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SEPTEMBER 2010

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SOCCER COACHING PRACTICES FROM ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE MANAGERS AND COACHES

BOLTON WANDERERS

OWEN COYLE

THE BACK FOUR • Structure • Possession • Protection Exclusive Training practices nal from top professio managers

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

WATFORD

CARLISLE UNITED

CHELTENHAM TOWN

GOALKEEPING

AUSTRALIA

Malky Mackay

Greg Abbott

Mark Yates

Seamus McDonagh

Damian Roden

Midfield 1 SEPTEMBER 2010 magic

Supporting the lone striker

Possession play

Direct distribution

Dynamic warm-up

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Elite Soccer is published by:

ISSUE 02 SEPTEMBER 2010: WELCOME & CONTENTS Green Star Media Ltd Meadow View, Tannery Lane Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0AB, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1483 892 894 Fax: +44 (0) 1483 894 148 Email: elitesoccer@greenstarmedia.net Publisher: Kevin Barrow Editor: James Evans Contributing Editor: Matthew Amos, LMA Design: Jimmy Egerton Illustrator: Richard Palmer Customer Services: Duncan Heard Operations Director: Toby Curthoys Managing Director: Andrew Griffiths Photos: Action Images

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League Managers Association The Camkin Suite, 1 Pegasus House, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, CV34 6LW, UK Tel: +(0)1926 831 556 Email: lma@lmasecure.com President: Fabio Capello Chairman: Howard Wilkinson Chief Executive: Richard Bevan This publication is protected by national and international copyright laws. Elite Soccer will take legal action against any individuals or organisations found to be infringing our rights, and will make that action public.

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2 SEPTEMBER 2010

Coaching expertise from the professionals Dear C Coach, Welcome Welco to the second issue of Elite Soccer, the publication that delves into the brilliant tactical public minds of English football’s leading managers m and coaches.

Each month, we work in partnership with the League Managers Association to produce for you six coaching sessions from some of the most informative names in the domestic game.

Every professional, be they a manager, coach or specialist, puts forward an insightful and intuitive move, straight from the training ground of their club.

That makes Elite Soccer a fantastic and unique tool for amateur and semi-professional coaches looking to get the most out of their sessions.

In this issue, we have Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle giving us the lowdown on a brilliant defensive drill, one that contributed to his club’s impressive finish in last year’s Barclays Premier League season.

From the npower Championship, Watford boss Malky Mackay explains for us a midfield move that looks at breaking forward at pace, while Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott assesses the versatility of working with a lone frontman.

We round off with Mark Yates explaining how his Cheltenham Town side work at retaining possession, plus bring in specialist goalkeeping and warm-up drills from Seamus McDonagh and Damian Roden, the latter having just been installed as the Head of Performance for the Australia national team.

We hope you enjoy this fantastic cross-section of coaching insights. Enjoy the issue, and we’ll see you again next month with six more sessions from the cream of English football coaching.

03 Owen Coyle BOLTON WANDERERS RS

Preparing g the back four

05 Malky Mackay WATFORD

Midfield magic

07 Greg Abbott ott CARLISLE UNITED D

Supporting ting the lone e striker

09 Mark Yates CHELTENHAM TOWN

Possession play

11 Seamus McDonagh James Evans, Editor

Elite Soccer is a monthly publication for professional, semi-professional and aspiring soccer coaches and is available by subscription only. £97 for 12 issues.

To subscribe email duncanh@greenstarmedia.net or call on +44 (0) 1483 892 894

GOALKEEPING COACH

Direct n distribution

13 Damian Roden Dam HEADO HEAD O OF PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA AUSTR

Dynamic Dy wa warm-up

www ww w ww.e ww ..el e it ite tte eso www.elitesoccercoaching.net

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BOLTON WANDERERS

Owen Coyle Preparing The Back Four

PREPARING THE BACK FOUR: MAIN SESSION SETUP AREA

Half pitch

Overview:

EQUIPMENT

This is a purely defensive session in which we structure the back four against opposing attacks with different formations. It is an excellent session when preparing for matchday.

