www.elitesoccercoaching.

net march 2012

Soccer
Coaching practices from English
football league managers and coaches

Roberto
wigan athletic

martinez
The 1v1 situation
Exclusive
Training practices nal
from top professio
In partnership with

managers

Colchester United Southend United Crewe Alexandra Derby County LMA Ambassador

JOHN PAUL STEVE KEVIN KEITH

WARD STURROCK DAVIS NICHOLSON MILLEN
Finishing under Countering Preventing Drilling the Combination
pressure through a striker crosses defence play

Exclusive interview with swansea

extra-time: city manager brendan rodgers
 In partnership with

Elite Soccer is published by:

issue 20/march 2012: FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Absorbingcoachingsessionsfrom 4
Green Star Media Ltd
ROBERTO
Meadow View, Tannery Lane
Guildford, Surrey, Englishfootball’sleadinglights MARTINEZ
GU5 0AB, UK WIGAN ATHLETIC
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 892 894
Dear Coach, The 1v1
Fax: +44 (0) 1483 894 148
Email: Welcome to the March issue of Elite Soccer.
situation
[email protected]
The season is now entering a crucial phase
Publisher: as teams fight for success, whether they be
Kevin Barrow
claiming honours at the top of the table or
Editor:
James Evans fighting relegation at the bottom. We’re 6
Contributing Editor: sure the selection of training practices JOHN WARD
Colchester United
Matthew Amos, LMA contained in this month’s Elite Soccer will
Design: help you in this crucial period. Finishing
Jimmy Egerton
Illustrator: As always, our sessions are written by the managers and under
Richard Palmer coaches themselves, and presented to you in a clear, concise and pressure
Customer Services: actionable fashion.
Duncan Heard
From the Barclays Premier League, Wigan Athletic manager
Marketing Manager:
Paul Mortimer Roberto Martinez shows how defenders can succeed in 8
Operations Director: challenging 1v1 situations, explaining how even the quickest PAUL STURROCK
Toby Curthoys attacking moves can be repelled. Southend United
Managing Director: Countering that approach, npower League One manager John Countering
Andrew Griffiths
Ward presents a session on finishing under pressure, something through
a striker
Photos: Action Images
that has helped his Colchester United side maintain their push
Publishedinpartnershipwith: for the play-offs this season.
In League Two, experienced Southend United boss Paul Sturrock
looks at the finer points behind counter-attacking through 10
League Managers a striker, while Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis puts STEVE DAVIS
Association forward a drill that rehearses defenders in dealing with the threat Crewe Alexandra
The Camkin Suite,
1 Pegasus House,
from crosses. Preventing
Tachbrook Park, Warwick, We’ve also got a detailed defensive practice from Derby County crosses
CV34 6LW, UK coach Kevin Nicholson, while LMA Ambassador Keith Millen
Tel: +44 (0)1926 831 556 explains how quick combination play can really get players
Email: [email protected] moving and creating opportunities.
President:
Fabio Capello We hope these exclusive sessions will inspire your team, and look 12
Chairman: forward to bringing more your way next month. KEVIN
Howard Wilkinson NICHOLSON
Chief Executive: Derby County
Richard Bevan
Drilling the
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by national and international
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take legal action against any
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found to be infringing our rights, Howard Wilkinson, LMA Chairman
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have purchased this report may
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To subscribe email 16 BOOKED
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[email protected] 18 EXTRA-TIME:
or call on +44 (0) 1483 892 894 ...with Swansea City
manager Brendan Rogers
2 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 In partnership with

