www.elitesoccercoaching.

net MAY 2017

SOCCER
Exclusive
Training
practices from
top professional
managers

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

TONY
PULIS
POSITIVE ATTACKING PLAY
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

ENGLAND U21S MOTHERWELL LMA AMBASSADOR LMA AMBASSADOR MK DONS

AIDY STEPHEN MIKE GUS EDU

BOOTHROYD ROBINSON PHELAN POYET RUBIO
Defending Forward play in Decisions,pressure, Finding the Pressing
1v1 3-4-3 possession free player high to win

EXTRA-TIME FEATURE COACHING CONFERENCE WITH THE LMA


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2 MAY 2017
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
ISSUE 82/MAY 2017: FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Im
Imaginative soccer
ccoaching sessions straight 5TONYPULIS
from the best training WESTBROMWICHALBION
grounds in the business Positive
attacking
Dear Coach, play
Welcome to the May issue of Elite Soccer.
The football calendar differs around the world. In some parts,
the season is nearly over – as it is here in the United Kingdom.
Elsewhere, the new campaign is just a few weeks old. Whatever
stage your season might be at, coaches are certainly united by one
8
AIDY
thing – a belief that there’s always more than can be done on the BOOTHROYD
training pitch to make your players the best they can possibly be. ENGLANDU21S
And that’s where Elite Soccer comes in, to offer inspiring and Defending
imaginative soccer sessions to help you improve your team
and to keep your coaching knowledge moving forwards.
1v1
Kicking off this month’s issue is West Brom manager Tony
11
Pulis, who has written a session for us aimed at encouraging
positive attacking play. Motherwell manager Stephen
Robinson is also in an attacking mood, with a practice aimed STEPHEN
ROBINSON
at working on the front three players in a 3-4-3 formation. MOTHERWELL
England U21s manager, Aidy Boothroyd, believes 1v1 Forward
defending is a dying art and offers us a session to help players
learn how to take the ball off an opponent anywhere on the
playin
pitch. On a similar theme, Edu Rubio, head of academy 3-4-3
coaching for MK Dons, has given us a session to help players
press high and regain possession as soon as possible. 14
Former Hull City manager and Manchester United stalwart, EDU RUBIO
Mike Phelan, demonstrated his session personally for the LMA MKDONS
recently, which you can read about in our Extra-Time section High
and it’s all about decisions, pressure and possession.
press
Our archive session this month comes from Gus Poyet. Written for
us in 2011 when he was in charge of Championship side Brighton
& Hove Albion, it’s a possession practice to encourage players to
come up with creative ways to find the free player in tight space.
17
I hope you enjoy the training practices we have selected
for this issue of Elite Soccer, and we’ll be back again next GUSPOYET
LMAAMBASSADOR
month with more top soccer coaching sessions.
Finding
thefree
player
HowardWilkinson,LMAChairman
20
MIKE
Elite Soccer is a monthly publication PHELAN
LMAAMBASSADOR
for professional, semi-professional Decisions,
and aspiring soccer coaches and is pressure,
available by subscription only. possession
To subscribe email
duncanh@greenstarmedia.net 23 EXTRA-TIME
A day on an LMA
or call on +44 (0) 1483 892 894 coaching conference
www.elitesoccercoaching.net

ELITE SOCCER MAY 2017
MANAGERPROFILES
Here are the six managers and coaches we’re delighted to welcome into this issue of Elite Soccer
TONYPULIS
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
In2016TonyPulisjoinedaselectgroupofsoccer
coacheswhohaveallreachedtheEnglishfootball
milestoneofhavingbeeninmanagementfor
1,000games.Butitseemshewasalwaysdestined
tobeacoach.AdefenderwithBristolRovers,
NewportCounty,BournemouthandGillingham,
hegainedanFAcoachingbadgeatjust19and
theUEFA‘A’licenceonlytwoyearslater.
Heservedhiscoachingapprenticeship
underHarryRedknappwhilestillaplayerat
Bournemouth,andwaspromotedtomanager
whenRedknappleftforWestHamin1992.
AftertwoyearsinchargeoftheCherries,Pulistook
thereinsatGillinghaminthesummerof1995and
turnedateamthathadstruggledatthebottomof
theFootballLeagueintoapromotionwinningside
inhisfirstseason.Forthisachievement,hewas
votedtheLMA’sDivisionThreeManageroftheYear.
PulishadspellswithBristolCityandPortsmouth
beforetakingchargeatStokeCity,wherehepulled
offalast-dayescapefromrelegationin2003.
Afterspendingashortperiodasmanagerof
PlymouthArgyle,PulisreturnedtoStokeCity
inJune2006.Witharesourcefuluseofthe
loanmarket,herecruitedseveralplayersof
PremierLeaguestandardandtwoyearslaterhe
helpedtheclubtopromotionasChampionship
runnersup,takingStokebacktothetopflight
afteranabsenceof23years.Hemanagedthe
‘Potters’inthePremierLeagueforthenextfive
seasonsbeforepartingwayswiththeclub.
InNovember2013PulisjoinedaCrystalPalace
siderootedtothebottomofthePremierLeague
table.Savingthemfromrelegationandtaking
themtoan11thplacefinishthatseasonearned
himtheLMA’sPremierLeagueManagerof
theYearaward.However,shortlybeforethe
startofthefollowingseason,heleftSelhurst
Park.HejoinedWestBrominJanuary2015.
After25yearsinmanagement(withnineseasons
spentinthePremierLeague),Puliscontinuesto
buildonhisreputationforachievingsolidresults
onsmallbudgetsandhealsomaintainstheproud
recordofneverhavingbeenrelegated.Speaking
aboutTonyPulis,SirAlexFergusonhassaid:“If
youtracehiscareerasamanageryouwillidentify
clearlyhiswilltowinandhisrelentlessdesire
toimprovealloftheteamshehasmanaged.”
3 MAY 2017
AIDYBOOTHROYD
ENGLAND U21s
AidyBoothroydhasmanagedat
everylevelofEnglishfootball.
Hewasjust34whenhewas
appointedmanagerofWatfordin
March2005andheimmediately
savedtheclubfromrelegation
fromthesecondtierofEnglish
football.Thefollowingseason
heledthemtopromotiontothe
PremierLeagueviatheplay-offs.
AnearlygraduateoftheLMA’s
CertificateinAppliedManagement
atWarwickUniversity,hehas
alsomanagedatColchester
United,CoventryCityand
NorthamptonTown.Currently
manageroftheEnglandU21
side,hehasalsoenjoyedspells
inchargeoftheU19sandU20s.
STEPHEN
ROBINSON
MOTHERWELL
Afteraplayingcareerthattookin
lengthyperiodsatBournemouth
andLuton,StephenRobinson
movedintocoachingwiththe
NorthernIrelandyouthteams.He
gainedareputationasatopcoach
andwasappointedfirstteamcoach
underMichaelO’Neill,helping
theIrishtothe Euro2016finals.
Inclubfootball,Robinsonjoined
ScottishPremierLeagueside
Motherwellasassistantmanager
inFebruary2015.Afterastintas
managerofOldhamAthletic,he
returnedtoMotherwellinFebruary
2017asMarkMcGhee’sfirst
teamcoach.FollowingMcGhee’s
departure,he wasappointed
managerinMarch2017.
GUSPOYET
LMA AMBASSADOR
ManagerofChineseSuperLeague
teamShanghaiShenhua,GusPoyet
startedhiscoachingcareeras
assistantmanagertoDennisWise
atSwindonTownandLeedsUnited,
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
andthentoJuandeRamosatSpurs.
InNovember2009,Poyetwas
appointedmanagerofBrighton
&HoveAlbionandinhisfirstfull
seasonledtheclubtopromotion
asLeagueOneChampions,for
whichhewasnamedLeagueOne
ManageroftheYearbytheLMA.
HesubsequentlyledPremier
LeaguesideSunderlandtothe2014
LeagueCupfinalandhasenjoyed
spellsinGreecewithAEKAthens,
andinLaLigawithRealBetis.
MIKEPHELAN
LMA AMBASSADOR
MostrecentlyMikePhelanwas
managerofHullCity,winningthe
PremierLeagueManagerofthe
Monthawardinhisfirstmonthwith
theclub.Priortothat,hehadspells
asassistantmanageratHulland
NorwichCity.Notablyhespent13
successfulyearsworkingalongside
SirAlexFergusoninavarietyofroles
atOldTrafford–asfirstteamcoach,
reserveteammanager,andasa
long-servingassistantmanager.
Asaplayer,Phelanenjoyed
lengthyspellswithBurnley,
NorwichCityandManchester
United,wherehewasaPremier
Leaguewinnerin1993.
EDURUBIO
MK DONS
EduRubioiscurrentlyheadof
academycoachingandU18s
coachatMKDons.Hecametothe
clubinJuly2015fromtheNike
Academy,wherehehadbeenthe
assistantmanager,helpingto
developyoung,unsignedplayers
breakthroughintoprofessional
football,whilealsoleadingthe
coachingandgamesprogrammes.
AUEFAProLicensedcoach,
hehadpreviouslyworkedwith
MKDonsasanU13scoachand
duringhiscareerhehasenjoyed
spellswiththeFA,ChelseaU15s
andwithValenciainSpain.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