It is game realistic and enables us to prepare for the forthcoming opposition’s formation by practicing against two or three forwards, or a lone frontman.

When I joined Bolton in January last season we had no shut outs in the Premier League.

We specifically worked on this session in training and went on to record five shut outs in the remainder of the season which resulted in a positive finish, keeping us in the Premier League.

Goal, balls

“Make sure every defensive player is clear in their roleandtheir decisionmaking.”

3 SEPTEMBER 2010

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 12

6 attackers (4 midfielders 2 forwards) 5 defenders (2 centre-backs 2 full-backs 1 defensive midfielder) 1 goalkeeper

What do I get the players to do?

We play 6v5 in the attackers’ favour. The number of players can be altered depending on specific team formations, but at Bolton we work on a back four, adding in one defensive midfielder to make five defensive players.

Serve a ball to any of the attacking players.

Defenders approach and tackle, attempting to win possession.

When possession is gained, either a point is won automatically, or the defender has to play the ball between two poles placed four metres apart on either side of the pitch.

The ball then goes back to the coach.

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Attackers receive the ball and move forward.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Defenders winning the ball score a point.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Server restarts play.

Defenders should be aware of different attacking formations.

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PREPARING THE BACK FOUR: PROGRESSION How do I progress the session?

Owen Coyle BOLTON WANDERERS Owen Coyle jumped into the Bolton Wanderers hot seat in January of this year having performed heroics in taking Burnley up to the Barclays Premier League for the first time.

Promoted via the playoffs, and having made it to the semi-final of the Carling Cup in the same season, Coyle’s purist footballing traditions sat comfortably with the Lancashire club’s passionate following, and he made short shrift of budget limitations which meant he called upon just 23 players in the club’s marathon 61-game promotion season.

Having negotiated wins over Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal in the aforementioned Carling Cup run, plus Manchester United and Everton in the early months of Burnley’s Barclays Premier League debut, the former Bolton and Republic of Ireland striker’s managerial pedigree continued to rise. His switch to the Reebok Stadium saw him return to the club he had gained promotion with as a player back in 1995.

He also turned out for Dumbarton, Clydebank, and Airdrieonians (later Airdrie), amongst others, amassing 249 goals in 669 appearances.

4 SEPTEMBER 2010

If defenders are increasingly winning the ball, they need to be encouraged to take it to halfway, keeping possession. If they are intercepted though, the game remains live. Repetition of this session allows players to build confidence and gain a clear understanding of their role.

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

How would you put this into a game situation?

Add more players, for example 7v5 or 8v6, building up to 11v11 when working on full team shape.

What are the key things to look out for technically/ tactically?

We’re looking at the relationship of the back four, and within that, the movement and positioning of the full-backs, plus each player’s recovery position. We need to make sure that every defensive player is clear in their role and their decisionmaking. We will look as well for each defender’s ability to delay the progress of the opposition when not in possession, so allowing time for fellow defenders to retreat.

To progress, keep the game live when defenders win possession.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Defenders encouraged to take the ball forward to halfway.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

If possession is lost, defenders must track back, or attempt to hold up play while other covering defenders regroup. www.elitesoccercoaching.net

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WATFORD

Malky Mackay Midfield magic

MIDFIELD MAGIC: MAIN SESSION SETUP AREA

Over half pitch size

Overview:

EQUIPMENT

This session links midfieldinterplaywith supporting strikers and other forwardminded players.

This progressive attacking style is based around core principles of retaining possession and getting the midfield to move freely. It gets midfielders to link up play and support forwards.

We’re always telling players that possession is so vital, but so too is the transition that allows the team to execute counter-attacking moves.

We practice this at least once or twice a week and are frequently seeing the results come off in matches. It paid dividends in our first game of the new npower Championship season away at Norwich City, when Danny Graham received a pass from Marvin Sordell and burst through the centre of the park to score. It was a great example of measured midfield support play. And even on weeks where we don’t see it played out in a matchday scenario, it’s a great move for general fitness, sharpening of technique and tactical awareness.

Goal, balls

5 SEPTEMBER 2010

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 13

6 defenders 6 attackers 1 goalkeeper

What do I get the players to do?

