shown [2]. getting into the box for acutback, or the attackers do not keep repeating Condition the game so that once the to meet across. the same runs and combinations, as ball passes into the opposition half, Players should look sharp in front of this will make them too predicable. there is only six seconds to score. goal and capitalise on any rebounds. “Being able to work quickly and under pressure are all key to the modern game, so we will test this to the maximum in our sessions”

To progress the game we can restrict the attackers to using aone-touch finish

2

40

This small- sided game starts with a pass from the keeper

60 Once the ball goes into the opposition half, the attacking team has only six seconds to score

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MOTHERWELL Overview “We try to encourage the Stephen Robinson This session is focused on creating 1v1 and 2v2 attacking players to use their body Attacking duels duels in the final third. We encourage players to use their strength when receiving the SET-UP body strength when receiving AREA ball with their back to goal” Half apitch the ball with their back to EQUIPMENT goal and both activities in and maintain possession Balls, bibs, cones, 6poles, this session help players to under physical pressure. 1 full size goal NUMBER OF PLAYERS understand how to do this. We can use this as afitness and KEY Up to 14 players +1goalkeeper It shows players how to use strength session, as well as an Ball SESSION TIME their body to make contact attacking or defending session, movement Player Three point finishing: 12mins with opponents to allow them depending on what we decide movement 1v1 &2v2 with across: 12mins to get into good positions to focus on with our coaching. Dribble

1a Play starts with the first two reds racing to the pole. The inside player then cuts in to the centre, After the red attacker while the other has taken his first shot, the player returns to coach plays asecond ball the start in. The attacker receives and tries to score again

The blue player at station 3passes into the attacker

The red attacker receives with his back to goal under pressure from the yellow defender, whose role is just to jostle him. The attacker turns the defender to go 1v1 with the keeper

1b

After making his second attempt on goal, the red attacker now turns and defends the goal

The yellow defender is not active in this part of the attack

The first player at station 3now attacks the goal in a 1v1 against the red player

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STEPHEN ROBINSON: ATTACKING DUELS

KEY The attackers Ball are pursued movement Player 2a around the poles movement by the first pair Dribble of red defenders

On the coach’s call the The coach first two blue attackers plays apass sprint around the top poles towards the and back towards the coach attackers

2b Here the attacker scores past the keeper

The attacking One of the attackers receives pair go up against the ball with his back to goal. the red defenders He must turn and combine with in a2v2 his team mate to attack the goal

The players enjoy it as it gives split into two teams of four, plus an The attacker turns the defender them numerous opportunities to extra defender (this role could be and then attempts to score take on opponents in the final third filled by acoach with atackle pad). past the keeper, as shown [1a]. and creates plenty of chances to One team starts off on the by-line at After shooting, the attacker take realistic strikes at goal from the end of the wide channel (station turns to receive asecond ball different angles and receiving areas. 1). On the coach’s call, the first two from the coach at station 2and players race to the pole –the inside attempts to score again. player then cuts in to the edge of the Next, the attacking player turns What do Iget the players to do? penalty area to receive apass from and defends against the first player Three point finishing the other team lining up at station 3. at station 3, who now attacks the We set up on half apitch, with agoal He receives the ball with his back to goal 1v1, as shown [1b]. In this part and goalkeeper at one end and a goal under pressure from the yellow the yellow defender is inactive. pole positioned in the wide channel. defender, whose sole role is to jostle Play for six blocks of two minutes, We’re using nine outfield players the attacker as he is receiving. swapping team roles each time.

