by Aidy Boothroyd in Skills and Techniques
The best teams are those that recognise the space pressed and left by opponents, and the best players are those who know whether to play in front of, to the side of, in between or behind an opponent. This session is therefore set up to develop good decision-making, and also helps players gain a better understanding and appreciation of spacial awareness when in possession of the ball. MORE
by Keith Hill in Skills and Techniques
This session is imperative for reminding our lads that, in any game, possession is king, with players under pressure to regain and retain possession when outnumbered. At the heart of this is looking for a ‘sacrificial press’ in recovering possession quickly, then looking to retain the ball in what we call the ‘five-yard pass’. It’s... MORE
by Tony Carr in Skills and Techniques
This session is about encouraging players to receive the ball with the back foot and developing movement through deliberate practice. MORE
by Ralph Hasenhüttl in Skills and Techniques
The focus of this session incorporates a number of my key principles: pressing, counter pressing and playing in tight areas whilst avoiding pressure. It’s about keeping possession in tight areas and then playing away from pressure, helping us to switch the play quickly. MORE
by Neil Ardley in Skills and Techniques
This session is about managing moments in games when you’re on top or under pressure, and is designed to show that, if your transitions are good, you have a chance. This is a session that can be done at any time of the week; however, it can be adapted as 4x4min games up to 4x8min... MORE
by Matt Murray in Skills and Techniques
Although this session is predominantly about transitions, it pays particular attention to pressing, making play predictable, communication, work to be done when in possession, and how to hurt the opposition with patience or a killer pass. What makes the session engaging is that it progresses through a number of different practices, each focusing on lots... MORE
by Ian Holloway in Skills and Techniques
This multifunctional, directional session is about game-realistic play, positive moves and developing short and long passes. It is important to practise this because possession is key at any level of the game, but particularly in the Premier League where sides can be so ruthless when they have the ball. This session encourages players to receive... MORE
by Anthony Hudson in Skills and Techniques
This is a broad training session that enables players to practise a range of skills across multiple exercises. It rehearses ball skills in terms of tidy, quick and intelligent passing, plus finishing in and around the box. It’s also excellent for movement, closing down and positional awareness. These ranges of skills are essential for any... MORE
by Steve Tilson in Skills and Techniques
This session works on players’ ability to play one-two passing moves in order to create space and to get in behind the opposition’s defence. The practice is comprised of initial unopposed passing drills which familiarise players with movement, awareness and link-up play, before progressing onto a competitive 8v8 game. The entire session lasts 75 minutes... MORE
by Paul Buckle in Skills and Techniques
The passing diamond is a coaching move that, while simple in its set-up, is crucial for players in rehearsing passing accuracy and tempo. It is also important for general ball work and encouraging the use of both feet. Modern day football is built upon a constant passing game, so the ability to conduct simple and... MORE
by Ricky Sbragia in Skills and Techniques
Movement, support and running off the ball is essential in the modern game, and fine-tuning these abilities in players can really enhance attacking options throughout the team. Therefore, this unopposed drill is designed to examine receiving, touch, lay-off, link-up play and third-man running, so that players can work together in tight areas to maximum effect.... MORE
by Luke Williams in Skills and Techniques
This session examines when to play short and long. It’s a set-up that, despite its simplicity, addresses a key question that a player needs to ask himself every time he gets the ball, so is actually a mental principle that it’s vital to practise. And whilst it’s not an original question, the way we search... MORE
by Steven Pressley in Skills and Techniques
This session is about short, sharp passing and use of possession. We use tight areas to improve players’ footwork and put demands on them to be able to work the ball with confidence, while those out of possession must close down with intensity. We believe this session has everything players need and want. The lead-up... MORE
by Tony Mowbray in Skills and Techniques
This session is about retaining and developing possession, plus switching play. It relies on smart decision making as well as excellent movement and communication between players. This is an important practice for us because, in match situations, main-taining possession is vital. Doing so not only aids the creation of chances, but it serves to wear... MORE
by David Wagner in Skills and Techniques
This is a reactive pressure and possession game that coaches players in the basics of team mechanics – namely keeping the ball, exploiting opposition mistakes and looking for an end goal or product. Although basic in its delivery, these principles are vital for every side, and this is the sort of practice you will see... MORE
by Matthew Bishop in Skills and Techniques
With the compactness of the modern game, getting your team to exploit space when it’s presented is an essential ingredient for success. This practice develops understanding, cooperation and communication between players so that, wherever possible, they take advantage of the space in front of them. MORE
by Brendan Rodgers in Skills and Techniques
This is a training practice that quickly evolves from a simple passing triangle to other activities that coach pressing, receiving, combinations, switches and team movement. MORE
by Aidy Boothroyd in Skills and Techniques
Here are a collection of uni-directional games that test a number of developmental characteristics in players, from the technical to tactical. MORE
by Lee Johnson in Skills and Techniques
Coach your players to use their bodies to peg back, pin and manipulate a defender in order to gain more time and space, for both themselves and the team. MORE
by Chris Powell in Skills and Techniques
The brilliance of this session is in its simplicity. Players must perfect touch, technique and team play, then have the intelligence to take those skills through into the next part of the session. MORE
by Paul Hart in Skills and Techniques
The four parts parts of this session deal with the basics of passing and receiving. Although simplistic in their delivery, perfecting these techniques provides the platform for almost everything a footballer needs to do on the pitch. MORE
by John Askey in Skills and Techniques
This is a simple possession game that can accommodate varied training numbers and focuses on many of the key skills required to be successful on match day. MORE
by Brendan Rodgers in Skills and Techniques
This is a session that lasts 70 minutes, with coaches and players in a number of specialisms – each offering simplicity and structure, yet requiring good technical ability, intelligence and a certain amount of individualism and flair. MORE
by Graham Westley in Skills and Techniques
Get your players shooting from long range with this session, which is designed to improve shooting ability in and around the edge of the penalty box. MORE