MANAGEMENT MATTERS

MANAGEROFTHEMONTHAWARDS

Bournemouth manager PaulLambertof BoltonWanderers Accrington

EddieHowehas been
named Premier League
Manager of the Month for
the firsttime after guiding his side
to two wins and a draw in March.
The Cherries had been on the
brink of a relegation battle but
victories over West Ham and
Swansea, as well as a hard fought
draw with Manchester United
lifted them to 11th in the table and
nine pointsclear of the relegation
zone. The draw atOld Trafford
was a considerable achievement
considering that Howe’s side
playedthe entire secondhalf with
10 men followingthe dismissal of
AndrewSurman.
P3 W2 D1 L0 (LEAGUE ONLY)
Wolverhampton
Wanderershasbeennamedthe
SkyBetChampionshipManager
oftheMonthforMarch.Afterfive
straightleaguedefeatsstretching
throughFebruaryandintoearly
March,Lambertsteadiedhisside
withagoallessawaydrawagainst
Ipswichandclosedoutthemonth
witharunofthreesuccessivewins.
DefeatingRotherhamathome
andconsecutiveawayvictoriesat
BrentfordandFulhamvindicated
Lambert’strustinhissidetoturn
goodperformancesintopoints
andhelpedtoliftWolvesoutofthe
relegationplaces.
P5 W3 D1 L1
managerPhil
ParkinsonreceivedtheLeague
OneManageroftheMonthaward
forthethirdtimethisseason,
followinghissuccessesinAugust
andOctober.Withhissidesuffering
fromstutteringformintheNewYear,
Parkinsonwasrewardedforkeeping
faithinhismethodsasBoltontook16
pointsfromapossible18inMarch,
scoring17goalsintheprocess.
Therunoffineformwaskick-
startedbya4-2awaywinat
promotionrivalsFleetwood,who
wereunbeatenin18gamesatthe
time,andalsofeatureda4-2away
victoryoverOxfordanda4-0away
defeatofGillingham.
P6 W5 D1 L0
Stanley’sJohn
ColemanhasbeennamedtheLeague
TwoManageroftheMonthforMarch.
Stanleywere21stinthetableand
justsixpointsabovetherelegation
zonewhenthemonthbegan.After
fivewinsandtwodrawsfromseven
games,theyendedupin13thplace,
sevenpointsofftheplay-offplaces.
Thehighlightsofthemonthincluded
a5-0homedefeatofstruggling
LeytonOrientanda2-0awayvictory
overpromotionchasingExeter
City.Theturnaroundinformcanbe
attributedtoColeman’spositivityand
finecoaching,andwashelpedbysix
goalsinsevengamesfromStanley
free-kickspecialistShayMcCartan.
P7 W5 D2 L0

CAREERPATH
from very good players shouldn’t be that Howdoyouthinkyourvariedplaying
difficult if the right building blocks are in backgroundhashelpedyouasa
place. manager?
...with Jon Whitney, manager of Sky Bet Ithink apersonalgroundinginplaying
League One side Walsall Steppingintothehotseatafterso football atmanydifferentlevels
longasassistantmanagermust hasdefinitelyhelped–itallbuilds
Wouldyouagreeyouhaveaunique havebeenabigthing? characterand experience. I’venever
managementstyle? Well it’s certainly easier than comefromapositionofprivilege
Unique, probably not, but upbeat coming into a club cold. andhave alwayshadtowork
and relaxed whilst professional and I’ve been here longer andfightforeverything.By
encouraging everyone at the club to take than virtually all of the thesamephilosophy,no-one
accountability for what they do, definitely. players and know the club hereiswrappedincotton
I think any working environment has to be inside out. Being club wool,buttheyaretreated
fun, with players and staff looking forward physiotherapist as well has wellandrespected.
to coming to work, and that’s every day of also helped me understand Itelltheplayers about
the week, not just a match day. Happiness the limitations of every single non-leaguefootballandthe
also provides a positive mindset and player, so in that respect it’s a factIdidn’tsign aprofessional
a platform on which the tactical and unique position. contractuntil wellintomy
technical elements can be built, because It’s safe to say I’ve enjoyed twenties –I’mnottellingthem
players are keen to learn around others almost every single minute that toscarethem,butIwant
who share the same philosophy. of it, but always with the view them torealiseworkinghard
Beyond that it’s the job of myself and the of what we can achieve as a tostayhere isn’tarequest,
coaching staff to instil new ideas and club and the optimism that is andit’sfor theirownsake
ensure that everyone is in peak form, both as strong now as it was for my theyinvest100percentinto
mentally and physically. Getting results first game. everythingwe do.

