www.elitesoccercoaching.

net January 2012

Soccer
Coaching practices from English
football league managers and coaches

kenny
liverpool

dalglish
attacking movement
and interplay
Exclusive
Training practices nal
from top professio
In partnership with

managers

Glenn Hoddle
Nottingham Forest Huddersfield Town Northampton Town Manchester City Academy

STEVE LEE AIDY JIM DAVE

COTTERILL CLARK BOOTHROYD CASSELL BEASANT
Crossing and Rotational Decisive decision Development Angled shot
finishing play making without pressure stopping
interview with experienced
extra-time: top-level boss peter taylor
 In partnership with

Elite Soccer is published by:

issue 18/January 2012: FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Completetrainingpracticesfromthe 4
Green Star Media Ltd
KENNY
Meadow View, Tannery Lane
Guildford, Surrey, Englishgame’sbiggestnames DALGLISH
GU5 0AB, UK LIVERPOOL
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 892 894
Dear Coach,
Attacking
Fax: +44 (0) 1483 894 148
movement
Email: Welcome to the January issue of Elite Soccer.
elitesoccer@greenstarmedia.net and inter-
Publisher:
What better way to start the new year than by
revitalising your training practices? And who
play
Kevin Barrow
Editor:
James Evans
better to learn from than some of the leading
lights in British football?
7
STEVE
Contributing Editor: To begin with, we’re delighted to present a COTTERILL
Matthew Amos, LMA
fantastic training session from legendary Nottingham Forest
Design:
Jimmy Egerton Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish. He Crossing
Illustrator: examines the intricacies of attacking movement and interplay in
a detailed and engaging practice, and its principles have been at
and
Richard Palmer
Customer Services: the heart of the club’s revival since he returned for a second spell
finishing
Duncan Heard
in charge in January 2011.
Marketing Manager:
Paul Mortimer
Operations Director:
From the npower Championship, Nottingham Forest manager
Steve Cotterill details a training ground plan that rehearses sides
9
Toby Curthoys in the key ideas behind crossing and finishing. And from npower
Managing Director:
League One, record-breaking Huddersfield Town manager LEE CLARK
Andrew Griffiths Huddersfield Town
Lee Clark looks at how to rotate player positions with maximum
Photos: Action Images
effect. Rotational
Publishedinpartnershipwith:
Moving on, Aidy Boothroyd – who was recently installed as
play
manager at npower League Two side Northampton Town
– presents to us a session that rehearses decisive decision- 11
League Managers making in all areas. AIDY BOOTHROYD
Association Northampton Town
And to wrap up, we have two brilliant sessions from highly-
The Camkin Suite,
1 Pegasus House, regarded coaches in the game. Former FA Cup winner Dave Decisive
Tachbrook Park, Warwick, Beasant, who works at the Glenn Hoddle Academy, presents the decision
CV34 6LW, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1926 831 556
technical aspects of angled shot-stopping for goalkeepers; while making
Email: lma@lmasecure.com
Manchester City coach Jim Cassell – the man who has overseen
the youth development of over 100 Premier League stars – looks
President:
Fabio Capello at players’ tactical thinking in situations when pressure isn’t 13
Chairman: being applied by opponents. JIM CASSELL
Howard Wilkinson Manchester City
We hope these exclusive sessions will inspire your team, and look
Chief Executive:
Richard Bevan forward to bringing more your way next month. Development
without
This publication is protected
by national and international
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copyright laws. Elite Soccer will
take legal action against any
individuals or organisations
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and will make that action public.
Elite Soccer members who DAVE BEASANT
have purchased this report may
circulate electronic or hard Elite Soccer is a monthly publication Glenn Hoddle Academy

Angled shot
copies to members of their own
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for professional, semi-professional stopping
However, no part or whole of
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and aspiring soccer coaches and is
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2 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

management matters

MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARDS

Tottenham Cardiff City Charlton And finally to

Hotspur
roared into title
contention during November
with a sequence of results
that proved enough to land
manager Harry Redknapp
the Barclays Premier League
Manager of the Month award.
Spurs recorded three out
of three top flight wins - on
the road at Fulham and
West Bromwich Albion,
and at home to Aston Villa.
Continuing that run of victories
on into December, the north
London club are proving
themselves potential title
contenders.
Tottenham Hotspur: W3 D0 L0
(league only)
boss Malky
Mackay scooped the npower
Championship Manager of the
Month Award for November
after the Bluebirds won four of
their five matches. Following
a slow start to the campaign,
the Welsh side roared into life
in November with away wins
at Derby County and Reading,
as well as securing home
successes against Crystal
Palace and Nottingham
Forest. They also defeated
Blackburn Rovers to make it
through to the semi-final of
the Carling Cup.
Cardiff City: W4 D1 L0
Athletic
extended their lead at the
top of npower League One
despite playing only three
times during November,
but the trio of victories were
enough to see manager
Chris Powell awarded the
monthly divisional award.
The Addicks beat Preston
North End and Brentford, plus
ended Huddersfield Town’s
43-match unbeaten league
record with a 2-0 victory at The
Valley. Former player Powell
also saw his side progress
in the FA Cup with a 4-0 first
round victory at FC Halifax.
Charlton Athletic: W3 D0 L0
npower League
Two, where Cheltenham Town
manager Mark Yates was the
panel’s choice. Unfancied
at the start of the season,
the Robins moved into the
automatic promotion places
after wins against Bradford
City, Port Vale and Oxford
United. The club also secured
their passage in the FA Cup
with a 1-0 first round victory
away at League One side
Tranmere Rovers. And a 4-2
win against Luton Town in the
next round set them up with a
money-spinning third round
clash at Tottenham.
Cheltenham Town: W3 D0 L0

