Attacking Centrally
Process: Normal rules apply, however the only difference is the pitch shape. This shape naturally forces the team in possession inside the pitch. Depending on your returns for the session and players add offside -lines. High lines to exploit space in behind. Deep...
Motivating Players for Set Plays
To be considered: Attacking corners. Identify opportunities to score, retain possession in the oppositions half and prevent being countered. Deploy you players considering your strengths and weaknesses. Rules: Allow free play for a period of time once the corner has...
Purposeful Possession
Coaching Pointers Dispersal: Length, width and depth. Support: Always be available. Forward, inside and backwards options. Movement: Become a free man. Penetration: Think forward, try to play forward. Security: Thinking about regaining possession whilst in possession....
Next Level Conditions
6 Pass Rule (Possession) Once the team in possession score, they must complete 6 successful passes for the goal to stand. 6 Pass Rule (Pressing) Once the team in possession score, they must press and prevent the opposition completing 6 successful passes. 4 pass Rule:...
A technical report on England in Euro 2016 – Part 2
England played a conventional 3-man midfield, featuring mostly Eric Dier as the holding player and Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli in front as a 2. I want to applaud the contribution Eric Dier made to the tournament. Very disciplined in that specialist role, from a...
A technical report on England in Euro 2016
The FA launched its ‘England DNA’ project in 2014. The DNA is the framework or blueprint to help bring success to future players and teams who represent England at international level. From U16 all the way through to the senior side, the DNA project is designed to...
The factors behind late goals in football matches
One thing stood out to me during the 0-0 draw between England and Slovakia on Monday evening. Clive Tyldesley the ITV commentator that the evening stated that 25% of the goals in the tournament so far have been scored beyond the 85th minute. This got me thinking… Why?...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Wales
Play Like Wales - Counter Attacking Themed Games: Attacking in 2’s Players are split into 2 teams – 1 team attacks north, the other south Players will always attack in 2's Players can only score in the ‘score zone’ marked by poles Golden Rules – The player who shoots...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Ukraine
Play Like Ukraine - Combination in Wide Areas 1. Overlaps Players are split into 3’s at each disc Middle player always starts with the ball Plays a soft diagonal pass in front of the player to the right The pass invites the attacker into the space which creates space...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Turkey
Play Like Turkey - Killer Passes 1. Rotate with receiver Play a soft pass to the spare side and rotate with the receiver Key Tip Receiver points and leans where they want it Pass is soft and guided Competition If the pass is stopped on the gated line = team point...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Switzerland
Play Like Switzerland - Cut in to Finish 1. Cutting in to shoot 2 opposite queues Players have a football each Moves Hazard: Inside/ Inside / Outside Ronaldo: Chop Suarez: Fake shot / Cut Once the move has been performed on the mannequin/pole join the opposite queue...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Sweden
Play Like Sweden - Finish from Crosses 1. Finish From Crosses Cross 1 2 lines of players with a ball each 2 plays a start on the pole A ½ is played around the pole The wide player crosses in to the player at the front of the opposite queue who looks to finish Crosser...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Spain
Play Like Spain – Possession in Tight Spaces 1. Possession Boxes – 20 minutes Easy: 3 v 1/4 v 1/5 v 1 Moderate: 5 v 2/6 v 2 7 v 2 Advanced: 3 v 2 4 v 2/5 v 3 Coach sets out a number of passes as a target which = 1 goal Coach can vary size of areas, numbers of players...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Slovakia
Play Like Slovakia - Flair and Skills 1. Inventing a new move Invent a new move – call it the ‘surname’ One ball each 5 practice time Presentation of the skill The player who shows the example becomes the coach to help the other players improve Key Tip Enjoy the ball...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Russia
Play Like Russia - Running off the Ball 1. Squared area Players are split into 3’s in a squared area Each player covers a side of the square 1 player starts with the football and passes to a team mate The player who then played the pass moves towards the space side...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Romania