Create a 25x25 yard square around the centre spot and play 5v5 in this area. We look for three (or more) completed passes before the ball is moved out of the zone. Once that pass is made, the team have eight seconds to score a goal. To support, use one forward and one defender starting in the D on the 18 yard box.

Either one or two players can break to support the forward, but if two go (thus creating a 3v1 situation), I encourage one of the forwards to go wide, while the other stays central. Players must remain onside at all times.

If the team scores, they jog back to the centre.

If they miss, they must sprint back.

Such is the flexibility of this session, it can be tweaked to involve any number of players.

Do this for 4x4 minutes, with one minute recovery in between.

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

A minimum of three short passes are needed in the central box.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The ball can be released to the striker. One or two players will support him.

3

What are the key things to look out for technically/ tactically?

Initially, we’re keeping an eye on possession in the central box, awareness of players,

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The players can combine or go it alone, but must find the net within eight seconds.

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MIDFIELD MAGIC: PROGRESSION MIDFIEL

Malky Mackay WATFORD Watford manager Malky Mackay personifies all of the battling spirit that will be expected of his Watford side this season as they aim for a competitive year in the npower Championship.

But in the form of the 38-year-old, they appear well equipped to do so. After all, Mackay knows the Championship well - three times he was promoted from the division as a player, on the third attempt achieving his ambition of playing in the Premier League.

Having starred for Queens Park and Celtic in his native Scotland – winning five international caps in the process – Mackay moved south of the border in 1998, enjoying six successful years at Norwich City, before moving on to West Ham United and Norwich City.

After hanging up his boots, he worked as a number two to Aidy Boothroyd and Brendan Rodgers at Watford, before being appointed as first-team manager – an appointment described by Sir Alex Ferguson as “a great choice”

“This session can be tweaked to involve any number of players.”

6 SEPTEMBER 2010

and qualit quality of passing. addition, check In addition that players are going thatplaye forward at the right moment. We’ll also focus on the quality of forward runs, intelligence and patience in waiting for an opening, plus communication between players.

1

How do I progress the session?

Tighten the central area (to 15x15 yards), or use two extra forwards outside the box as wingers and two extra defenders as full-backs. Only one of the three players can support the attack, so creating a 4v3 situation.

Players in the central starting box now have the option of passing to either winger or the centre-forward.

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Progress the session with the use of wingers.

2

How would you put this into a game situation?

In a 10-minute smallsided game situation, we would remove the box, play half pitch and add in a back four, playing attack versus defence with an overload of forward players (6v4).

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

In a 4v3 situation, players should be able to pick the right pass and get a shot on goal.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Put it into a game situation playing six attackers against a back four on half a pitch.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

CARLISLE UNITED

Greg Abbott Supporting the lone striker Overview: The session is about working with a lone frontman.

It concentrates on supporting play, attacking with pace, quality finishing, an end product, and exploring key areas of the pitch. It is the way we have played at Carlisle for a while, and successfully too.

We like to go with one frontman and encourage the midfield players to support. Attacking with pace gives opposing defenders less time to react and it therefore becomes easier to get in behind them. This technique also improves our own defending solidity, as our centrehalves are actively involved too. And, of course, being the type of drill that requires pace and movement, it is good for fitness as well.

“This technique also improves defending solidity, as centrehalves are actively involved too.”

7 SEPTEMBER 2010

SUPPORTING THE LONE STRIKER: MAIN SESSION SETUP AREA

The space between each 18-yard box EQUIPMENT

Goals, balls NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 6

3 attackers 2 defenders 1goalkeeper

What do I get the players to do?

We place goals on the 18 yard line of each penalty box, the width of which (44 yards) acts as the width of the whole playing area, and both ends are attacked one at a time.

Each attack is 3v2.

Two attacking players start on their own 18 yard line with one forward acting as the target man, attacking the opposite goal, and marked by two defenders.

Play is started with a free pass to the target man, who then lays the ball off to either of the other two attackers who are now in play. Players have restricted time to score a goal, to be decided by the coach and reduced as the move becomes more familiar.