4 MAY 2017
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION Overview to rehearse your players to KEY

Tony Pulis This training session is all make fast forward breaks. Ball
movement
about encouraging positive Any coach who runs this
Positive play from your team. It’s session will be guaranteed
Player
movement
attackingplay heavily focused on playing to see their players making
Dribble

forward quickly to achieve plenty of crosses, taking all

SET-UP an end product. In fact, kinds of shots and scoring
AREA achieving an end product is lots of goals. At West Brom we
Up to 60x40 yards the main “goal” of this session would tend to do this, or similar
EQUIPMENT
and it is a successful way sessions, at least once a week.
Balls, bibs, cones, 2 full size goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Up to 20 players + 2 goalkeepers
SESSION TIME
Each move When the keeper plays the
30mins starts with the starting pass, players A and B

What do I get the players to do?

goalkeeper
60 move quickly up the wings on
their own sides of the pitch

Crossing into the box 1a Player C mo oves quickly

Set up an area of 60x40 yards with up field with th
he ball and
C
a full size goal and a goalkeeper passes out widde to player B
at each end. Split your players A
into two teams of eight, with
two sets of three from each
team lined up on either side of
their own goal at positions A 40
and B. Another two players for Player C drops
each team start just inside the de
eep to pick the D
halfway line, with one at position B ba
all up from the
ke
eeper
C and one at D, as shown [1a].
Play begins with the goalkeeper
playing the ball in the direction
of player C, who has dropped
deep to receive the pass in
the midfield area. As soon as
the goalkeeper plays the ball, Player B crosses, while players A, C and D
players A and B move quickly make runs into penalty area to meet the cross
up the wings on their respective
sides of the pitch, staying tight
to the touchline. Player C moves After an attack ends play
forwards with the ball and passes 1b 60 goes the other way following
the same routine, starting
out wide to player B, who crosses from the keeperr again
into the box. Players A, C and D
have made positive attacking
runs into the box and one of them
should attempt a shot on goal.
Play restarts from the keeper
who was just defending, with
the attack going the other way
up the pitch [1b]. Continue the
40
drill up and down the pitch,
making sure the cross alternates
between the two wings.

Small pitch 3v2

The second part of the training
session is designed to practice
a 3v2 attacking overload. It
will not only encourage quick The wide players must vary the
passing but it guarantees types of cross or pass into the box
a shooting opportunity in
at least three passes.
Set up an area of 40x20 yards with

5 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

TONY PULIS: POSITIVE ATTACKING PLAY

KEY
Ball

40
movement
Player
movement
2a Dribble

Team mates must

Play 3v2 with the
team of three always
starting. They must
attack the goal in no
more than three passes
wait either side of the
goal for their turn to
rotate in to the game

20
Here an
attacker
receives the
third pass and
makes a positive
finish

40
2b
A new player from the original defendin
ng side
comes on to give his team a 3v2 advantage
e as they
The previous turn into the attackers
move has died, so
an attacker leaves
the field. His team
now become the
defenders

20
The new
attacking team
now has three
passes to
create a scoring
opportunity

a goal and goalkeeper
at each end, as shown
[2a]. Your outfield players
remain split into two
teams of eight. Play a 3v2
in the main area with the
remaining players from
each team waiting to
rotate in from the sides of
their respective goals.
Starting from the keeper,
the team of three begins
with the ball and they
must attack the opposite
goal in no more than three
passes. Once the move
has died out, one player
from the team that has
just attacked goes off the
pitch and a player from the
defending side comes on
to go 3v2 in the opposite
direction, as shown [2b].
Play continues like this,
with players taking their
turns to rotate in and out.
Crossing 6v4
The third part of this
training session is aimed
at getting your players to
use width to attack and
it helps teams practise
the full range of crosses
and passes into the box.

6 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

TONY PULIS: POSITIVE ATTACKING PLAY

KEY
Ball
movement
Player

3 60 movement
Dribble

Thee cross at
Play starts
s at the this end is high
halfway line in both and ceentral. The
halves at the same attackker makes
time. The atta
acker a welll-timed run
begins with a pass to headd the ball
out wide

40

Thee winger must stay

wide and get the ball in.
Look for different kinds
of cro
osses and passes.
Here he plays a low ball
acrosss the box

In this crossing 6v4 practice, drills are run separately but simultaneously
at different ends of the pitch. Each team splits its players so they are
attackers in one drill and defenders at the other end.

Set up a playing area of

60x40 yards with a goal and
goalkeeper at each end,
as shown [3]. Split your
outfield players into two
teams of ten, with each
team having six attacking
players in one half and
a back four in the other.
You will be running two
separate but simultaneous
6v4 drills, one in each half.
Play starts from the
halfway line in both halves,
with an attacker playing a
pass out to a winger. The
wide player must stay wide
and he has to get the ball in
from the wing with an array
of approaches, crosses and
passes. You want your wide
players to be setting up the
attackers to take as many
different kinds of shots
on goal as possible. Look
for the attackers to make
space and to time their
forward runs well in order
to meet the incoming ball.
Ensure the attacker who
starts the move from the
halfway line alternates his
passes between wings.
What are the key things
to look out for?
As the session is all about
positive attacking, you
need to make sure players
take responsibility to
beat their opponents with
positive forward movement
“Forplayers,
and to create numerous there’salways
different kinds of goal
scoring opportunities. thetemptation
For players, there’s always toplayitsafe
the temptation to play
it safe instead of being insteadof
positive, so make sure
you encourage them to be beingpositive,
daring in their moves. somakesure
How would you put this
youencourage
into a game situation? themtobe
I would build the session up
into a full 11v11 game, but daringintheir
I would talk to the players
about runners, passes,
attacking
and trying to be positive in moves”
the final third of the pitch.

7 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

ENGLAND U21s Overview minded, with players being

Aidy Boothroyd This session is focused on
1v1 defending, which is a
Defending1v1 dying art. If players can take
SET-UP
the ball off their opponent
anywhere on the pitch, the
AREA
team is better equipped to deal
Up to 60x40 yards
EQUIPMENT with an attacking overload.
Ball, bibs, cones and small goals I have chosen this session
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
because too often I see a big
12 players
SESSION TIME
emphasis put on players
“on the ball” rather than
Total: 85mins
St Georges Cross 1v1: 15mins highlighting the importance
Progression 1: 15mins of their work “off the ball”.
Progression 2 (with goals): 20mins Being a good 1v1 defender
Small-sided game: 35mins in every position allows your
team to be more attack-
left further up the pitch.
What do I get the players to do?
StGeorge’sCross1v1
Set up an area consisting
of five boxes of 12x12 yards
each, laid out in the shape of
a cross, as shown [1]. Name
each end of the cross after the
four points of the compass:
north, south, east, and west.
KEY
Divide your 12 players into Ball
two teams of six and start with movement
Player
one team split evenly between movement
Dribble
the north and south ends of

1
12
If the attacker gets past
NORTH the defender, he dribbles
towards the playerrs at
the end opposite to o his

12
This 1v1 batttle starts with starting position annd
play going from m west to east. passes the ball befo ore
The first attaccker dribbles joining the queue
as soon as thee defender is
in the centre.. The attacker
must try to ge
et past him
12

12
WEST EAST

Battles take place in

the centre box, with the Now the new attacker
defender trying to win dribbles from east to
the ball. If he succeeds, west, trying to get past a
play then goes from north new defender who runs
to south instead, with out to face him
defenders becoming
attackers

SOUTH

“Beingagood1v1defenderineverypositionallows
yourteamtobemoreattack-minded,withplayers
beingleftfurtherupthepitch”