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STEPHEN ROBINSON: ATTACKING DUELS

What are the key things to What do Iget the players coach, the two attackers turn look out for? to do next? and combine to attack the goal, We want to see the two attackers 1v1 &2v2 with across going up against the defenders using their speed and strength We set up on half apitch with a in a 2v2, as shown [2b]. to get to the pole first. We then goal and agoalkeeper at one end, Once the attackers have taken want to see the attacker using his and six poles positioned as shown. their shot and the ball has gone We’re using 14 outfield players strength to hold off the defender, dead, the wide servers take turns split into six attackers and six to play balls into the penalty area who tries to grapple with him from defenders, plus two servers. from different angles and the two behind as he receives the ball The six blue attackers start on with his back to goal. This means the middle poles, with three attackers must readjust and try the attacker needs to be able to on each side of the pitch, while to score under pressure from the receive the ball using the correct the reds are defenders and defending pair, as shown [2c]. body shape while holding off the they start on the bottom poles Play for four blocks of three minutes. physical pressure of the defender. with three on each side. The attacker also needs to On the coach’s call, the first blue What are the key things attackers on each side sprint around demonstrate an ability to keep to look out for? possession, as at times the session the top poles and back down the pitch, where one of them receives a We want to see attackers receiving can break down when finishing if pass from the coach at the bottom of the ball and turning quickly. We the forwards become tired after the playing area, as shown [2a]. To also want to see them use pace all the contact and hold up play. put the attackers under pressure, with the ball and good movement To make the session realistic, we they are pursued around the poles without it. They must show they need to see the defender working by the first pair of red defenders. can keep the ball when under hard to stop the attacker turning. On receiving the pass from the physical contact from the defenders and show good use of their arms “To make the session realistic, we need to to hold off the challenges. see the defender working hard to stop the We want to see the defenders communicating with each other attacker turning” and closing down space.

KEY Ball 2c movement Player movement Dribble

Once the first attack is over, the wide servers take turns to play balls into the box from different angles The attackers try to score under pressure and must be able to withstand contact from the defenders

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COLCHESTER UNITED Overview and accurate passing is vital to John McGreal This is apossession-based success, just as it is in areas like session aimed at encouraging the penalty area. In the more Attacking the players to use high quality expansive game, switching play final third combinationplay andintelligent with movement and support movement to keep hold of the from all players becomes SET-UP ball and work it into the final key to keeping possession. AREA third. It focuses on teaching To add acompetitive element Up to 44x36 yards players when to pass forward to the session, it culminates EQUIPMENT and when to switch play. in asmall-sided game that Balls, bibs, cones, 2full size goals The session works on both uses supporting wide players NUMBER OF PLAYERS tight area play and more to help create goal-scoring 18 players +2goalkeepers opportunities from crosses. KEY SESSION TIME expansive play to make it as Ball We would normally run this movement Tight possession: 15mins match relevant as possible. In Player Big possession: 20mins the tight areas, fast passing session every two weeks. movement Small-sided game: 30mins means that agood first touch Dribble

The team in The yellow team on possession use the outside helps the 1 good movement team in possession and combination play to keep hold of the ball The pressing Play starts team try to win the with apass ball and then pass from the coach. to keep possession Two teams play in the central area with a3v3 in each half 20

The two yellows on the halfway line can pass into either half, but the other four can only pass into their own half

24 “The session works on both tight area play and more expansive play to make it as match relevant as possible”

What do Iget the players to do? players on the halfway line can pass so everyone has ago on the outside. Tight possession into either half, while the other four We set up an area of 24x20 yards, can only play into their own half. How do Iprogress the session? divided into two halves. We’re using The coach starts play with apass into Big possession 18 players, split into three teams one of the teams in the centre. They We use the same set-up as before but of six. Two of the teams start with must pass to keep possession of the we remove the halfway line. Teams three of their players in each half, ball, using the support of the outside now play 6v6 with free movement making it a3v3 in each half. players if necessary, but the outside across the whole area, as shown The other team plays on the outside, players have to play the ball back into [2]. The team in possession can still as shown [1]. They play for the team the area as soon as they receive it. use the outside players to help them in possession and the two outside Play for 15 minutes, rotating teams keep hold of the ball, but the outside