If defenders get dragged wide, encourage attackers to go through the middle.

If defenders remain narrow, encourage attackers to go on the outside to penetrate.

We work on this regularly and very often we see the results in matches.

Strikers Gary Madine

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Play starts with a pass to the forward. Fellow forwards move towards him at pace.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The ball is laid off to a supporting man. The other forward attacks the space.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The ball is played forward. In this instance, the first defender has been dragged out of position, opening up the possibility of a pass left or right.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SUPPORTING THE LONE STRIKER: PROGRESSION SU

Greg Abbott CARLISLE UNITED Greg Abbott led Carlisle United to Wembley in his first full season in charge – the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Southampton – at the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

It capped an entertaining first season for the Coventry-born manager, who had already been at the club for three years as assistant to Neil McDonaldandJohnWard.

Having also worked with Brian Kidd at Leeds United’s academy, tutoring teams from Under-10 right up to Under-18 level plus the reserves, Abbott’s coaching experience is made complete by spells in the non-league game at Guiseley and Thackley.

As a player, he turned out for Bradford City, where he won the Division Three title in the 1984/85 season, as well as Halifax Town, Guiseley and Hull City.

and Craig Curran worked tirelessly at perfecting this a move in pre-season mov training and can now trai execute it with pace and precision.

What are the key things to look out for technically/ tactically?

I’m always looking out for service to front men, the lay-off from the forward player, the pace of the attack, movement of the forward players plus, of course, the execution of hard and low finishes across the goalkeeper.

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

To progress the move, start the supporting players as wide men.

How do I progress the session?

Vary the starting positions of the defending and attacking players.

Alternatively, make the pitch the full width and play four attackers versus three defenders. We would also bring in another goalkeeper and switch play, attacking end to end, always ensuring an overload of strikers.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Attempt short passes in the middle instead of attacking forward passes.

How would you put this into a game situation?

Go with a full-sized 11v11. Work on the same principles of attacking with pace.

“If defenders get dragged wide, encourage attackers to go through the middle.”

8 SEPTEMBER 2010

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Switch play end-to-end, always ensuring an overload of attackers.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

CHELTENHAM TOWN

Mark Yates Possession play Overview: The session focuses on build-up play with forward passing through midfield using short and longer balls into the frontman. This is very useful in ensuring that players keep possession in midfield, whilst always having in their minds the need to play the ball forward and support.

In every game this scenario will come about. The result is breaking forward using possession to make a 2v1 scenario in an attacking position, so it’s extremely valuable if executed well.

“Players have to react so that their movement and support is neither too early nor too late.”

9 SEPTEMBER 2010

POSSESSION PLAY: MAIN SESSION SETUP AREA

50x30 yards, break up the length into areas of 18, 22 and 10 yards.

EQUIPMENT

Cones, two goals, balls NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 18

10 attackers + goalkeeper 6 defenders + goalkeeper

1 d 18y

What do I get the players to do?

Setuplinesofattackers anddefenderswitha goalateachend.

The attacking team goalkeeper throws the ball out to a forward.

A player can run with the ball but must be looking to make a quick pass. All attacking players should support forward runs, always on the move, and looking to shake off nearby defenders.

Use short and long passing to get the ball forward to the frontman and any supporting midfielder so as to create an overload situation.

Four wingers operate outside the playing area so as to give extra passes from wide.

Always end with a low shot.

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

d 22y

d 10y

The move starts with the goalkeeper playing a simple ball out to a defender, who progresses, involving his team-mates.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Utilise space on the wing and encourage players without the ball to progress.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Alternatively, work the ball in midfield looking for forwards to pull defenders out of position, setting up chances for supporting players.

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POSSESSION PLAY: PROGRESSION What are the key things to look out for technically/ tactically?

Mark Yates CHELTENHAM TOWN Mark Yates landed the Cheltenham Town manager’s post just three days before Christmas last year.

He had previously been with the club as a player, part of an 18-year professional career that saw him play extensively in the Football League for the likes of Birmingham City, Burnley, Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town.

And at Birmingham, he clinched the 1991 Leyland DAF (now Johnstone’s Paint) Trophy at Wembley.