8 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

AIDY BOOTHROYD: DEFENDING 1V1

the cross and the other team KEY

split between the east and Ball
west ends. In our diagrams, 12 movement
Player
movement
the blues are working west 2 Dribble
to east (and back again),
while the reds are working
north to south (and back).
The first blue player must try
12
to dribble the ball from west to
east, but before he starts, a red 12
defender runs into the central
box and waits to engage the
attacker. The coach calls out
whether the defender should
come from north or south. 12
As soon as the defender is
in position, the attacker can
move forward and must try to
get past the defender in the
central box so he can reach Progress the To ensure the
session by allowing success of the
the other side of the cross. the attacker to play session, the blue
If the attacker gets past the a one-two with a defender must
defender and exits the central free opponent at track the attacker
the side. This gives and not the ball if a
box with the ball, he passes him another way to one-two is played
to his team mate at the east beat the defender
end before joining that queue
of players. The blue that
receives the ball then attacks
in the opposite direction, from
east to west. However, if the
red defender wins the ball in
the central area, play must 3
12
then go from north to south
and back, with the blue east/
west players now becoming
defenders. Play for 15 minutes.
12
How do I progress the session?
Progress the session using wall 12
passes. The attacking player
should make a one-two with a
member of the other team to
help him get past the defender,
as shown [2]. For the success 12
of the session, ensure that the
defender follows the player
If the attackeer gets past the
rather than the ball during the defender, he tries to score for 1
one-two. Play for 15 minutes. point. If the deffender wins the ball,
To progress the session further, Progress the he can try to sco ore past either of
session further his own keeperrs for 3 points
position small goals at each by adding small
end of the cross, as shown [3]. goals at each end
The principles of the practice that one of the
remain the same, but when the queuing players
must defend
dribbling attacker gets past
the defender he must now try
to score past the goalkeeper
for one point. However, if the
defender wins the ball he can
try and score in either of the

9 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net


AIDY BOOTHROYD: DEFENDING 1V1
goals on the other part of
the cross for three points.
Play for 20 minutes.
The addition of the
progressions means that
the decision-making
becomes more difficult
and more varied due to
the option of the wall pass
and the prize of a goal at
the end of the sequence.
What are the key things
to look out for?
Attackers must be positive
and mix up their dribbling
skills and wall pass options to options in the 1v1 –
keep the defender guessing.
For the defenders, the
coaching points are…
• Speed: the defender must
get to the attacker quickly. What are the typical
• Decelerate: the defender
should slow down as he
approaches the attacker.
• Keep weight on front
4 the ball but he
Finish the session with a 6v6 small-sided game. Number each team from 1 to
5, with one player on each team taking turns to be a sweeper who cannot score.
Change the sweeper every three minutes.
10 MAY 2017
foot (reset to ball): make
sure the defender keeps
his weight on the front
foot on the side the ball
is on, so if the attacker
has the ball on his right
foot, the defender has his
weight on his left foot.
• Threaten: move towards
the attacker, pressing
and forcing play.
• Patience: the attacker has
to beat you, so no need to
commit to a tackle too early.
• Steal, track or tackle:
the defenders has three
steal the ball, track the
movement of the attacker,
or commit to a tackle.
mistakes that players
might make?
Defenders can get over
eager and dive in when
60
Here the
red 2 receives
escapes the
attentions of
his opposite
number to
play the ball to
a team mate
2 2
4 4
3
3
The sweeper has a
free role, covering the
goal at the back and
supporting play
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
making a challenge, leaving KEY
their foot outstretched and Ball
movement
thus losing balance, or Player
movement
they can overcommit and Dribble
allow the attacker to catch Optional
movement
them out with a feint.
How would you put this
into a game situation?
Set up an area of 60x40
“Thedefender
yards, with a small goal at keepshis
each end, as shown [4].
Split your player into two
weightonthe
teams of six and number frontfooton
the players in each team
from 1 to 5, with the sixth
thesidethe
player performing the role ballison,soif
of a sweeper who cannot theattacker
score. Play a 6v6 game,
with the numbered players hastheball
going man for man with their onhisright
equivalent numbers and
the sweeper having a free foot,the
role covering the goal at the defenderhas
back. Rotate roles, changing
the sweeper every three
hisweighton
minutes. Play for 20 minutes. hisleftfoot”
Players must go man for man with
their opposite number to represent
the 1v1s from the earlier practice
1 1
5 5
40
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 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

MOTHERWELL
Stephen Robinson “Creatingandlinkingforwardplayin KEY
Forwardplay theattackingthirdofthepitchisoften
Ball
movement

in3-4-3
Player
thedecisivefactorinwinninggames” movement
Dribble

SET-UP
AREA
Up to full pitch
EQUIPMENT
1 15
Balls, bibs, cones, 2 full size goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Up to 20 players + 2 goalkeepers
SESSION TIME
Total time: 57mins
Warm-up: 15mins
Possession boxes: 12mins You can

Small-sided game: 12mins
11v11 game: 18mins
Overview
The session is about working
on the front three players in a
3-4-3 formation. It creates 1v1
situations, and shows players
how to deal with the ball in tight
areas, particularly helping
the combination play and
link-up play in the final third.
Creating and linking forward
play in the attacking third of the
pitch is often the decisive factor
in winning games. Creating
the link up play is essential,
as are receiving skills and
movement, and all three can be
rehearsed using this session.
You can also use the 1v1 aspect
of the session defensively –
although this is primarily a
practice for forwards, it is also
a good work out for defenders
too as they have to cope with 1v1
situations a lot in this session.
The midfielders who link up
play also need to continue to
work to find space and their
passing options are vital.
When the wide players are
added in the second part of the
session, this replicates the
3-4-3 system and encourages
the wing backs to be positive
in their delivery and support.
I would usually use this training
session at least once or twice a
week when playing with three
up front. When flipping it over
into a defensive session we can
then concentrate on the 1v1
defending aspect of the system
in the final third of the pitch.
15
progress this
by pitting the
two midfielders
against each
The other so one
midfielders has to move the
must be able ball on under
to receive in pressure from
a tight area the other
and move
the ball to a
player in the
other box or
back to the
original box The team
in possession
has to string
three passes
together under
15 pressure
before moving
the ball to a
player in the
middle zone
15
Possession boxes: it’s a 3v3 in each box, while the end players and
the midfielders in the middle zone play for the team in possession
What do I get the players to do? in possession can then play through
to the other box via one of the two
Possession boxes
Start with a 15-minute warm-up midfielders in the middle zone. The
(not shown). Then set up an area midfielder who receives the pass can
consisting of two 15x15-yard boxes choose to play the ball into either box.
separated by a five-yard middle zone. This practice helps players improve
Start with 16 players and split your their receiving skills in tight areas.
players into two teams of six, and four We allow the end men to play the
neutral midfielders who play for the ball directly to the midfielder in
team in possession. Each of the boxes the middle zone to improve the
is 3v3, while two of the midfielders defensive responsibilities of the
operate in the middle zone and the front three as well, encouraging
other two are positioned one at each them to act as first line of defence.
end of the playing area, as shown [1]. The constant theme of the game
Start the session by playing a 3v3 is to play away from the press.
in one of the boxes. Once three Play six two-minute games,
passes have been made, the team changing the neutrals each time.