management matters

MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARDS

Brendan Birmingham In npower And finally to

Rodgers City’s revival League One, npower League
scooped the under manager Charlton Two, where
Barclays Chris Hughton stepped up Athletic manager Chris Torquay United manager
Premier League Manager of another gear in January, Powell scooped the award Martin Ling was the panel’s
the Month Award for January leading the 53-year-old after his side moved clear at choice. Torquay had started
after Swansea City gained manager to take the divisional the top of the division. the campaign relatively
impressive league victories award. The Addicks saw their way slowly, but roared into top
over Aston Villa and Arsenal. The Blues’ league form was past Brentford, Sheffield form in the opening matches
Having started the month with nothing short of sensational Wednesday, Sheffield United of 2012 with a sequence of
a 2-0 success at Villa Park, during the month. After and Exeter City during the results that took them into the
Danny Graham’s winner at the beginning with a 1-1 draw at month – keeping clean sheets play-off places.
Liberty Stadium then saw off Peterborough United, City hit in all four matches - before The Gulls saw off Plymouth
the Gunners. And Swansea six, three and four goals in their finishing January with a draw Argyle, Macclesfield Town and
were less than a minute away next three matches, against against Bury. Morecambe (in consecutive
from repeating the trick at Millwall, Watford and Leeds The run cemented their place 2-1 away successes), before
home to Chelsea at the end of United respectively. as the bookmaker’s favourites back-to-back 1-0 home
January, but a Neil Taylor own They also defeated for the League One title. wins against Dagenham &
goal in injury time cancelled Wolverhampton Wanderers Charlton Athletic: W4 D1 L0 Redbridge and Northampton
out Scott Sinclair’s opener. and Sheffield United in the FA Town.
We’ve an interview with Cup. Torquay United: W5 D0 L0
manager Brendan Rodgers Birmingham City: W4 D1 L0
on page 18.
Swansea City: W2 D1 L2
(league only)

CAREERPATH
What advice would you give to those done your homework.
looking to start on the path to semi-pro Has your management style changed?
coaching and management? My overall perspective has always been
... with Terry Brown, manager of League You need is to start off at a level where you the same – and that philosophy is ‘winning
Two side AFC Wimbledon are comfortable. It doesn’t matter what is everything’. I love reading about sports
style of football you play - whether it’s route psychology and what makes people
How difficult did you find the transition one or something akin to Barcelona, it just strive for success. My driving force is
from player to coach? has to be winning football. But it’s all about fear of failure - that
I was very lucky in that I was playing hard work and ambition – and there are no doesn’t make me
for Wokingham at the time, and got fast-track routes. negative or any
the opportunity to become first-team Should opportunities come your way then less positive than
coach there. This enabled me to do my you need to make bold decisions. I was those inspired by
homework really by running the youth working for a sales company at the time, so success, but I’m
section, the reserves and then the needed to decide whether the gamble was always driven on
first-team – I’d also been to summer right for me to enter football management by not wanting to
schools and attended courses. So by the full-time. I’m glad it has worked out! fail at anything I do.
time I hung up my boots I was ready for But the lower you go the more It isn’t something
the challenges of coaching. Taking over opportunities you get, and the better you choose - it’s
at a club I’d played for, in Hayes FC, was your chance of success as well. But keep already inside your
another bonus because that provided me everything in perspective - success can soul, but having that
with familiar surroundings, and I had nine be just keeping a side in the division. But mentality helps me on
fantastic years there. nothing comes easy - make sure you’ve a daily basis.

3 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Wigan Athletic
Roberto the 1v1 situation
Martinez SET-UP
The 1v1
situation
Overview:
Area
Up to 44x30 yards
Equipment
1
Any football game Balls, cones, goal
relies on being Number of Players

able to control Up to 12
Key
1v1 situations, in Session time Ball
movement

defence or in attack. 1v1 10mins, Player

movement
Dribble
In 1v1s, it’s not just Three box drill
the technical aspect 10mins,
Small-sided game
of the play, but the 24mins
decision as to when to Simple contact and non-
take players on, when What do I get the contact 1v1s begin the
to use a simple ball to players to do? session

find a team mate, or 1v1 warm-up

10

when to develop the In each 10x8-yard

situation. channel, players begin
Key
Ball
movement
There is nothing in at opposing ends. Blues Player
movement

2
Dribble
the game better than feed yellows, then
a successful 1v1 close down at first by ii. The second

10
defender
attacking situation shadowing only, not approaches
to dislodge any making contact. This square on and
defensive set-up. encourages balance i. Having failed the attacker
to close down side-steps past
This session can and movement of feet. quickly, the
encourage any Moving on, this can defender
be run as a contact allows the 10
individual or any attack a way
team - at any age or drill (1). If desired, this past iii. The third
level - to experiment simple warm-up can defender shows
in that aspect of the also incorporate some composure,
dynamic flex exercises. 10 first angling the
game, from the basic attacker towards
skill of the 1v1, up to Three box drill the byline and
decision-making Next, we use three timing his tackle
to win the ball
in a game-related 10x10-yard boxes side- 10
situation. by-side, with a defender
in each. Defenders face
the side where a line of
attackers wait. One at
a time, each attacker’s