CAREERPATH Well I never played at a high level, but

... with John Coleman, long-serving
manager of Accrington Stanley
Q. You played the majority of your career
outside the Football League. Did that
make your route into management more
difficult?
I’m not sure it made it more difficult, but it
certainly helped me realise the transitional
period that comes with going from part-
time to full-time. That is very useful for
when I dip into non-league football to bring
players into the pro game. Initially, it was
difficult because I wasn’t used to full-time
training and the mechanics involved in
running a football club, but I quickly got to
grips with them. I believe that for any coach
at any level, new challenges should always
be worthwhile experiences – it’s all about
grasping them with both hands.
Q. So what advice would you give to
aspiring coaches who haven’t had the
benefit of playing the game at a high
level?
have forged a career in the game, and it’s
all about hard work. Volunteering at first
in terms of new techniques and methods.
They also really help your organisational
skills, as well as providing focus on aspects
is essential, but it’s one of those genuine of the game that might be outside of a
industries where quality people get coach’s immediate field of vision.
noticed. It’s possible to rise through the Q. You’ve now been at the Accrington
ranks at most clubs if the application and Stanley helm for over 12 years. Did
desire is there. you imagine it becoming such
The first step really is in motivating what’s a lengthy spell in charge?
in front of you – your players. They are All you can do when taking
all individuals and you have to be able to over at a new club is try your
converse with them on things outside hardest and surround
of football to really understand what yourself with enough
makes them tick. If you can do that then support so as to get the
you will gain a better idea of what will job done in the best way
motivate them on the pitch. The European possible.
approach is to concentrate solely on the Flexibility and
sporting aspect, but personally I think that adaptability are
you have to see footballers as men, not key, because
commodities. although I may
Q. What do the coaching badges offer to have bucked
aspiring coaches? the trend,
I’ve done all of mine now and have my football is a very
UEFA pro-licence as well. While there short-term
is no substitute for life experience and business.
coaching players on a day-to-day basis, the
qualifications do help to broaden horizons

3 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

LIVERPOOL
Kenny attacking movement and interplay
Dalglish Move 1: quick wide
Attacking
Striker 1 must be coached to
attack ‘drop-off’ the defender before
movement coming to receive the ball

and
interplay
Overview:
This session helps
improve movement

1
and interplay
between midfielders
and forwards.
It’s designed
to encourage The wide man
understanding breaks forward to
between players receive the pass The second
striker drops
through timing of Key
Ball deep to receive
runs, weight of pass, movement
Player
movement
and expectation Dribble

of a team mate’s
movement. A pass is threaded
Building this through the channel to
the wide player
understanding is
vital for the creation
of chances as a
fluid unit, and this
session offers a
number of set-ups
and progressions to
test attacking and
defending players in
equal measure.
2
Each move takes
place on a half
pitch with four
mannequins placed A floated cross invites
Key
8 yards apart across Ball
movement
the three players to
attack the goal
the pitch, 10 yards Player
movement
Dribble
outside the penalty
box. These represent
the back four. What do I get the who has moved deep What are the key The wide man needs
players to do? to support. Timing of things to look to time his run well to
The coach starts the the pass is essential for technically/ ensure he stays onside
drill by laying the ball to so that striker 2 can tactically? in front of the line of
themidfielder,whohas play a threaded pass We must see good eye mannequins, and a
two strikers moving off between the centre- contact between the good weight of final
SET-UP the mannequins and a back and full-back midfielder and striker 1. pass and subsequent
winger out wide. mannequins for the Passing moves are cross is essential.
Area
wide man to run on to conducted at pace and
Half pitch The midfielder plays
and cross. with precision, so
Equipment the ball in to striker
1, whose double The two strikers and confident and well
Balls, mannequins, communicated link-up
goal movement means he midfielder make their
moves away then turns way into the box for the play is essential.
Number of Players
5 (incl. a keeper) back sharply to receive cross. We now rerun on The double movement
Session time the pass. the opposite flank. of striker 1 is important
The striker lays the in terms of him losing
7-8mins for each
move, 3-4mins for ball to his team mate his man – he goes long
each progression only to come back short.

4 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

attacking movement and interplay

Move 2: quick A lofted ball picks

out striker 1 with
central attack attacking team
mates looking to
Kenny Dalglish support
LIVERPOOL
Kenny Dalglish began
his second spell in
charge of Liverpool in
January 2011, returning

3
to the Anfield hotseat
after a gap of almost
two decades, having
overseen the club’s
youth set-up for the
previous two seasons.
In the central attack,
Whilst away from striker 1 feints forward
Merseyside, Dalglish before spinning back
took charge at Key
around the centre-back
Ball
Blackburn Rovers, movement
Player
movement Striker 2 rolls his
Newcastle United and Dribble
defender
Celtic, and enjoyed time
out of the game having
also experienced a The striker this time
glittering playing career pulls wider, and a
deeper cross into the
that included multiple centre results
domestic and European
honours.
And in his first full
season back in charge,
the 60-year-old
appears to be shaping

4
the Reds into a force to
be reckoned with again
with a brand of positive
attacking football - the
club’s immediate
aim being a return to
Champions League
action.
Key
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble

