Forward’s Movement
This drill is aimed at developing a forward’s movement. There are three demonstrable examples to work on which can produce dynamic attacks for your team: movement with the ball, movement against the ball and offside to onside. Movement with the Ball Form a back four...
Winger Challenges
This drill focuses on winger-specific challenges that look to increase a wide player’s effectiveness through individual components including cutting inside, deliveries and running in behind. Cutting Inside One player in the centre of the field plays the ball to...
Full-Back Challenges
This drill is position-specific and focuses on challenging the full-backs within your team, honing their ability to cross, block crosses and switch play to add new dimensions to your team. Crossing Set-up two coned lines forming a path towards the 18-yard box Two...
Striker Challenges
This drill features striker-specific challenges that look to improve and develop a striker’s individual contribution and ability. This is achieved through drills that focus on reactions, running in behind and quick counters. Reactions Litter the box with a number of...
Centre-Back Challenges
This drill looks to promote proactive centre-backs for optimum effectiveness through three different components: screening, breaking lines and blocking shots. Screening Set-up the area to accommodate your needs and intended outcome Players at each end combine passes...
No.10 Challenges
This drill centres around the no. 10 role and looks to strengthen individual aspects of a player’s game in this position to create dynamic and innovative attacks through screening and subverting previous drills surrounding the offside trap and blocking shots....
3 Goal Finish
Part 1 Play a one two with the yellow player and finish towards goal. The player leaves the box and returns in to it attacking a cross from point 2. Same again however the cross comes in from point 3. Part 2 The white player has two touches to score a goal,...
Football Circuits
Part 1 The ball works its way around the circuit. Add more passing and receiving points to keep the players active if you have more players. I tend to let the players work the ball from start to finish however they choose. A little challenge I throw in is they cannot...
Compactness
Part 1 The four players in possession move the ball sideways trying to hit their two target players in front of them. The defending four are trying to prevent forward play by blocking passes, no tackling allowed however you can introduce this later. If a target player...
1v1s
Step 1 The coach roles out the ball into the arena. The whites try to score up the pitch. The yellows try to score down the pitch The ball is dead once the ball leaves the pitch. Step 2 The blue player passes the ball across the arena to the white player. The blue...
Forwards Showing In/Out
Forward Showing In Equipment: Set up the area as shown on the diagram making sure it suits the needs of your players. Rules: The whites pass the ball laterally. As the ball is moving the two defenders also move preventing the whites playing forward into goals. The...
Over & Underloads
Overload Over Loads 1v0, 2v1,3v2 Set up your area as shown on the diagram. The coach plays in the ball for the white player to have a one touch finish. As soon as the white player strikes the ball he/she then plays another ball to the yellow team. This creates a 2v1...
Carousel
Process: Split all your players into 2 teams. Each team then divides their team into 3 teams and place each team at one of the three activities. 1v1s 2v2s 5v5 game The whites stay at the end of each practice whilst the yellows move round. Once the yellows have visited...
Attacking Corners
Set up: 11v11 using half a pitch. Allow free play which will motivate players. Every two minutes the team attacking the main goal with the 18 yard box take a corner. A nice little tip is to potentially not have your starting 11 all on the same team. For instance on...
Technique Under Pressure
1 - Nothing But Net: Players attempt to score a goal hitting the net first. 2 - Passing Accuracy: Players try to pass the ball so it stops within the square. 3 - Receiving: Players hit each board 5 times using a maximum of two touches each time. 4 - Off Ground:...
Quick Play In & Around The Box
Block off the pitch and just work in the final third. 3 teams and to challenge, they don’t have to be equal. Whites attack, yellows defend and blues are ready for the next phase. The yellows continue to defend until they regain possession and pass to the blues. The...
Reduced Thinking Time
Be sure to have a good ball supply. Reduce the size of the grid throughout to challenge the players decision making. Play this for 2 minutes periods. 7 blues aim to retain possession. Limiting players to one or two touch really tests the brain. Give a point for x...
Intense Pressure
Part 1 All blues and whites are restricted to their zones. They yellow joker can go wherever they like. Try to limit the touches as in one or two for them. The blues and whites must play off one or three touch. One touch will be a challenge its self. If one touch is...
Effective Warm Up: A guide for footballers & coaches
Effective Warm Up – A guide for footballers & coaches A warm up is a vital part of football preparation. At the elite level of football, the warm up protocol continues to evolve. A few minutes of stretching and touches on the ball is no longer considered...
Rondos Part 2: Different Style Rondos
Adjust the area to meet your desired outcomes. 3 equal teams if possible, adjust if needed. Deploy the defending team in the centre circle. The diagram shows the blues 4v2 against the whites. The blues must complete 8 passes before passing to either of the yellows in...
Rondos Part 1
Deploy three players in the middle of the centre circle with the rest of the team/squad around the outside. Players on the outside play off one touch. The three players in the middle try to regain the ball. If successful they join the outside players. The player who...
Crossing and Finishing
The ball starts centrally. The players work the ball one side and then to the other. This can be done either directly or by linking. There are many combinations. Once the ball has been switched the three players involved in the process run to the box to finish for...
Blocking Crosses and Shots
Be sure to have a good ball supply. You can find our range of footballs here. The first ball is played out wide which creates a 1 v 1 situation. The yellow player stays in his zone and the blue player cannot cross the line. Progress to allowing complete freedom....
Every Training Session Of 2016
The official free guide to all the Louis Lancaster football training sessions of 2016. We have compiled all the training sessions by UEFA Pro License coach Louis Lancaster into a simple downloadable document.
Passing and pressing 3 vs 3
Players: 12 players + 2 Goalkeepers What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs and 2 goals. Exercise description: Red team play the ball to blue team and then they will go to press. Blue team can play together or they can pass to the pivots and attack. The aim is to score a...
Passing and pressing 2 vs 2
Players: 8 players (4 inside + 4 outside) + 1 Goalkeeper What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs,1 goal and 2 mini-goals Exercise description: The reds start with the ball and pass it to a player on the yellow team Reds will press the ball to avoid the attack Yellow team...
Turning to advance
Players: 4 players + 2 Coaching Assistants split into 2 groups Playing area: One half of the pitch What you’ll need: Cones, balls and 4 mini-goals Exercise description: Player 1 passes the ball to the coach assistant and runs towards him The defender runs behind the...
Win the Ball – Exercise 3
Players: 4 players + 1 Goalkeeper Playing area: Zone 1: 2 Defenders Zone 2: 2 Attackers What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs and a goal Exercise description: Players will be 1v1 in each zone. Goalkeeper kicks the ball to the zone 2. Defenders in zone 2 fight for the...
Win the Ball – Exercise 2
Players: 4 players + 1 Goalkeeper Playing area: Zone 1: 1 Attacker, 1 Defender and 1 Goalkeeper Zone 2: 2 Attackers What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs and a goal Exercise description: Coach throws the ball with his hands to the defence and the attacker (zone1). If...
Win the Ball – Exercise 1
Players: 3 players + 1 Goalkeeper Playing area: Zone 1: 1 Defender and 1 Goalkeeper Zone 2: 2 Attackers What you’ll need: Cones, balls and a goal Exercise description: 1. Coach throws the ball with his hands to the defence (zone 1). 2. The defender clears the...