Gareth Ainsworth

Coaching Sessions

Defending crosses

Out of Possession

This session is all about defending against crosses in and around the penalty area. It allows us to work with the players on their defensive positioning, as well as encouraging them to squeeze the pitch and to play out on the transition of possession. As the modern game is becoming more about creativity around the penalty area, defensively we need to counter this with good positional sense, effective communication and players prepared to sacrifice for their team.

Biography

Gareth Ainsworth turned to coaching in 2008 while still a player at Queens Park Rangers, when he accepted a player-coach role with the club. He also enjoyed two spells as caretaker-manager of QPR before joining League One side Wycombe Wanderers as a player in 2009. After winding down his playing career with Wycombe, he was eventually appointed as the club’s player-manager in November 2012 after a short period as caretaker-manager. He finally hung up his boots in April 2013. He was voted LMA League Two Manager of the Year in 2015 and three years later he led the club to promotion to League One. He followed that up by taking Wycombe into the Championship, the clubs highest level, in 2019. As a player he has also turned out for Preston North End, Lincoln City, Port Vale and Wimbledon.

Since 2010 Elite Soccer has given subscribers exclusive insight into the training ground practices of the world’s best coaches. Published in partnership with the League Managers Association we have unparalleled access to the leading lights in the English leagues, as well as a host of international managers.

Elite Soccer exclusively features sessions written by the coaches themselves. There are no observed sessions and no sessions “in the style of”, just first-hand advice delivered direct to you from the coach.

Login

Gareth Ainsworth

Coaching Sessions

Defending crosses

Biography

More from us

© 2024 Elite Soccer

Part of Green Star Media Ltd. Company number: 3008779