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 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

STEPHEN ROBINSON: FORWARD PLAY IN 3-4-3

How do I progress
the session?
You can make the two
midfielders play against
each other so they can’t
always just turn and
pass into the next box
unopposed. They must
work on angles and
receiving skills and may
have to go back to the
original box while under
pressure from the other
midfielder. Whichever
one wins the ball plays
it through into the other
box. Again, this battle in
a tight space helps the
three strikers work on
movement in tight areas
and develops their link up
play. You can also lift the
pass restriction before
the ball is transferred
to the next box in order
to encourage better
decision making about
when to play forward and
away from the press.
What do I get the
players to do next?
Small-sided game
Next we take the principle
we’ve just worked on into a
larger space. On one half of
a pitch, set up two areas of
20x44 yards separated by
a five-yard midfield zone.
We add two full size goals
with a goalkeeper at each
end. The two teams of six
are again playing a 3v3 in
each of the two main areas,
as shown [2a], but this time
play is directional. Again,
two neutral midfielders
operate in the middle
zone but we also add a
neutral wing back to each
side of the area, allowing
them to operate along
the edge of the marked
out area, cutting in where
necessary to support play.
The wing backs play for
the team in possession
and can go in both
directions, creating a 3-4-3
shape for both teams.
This time the players
don’t have to hit a target
number of passes before
playing the ball through
to the middle zone. The
midfielders can play the
ball in either direction
after receiving a pass, but
they cannot play it straight
out to the wing backs.
As the ball is constantly
being transferred through
the midfield, numerous
1v1 situations will be
created. Clever link up
play is encouraged and
shots should be constant.
With the wing backs added
to the game, an additional
dimension of the session is
the delivery of the ball into
the goalmouth area and the
runs of the three forward
players, as well as the

KEY
Ball
The wing backs also play for movement
the team in possession and can Player
movement
go in both directions, creating a Dribble
2a 3-4-3 shape for both teams

20 20

The miidfiellder who

5
receives the pass can play
the ball either forwards
or back. He plays for the
5
tea
am in
n poossession

20 20
The blues pas ss under
pressure until th hey can
create an opening to
play the ball to one of the
neuttrall miidfiellders
Play starts and restarts
from the goalkeeper 44
Play a small-sided game with the same principles as the previous practice. The game is 3v3 in each area with two
neutral midfielders in the middle zone and two wingbacks who play for the team in possession.

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 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

STEPHEN ROBINSON: FORWARD PLAY IN 3-4-3

opposite wing back cutting
in and making a run to the
back post, as shown [2b].
It is also important to
make the three forward
players aware that they
are the first line of defence
when the ball goes dead
or when play restarts
from the goalkeeper, and
they must try and stop the
ball from going into the
middle zone too easily.
This creates realistic
situations and makes the
link-up midfielders work
for space a lot more.
Play four games of
three minutes.
What are the key things
to look out for?
Look for your players
working on their ability
to receive in tight areas
and their combination
play in and around the
box. Although this is an
attacking session, the
defenders and midfielders
are key to it working.
The spatial awareness
of the midfielders and
their passing options
are very important, as
are how the defenders
fare in 1v1 situations and
their communication
with one another.
The focus of the
session can be flipped
to concentrating on
other areas of the 3-4-
3 shape, such as the
wing backs or midfield
options and support.
What are the typical
mistakes that players
might make?
Beware of all three
strikers making the same
movement and constantly
coming towards the
ball. Another problem is
forwards not getting shots
away quick enough in 1v1
situations. Also, look for
forwards not replicating
game conditions – make
sure they know they are
the first line of defence
after losing possession
or from restarts.
How would you put this
into a game situation?
Take this into an 11v11
situation on a full pitch
and retain all the basic
principles of the session,
including creating 1v1
situations and encouraging
movement, good receiving
skills and link up play. Play
three sets of six minutes.

KEY
The three forwards make well- When play restarts, the blue Ball
movement
timed runs to meet a ball played forwards must be alert to regaining Player
2b into the box by the wing back possession high up the pitch, as they movement
Dribble
are the first line of defence

The
opposite wing
back should
be encouraged

20 20 to make a run
towards the
back post

Here the move

continues withh
good link-uup play
ussing the neutral

5 midfielder. The ball

is worked out to the
wing back
5

20 20

44
“Lookforyourplayersworkingontheirabilitytoreceiveintightareas
andtheircombinationplayinandaroundthebox”

13 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

MK DONS Overview possession-based attack.

Edu Rubio This session is all about The high press makes your team
pressing high. It will help both want to dominate with a daring
Highpress individual roles and team and commanding approach to
movement when pressing the game. It is also about forcing
SET-UP
AREA
opponents in their own half mistakes early on, to deny the
Up to full pitch of the pitch, starting from opposition the opportunity to
EQUIPMENT their defensive third. advance into your half of the
Balls, bibs, cones, 2 full size goals, Pressing high gives your pitch in an efficient manner.
4 mini goals team the chance to regain I would certainly run this
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
possession as soon as session a few times in pre-
20 players + 2 goalkeepers
SESSION TIME
possible and gives players season to make sure the team
KEY
Total: 80mins (including warm-up)
the opportunity to create goal understand it, and then I would Ball
movement
Positional practice: 11mins scoring opportunities, either revisit it once every couple of Player
Game scenario: 22mins through quick and positive weeks, to ensure it becomes an movement
11v11 conditional game: 26mins Dribble
play or though a purposeful integral part of our team’s DNA.

Players
must keep their
1 12 12 The nearest
blue forward
to the defender
positional shape. presses high
Highlighted, Here the blue centre and gains
the blues have forward fails to split the possession.
a back four two red central defenders s You want to see
and two centre to prevent the pass the forwards
midfielders winning the ball
in both areas

20

Four red forwards cover

the area and press to regain
the ball while the blues hold
positional shape. Here red
pressing pays dividends

Positional practice: set up two adjacent but separate areas. Split your players into two teams of
10, each having a back four and two midfielders in one area and a front four in the other.

What do I get the

players to do?
Positional practice
After a warm-up (not
shown), create two
separate but adjacent areas
of 12x20 yards, as shown
[1]. Split your players into
two teams of 10 and play a
6v4 in each area, with each
team having a back four and
two midfielders in one area
and a front four in the other.
In each area, the back four
starts with the ball and the
team of six must try to keep
possession using all of their
players, preventing the four
pressing attackers from
getting hold of the ball.
In doing so, it’s important
that the team of six use
a positional approach
with full backs and centre
backs operating as they
usually would, and the
centre midfielders creating
movement to use the space.
The front four must also
use a positional approach,
“Thehighpress
pressing and covering makesyourteam
across the area, and using
the highest forward to
wanttodominate
split the centre backs and withadaringand
the nearest forward to the
centre back in possession
commanding
to press the ball. approachtothe
You want to see the front game.Itisalso
four winning the ball –
make it a competition aboutforcing
between the two practice mistakes”
areas to see which

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 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

EDU RUBIO: HIGH PRESS

In this area, it’s the red back

four and two midfielders who
2 20 20 must score in the mini-goals,
while the blues are forwards

The red front four must

Here the blue centre
press to regain possession
forward splits the central
and score past the keeper
defenderrs to prevent them
passing to
o each other and
he gains possession

35

In this area, the The blue forward

blue back four and two
central midfielders aim
to score in the mini-
goals, while keeping
their shape
scores in the main
goal. See if the blues
here can score more
than the red forwards s
in the other area