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JOHN McGREAL: ATTACKING THE FINAL THIRD players must always pass back KEY into the area rather than pass “We want to see players picturing Ball movement between themselves. Look for Player where their next pass is to be movement players to switch the play by Dribble moving the ball across the pitch made before receiving the ball” and linking the outside players from one side to the other. The team in possession Play for 20 minutes rotating can use the yellow outside teams regularly. 2 players to keep the ball

How would you put this into a The set-up game situation? remains the same but the Small-sided game halfway line We now set up an area of is removed, 44x36 yards with agoal and giving players free movement goalkeeper at each end. We’re using the same basic 20 principles, with two teams of six outfield players in the central area and athird team of six supporting play from outside the area. The two central teams have three players in each half. We use two-touch wide players on the outside and we encourage them to support the team in 24 Players should possession by playing crosses look to switch the into the strikers, as shown [3]. play from one side of the area to the other We can progress this game by allowing one player from 3 One attacker can the defensive half of the Use two- cross the halfway touch wide pitch to cross the halfway line to give his team players on a 4v3 overload line and join in attacks when the outside to his team are in possession, cross into the giving the attackers a4v3 strikers overload in that half.

What are the key things to look out for? To keep possession we want to see good use of combination play and intelligent movement 44 from the central players. We also want to see that players are picturing where their next pass is to be made before receiving the ball. Here the reds The two central teams press and try to What are the typical mistakes have three players locked win possession players might make and how into each half. The team in possession pass to attack do Iavoid them? the opposition goal Typical mistakes include players making wrong choices of when to play forwards or switch play. Also, players can 36 tend to force play when trying to keep possession in tight areas.

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SWANSEA CITY Overview encourages keepers to make quick Adrian Tucker This session puts the goalkeepers decisions in pressured situations. in atraining environment where The organisation of the session Close range they can develop the speed of their creates arealistic match tempo for blocking for reactions to make saves from close the outfield players, challenging keepers range. They will do this by using them to make the most of goal different techniques to secure, scoring opportunities and take SET-UP block, parry or deflect the ball. on 1v1 duels with the keeper. AREA We use anumber of goalkeepers Up to 30x18 yards for this session, together with What do Iget the players to do? EQUIPMENT selected outfield players, in order Balls, bibs, cones, mannequins, Starting practice 4 mini target goals, 2small goals, to create an enjoyable but highly 2 full size goals competitive environment. We set up an area of 10x6 yards. NUMBER OF PLAYERS If performed at acompetitive tempo, We position two mini target goals Up to 7players +4goalkeepers this session will create numerous on each of the longer sides of the SESSION TIME opportunities for keepers to practice area, spaced four yards apart. Starting practice: 15mins Progression practice: 20mins the varied techniques of defending We’re using four goalkeepers, Final progression: 20mins their goal from close range. It also two servers and two attackers.

KEY Ball movement 1 Player Servers on either movement Dribble side play 10 balls into the central area, alternating the side of delivery

6 Two attackers combine and try to score with a one-touch finish

The keepers must protect their goals, blocking or deflecting shots 10 from close range

“The session sets up opportunities for the goalkeepers to practise the various techniques of defending their goal from close range”

The four goalkeepers must five from each server, alternating How do Iprogress the session? defend the target goals. sides after the ball goes dead. Progression practice One of the servers starts play Goalkeepers should defend their Next we set up an area of 16x12 by passing into the central area, goals with blocks, deflections yards, with asmall goal on each where the two attackers combine and saves. To keep the tempo of the two longer sides. Boxes and try to score in atarget goal high, rotate in fresh outfield are marked out with cones in the with aone-touch finish, as shown players or get the servers to swap four corners of the playing area. [1]. Play in blocks of ten balls with positions with the attackers. We’re using two goalkeepers, six

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ADRIAN TUCKER: CLOSE RANGE BLOCKING FOR KEEPERS

KEY Ball movement 2 Player movement Dribble A server starts play each time by The two attackers passing into must combine to the attacking score but they can pair. Play is only shoot when they one-touch at have passed to one all times of the corner players The keepers must defend their goals and adjust their position with the changes in passing direction of the ball 12