What do I get the the floor that is run What are the key crucial that his wide
players to do? on to. things to look man and fellow striker
The coach starts the At this point the wide for technically/ make positive and
drill by laying the ball man runs diagonally tactically? determined runs into
to the midfielder, who inside the mannequin, Technique and weight the box for a potential
opens up with a first while striker 2 also of pass again come to finish. Again, we rerun
touch onto his right makes a charge for the fore, particularly for on the opposite flank.
foot. the box. the ball played by the
Striker 1’s movement Striker 1 either takes midfielder into the feet
“Building sees him come short the ball on himself to of striker 1. This pass
needs to be perfect so
understanding first, before spinning
in behind the centre-
finish, or plays square
for one of the other two the frontman can take
is vital for the back. The striker inrushing players to it in his stride. Again,
if the striker goes too
creation of is picked out by the
midfielder using
finish.
early he risks straying
chances as a either an aerial ball or offside. Assuming
he stays onside, it’s
fluid unit.” a threaded pass along

5 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Kenny Dalglish
LIVERPOOL attacking movement and interplay

How do I Move 3: measured

progress the
drills? central attack
Each of these
three drills can
be progressed
by adding in four
defenders in place
of the mannequins,

5
plus a holding
midfielder whose job
it is to interrupt the
initial approach play.
The midfielder
makes a positive
forward run

Key
Both strikers drop,
Ball
movement
looking to receive the
Player
movement
ball
Dribble

6
The supporting
midfielder runs
from deep to form a
Striker 2 passes forward
two-man attack
for striker 1 and the
Key
Ball supporting midfielder
movement
Player
movement
Dribble

What do I get the Striker 2 moves around to the other side of striker 1 remains
players to do? the front to receive as in previous important, as does
In this move, we the lay-off from his developments. the timing of the
“The session substitute the winger team mate. He then
plays an immediate
What are the key midfielder’s run
breaking at pace
can be for an additional things to look
midfielder, positioned pass through the back for technically/ through the defensive
progressed on the other side of the four for the second
midfielder to run on to,
tactically? line, whilst ensuring he
stays onside.
by adding coach.
To start, the coach
who ensures he times
The central passing
move is now tighter
in four touches the ball to the
his run well so as to
receive the pass in his
with an additional
defenders in midfielder, who opens
up and plays to striker
stride. The front two
midfielder, and this
increases the need for
place of the 1, whose movement
move forward looking
to score.
accurate and well-
mannequins, is once again to fake
going long before Once finished,
weighted passing
throughout. The
plusaholding coming back short. we direct the drill double movement
midfielder.”
6 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 In partnership with

Nottingham Forest
Steve crossing and finishing
Cotterill SET-UP
Crossing
and
finishing
Area
Half pitch
Equipment
1a
Overview: Balls, goals
Number of Players
This session
encourages players 14
Session time
to make positive
and ambitious 45mins
runs into advanced
What do I get the
areas. It’s a practice players to do?
that rehearses
good finishing and We position two
requires high fitness players at each side
Key

levels . of two goals, placed Ball

movement
at either end of a half Player
movement
It’s important to pitch.
Dribble

practise this because Team mates combine, with

crossing scenarios The server passes to a player 1 cutting inside and
are pivotal to most keeper, who then plays player 2 breaking down the
wing. Players 3 and 4 begin
right into player 1 who

1b
attacking elements their runs
of the game, and has advanced onto
having players able the pitch. He collects,
to perform positive then cuts inside and
attacking actions in plays a reverse pass to
and around the box is player 2 (1a). Player 2
crucial for any team. overlaps and crosses
the ball as his team
mate continues his run
towards the box.
In the meantime,
players 3 and 4 – who
started on the other
side of the goal – sprint
forward into the box, Key
Ball
movement
attacking near and far Player
movement
posts (1b). One of the Dribble

three attackers must The three players arrive in

the penalty box to attack the
score in the goal. cross from player 2
Next, an attack starts

1c
in the other direction
(1c). Further attacks
practise consecutive
left and right flanks.
What are the key
things to look out
for technically/
“Performing tactically?
positive This session requires
precise and well-
attacking weighted passes, plus
actions in close attention must
be paid to the type and
and around quality of touch.
the box is The timing of runs is
The move now comes back in
crucial for crucial if players are
to arrive onto a pass
Key
Ball
movement the opposite direction

any team.”
Player
movement
Dribble

7 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

crossing and finishing

Steve Cotterill at the right time, and

Nottingham
Forest
Steve Cotterill took
attacking players in the
box must adapt their
finish to the type of
2a
charge at Nottingham delivery.
Forest having joined How do I progress
from fellow npower the session?
Championship side
Portsmouth in October We now change the
2011. mechanics of the
Prior to arriving at the attack. This time, after
City Ground, Cotterill receiving the ball from
had built a reputation the keeper, player 5
as a dynamic young lays short to player 6,
manager, leading who plays a long ball
Cheltenham Town forward into the feet of Key
Ball
movement
from the Conference the advancing player Player
movement
to League One, before 1 (2a). Dribble

spells at Stoke City, In the progression, players

Sunderland, Burnley Players 6, 7 and 8 make 5 and 6 combine before
and Notts County. In their way towards the sending a long pass forward

2b
total, he has achieved other box, while player
four promotions as a 5 sprints up the wing.
manager. He receives short from
Financial worries at player 1 and crosses to
Portsmouth hampered the inrushing attackers
his progress on the (2b).
south coast, although We progress further
under difficult
by adding defenders
conditions he did
ensure the club’s
in the target areas (3).
Championship status, We might also restrict
and has now embarked attacking breaks to
on a similar repair one- or two-touch.
mission at Forest. How do I put
As a player, he turned this into a game
situation?
Key
out for Burton Albion, Ball
movement
Wimbledon, Brighton Player
Adopt the same movement
Dribble
& Hove Albion and
Bournemouth.
principles for a game The ball is touched back for
with players fixed in player 5 to cross
wide areas. The ball

3
has to go wide and
players can only score
from crosses.