After five years as a player and a further three years treading the managerial boards in the Conference with Kidderminster - during which time he led the Aggborough club to an FA Trophy final against Stevenage Borough Yates accepted the offer to return to Whaddon Road, overseeing Cheltenham’s ambitions of promotion back to npower League One.

This move relies primarily on passing techniques and, as an end product, the ability for the forward and supporting frontmen to hit the target with a low shot into the corner of the goal. But decision making is crucial to the whole process as well - players have to react so that their movement and support is neither too early nor too late.

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

How do I progress the session?

The simple way to progress this session is by limiting touches of the widemen to two.

We might also alter the set-up by allowing defenders to roam anywhere, or instruct for the ball to go in and out of the midfield area three times before a goal is scored.

To make this into a small-sided game, we use 8v8 or 9v9, limiting the number of touches allowed for the defending team so that we achieve regular turnovers.

Progress the move by allowing wingers just one touch. This encourages infield players to immediately adopt free positions because they know they will receive the ball back quickly.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Accuracy of pass from the winger becomes central to the move.

3

“Always end with a low shot.”

10 SEPTEMBER 2010

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Progress further by allowing defenders to roam in any area of the pitch.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

GOALKEEPING COACH

Seamus McDonagh

GOALKEEPERS: DIRECT DISTRIBUTION: MAIN SESSION SETUP

Goalkeepers: Direct Distribution

AREA

Overview:

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 5

I like to use this session because distribution from goalkeepers - using both feet - is now a vital part of the game. The latest statistics show that goalkeepers at the highest level use their feet five times as often as their hands when in control of the ball. Distribution has always been crucial for a keeper, and with the way the game is developing, they are increasingly being seen as an outfield player or quarterback in terms of their ability to start forward moves.

Goalkeepers are tested on the accuracy and value of their distribution every time they release the ball in a match. This session helps distribution to real targets become second nature, and prevents them kicking aimlessly.

1 goalkeeper 1 defender 3 targets

“Goalkeepers at the highest level use their feet five times as often as their hands when in control of the ball.”

11 SEPTEMBER 2010

Half pitch EQUIPMENT

Cones, balls

1

What do I get the players to do?

Position three targets near to the halfway line. Use a striker in various places around the penalty box to fire balls at the goalkeeper, varying the type and intensity of each shot. The goalkeeper must then deliver the ball accurately to each target. Vary between first-time passes and allowing the keeper to take a touch. The primary intention is that he uses his feet, not his hands. If you don’t have players as targets, used coned areas for the keeper to aim at.

What are the key things to look out for technically/ tactically?

We’re looking for passing accuracy over varied distances, and the use of both feet in doing so, plus the fundamental skills of receiving and controlling the ball in the first place. The session is demanding but good fun, and keepers will see marked improvements if they keep practicing.

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The shot must be controlled then played out to a specified target.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The keeper should also look to clear first-time without taking a touch.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The keeper should use the front and side of both feet to pass.

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GOALKEEPERS: DIRECT DISTRIBUTION: PROGRESSION How do I progress the session?

Seamus McDonagh GOALKEEPING COACH Seamus McDonagh was, until recently, first-team goalkeeping coach at Aston Villa. He left the club following the departure of manager Martin O’Neill.

In terms of playing career, he starred between the posts for a host of clubs, including Bolton Wanderers (for whom he scored in a match against Burnley in 1983), Everton, Notts County and Charlton Athletic.

After a spell managing Galway United, he went on to coach at Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Coventry City, before joining Aston Villa in 2006.

As Villa’s first-team goalkeeping coach, he worked on a daily basis with American goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.

Bringing in more players helps goalkeepers visualise the drill more clearly, and helps them better define specific areas.

Another way to progress is to play six attackers against the back four. Get those defenders to hold a high line while the attackers play balls in behind them and chase. Look for the keeper to know how to react to the situation, knowing that in this session he can only use his feet, not his hands.

And we wouldn’t be afraid to have a competition between goalkeepers, with forfeits for losers (e.g. press-ups, sprints).