The corner players are locked in their boxes

16 “To achieve aproductive outcome for the goalkeepers, we want to see the outfield players maintaining their levels of sharpness”

outfield players and aserver. Four 10 balls before rotating the either goal. They can do this by of the players are locked into the outfield players so everyone combining or by shooting directly, corner boxes, with one in each box. gets aturn as an attacker. as shown [3]. The attackers can The remaining pair are attackers take up to two touches and the and they start in the main area. Final progression keepers must try to save, block Play begins with the server For the final practice, we set up or deflect the shots. Play in passing in to the attacking in apenalty area that has been blocks of 10 balls, with servers pair, who must combine in coned off to awidth of 30 yards. alternating the side of delivery. the centre to attack one of the A full size goal is at each end of goals. However, they can only the area and three mannequins What are the key things to take ashot at goal after the ball are positioned between the goals look out for? has been passed to one of the to represent defenders. We’re To achieve aproductive outcome corner players, as shown [2]. using two goalkeepers, two for the goalkeepers, we want Play is one touch at all times. attacking players and two servers. to see the outfield players The two goalkeepers should try A server starts play by making an maintaining both ahigh tempo to defend the goals, adjusting angled pass to the attackers, who and their levels of sharpness their position in keeping with try to control the ball between throughout the session. the movement of the ball. (or past) the mannequins to This will keep the goalkeepers Play this activity in blocks of create shooting opportunities in on their toes and result in them

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ADRIAN TUCKER: CLOSE RANGE BLOCKING FOR KEEPERS being able to make the kind of saves outfield players and the goalkeepers they would encounter on amatch day. so that everyone receives adequate rest periods to maintain the high “If players are given levels of performance required too much time What are the typical mistakes that for the success of the session. players might make, and how do I in small playing avoid them? Adrian Tucker can be contacted via his areas, you may If players are given too much website. He has avideo recording of time in small playing areas, the session that he is happy to share see their decision- you may see their decision- with any readers who want more info. making becoming unrealistic. E: [email protected] making becoming We make sure we rotate both the W: www.adriantuckercoaching.com unrealistic”

KEY Ball movement Player movement 3 Dribble

The keeper A server plays an should position angled pass to an himself to block attacker in the area or stop the shot

Attacking players are two-touch. They aim to control the ball between or past the mannequins to create shooting opportunities in either goal

30

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CARDIFF METROPOLITAN KEY The waiting Ball Anthony Williams player receives and movement starts the sequence Player Breaking lines movement again, continuing in a Dribble clockwise direction SET-UP 1 AREA Up to two thirds of pitch EQUIPMENT The widest Balls, cones, mannequins, 2goals player comes off his mannequin to NUMBER OF PLAYERS receive, turn and Up to 12 players +2goalkeepers dribble before SESSION TIME passing to the first waiting player at Playing around: 10mins the top Playing through 1&2: 10mins each Function 3v2: 12mins Transition: 12mins 30 Overview

This session is designed to The central break lines with an end product, player spins off building up to a1v1 situation the mannequin and aclose range shot on goal. and passes to the player on the Primarily it helps players to widest mannequin understand the importance of using the correct weight and angle of pass. The timing of their off the ball runs is an important Play starts simultaneously at feature of the session and it both ends, with the first waiting 30 player passing into the centre. should also develop an awareness Each player follows his pass to of how to receive apass. the next station We find that players really engage 2 with this activity as it becomes a finishing session, however my coaching points are all based The attacking player around the pass and the timing dribbles towards the and movement of the players. goal and tries to beat the goalkeeper. All During the session, players will players move onto learn to appreciate the quality the next station after of each pass they make to a releasing the ball team mate. It will teach them to make the best pass possible. As the session progresses, the The widest player spins off his addition of goals makes the mannequin before weight and angle of the pass changing direction. even more important, as aquick He then sprints goalkeeper can now come onto athrough ball played by the out and collect through balls starting player that aren’t played just right. The second half of the session becomes more position specific, with defenders playing out from the back and attackers counter- attacking in 3v2 scenarios. We’re showing just one side of the drill but play We would run this session runs on both sides at the every few weeks, depending same time. The starting on the opposition and whether player passes into the they play with ahigh line. centre and moves forward to receive areturn ball