“This session
requires
concentration Adding defenders increases
and precision Key
Ball
movement
the need for attackers to time
and position forward runs
of passing.”
Player
movement
Dribble well

8 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Huddersfield Town
Lee Clark rotational play

Rotational SET-UP
play
1a
Area

Overview: 75x65 yards

Equipment
This practice is about
players supporting Balls, cones, goals
and creating space Number of Players
50
for themselves 22
Session time
and their team
mates through 8v8 game 15mins,
clever rotation, 11v11 game 40mins
an awareness of What do I get the
space, and excellent players to do?
communication. In a 50x25-yard In the 8v8 game blues, in
In order to become area we mark out possession, use the target
Key
a proficient passing a small channel at Ball men to move into space and
25
movement
team, players must Player build an attacking move
each end, dividing movement
Dribble
learn to create space the central area into
at all times. It’s a four boxes. This is
philosophy that we
always encourage
at Huddersfield
8v8 plus four target
men – two at each end
in the channels. The
1b
Town, and is reliant objective is effective
on a high tempo rotation of movement 50
and dedicated work in receiving and
rate throughout, passing, with teams
with quality a vital scoring a point by
component as well. transferring the ball
from one end to the
other using both sets
of the target players
(1a/1b). They negotiate a route
There is a three-touch Key through to the other end
25

Ball
and a point is scored
maximum for infield
movement
Player
movement
players, while target Dribble

players are one-touch,

and can play to each
other once before
passing back out.
Infield players cannot

2a
play back to a target
man after receiving the
ball.
“We’re What are the key
things to look
looking for for technically/
tactically?
a good body We’re looking for a
shape and good body shape and
positive positive attacking
gestures, such as
attacking receiving on the
gestures, turn. Players are
encouraged to rotate
such as positions using good In the 11v11 game, play is
receiving on movement and
communication; they
Key
Ball
movement
moved through the thirds with
team mates moving for and
the turn.”
Player
movement
Dribble running onto passes

9 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

rotational play

must create space

Lee Clark
whilst ensuring
passing accuracy.
They must also guard
2b
Huddersfield against being drawn
Town towards the ball too
Lee Clark has made a early, thus killing their
huge impression in his space. And it’s vital
first managerial post,
too that target men
taking his Huddersfield
Town side on a
are not ball focussed,
43-match unbeaten so are always looking
league run, which for options before
lasted four weeks short receiving.
of one calendar year. How do I progress
Having lost out in the the session? Key
2011 npower League To progress, we move Ball
movement Blues work the ball into the
One play-off final last Player
final third and score
to a 75x65-yard area, movement
Dribble
season, Clark has
galvanised his troops
divided into thirds. This
again this year, and is 11v11 and the keeper
his positive, dedicated starts the practice (2a).

3
management style is To score, players
reflective of the way he have to play through
played the game during each section by
a 16-year professional moving forward,
career. Starting at
before recovering
Newcastle United in
1990, he switched to
back into their shape
rivals Sunderland, then (2b/3). Players must
Fulham, before ending be willing to fill in to
his playing days back at cover team mates
United in the 2005/06 who have moved out of
season. position – for instance,
He began coaching at if a defender breaks
Newcastle under then through into the final
manager Glenn Roeder, third, a midfielder Key
before switching to drops back into the Ball
movement
Norwich City. He was defensive line (4). Player
movement Here, while yellows press,
given the manager’s Dribble blues rotate players by
job at Huddersfield in
In the progression, a moving into space vacated
December 2008. high tempo is required by team mates
throughout to make
this as game realistic

4
as possible.

“Players
must be
willing to fill
in to cover
team mates
who have In this instance, a defender
moved out of Key
Ball
movement
breaks forward, leaving the
midfielder to tuck in and
position.”
Player
movement
Dribble cover

10 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Northampton Town
Aidy decisive decision making
Boothroyd SET-UP
Decisive
decision
making
Area
Penalty box
Equipment
1 12
Overview: Balls, cones, goals
Number of Players
This session focuses
on decisions made 5v5 upwards
Session time
by individuals and the
team when winning 20mins per game
the ball back in a
transition. What do I get the
players to do?
Turnover of play
Passing square
is one of the
We warm up using a

12
most common
occurrences in a passing square – four Key
Ball

football match, players on cones movement

Player
movement
In Passing Square, target
placed midway along players remain stationary
and equipping our
Dribble
while working players swap
players to know how each side of a 12x12- positions as the ball rotates
to maximise space yard square. There
and possession in are two balls - both go