Game scenario: play the same teams and 6v4 positional set up as in the positional practice but
enlarge the area, and add goals and a keeper. The team of six must keep the ball below waist
height. Play starts and restarts with the keeper

front four can win the ball
the most times. Play four
sets of 90 seconds or two
minutes, with one minute’s
rest in between sets.
Game scenario
Set up two separate but adjacent Progress this part of the session
areas of 20x35 yards, with one
full size goal and two mini
goals, as shown [2]. Use the
same formation set-up as in
the positional practice, splitting moving a centre midfielder from
your players into two teams
of 10 and playing a 6v4 in each
area, with each team having a
back four and two midfielders
in one area and a front four in
the other. However, this time
add a goalkeeper in each main
goal. The team of six must keep 11v11 conditional game
the ball below waist height.
The aim for the team of six
is to score in the mini-goals,
while the front four must try to
15 MAY 2017
regain possession and score
against the keeper in the main
goal. Like the first session,
this is competitive – see how
many goals one front four
can score compared to the
front four in the other area.
by restricting touches for the
keeper and the team of six. You
could also progress it by turning
the two 6v4 practices into 5v5s,
each team of six into the team
of forwards in the other area.
Play four sets of four
minutes, with two minutes
to rest between sets.
Set up on an 11v11 pitch, using
an area from one goal line up
to the edge of the opposite
penalty area, with a full size
goal at each end. Create an
attacking zone from the deepest
edge of the centre circle up to KEY
Ball
the edge of the penalty area movement
Player
and place four five-yard gates movement
Dribble
in the areas shown [3].
The team in possession has
to either pass or dribble
through one gate before
they are allowed to enter the
attacking zone to score. The
team out of possession has to
force play and if they manage
to regain possession they
must try to score against the
“Lookforyourpressing
playerstoforceplay,box
theiropponentsin,and
regainpossession.You
needtoseeadesireto
scorequicklyifit’son”
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 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

EDU RUBIO: HIGH PRESS

KEY
Ball
movement
Player
The game starts from The team out of possession has to movement
the goalkeeper in the force play, as here. If they regain the Dribble
3 penalty area ball, they should try to score against
the keeper in the 18-yard box

The team in possession

ATTACKING ZONE
has to pass or dribble
through a gate before
entering the attacking zone
and attempting to score

11v11 conditional game: use normal sized goals at each end and create an
attacking zone from edge of the centre-circle up to the edge of the box. Place
four gates in the areas shown. The offside rule applies from halfway line

keeper in the 18-yard box.
The offside rule applies
from the halfway line.
You can progress the
game by increasing the
amount of gates the team
in possession needs to
go through before being
allowed to score, plus you
could try setting a limit on
passes, touches and time.
You can also try removing
the gates and allowing the
team in possession to play
into the attacking zone from
an outfield player’s pass.
Play four sets of five
minutes with two minutes
to rest in between sets.
Each team plays two
sets as the pressing
team and two sets as the
team in possession.
What are the key things
to look out for?
Look for your pressing
players to force play, box
opponents in, and regain
possession. You need to see
a desire to score quickly, or
to secure possession and
then to score if they were
prevented from scoring
quickly. It’s also important
to make sure your centre
forward “shuts the gate” by
splitting both centre backs
and preventing them from
passing to each other.
What are the typical
mistakes that players
might make, and how
do you avoid them?
Beware of the centre
forward becoming
too impatient – that is
“butterflying” (going
everywhere without any
purpose) and trying to win
the ball too early. The key is
for him to box his opponent
into a small section of the
playing area, avoid the
switch and then regain
possession if he reads a
mistake – but his main role
is to stay central in case his
team regains possession,
so he can be found to score.
Once the opposition
players are boxed in, the
pressers must move as a
team. Again, they must be
patient. First they must
force play to make the play
predictable by narrowing
the attacking/passing
options of their opponents.
Then they must “bite”,
to regain possession.
How would you put this
into a game situation?
You could play an 11v11
game on a full pitch, with
both teams instructed to
work on the high press.

16 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 E
FROM TH
ARCHIVe
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LMA AMBASSADOR Overview

Gus Poyet This training session is about retaining possession
and finding players in key positions. This concept
Findingthe is really important for teams that manage to have
freeplayer the lion’s share of possession in games yet find the
opposition denying them space in the final third.
SET-UP Work through this session once or twice a week and you
AREA
could see the results paying off in matches, particularly
Up
p to 60x40 yards
EQUIPMENT when concerted periods of possession succeed in pulling
Balls, bibs, cones, poles opponents out of position, enabling a clear route to goal.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
12 players The central
SESSION TIME receiving player
Total: 60mins passes to the
Warm-up: 20mins 1a next outside
Main session (1 circle): 15mins pllayer clockwise
Progression (2 circles): 10mins an
nd then follows
Scoring zone progression: 15mins thee pass

KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble

The warm-up
starts with a
player on each
side of the centre
circle passing
the ball to a
central player
and following
their pass

1b

Progress
the warm-up
by adding
poles to
create
obstacles
that players
need to be
aware of
The principles
are the same in
this progression
but players will
sometimes need to
take a touch to make
the space needed to
play the ball back

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

GUS POYET: FINDING THE FREE PLAYER

“Attackersmust KEY
Ball
movement
showgood 2a Player
movement
judgementof Dribble

whentopasssafe
andwhentoriska
ballintothecircle” Eight blue e attackers
have to keepp possession
while creatting space to Four red
pass into th
he target circle defenders
What do I get the players to do?
Centre circle warm-up
have to
prevent the
blues from
60
Begin with a centre circle passing into
warm-up drill involving 12 the circle. Here a blue makes
players. Two players start in the They score a well-timed ruun to
1 point if receive and his team
middle with everyone else on they win score 2 points byy
the outside facing in. Two balls, possession threading a pass s to
on opposite sides of the circle, him in the circle
are passed in. The player who
passes follows the ball, then the
receiving player does likewise,
passing clockwise to the next
man outside the circle [1a].
To progress, add poles within
the circle to create obstacles,
encouraging players to take a
touch to make space, as shown
40
[1b]. Change the direction of
play every couple of minutes.

8v4 practice 2b
For the main session, set up
a 60x40-yard area and split
your players into a team of
eight attackers (the blues) and
a team of four defenders (the
reds), as shown [2a]. Inside
the area mark out a target
circle measuring 10 yards
across that only attackers
can enter. Play an 8v4 game 60
where overloaded defenders
must prevent attackers from
threading a pass to a team Prevent the
mate inside the target circle. reds from just
Attackers score two points for surrounding
the circle by
a received pass, and to prevent allowing the
defenders from just shielding blue attackers
the circle, they also score a to score 1
point by making six consecutive point with six
consecutive
passes anywhere in the area, passes
as shown [2b]. Defenders
score a point by winning
possession. Play restarts
after every point scored. Play
this in three-minute sets 40
before rotating defenders.
Do three sets then rest.

