In partnership with

SOUTHAMPTON Ronald the power of positioning Koeman Graziano Sadio Pelle The Mane Lloyd power of Isgrove positioning Morgan Shane Long Overview: Ryan Schneiderlin Bertrand Matt Emmanuel In every game, we Targett Jack Mayuka aim to be dominant Cork in terms of good Steven Dusan possession and good 1 Davis Tadic Harrison movement. So, this Toby Victor Reid session is about Anderweireld Florin Wanyama players adopting Gardos learned and thought- Maya Jose Yoshida out positions involved 36 28 Fonte in transitions Possession practice with Southampton first-team between defence and Nathaniel players in place attack. Clyne This is actually one of the easiest principles to coach - it doesn’t require complex instruction, just players being willing to ‘know a role before playing it’. For that to be effective we must reinforce a message to the player at all times regarding his 2a understanding of what it is he does, both when in and out of possession. 36 That knowledge fits 28 in with our coaches’ Reds begin with possession – the premise principles and the is on short passes to overall philosophy nearest team mates of the football club to produce, we hope, a group of intelligent, resourceful SET-UP What do I get the builds familiarity and the ball (left- or right- footballers, who can Area players to do? confidence. footed; on the front or anticipate situations 36x28 yards We set up as shown The red team starts back foot; across the quicker and react body or into feet), but Equipment on a 36x28-yard area with the ball. They more efficiently than (1). The practice is 7v7 must pass it around, more than that, it helps their opponents. And Balls, cones players create and see Number of Players (reds versus blues) using neutral green this all starts with with four greens who players in building pictures in their heads, short passing into the 18 and this is the crucial Session time work with the team a possession game feet of the man next in possession. The that means players point that we want to 3x6 minutes to you. What could be players involved in link and play close to directly extend through simpler? the 7v7 are chosen one another (2a). This into match day. in relation to their set-up and game play Of course, they will positions on match increases technical only be able to retain day – for instance, the confidence and possession for a left centre-back and knowledge in terms certain amount of time, left-back will work of how team mates and at the point where together – as this will prefer to receive the ball is lost(2b) ,

4 december 2014 www.elitesoccercoaching.net In partnership with

the power of positioning

Ronald Koeman SOUTHAMPTON Ronald Koeman is without doubt one of the coaching success stories of the Barclays Premier League so far 2b this season. Despite his Southampton side losing a host of star names in the summer 36 28 of 2014, the newly Reds can use supporting installed coach has greens or thread passes taken his side to second to the side players in the table. Playing themselves, but must be alert to potential a brand of powerful, interceptions attack-minded possession football, his team’s approach is reminiscent of Koeman as a holding midfielder/ defender. During a glittering playing career, at club level Koeman won two European Cups, five Dutch Championships, 2c and four La Ligas. At international level he won the 1988 European Championships with the Netherlands. In 2000, Koeman took his first 36 28 steps into management Upon turnover, reds must with Vitesse Arnhem. come in to compact play and League title success press, while blues move to the sides in attempting to followed as manager make the pitch bigger of Ajax and PSV. He has also managed Feyenoord, AZ and Valencia, and in June a quick transition options for their own pressing the ball must How do I put 2014 accepted the occurs (2c). So with possession exercise. close down quickly, this into a game challenge of managing reds relinquishing We play for three sets attempting to predict situation? in the Barclays Premier control, there must and block passing League when joining of six minutes, then To put this into a game be a fast reaction to rotate players. angles using compact we reduce pitch size to Southampton. defend, with players play. When possession What are the key 32x25 yards. We limit coming in from is turned over, the first greens to playing two- the touchlines to things to look out thought must be to for? touch from the start, close the space and make the pitch big. then gradually limit attempt to limit the For possession to Both teams need the number of touches threat as quickly as be retained, players fast reactions in for the teams playing possible. Blues, who operating on the winning the ball, 7v7, from all-in to two- had previously taken outside must have a changing philosophy touch to one-touch, if up positions where good touch, excellent from ‘compact’ to possible. they could tackle or awareness and a ‘big’ whilst retaining intercept, now flood to measured body shape. concentration and the outside in providing Players inside clarity of thought.

5 december 2014 www.elitesoccercoaching.net