2a
these situations anti-clockwise - with
means we can make two stationary players
best use of the ball. as opposite target
men. The other pair
The session works
are runners, swapping
through a number
positions in time to
of different drills,
receive passes from
designed to rehearse
the target men before
passing, dribbling
moving the ball on (1).
pressing and
All players are two-
finishing.
touch. We frequently
switch pairs’ tasks, so
target men become In the five-goal game,
workers and vice versa. reds look for space and
Key goalscoring openings
We want to see quick, Ball
movement
accurate link-up play Player
movement
Dribble
and working players
running onto passes.
Five-goal game
The five-goal game
puts elements
practised in the
2b
warm-up into a
“This session competitive setting.
focuses on We place five coned
goals, each five yards
decisions wide, in a 44x18-yard
made by area. There are two
positioned vertically
individuals in from the left and
and the right touchlines, and When play is turned over,
another horizontally
team when
reds’ immediate reaction is
across the middle. In to drop back, covering the

winning the
goals
the example given, this
is a 7v7.
ball back in a Key
Ball
movement

transition.”
Player
movement
Dribble

11 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

decisive decision making

If needs be, we can

Aidy Boothroyd
extend the game right
up to 11v11, increasing
the area size gradually.
3a
Northampton In possession, we’re
Town
looking for players to
Aidy Boothroyd was
unveiled as manager
make use of the five
of Northampton scoring areas (2a),
Town in November whilst staying aware of
2011. The 40-year- their defensive duties
old had previously (2b), since turnover
been at Coventry City, of play is frequent
Colchester United and quick. Out of In Handball, players position
and, notably, Watford, possession, players well to receive, then score by
for whom he secured need to decide whether playing to their target man
promotion to the to press opponents or
Premier League in the
protect the goals.
2005/06 season – his Key
first full year in charge. Handball Ball
movement
Player
He joined Northampton Handball retains movement
Dribble

with the immediate positional awareness

task of steering the club whilst focusing players
away from the npower on one set scoring

3b
League Two relegation target. In the same 18-
places. yard box, we play 5v5
As a player, Boothroyd up to 11v11, instructing
starred in the the defending team to
lower leagues for
either press high (all
Huddersfield Town,
Bristol Rovers,
players beyond the
Mansfield Town and halfway line) or drop
Peterborough United, deep (all in their own
plus had a short spell half) to fashion specific
in Scotland playing for attacking scenarios for
Hearts. the opposition.
Therefore, the team
in possession must This develops with the ball on
recognise when to play the floor. Here, a longer ball
is played before the scoring
over, and when in front pass
of their opponents. To
score, teams pass the Key
Ball
ball with their hands movement
Player
movement
into the arms of a target Dribble

player, who is stood

in a six-yard scoring
“The team in zone midway along the

4
short touchline (3a). We
possession progress the game by
must playing it with feet (3b).
11v11 game
recognise We conclude with a
when to play full-size game (4).
over their Tactically,playersmust
recognise the right
opponents option; technically, it’s
and when to about executing a pass,
a skill or a dribble in
In the 11v11 game, the

play in front Key team in possession needs

order to make the most Ball
movement to judge whether to play to

of them.”
Player areas in front or behind the
of a situation. movement
Dribble opposition

12 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Manchester City
Jim Cassell development without pressure
Development SET-UP
without
1
Area
pressure Full pitch
Overview: Equipment

This practice is aimed Ball, cones, goals

at encouraging Number of Players 60
players to develop 18 (9v9 plus keepers)
their decision- Session time

making. It’s done Warm-up 20mins,

by allowing them to practices 30mins
make choices without
pressure being
applied. What do I get the
It’s a session that players to do?
has offered great Warm-up Key
Ball 40 In the warm-up, each
success where our In the warm-up, we
movement
Player central player receives
youth players are
movement
Dribble from his server and, using
set up three lines of six progressively different
concerned. players in a 60x40-yard turns, passes to his other
It provides them team mate
area. Player 2 receives
with composure, from player 1 and
confidence and the
knowledge of how to
create space and time
feeds player 3 (1). The
purpose is to practise
various turns using the
2
in a game, as well as inside and outside of
the skill to select the the foot, or allow softer
right pass in the final passes so players run
third. into space behind.
We will rotate players
during practice.
Practice 1
We now split the area
into two sideways
pitches with goals
and keepers at each In Practice 1, the midfielder
feeds a pass to an attacker
end. Outfield, it’s Key
Ball
movement
on his left, who attempts to
4v4 in each half plus Player
movement
beat his defender and shoot
one midfielder who Dribble

supports the attacking

team. He passes to

“The session
either attacker on one
side. The receiving
player must beat his
3
provides defender and shoot (2).
Next, a ball is served
players with to an attacker on the
composure, opposite side.
We develop this by
confidence allowing the midfielder
and the to actively join in – for
instance, by following
knowledge his pass to make a 3v2
of how to overload.
create space Practice 2 Now the midfielder is
positioned in a circle. He
Now we place the
and time in a midfielder in a circle,
Key
Ball
movement
cannot be pressured, so has
time to find the right pass
game.”
Player
where he cannot be movement
Dribble

13 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

development without pressure

pressurised. This

4
enables him time to
select the right pass(3).
Jim Cassell To develop, we allow
Manchester City the midfielder to run
Jim Cassell is the the ball out of the circle.
creator of one of the He can take three
most successful touches before feeding
British talent pools.
a pass in to a striker. (4).
From 1997 to 2010 he
was the leading force Full pitch game
and ideas provider of We move to a full pitch,
the Manchester City 9v9 plus two keepers.
FC Youth Academy, It’s 4v4 in each half,
nurturing top stars
while both midfielders
such as Shaun
Wright-Phillips,
can move unopposed Key
To develop the drill, the
Stephen Ireland, in the central area, Ball
movement
Player midfielder can move out of
Nedum Onuoha, Micah which is 20 yards deep movement
Dribble his circle
Richards and Daniel (5).
Sturridge. In total, 37 of Starting play with
his Academy graduates either keeper,