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The goalkeeper clears the danger by controlling, moving with the ball, and passing to his defender.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Attackers again press.

If the keeper has more time, he can measure a pass to his target.

3 “Look for the keeper to know how to react to the situation.”

12 SEPTEMBER 2010

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Utilise simple passes as well so that onetouch moves can be started. www.elitesoccercoaching.net

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

HEAD OF PERFORMANCE, AUSTRALIA NATIONAL TEAM

Damian Roden Dynamic passing warm-up

DYNAMIC PASSING WARM-UP: MAIN SESSION Activation Exercises: Find space to accommodate all of your players, and perform ‘activation exercises’, namely:

Back rolls

x8

Laying on their backs, players raise both knees to their chest and start rocking forwards and backwards

Cat stretches

x8

On all fours, players must arch the middle of their back, then sink back down, pushing gluteal muscles out

Double leg bridges

x8

Laying on their backs, players bend their knees, keeping feet on the floor, raising their pelvis up and back down

Double leg bridge into single leg extension

x8

As above, but players raise one leg at a time in ‘bridge position’, making sure pelvis does not drop

Overview: This session begins with muscle activation and mobility, moving into a dynamic warmup that takes in flexibility, movement and coordination.

Activation exercises significantly reduce the risk of injury, develop muscle memory, and help optimise explosive movements. And this type of activity relates directly to all movement patterns in a game.

This warm-up might be performed at the start of an energetic training session.

SETUP AREA

Floor space for warm-ups then 30x18 yard marked area EQUIPMENT

Cones and balls NUMBER OF PLAYERS

No limit

“Pay attention to the quality of players’ movement during exercises.”

13 SEPTEMBER 2010

Plank

15-second hold

On all fours, balance on elbows and toes without pelvis dropping (then rest for 15 seconds)

Side plank

15-second hold

On alternative sides, players balance on the elbow and foot with the arm upright (then rest for 15 seconds)

Players then perform a range of dynamic flexibility exercises before going into the passing practice. Players are organised into separate groups with up to six starting with balls at the start cones, one player in the middle and two players on outside corner cones.

What do I get the players to do?

As a low intensity move, the first player lays the ball to the man in the centre and follows his pass, assuming the first player’s position (see diagram number one, below right).

The second player turns, passes to a chosen corner man, then follows that ball.

The corner player runs with the ball and passes back to a player at the start. As soon as the first player is ready, passing continues, with everyone always alternating positions.

1 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The ball is moved around the circuit with each player following his pass.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

DYNAMIC PASSING WARM-UP: PROGRESSION How do I progress the session?

Damian Roden HEAD OF PERFORMANCE, AUSTRALIA NATIONAL TEAM Damian Roden is the Head of Performance for the Australian National team having previously worked in the same capacity for Barclays Premier League teams Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.

Having played semiprofessionally as a midfielder, Damian hung up his boots to concentrate on the coaching side of the game, and having gained a UEFA ‘Pro’ licence, not to mention a Masters degree (MSc) in Sports Science, he is a highly respected thinker in terms of preparation and performance in football, and is looking forward to extending that scope to the southern hemisphere having just joined up with new Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck.

Progress to moderate intensity - players repeat what they did to start off with but instead of turning and passing to the corner player, the second man passes back to the first for them to then pass to the corner (see diagram two).

There are then two high-intensity variations - instead of running with the ball, corner players play a one-two with the second player (see diagram three). In the next variation, instead of playing a one-two with the corner man, player two turns and passes to the opposite flank-running corner player (see diagram four). The player then runs to the opposite corner from where he received the pass, assuming the position of the player now running down the touchline. Alternate between corners with every new player.

2 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Instead of turning and passing, the central player lays the ball off for the first to then pass to the corner man.

3 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Progress so that corner players do a one-two with the central man.

What are the key things to look out for?

“Alter the size of the area depending on the physiological capabilities of the players.”

14 SEPTEMBER 2010

I am paying attention to the quality of movement during exercises. I also need to check that my players are focused on the ball-related activities, ensuring that they optimise their technical development.

4 KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

The central player receives a one-two before passing to the opposite flankrunning corner player

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