3a
objective is to dribble
through the three boxes
(2). If he succeeds, a
point is awarded. Each
“There is player who works
nothing in during the phase is
rotated off the pitch.
the game Small-sided game
better than In a 44x30-yard area,
a successful we play seven phases
played over a six-
1v1attacking minute period.
situation to Starting from beside
the goal he’s defending,
dislodge any blue dribbles out
Key
Ball
movement

defensive
Player
aiming to score, but will Blue dribbles out but is tackled
movement
Dribble

be closed down by his

set-up.”
by yellow in the 1v1 before he can
get a shot away
opponent (3a).
4 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 In partnership with

the 1v1 situation

Whether or not the

3b
phase ends in a tackle,
or a goal, a second
Roberto yellow then moves
Martinez forward to form a 2v1
Wigan Athletic coming back the other
Roberto Martinez way (3b).
became Wigan The overload now
Athletic manager in
switches with two
the summer of 2009,
returning to the club
blues entering play to Key
Ball
where he’d made his make a 3v2 (3c), and movement
Player

name as a player in the so on - two players are movement

Dribble

mid-1990s. always added to the

The 38-year-old team playing against
Spaniard was an the overload, until 6v6,
industrious midfielder when this becomes a
who brought small-sided game for
continental flair to the remaining time. After the first phase, a
the club’s former second yellow enters play
Each of our attackers to make a 2v1
Springfield Park home,
will take a turn starting
and he has extended
the methodologies of
in a 1v1.
10

3c
technical excellence What are the key
into his approach to things to look out
coaching as well. for?
Beginning in We encourage the
management at natural talent of an
Swansea City, for 10attacker in taking
whom he also played,
defenders on, but he
Martinez guided the
south Wales club into
also needs to think
0
the1Championship – about how best to use a Key
Ball
the first time they had 1v1 for the benefit of the movement
Player

featured in the second team – should he attack, movement

Dribble

tier of English football or wait to gain a better

for 24 years. numerical advantage?
After the Swans Defenders must
finished 8th in the adopt a low, balanced
2008/09 season, Wigan position. And because In the next passage, blues
made their move. And offsides count in this have the overload in a 3v2
on one of the smallest
practice, when they are
budgets, Martinez
has secured the club’s
overloaded, they should
The table represents one set,
use attackers’ positions
Barclays Premier
to decide whether to
Small-sided and the team with the overload
number is always the attackers,
League status for the
close in to the man on game phases with the scores being carried
past two seasons, with
through. A player who scores in
notable victories along the ball (to catch the Phases
of game Blues Yellows the first phase of the game will
the way over the likes of opposition off-side), or 1st 1 v 1 present a massive advantage
Arsenal, Liverpool and not. 2nd 1 v 2
to his team. The session will
Tottenham Hotspur. help attackers and defenders
How do I progress 3rd 3 v 2 appreciate the immediate
“An attacker the session? 4th
5th
3
5
v
v
4
4
importance of their actions
in terms of the scoreline, as
We can condition one
needs to of the teams to play 6th 5 v 6
well as helping players think
about the different numerical
think about one- or two-touch, 7th 6 v 6 advantages presented during
the game.
to encourage quick
how best to passing; while allowing
use a 1v1 for the other team free play,
to encourage dribbling.
the benefit of This, in itself, will create
the team.” lots of 1v1 situations.

5 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Colchester United
John Ward finishing under pressure
Finishing SET-UP
under
pressure
Overview:
Area
Up to third of a pitch
Equipment
1
This session is Balls, cones, goals
about shooting and Number of Players

scoring goals in open Up to 14

practice. It’s effective Session time

because it takes Coach determined

players through
developing game What do I get the
situations, getting players to do?

20
them used to working 1v1 game
and creating chances We begin in a 20x10- In the 1v1 players go
head-to-head looking to
in tight spaces. yard area. The coach Key score in their opponent’s 10
Ball
This ability to serves the ball out movement
Player
coned goal
movement
recognise quick to start a simple 1v1 Dribble

opportunities is game - each player

essential because looking to score in his

2
every match we play opponent’s 2-yard
offers penalty box coned goal(1).
situations where 2v2 game - halves
chances appear and Adding an identical
disappear quickly. channel to the side
To recognise and sees us move to
act upon these we 2v2. Each player
require players to must remain in his
have a quickness designated channel,
of mind and the but can pass to a
willingness to 10
team mate in the
gamble. neighbouring box to
20