5
have played in the defenders must
Premier League.
receive the ball and
Throughout the feed the midfielder,
entirety of his career, who plays the ball to
Cassell has overseen
a front or wide player.
the development of
over 120 graduates
Midfielders can pass
who have progressed early or run with the
to the highest level of ball (6).
professional football, What are the key
and 24 of these players things to look
have gone onto for technically/
represent their country tactically?
at full International
level. In Practice 1, we’re
looking for good
Key
movement when Ball
movement
On a full pitch, midfielders
are unopposed and
receiving the pass Player
movement
positioned in a 20-yard
from the midfielder –
Dribble
channel
so crossovers, spins,
movement off the

6
shoulder etc.
Practice 2 and the main
“Players game are designed
to enable greater
should keep freedom in controlling,
their heads turning, and timing
passes. Players should
up when keep their heads up
running with when running with
the ball, should use a
the ball, use selection of passes,
a selection of and must be willing to
take on defenders.
passes, and
be willing
Play must start with the
keeper, but midfielders are

to take on Key free to roam outside their

Ball
movement start area

defenders.”
Player
movement
Dribble

14 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Glenn Hoddle
Academy Angled shot stopping
Dave
Beasant
1a
SET-UP
Angled shot Area

stopping
keeper y
Penalty area
Equipment
Overview: Ball, cones, goal
Angled shot- Number of Players
stopping looks at the 4
principles of moving Session time
around the goal in Practice angles
order to give a keeper 40mins,
the best chance of shooting 15mins,
reacting to danger. game 20mins
keeper x
It’s based on an What do I get the
innovative concept players to do? Key
which examines Ball

angles inside the Practice angles movement

Player
movement

penalty area, notably In a penalty area, we Dribble

an ‘imaginary place two angled coned In the first part, the coach

1b
serves a volley or half-
triangle’ around the gates outside the volley into the keeper
six-yard box, two six-yard box. A keeper
edges of which the is stood by each, with keeper y
keeper traverses. the main working
The set-up forces keeper in goal. There
shot-stoppers to are also red cones on
think differently the six-yard line, in line
about how they stand with each goalpost,
and the positions they plus yellow cones at 45
adopt, because every degree angles three
week in the Barclays yards outwards from
Premier League each goalpost.
keeper x
there are examples Goalkeepers work
of keepers taking up around an imaginary
incorrect positions. triangle which extends Key
Ball

This session aims diagonally from both movement

Player
movement
to reinforce an posts to a point about Dribble

understanding of four yards out, and in The keeper then moves

along the line of the
angles and distance line with the penalty

2
imaginary triangle to block
from the goal. spot. a shot from keeper X
From the penalty spot,
the coach serves a
volley or half-volley
into the keeper (1a),
then half-volleys to
keeper X, on his right.
As the ball is travelling,
the keeper in the
goal works down the
angle of the triangle
“This session towards the post, and
aims to into position. Keeper
X catches the ball and
reinforce an serves at goal (1b).
understanding If a saved shot goes to
the right of the yellow If the ball is outside the
of angles and cone, it’s safe. But if it post the keeper must not be
drawn towards the ball, but
distance from falls anywhere around
Key
Ball
movement should stay on the line of the
imaginary triangle to improve
the goal.”
Player
movement
Dribble the saving angle

15 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Angled shot stopping

3
the red cone, keeper Y
can follow up.
We repeat on both
Dave Beasant sides, and through
Glenn Hoddle different gates to vary
Academy
angles.
Dave Beasant became
the first goalkeeper Shooting
to save a penalty in an The coach now lays a
FA Cup final when his pass into a striker on
spectacular stop to deny the 18-yard line behind
John Aldridge helped a central mannequin,
unfancied Wimbledon
who must turn either
to a 1-0 Wembley
success in 1988.
way and try to beat the
keeper with a first- Key
He played for Newcastle Ball
time shot (3). movement
United, Chelsea, Player
movement

Nottingham Forest Next we use Dribble

and Southampton supporting midfielders In the shooting practice,

the striker turns on his
– the striker holds up

4
amongst others, before
mannequin and shoots
moving into specialist the ball for his team first-time
goalkeeping coaching, mate to receive and
with posts at Fulham move through the
and the Northern gate. The striker then
Ireland international
follows in for any
team.
rebounds (4).
Beasant now works
with the Glenn Hoddle Small-sided game
Academy, giving a We conclude with a
second chance to 36x44-yard game. It’s
young keepers who 7v7 (plus keepers),
have been released by played at high intensity,
professional clubs in with players allowed to
England.
shoot from anywhere
(5). Key
Ball
movement

What are the key Player

movement

things to look
Dribble

Now a supporting midfielder

for technically/ must receive and dribble
tactically?