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GUS POYET: FINDING THE FREE PLAYER

What are the key

things to look for? 3
Attackers must move the
ball quickly and stretch the
defending team, always with
the aim of playing into the
A blue attacker enters
circle. They must show good the arrea to receive the ball
judgement of when to pass and sccores 2 points
safe and when to risk a ball
into the circle. Defenders
must communicate and cover
space quickly and effectively.
60
How do I progress the session?
Adapt the 8v4 practice by
reducing the size of the target
circle, or adding a second
target circle elsewhere in the Progress the practice Here the blue attackers
by adding a second circle move the ball quickly to
area increases difficulty for to offer an extra challenge capitalise on the space
defenders, as shown [3]. for defenders. Here one
To offer a new option for defender covers the circle
while the others press
the attackers, we swap the
circles for a five-yard wide
scoring zone across the area
[4]. All players can cross the
zone but only attackers can
wait in it. Here, attackers
are looking at width rather
40
than a focused target. This is
done to make the practice as
match-realistic as possible. 4
The attackers Progress the
“Toofferanewoption are looking for
width rather than
practice further
by replacing the
fortheattackers,we a designated
target now. Here
target circles with
a scoring zone
swapthecirclesfor the blues score 2

afive-yardscoring points with a pass

into the zone

zoneacrossthearea”
KEY SCORING
OR ZONE 60
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble

40
19 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LMA AMBASSADOR Overview making the most of space

Mike Phelan This is a full squad session on the pitch. It challenges
that works on passing out defenders and creative
Decisions,pressure, from the back and making the midfielders to combine and
possession right decisions to pass and get the ball into dangerous
SET-UP keep possession. Its focus areas of the opposition play.
AREA includes first touch, through Also, if the team as a whole
Up to full pitch balls, switching play and is not winning the ball back,
EQUIPMENT possession skills, with a final this is a good session to coach
Ball, bibs, cones, poles, 4 full size shot or killer pass at the end. players to close down and press
goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS For the defenders the session quickly when they lose the ball.
20 players + 4 goalkeepers works on pressing skills, and It is a very match relevant
SESSION TIME on movement to block passes session that works on team
Total: 85mins and to intercept through balls. KEY
passing. It’s good for rehearsing Ball
Switch zones: 20mins the shape of the team with an movement
Killer pass: 20mins This session can help if team Player
Progression: 20mins possession breaks down in important role for wide players movement
Dribble
Game: 25mins matches and teams are not in the final part of the session.

1a 1b The point
is scored
only if a team
After three passes, the mate makes
possession team can pass to a well-timed
Three the player in the other zone run to receive
players from the pass.
each team The attack
must follow then goes the
the pass to other way
the other
half to play
a new 4v4

44
The team in possessioon passes
until creating an opening
g to
o pass
through the gate to score
e

25 25
Switch zones: a player from each team stays in one Killer pass: play 5v5 using the other half of your
half to receive and a 4v4 is played in the other half. squad. Play each activity for 20 minutes before
Play this activity with half of your players. switching players between the two activities.

What do I get the
players to do?
Switch Zones & Killer Pass
Set up two separate but
adjacent areas of 44x25
yards. Play two games
of 5v5, one in each of the
marked out areas. Play
the ‘Switch Zones’ activity
in one of the areas [1a],
which is divided into two
halves. This activity works
on switching play between
the halves and keeping
possession of the ball.
One player from each
team starts in one of the
halves and the players go
4v4 in the other half. After
three passes, the team in
possession passes to the
player in the other half
and play moves to that
end, with one player from
each team staying in the
area without the ball. Play
now goes the other way.
Play the ‘Killer Pass’ activity
in the other area [1b], which
has two gates made of
training poles three yards
apart, one at each end. This
activity encourages players
to make killer passes. Play
5v5, with teams scoring
by passing through the

20 MAY 2017 www.elitesoccercoaching.net


MIKE PHELAN: DECISIONS, PRESSURE, POSSESSION
The team m only score a point if
the pass is received by a team mate
making a welll-timed run. Then
they attack
k th
he other gate at the
same end
The session advances to a 10v10 plus four neutral players, one at each end and two floaters. As
they are neutral, both teams can use the end players to play off and set up scoring chances.
gate to a player receiving on
the other side. Players must
not just wait for the ball on the
other side of the gate – instead,
they should make well-timed
runs to receive. Then play
goes in the other direction
with the team in possession
attacking the other gate next.
How do I progress the session?
Both parts of the first
session come together in the
progression. Set up an area
between the two penalty boxes,
coning it off to the width of the
penalty area. Place four five-
yard gates made of training
poles, one in each corner of
the playing area, as shown [2].
Play 10v10 plus four neutral
overload players (use your four
goalkeepers); one overload
keeper is at each end and two
are floaters in the main area.
21 MAY 2017
The players in possession
pass to create an opportunity to
score through a gate at the end
theyy are attacking
Play starts with one of the
neutral keepers at the end of the
area passing out from the back.
The team in possession have to
pass until they have created an
opening to score with a killer
pass through one of the gates
at the end they are attacking.
To score, the pass has to be
received on the other side of the
gate by a team mate who has
made a well-timed run. After
scoring, the team then attacks
the other gate at the same end,
unless the ball has gone dead
and then the opposition get a
ball and play out from the back.
How would you put this
into a game situation?
Set up an area between the two
penalty boxes, the width of the
full pitch. Position four goals
and a goalkeeper on the 18-yard
line, as shown [3]. Mark out a
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
A neutral
end player
starts play by
passing out
from the back
g
40x30-yard zone around the KEY
centre circle that is only one- Ball
movement
touch for players when they are Player
movement
in that zone. Play is directional Dribble
so each team is attacking
the two opposition goals.
Play 10v10 plus four
goalkeepers. Advancing the
session with this game widens
the area for players to spread
out and move the ball across
the pitch, using the goals at
each end to catch defenders
out (defending one goal and
leaving space at the other
goal invites a switch of play).
The one-touch zone in the centre
“Whenattacking,players
shouldusesomepatience
toseewhereandwhento
makethroughpassesin
thefinalpartofthepitch”
www.elitesoccercoaching.net

MIKE PHELAN: DECISIONS, PRESSURE, POSSESSION
3 Player
There are two goals to target at each end, so teams can
catch defenders out by switching play to the other goal
adds a technique for the
attacking team to move
the ball at a much higher
tempo and gives the
defending team less time
to press the ball. It makes
vision, and an awareness
of where players are,
quite vital to moving the
ball through this part of
the pitch. It also creates
a reason for passing out
wide to the wingers who
can run with the ball.
What are the key things
to look out for?
When attacking, players
22 MAY 2017
30
ONE TOUCH ZONE
Finish the session with this game and play 10v10 plus four goalkeepers.
should use a little
patience to see where and
when to make through
passes in the final part
of the pitch. Decisions
between passing and
holding onto the ball
are vital for progression
in the session.
Defending players should
be covering dangerous
routes to goal, especially
when facing attacks with
teams playing through
the defensive lines.
Pressing is important
– look for players not
closing down when the
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
KEY
Ball
movement
movement
Dribble
Play starts with one
of the keepers playing
out from the back
40
Play is one–touch in the e
central zone to help move e
the ball on quickly and to
encourage passes out wid de
ball has been lost.
Wide players should be “Thissession
supporting wingbacks challenges
in both defence and
attack, stopping switches defenders
of play and giving andcreative
options out wide for
passes from defence.
midfieldersto
combineand
What are the typical gettheball
mistakes that players
might make? intodangerous
Not playing at a high areasofthe
tempo is a typical mistake,
as is leaving spaces for
oppositionplay”
killer passes to be played
into, and not supporting
the player on the ball.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net