Players enjoy the progress goalscoring

session because chances (2).
everyone gets to 10
2v2 game - full
shoot, and we’ll With an additional channel
generally run this for Now the middle Key
Ball to the side, team mates can
movement

as long as we believe boundary is removed Player

movement
combine left and right, but
must stay in their area
they are still being and all four players Dribble

stimulated by the can move around the

3
game. area, though team
mates have only one
2-yard goal to aim at,
placed centrally on the
touchline(3).
3v3
The next scenario
is 3v3, played in a
standard penalty area
(44x18 yards), with a
“This session halfway line added to
is about determine offsides.
Players must link up
shooting well, displaying good
and scoring Removing the boundary line
goals in open and centring a single goal,
players work as pairs to
practice.” fashion goalscoring angles

6 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

finishing under pressure

timing and recognition

4
of team mates’ runs
(4). 1v1 situations
John Ward are important and
Colchester United attackers should
John Ward has been be looking to exploit
Colchester United space.
manager since May 5v5
2010, and in his first
full season in charge, In the last game, we
guided the Essex side to extend the penalty area
10th in npower League out a further 12 yards
One. and mark a halfway
line, adding a second

44
Taken under the wing
The 3v3 penalty box
of former England goal and playing 5v5 challenge provides a
manager Graham 0 (plus keepers) (5). longer and narrower
Taylor at Aston Villa in 1 18
Key

Progressing this, and Ball

movement area in which to attack
the early-1990s, Ward Player
to encourage crosses, movement
Dribble
went about working his
way up the coaching
we can add neutral
ladder, eventually wide players (6). We

5
taking charge at York might also introduce
City, Bristol City, Bristol a strict two-touch rule
Rovers, Cheltenham to ensure the ball is
Town and Carlisle moved quickly and
United. efficiently.
The 60-year-old is What are the key
also highly respected things to look out
as a scout and media for technically/
commentator, and as a tactically?
player clocked up over
100 league goals for Accuracy is paramount
Watford, Grimsby Town 10 in each of the games
and Lincoln City. and players must be
quick to recognise
shooting opportunities
44

10 when they come

their way. When Key 30
that happens, they Ball
movement
must shoot low and Player
movement
Dribble
powerfully, always Here, in the extended
being aware that quick 5v5, a quick interchange
and brave attacking of passes leads to an

6
attempt on goal
decisions can catch
out defenders. Playing
without keepers in
the early phases
encourages players to
shoot every time they
can find half a yard
of space. These are
principles they should
“Quick carry through into the
latter parts.
and brave
attacking Progressing the
game by adding
decisions wide neutral players
encourages players to
can catch out Key
Ball
movement
build in different ways

defenders.”
Player
movement
Dribble

7 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Southend United
Paul countering through your striker
Sturrock SET-UP
Countering
1a
These players are

through
Area inactive during the
attack
7
Space in between
your penalty boxes
striker Equipment

44
Balls, cones, goals
Overview: Number of Players
This session is about Up to 14
counter-attacking Session time
through your
Session 20mins,
striker and using game 15mins
an extra man in
overload situations. 7 5
What do I get the 75
It’s a scenario that players to do? One of the attacking players
always develops in 4444
receives the ball from
In the space between the keeper and moves
matches and is worth Key
two penalty areas we Ball unopposed through their
running regularly
movement
half
place two defenders
Player
movement
so attackers, in Dribble
and a striker in each
particular, can
half. From one end, an

1b
practise their
attacking pair move in,
movement and
and one receives the
make the most of the
ball from the keeper.
forward moves.
Unopposed, the pair
We relate this session make a pass between
to our upcoming themselves (1a) then,
opponents so it before reaching the
becomes the perfect halfway line, feed the
practice for players. lone striker in the other
So we’ll examine half. He must evade the
who we are playing defenders near him 7
next and what and work the ball back
characteristics their to his two supporting 7 5
75
defenders have – big, men who continue
44

slow, quick, strong, their runs, looking for

4444

tricky etc. We then set the attack to end with a

up the practice based shot on goal (1b). Key The striker receives the ball,
on their defending Ball passes to an onrushing blue
At the end of the move, movement
Player and a goal is scored
characteristics. movement
the strikers leave the Dribble

area and are replaced

“We are
by a new pair, who
repeat the task in the
other direction(1c/1d).
1c These players
are inactive

looking for We then rotate players.

during the
attack

clever striker Restrictions can be

placed to test players
movement – and vary difficulty, such
away to come as allowing only six
seconds before a finish
short or a must be made, or
quick turn; instructing defenders
to only become active 7 5
body shape - 75
when the pass into the
side on or flat; striker is made. And to Now the move comes
4444

back in the opposite

progress, we can limit
and an ability touches or reduce the
direction with the
striker in the other half

to hold up time to four seconds. Key

Ball
movement
moving off the covering
defenders to find space

play.”
Player
movement
Dribble
7
8 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
4
 In partnership with

countering through your striker

1d
What are the key Key
Ball
things to look movement
Player
movement
for technically/ Dribble

Paul Sturrock tactically?