5
through a gate, thereby
Keepers must ensure fashioning a wider shooting
angle
they adopt correct
angles, using the
imaginary triangle as
a guide. We’re looking
for them to get in
position quickly, save
well, and deflect the
“Keepers ball into safe areas, not
must ensure back at players.
In the small-sided
they adopt game, the tight area
correct means rebounds are a
real threat for keepers,
angles, while players must
using the shoot regularly, close
down and find space.
imaginary
The compacted nature
Key of the small-sided game

triangle as a
Ball
movement means keepers have to be
Player
movement
aware of shots coming in

guide.”
Dribble from all areas

16 january 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net


booked: this month’s choice
SacredHoops
Sacred Hoops
Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood
Warrior
Phil Jackson
Hyperion Books 224pp
P
hil Jackson is up
there with the best
basketball coaches
in history, enrolled
in the sport’s Hall of
Fame with a record 11 National
Basketball Association (NBA) titles.
With the Chicago Bulls (aided by
one Michael Jordan – undisputably
the best basketball player in
history) Jackson won the NBA
title three years running – twice.
Proving that it was not all about
Michael Jordan, Jackson then went
on to win five NBA titles with the Los
Angeles Lakers between 2000 and
2010.
Jackson supplemented his
knowledge as a title-winning New
York Knicks player with teachings
from Zen Buddhism and the Lakota
Sioux Indians, earning himself
the nickname ‘Zen Master’. He
decorated his team room with
native American totems and
symbols and started and ended
each practice with the players
in a circle to symbolise forming
a sacred hoop. He even tried to
get the bull on the Chicago logo
replaced with a white buffalo (a
sacred Indian symbol) but that was
considered going too far.
Jackson believes that what
drives most basketball players (and
17 January 2012
presumably most sportsmen
and woman) is not money
or adulation but their love
of the game. “They live for
those moments when
they can lose themselves
completely in the action
and experience the pure
joy of competition.”
One of the main jobs
of a coach, he believes,
is to reawaken that spirit so that
the players can blend together
effortlessly.
The core of Jackson’s vision
was getting the players to think for
themselves. When he took over
at the Bulls, the younger players
were used to being berated by
their former coach when they
made mistakes, and would look at
Jackson after an error, expecting
to be admonished and told what
they had done wrong. “Why are
you looking at me,” he’d ask. “You
already know you made a mistake.”
Being in the moment and not
thinking characterises Buddhist
thinking and Jackson made big
efforts to get his players into a
“cocoon of concentration” without
shutting out the world. One method
was to practise meditation so
that the players could experience
stillness of mind or mindfulness, in
a low pressure setting off the court.
Getting players to meditate
caused amusement for some. One
said it gave him extra time to take a
nap. However, Jackson insists that
even those players who didn’t really
In partnership with
engage got the basic
point that awareness is
everything. Occasionally,
he would conduct an
entire on-court practice in
silence, forcing players to
concentrate and use non-
verbal communication.
Jackson said the results
never failed to astonish him.
Being mindful means
resisting distractions.
Though it didn’t always work,
players were advised that when
they were fouled by opponents
they should take a deep breath,
stay composed and focus on the
goal: victory. Getting buy-in for this
non-belligerent approach required
continuous reinforcement, admits
Jackson, particularly in such a
physical sport.
Against their arch-enemies, the
Detroit Pistons, in 1991 “everyone
on the team was slammed
around” but they laughed it off and
the Pistons didn’t know how to
respond. “We completely disarmed
them by not striking back.” That is
“He was not to say that the Bulls didn’t give
asking the as good as they got on occasions,
when Jackson admits he lost
world’s control.
best As a coach, Jackson wanted
basketball to take a middle road between
player to a relaxed approach – letting
give up the players do what they want – and
what he accuses many coaches
ball and of being: “control-oholics”. He
take fewer identifies with a style described as
shots.” “compassionate leadership” by
www.elitesoccercoaching.net

booked: this month’s choice
management consultant James
O’Toole. This leads with the pull
of inspiring values, rather than
the instinctive push of ideas and
instructions - particularly difficult
to avoid when things are going
badly. The ultimate goal of a value-
“This is the struggle every leader faces:
led leadership philosophy is that
the leader becomes ‘invisible’.
“I wanted to create a team in
which selflessness – not the ‘me
first’ mentality that had come to
dominate professional basketball –
was the primary driving force,” said
Jackson.
One of his trademarks was giving
everybody equal or close to equal
playing time. While most NBA
teams use seven or eight players
regularly, Jackson tried to use
all 12 in the squad in rotation. In a
1992 game against the Portland
Crusaders, the Bulls were down
by 17 points in the third quarter
and sinking fast so Jackson put on
his second unit. His staff and the
press thought him mad but within
minutes the subs wiped out the
deficit and put them back in the
game. One wonders how many
times this tactic would work and
whether Michael Jordan and other
stars were really regularly asked to
be benchwarmers.
To realise his vision, Jackson
acknowledges that he had to win
over Michael Jordan, telling him:
“You’ve got to share the spotlight
with your team mates because
if they don’t, they won’t grow.”
Basically, he was asking the world’s
best basketball player to give up the
ball and take fewer shots.
Here at Elite Soccer,
we value highly the
knowledge and
judgement of you, our
subscribers. Over the past few months
we’ve been delighted to put forward some
fantastic coaching literature that examines
18 January 2012
Phil Jackson
Career history
As player:
1967–1978
New York Knicks
1978–1980
New Jersey Nets
As coach:
1989–1998
Chicago Bulls
1999–2004
Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago Bulls’
Phil Jackson 2005–2011
with Michael Los Angeles Lakers
Jordan in 1997. Source: Wikipedia
how to get members of the team who
are driven by the quest for individual
glory to give themselves over whole-
heartedly to the group effort”
Jackson addresses the
challenge of coaching genius in
a dedicated chapter. Jordan said
he didn’t need “that Zen stuff” and
Jackson concedes that the star
already had a positive outlook on life
and quality of mind, which allowed
him to stay relaxed and focused.
Jordan rarely got depressed,
bounced back from failure, and
had a mesmerising effect on other
players which could lift the mood
of a team. Jackson believes Jordan
was transformed from a gifted solo
artist into a selfless team player
during the time under his wing. This
occurred after Jackson apparently
explained to Jordan that the sign of
a great player is not how much they
score but how much they lift their
team mates’ performance.
There’s only so much a coach
can do to influence the outcome
of a game. Jackson believed that if
you push too hard to control what
happens, resistance builds and
“reality spits in your face.”
Jackson said he was far more
effective as a coach “when he
balanced the masculine and
the psychological side of sports practice, but
there are undoubtedly a number of gems
we’ve not uncovered.
We’d like to hear from you if there’s a
coaching book that has really helped to
shape and focus your side. Contact us at
elitesoccer@greenstarmedia.net, and we’ll
In partnership with
Picture credit: Steve Lipofsky www.basketballphoto.com
feminine sides of his nature. I find
that when I can be truly present with
impartial, open awareness, I get
a much better feel for the players’
concerns than when I try to impose
my own agenda.”
But he rigidly adhered to his
philosophy despite being up
against the money culture of
modern basketball, where the
stars with dramatic eye-catching
moves are paid astronomical
sums and the team players get the
minimum wage. “With so many
people telling them how great they
are, it’s difficult and, in some cases,
impossible, for coaches to get
players to check their inflated egos
at the gym door.”
His dedication to the Triangle
Offense empowered everyone
in his teams by making them
more involved in the offense, and
demanded that they put their
individual needs second to those
of the group. Jackson says: “This
is the struggle every leader faces:
how to get members of the team
who are driven by the quest for
individual glory to give themselves
over wholeheartedly to the group
effort. In other words, how to teach
them selflessness.”
Not everyone agreed with his
approach. When Jackson was
employed one summer early in
his career at the Quebradillas club
in Puerto Rico, he was fired after
three weeks because the team’s
superstar didn’t like the selfless
system of basketball he had
implemented.
look to showcase the best going forward.
In striving to make Elite Soccer the ultimate
monthly soccer coaching title, we’re
always keen to hear your feedback on the
magazine’s content - be that our book
reviews, bonus manager features, or the
coaching sessions themselves.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net