EXTRA-TIME FEATURE: LMA/NSCAA COACHING CONFERENCE
ONCOURSE
WITHTHELMA
Elite Soccer’s David Clarke joined 20 American coaches to experience one of the
coaching conferences organized at St George’s Park by the LMA in association with
the National Soccer Coaches Association of America
R
ecently I had thechance, through
my positionas consultant coach
with Elite Soccer, to join up with
some coaches from America who
hadcome to England for a weekto watch
some top coachingsessions as guests of
the LeagueManagers Association.
Aside from sharing the sessions of its
members through this magazine, the
LMA offers a variety of ways for coaches
to advance and develop their coaching
knowledge, with numerous courses and
conferences on offer.
In thisinstance a special link up
between the LMA and the National Soccer
Coaches Association ofAmerica (NSCAA)
gave 20coachesthe chance to take part
inafive-day coaching conference at St
George’s Park,using experiences and
insights from the professional game in
England to help inspire andprovide unique
learning opportunities.
In thewords ofLMA Chief Executive,
Richard Bevan: “There is a huge volume
ofexperience and insightavailable
through theLMA membership that can be
priceless for amateur and professional
coaches alike.We willbe delivering more
coaching conferences like this both at
home and internationally.”
I caughtup with the NSCAA coaches
on the second day oftheir conference in
order to witness an early morning training
session conducted by LMA ambassador
MikePhelan,formerlycoachandassistant
23 MAY 2017
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
manager at Manchester United and most immediately. As a coach he had a very
recently manager ofHull City. The venue assured manner about him, which was
for thesession was the Derby County most evident when he was working with
Academy at Moor House Farm. the young players, and it made it easier
Phelan took thesession presented for them to understand what he wanted
earlier in this issue ofElite Soccer (pages to get out of the session.
20-22). He demonstrated by coaching
the Derby County development team in a FOOTBALLING PRIDE
passing and receiving, decisionmaking The Derby County Academy houses
practice that built up from 5v5 into a a replica ofthe pitch at Derby’s home
10v10 sessionover the course of a couple ground,Pride Park, with cameras
of hours.
There werenumerous decisions to Elite Soccer
coaching
make for the players, from when to play consultant David
killer passes to when to support play, Clarke meets
with additional focus on teams pressing Mike Phelan
and blocking routes between the lines in
the buildup. Interestingly, Phelan
created a one-touch zone in
the main 10v10 game to help
lift the tempo and to make
an awareness of supporting
players and clevertouches
key to the session.
Phelan was obviously at
ManchesterUnited with
Sir Alex Ferguson for
many years and spoke
after the session about
howyouonly needed
to tell players like Paul
Scholes whatyou
wanted him to do once
and that he learned
what was needed
www.elitesoccercoaching.net

EXTRA-TIME FEATURE: LMA/NSCAA COACHING CONFERENCE
covering all training pitches from multiple
angles and ahydro therapy facility
that includes pools with underwater
treadmills. Derby’s owner Mel Morris
wants to turn their base into oneof the
finest football facilities in Europeand has
already spent much on the current set
up. The Derby-born Candy Crush tycoon
is keen to getpromotion to the Premier
League and is already making the set-up
at Derby a very high standard.
From watching theyouth team coached
at the academy, we allgot on board the
LMA bus and headed to Pride Parkfor the
rest ofthe day. Here wewere givena tour
of thestadiumby former Derby County
favourite Roger Davies, who had helped
the club to the league title in 1975. We got
the chance to have a close up look at the
Pride Park pitch, with its hybrid SIS Grass
playing surface like the one installed at St
George’s Park.
The group from the NSCAA and the
LMA leaders were treated to lunch in
the main room at the stadium normally
reserved for the directors of the club.
Here we also enjoyed a three-hour
leadership master class with sport
psychologist Michael Caulfield, a
director of Sporting Edge.
Caulfield started his session with a look
at thebuilding of high performing teams
in anumber of different sports,including
soccer,cycling, rugby and athletics.
High performing teams work on specific
functionslike coordination, anticipation,
fun,creativity,tactics and winning, he
argued. To bethe best youhave towork
hard on allof these aspects.
His focus was on coacheslikeDave
Brailsford, the former director of
performance ofBritishcyclingand the
general manager of TeamSky, acoach
who hashad aremarkable string of
successes with his teams. But to achieve
thissuccessBrailsford had to invest a
huge amount of hard work– he was a
failed soccer player and afailed soccer
coach, so he retrained and came out on top
Michael Caulfield
(left) conducts a
Q&A with Howard
WiIkinson and
Gary Rowett
24 MAY 2017
Mike Phelan at work with
the Derby youth players
in cycling. What we all took away from the
discussion was that asking forhelp is the
greatest strength we can have.
Going into greater detail we looked at
how inclusion was an important factor
in team play. Forinstance, when a coach
falls outwith aparticular memberof his
team, this can make the player feel like
he is being left out. It doesn’thelp with
confidence on the pitch.
According to Caulfield, “Football
management is one of the most highly
pressurised and turbulentprofessions
and managers often need support and
guidance to navigate through their
challenging careers.”
Caulfield also encouraged a debate on
the topic of how we address the subject
of fear in high performance individuals,
and there was an acknowledgement
that soccer players would never admit
they werescared when they went out to
play in matches, so they wereamong the
hardest sportsmen to talk to about the
mental side of the game.
Caulfield stressed how important it
was for players to address this matter, to
allow them to relax and be themselves,
because it would lead to greater
productivity and stronger individuals.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Here the NSCAA coacheswere
encouraged to talk about their own
experiences with the players they
had encountered, where emotional
confrontationshad occurred.It was
stirring stuff.
COACHING MAVERICKS
The session with Michael Caulfield came
to an end with adiscussion about howto
manage maverick players, in the way that
SirAlex Ferguson managed Eric Cantona
and José Mourinho works to get the best
outof Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Personality is important and theway the
coach deals with the maverick player has
a huge effect on howhe performs on the
pitch – the coach helps amaverick make
a choice in the way he behaves. Howyou
talk to them, how you respond to them,
and what they feel like is vital to gettingthe
very best out ofthem.
The leadership class was a very
educational and eye-opening afternoon,
which gave the NSCAA coaches plenty to
thinkabout in their dealings with players
at every level of the game.
The day ended with Michael Caulfield
hosting a Q&A session with LMA chairman
Howard Wilkinsonand thenewly
appointed Derby County manager, Gary
Rowett, which featured some excellent
opinions on coaching.
The day proved tobe a learning
experience from startto finish.Indeed,
during the five-daycourse the 20coaches
also experienced acoaching clinic with
Alan Pardew atStGeorge’s Park; a
question and answer sessionwith Burnley
manager, Sean Dyche;a resilience master
class with Dr David Fletcher ofSporting
Edge; ahealth and wellbeing session with
Dr DorianDugmore and John Sunderland
Wright;and atrip to watch Everton take on
West Brom at Goodison Park. There was
certainly alot of learning to take away from
theLMA/NSCAA conference.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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AWINNINGSIDE?
OurbrilliantrangeofEliteSoccermanualsfeaturecoachinginnovationfromtheverybestinthe
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THE COLLECTOR
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Volume 4

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MICK MCCARTHY
THE COLLECTORS’ SERIES
15 Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series
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Volume 3
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The Th
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