Play Like Romania - Attacking/Defensive Headers 1. Heading Warm Up One ball between two players Head rally How many can you and your partner perform? Use air light balls for players 6 – 9 years’ old 2. Defensive Heads Red serves to Yellow Just above head height to...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Republic of Ireland
Play Like R.O.I - Defending as a Unit 1. Possession Box 5 v 2 possession box 7 passes = 1 goal Player who gives away possession plus the player to their left replaces the middle 2 defenders Players stay in the middle if the ball splits the 2 defenders Key Tips Work...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Portugal
Play Like Portugal – Fast Attacking 1. Football Tag 3 teams 1 team = catchers 1 team = dodgers 1 team = the releasers (ball each) The dodgers escape the catchers by performing football related movements If the dodger is caught they freeze and form a bridge with their...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Poland
Play Like Poland - Star Man: Lewandowski 1. Finishing 2 goals, 4 gates, 1 pole/2 teams Players have 1 football each Player 1 runs with the ball, once passed the half way line they can shoot As soon as the shot has been taken the first player from gate 2 attacks the...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Northern Ireland
Play Like Northern Ireland - Attacking Set Pieces 1. Corners 1.Player arcs the run towards the second post 2.Player hides behind number 1 and drives towards the first post anticipating on under hit cross 3. Waits for 1 and 2 to split and runs fast straight down the...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Italy
Play Like Italy - Organised Defending 1. Playing in Channels Players are paired up with 1 football between them The players will work down their channel only The player at the back faces in front in a 1 v 1 situation ‘Shadow play only’ – the attacker takes small...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Iceland
Play Like Iceland - Role of the Playmaker 1. Possession Box 4 v 2 + 1 playmaker 2 defenders look to win the ball cleanly if they do Blue becomes defender in a 2 v 1 situation White’s job is to keep possession and attempt to use the playmaker; Blue as much as possible...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Hungary
Play Like Hungary - Scoring from corners 1. The cluster Players gather in a tight space on the edge of the penalty box. During the ‘run up’ phase of the taker, the players de-cluster and sprint into different areas of the penalty zone. Advantages Hard for opposition...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Germany
Play Like Germany - Switch Play 1. Switching play in 3’s Players are in 3’s 2 players are fixed on 2 cones on the outside, 1 player operates in the middle zone Player in the middle looks to receive off their team mate and play through to the other player To trigger a...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: England
Play Like England – Pressing 1. Warm Up – ‘Box Trap’ 20 minutes Numbers in the box can vary depending on age, ability and players available e.g. 4 v 1, 5 v 2, 3 v 1, 6 v 3 Outside players combine to keep the football in the square Inside players look to press and...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Czech Republic
Play Like Czech Republic - Using your Goalkeeper 1. Warm Up A queue of players (south west) Ball each as spares Ball moves laterally across (follow pass) Ball is played into the goalkeeper (player moves across to the right) Goalkeeper switches play (north west) Ball...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Croatia
Play Like Croatia - 1 Touch Passing 1. Non-Contact Passing 1 lateral pass 2 diagonal pass 3 lateral pass 4 diagonal pass Every pass is followed through with a run Key Tips Scan for the next pass Play off the back foot to improve passing accuracy and smoothness Belly...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Belgium/France
Play Like Belgium/France – Attacking Third – Combination Play 1. Combination Warm Up Players are separated into 3’s in 3 different queues The central players start with the ball and perform a soft space pass To one of the outside players The passer then overlaps at...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Austria
Play Like Austria - Long Shooting 1. 3 queues Players split into 3 queues Footballs are with the servers by the posts Server will play into the attacker by the mannequin and look to press the ball The attacker must gain control and look to shoot before the pressure...
Euro 2016 Training Drills: Albania
Play Like Albania - Crossing and Finishing 1. Crossing and Finishing Players are split into two lines Each player has a ball Player crosses from the gated area into the attacker looking to score The player who attempts the shot collects the ball and joins the other...