EXTRA-TIME
peter taylor bahrain
Peter Taylor has a wealth of
managerial experience, from
non-league football to the very
top level. Indeed, it was he who
handed David Beckham the
England captaincy for the first
time when he took temporary
charge of the Three Lions in 2000.
He recently accepted the task of
overseeing the fortunes of the
Bahrain national team.
W
hat brief do you have
as the Head Coach of
Bahrain. What are you expected
to deliver?
Bahrain are at 102 in the world
rankings at the moment though
they have just narrowly missed
out on qualifying for the last two
World Cups. They’ve done well
because despite it being only a
small country, they are football
fanatics. Every time you drive
around you see kids training. I’m
hoping the reason they asked
me to come here is because they
know that they have got to be a
little bit more professional on
certain things, and hopefully I can
help them to improve that.
W hat is the standard of
football out there like and
where do the players you are
selecting for the national team
play their club football?
We have got about four
professionals in the squad - one
plays in Switzerland, a couple
play in Qatar and one in Saudi
Arabia. Apart from that they are
local players playing in the local
leagues here.
A lot of the players in the squad
have to work as well as play
football. It can be frustrating but
you just have to accept it.
19 January 2011
In terms of the standard of
football, I would say a good
non-league side – maybe in the
Conference – would give us a real
test. The players here are very
slight in build, but we are getting
there and they are pretty skilful on
the ball.
When I first arrived they didn’t
take things as seriously as I would
have liked, and I believe the only
way you can improve that is by
“Ihavenever
training very seriously. At first
I thought this was going to be
a problem but they have been
magnificent. The spirit we have
within the camp now is very good
and they are training more and
more professionally with every
session.   Butitwas
H ow does the club league
structure work in Bahrain?
There are only two divisions with
about 20 teams in them. Not all
sides have stadiums, so a lot of
the teams play at the national
stadium. Having footballs,
cones and mannequins are
things that we take as a given in
England but we’ve only got five
mannequins here and it can be
frustrating. However, you have to
realise that they are still learning
and developing. Hopefully in
six months’ time we will have
improved in all areas, both on
and off the pitch. I probably drive
them mad telling them how we
used to do things with the English
national side!
H ow does the climate and
culture in Bahrain affect
your preparations?
I came out here in July and
because of the heat we couldn’t
train before 8pm at night, which
In partnership with
meant we were finishing at
beenaway 10pm or later - it was about 40
frommy degrees. Then you have to take
into account Ramadan, when the
familyas
players won’t eat until sunset.
muchand So how you prepare is dictated by
thattakes
many different factors. 
somead-
H
justingto. ow are you finding living
overseas for the first time?
It’s a very new experience. I am
theopportu-
nitytogain
somenew
staying in a nice apartment on
the 20th floor of a complex. I
have never been away from my
football family as much and that takes
experience some adjusting to. But it was the
andIdo opportunity to gain some new
enjoyinter- football experience and I do enjoy
national international football.
football.”
T he Premier League
is celebrating its 20th
anniversary this season; what
level of interest does it hold out
there?
It’s amazing how much coverage
there is out here. So many of
the players follow the likes of
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester
United, Arsenal, Spurs and
Manchester City. It is really good
because when they say to me that
Wayne Rooney is their favourite
player, I can then make points
about why he is good and how they
need to improve and progress to
be like him.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net