What do Iget the players to do? Playing around We set up an area of 30x30 yards around the centre circle, with

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ANTHONY WILLIAMS: BREAKING LINES four mannequins representing KEY defenders, positioned as shown Ball movement [1]. We’re using 10 outfield 3 Player players. Four players start movement Dribble tight on the mannequins, one on each, and the remaining players form queues above and below the centre circle. Players pass and then make a run to follow their pass in the The attacker sequence shown. Both ends runs onto the through ball and work at the same time, with goes 1v1 with play starting simultaneously the keeper. All from the first players in each players move onto of the two queues. We want the next station to see the correct weight and The widest angle of pass used, with players attacker then spinning off the mannequins passes to the central player to receive on the correct foot. and makes a Play for blocks of three minutes forward run before reversing the direction of the passing sequence. The central player comes off his mannequin How do Iprogress the session? and knocks a We’re showing through ball into Playing through 1 just one side of the path of the To add an end product to the the drill but play widest attacker passing sequence, we now runs on both sides simultaneously. take the same basic set-up Start with apass to and increase the size of area the attacker on the by adding agoal on the edge widest mannequin of each penalty box, as shown [2]. We’re using 10 outfield players and two goalkeepers. This time the starting player passes to the player in the circle, who moves off his mannequin to receive and plays back to the “This session helps players understand starting player. At the same time the importance of using the correct the player on the left of the circle spins off his mannequin and weight and angle of pass. The timing of runs away from the goal before suddenly changing direction, their off the ball runs is also important” as if shaking off amarker or making arun to stay onside Playing through 2 end. We’re using 12 outfield players with the mannequin as the We next run adifferent passing split into six reds, four blues and two last defender. He then sprints sequence using the same set-up. This servers. Three reds start in the half of onto athrough ball played by time the starter plays directly to the the playing area with the goal, while the starting player, dribbles widest attacker. He knocks the ball two others are positioned in corner towards the goal and tries to to the central player, who has come boxes at the other end and the final beat the keeper with ashot. off his mannequin to receive. The player waits off pitch to rotate in. Two All players move on to the central player then threads athrough blues start in the half without the goal, next station and the player ball into the path of the wide attacker, while their team mates wait at the who shoots joins the back who dribbles towards goal and tries bottom to rotate in, as shown [4]. of the starting queue at the to beat the keeper, as shown [3]. A server starts play with apass to end he has just attacked. the deepest red defender. The two Run this drill in blocks of higher defenders split, as they would three minutes, with both sides What do Iget the players to do next? in agame. The deepest defender running simultaneously. Then Function 3v2 then has an option to play to either move the goals to the opposite We set up an area of 30x18 yards, of his team mates, depending wings and re-run the drill. with agoal and agoalkeeper at one on what the blue pair do.

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ANTHONY WILLIAMS: BREAKING LINES

The red players must try to get the ball to their team mates in the boxes 4 at the opposite end of the area. If the 18 blue team of two wins the ball, they attack the goal. We want to see players attacking with pace, looking to either Reds combine and create an play through or around defenders. Both opening to pass higher red A server starts Play two blocks of six minutes, to atarget player play from the defenders at the other end rotating fresh players in regularly. split, as side with apass they would into deepest red in agame defender How do Iprogress the session? Transition We use the same set up for the progression but we change the overload, 30 so the team attacking the goal now has the advantage. To do this, one red player leaves the pitch and one of the waiting blues enters, giving the blues a3v2 attacking advantage in the main area. Now play starts with apass out from If the blues win one of the boxed players to the deepest the ball, they should blue player, who must combine with quickly attack the goal his team mates to attack the goal at the other end by playing through or around the red defenders, as shown [5]. If the reds win the ball, they should try to pass to the boxed target players. Play two blocks of six minutes

“We want to see players 5 18 attacking with pace, The blues must looking to either play combine to play The deepest through or around red defender also through or around the red defenders leaves the area, to attack the goal giving the blues a defenders” 3v2 advantage

What are the key things to look out for? In the Transition activity, look at the reaction of both defenders and attackers. Out of possession, the 30 attackers can stop passes being played between them by protecting central areas. Once in transition, they can create width or movement, depending on the decisions made by the defenders. Using the A boxed player same set-up, now starts by passing give the blues What are the typical mistakes that out to the deepest an overload. blue player A waiting blue players might make, and how do Iavoid enters the area them? The timing of runs beyond the last defender will be poor at the start. Address this by showing that the players will have to make two movements – one to come short and then one to run in behind, enabling them to be on the move as the pass is being played.

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EXTRA-TIME FEATURE: COACHING PERPECTIVES

DARRELL CLARKE Teams are forever changing, but the nucleus and the team spirit must stay the same if you want your team members to gel together and the culture to be apositive one. You need the core of the group to be very good, from the way those people train, to their manners, to how they conduct themselves and live their lives. If you make sure you get the best out of that core group, they will pull the others in the team along with them. There also needs to be an emphasis within the team on the fact that success as an individual only comes from TEAM working together as agroup to achieve the team’s goals. It’s important to understand that team spirit is developed as much off the pitch as it is built on it, so as a manager you have to create the right environment. Ibelieve that central to BONDS that is trust –trust in the players pulling Every leader wants to create ateam together in the right direction and also in which players gel and perform for trust between team mates. Without that trust in your team mates, you won’t the good of the group. We asked two ever find success. experienced managers for their view We hold alot of open and honest meetings, enabling people to air any on what it takes to achieve this… issues they have with the group, and I make sure everybody feels comfortable doing that. TERRY BUTCHER while you might want that to happen To achieve ateam that immediately, it takes time to get right. DarrellClarke beganhismanagement really bonds together there As amanager, you have to careerasplayer-managerofSalisbury needs to be diversity in the As amanager, put things in motion that help before beingappointedmanagerof dressing room –agood you have to make to facilitate that and make BristolRoversinMarch2014. blend of characters, ages the dressing room strong ass and levels of experience. your trainning fun quickly as possible. There also has to be adegree When the team suffers of discipline within the team and enjoyable asetback, the pain is felt group, so that the manager by the group, but you learn can take astep back and allow them to more from adefeat than you be fairly autonomous. do from awin. It can help to Unity in effort and attitude is also refocusthingsandencouragege very important. When you train with you to ask what you’re doing right and someone day-in, day-out you get to wrong. While painful for the players, itt know their soul and their heart; you get will make them more determined andd to know what they’re thinking and what good teams will be stronger for it. their make upp is. If someone is lazyy in Finally , Ibelieve laughter is the training orrdurinringg matmatcchheess it splitslits the biggebiggest anandd bebest glue that any squad dressing rrooomom very quicquicklkly, becauaussee can havhavee.. It bbinds everybody togetherer everyone has to chip in and work when you hah ve fun, laugh at each hard for thhe team.am. otheotherr and aat yourself, and Ithink Ultimattely, you are only as itit’’ss in thosthose moments that you strong as your weakest team really warmrm to one another. As a memberss. I’vI’vee foundund managenager,r, yyou have to try to make that in the bebesstt teams trainiainingng fufunn and enjoyable. I’ve been aappartart of,of, everybodyy looked SiSinncceehihissfirsstappointmentat after eachh othotherer CoventntrryyCittyin1990,Terry and pulled thethe BuButchetcherhasmanaged weakest nineclubs,including players MMotherwell,Inverness through. aandSunderland. But

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