Southend United High tempo and good
Paul Sturrock has attacking pace is very
revived the fortunes of important, and strikers
Southend United since must draw defenders
arriving at Roots Hall in in, which is why the
July 2010. In that time, quality of the initial
he has made changes
pass into the striker’s
to the Shrimpers’ squad
and taken them to the
feet is crucial.
75 League
top of npower We’re looking for clever 75
Two. striker movement –
The 55-year-old has away to come short or a 44
extensive experience quick turn; body shape
The striker does not
in the lower leagues - side on or flat; and an have to pass – in this
having earned
promotion to the third
ability to hold up play.
He also needs to be
75 instance wingers have
pushed the centre-backs
tier for Plymouth Argyle wide to enable space for
aware of space and the

2a
him to shoot
in 2002 and Swindon benefits of releasing
44

Town five years later.

the ball quickly to
And as well as taking
Sheffield Wednesday
prevent tackles.
to the Championship How would you put
in 2004, Sturrock has this into a game
been in the hotseat situation?
at Southampton,
For a small-sided
Dundee United and St
Johnstone.
game, we place
together two penalty
As a player, Sturrock
boxes to form a 44x36-
scored over 100 goals
for Dundee United in a
yard area, with a goal at
15-year 5
7professional each end. 3v3 in each
career. half, strikers follow
their passes into the Key
other half to make 4v3 Ball
movement
overloads (2a). Now, Player
movement
Dribble
if a tackle is made,
opponents can counter In the small-sided game, the
left-back passes upfield then
to make a 3v2 overload moves to form a 4v3 attacking
(2b), or if really alert
2b
overload in the other half...
(and able to beat the
recovery run) can push
an additional player
forward to make a 4v2
advantage.

“We relate this

session to our
upcoming
opponents
75 so
it becomes ... but when a tackle is
the perfect Key
made and the ball played back
downfield, he leaves his team
practice for Ball
movement
Player mates exposed to a 3v2 counter-
attack
players.”
movement
Dribble

9 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Crewe Alexandra
Steve Davis Preventing crosses
Preventing SET-UP
crosses
Overview:
This session is about
Area
Up to half pitch
Equipment
1
full-backs and Balls, cones, goals
wingers stopping Number of Players
crosses into the Up to 18 players
penalty area. Session time

Most attacks come Session 30mins,

from out wide, so the game 30mins
ability for defenders What do I get the
to be able to block players to do?
crosses is essential, The server
Setting up as shown in feeds the ball
particularly in the diagram, the server Key out left for
Ball
matches when our plays to the left-sided
movement
Player
the winger to
opponents have movement attack 1v1
attacker (1). This player Dribble

strikers who are good attempts to take on the

headers of the ball. winger or make room
This applies to most for a cross into a team
teams in our division.

2
mate who attacks
At the end of each the ball from his start It is important
phase, we reset play, position in the ‘D’. for the defender
and rotate positions In the second phase, to get his
regularly. positioning right
we add an attacking to hold up play
full-back, plus an and not ‘dive in’
additional defender
to create a 2v2 wing
attack (2). The two
defenders must stifle
the threat of a cross.
In the next stage, we
progress again by Moving to 2v2,
going 8v8 and coning
Key
Ball
movement
defenders must
lines from the edges of Player
movement
deal with the
support player
the penalty area to the
Dribble
Optional pass/
run and the risk of an
halfway line. Wingers overlap or overload
and full-backs work
outside this line (3),
while midfielders must
ensure a good supply

“We look at
of balls out wide,
although the server
can follow his pass to
3 Good defensive
angles from a
angles and the wing to support.
tackle should
result in a
distances What are the key throw-in and
not a corner
between things to look
for technically/
defender tactically?
and attacker The role of the full-
back is crucial - he
– the must be alert to a
common number of attacking
options, maintaining
fault is to be a position between
Key
Ball
movement
Now 8v8, and with
marked channels,
too tight or winger and goal (4).
Never diving in, he
Player
movement
Dribble
defenders focus on
precise blocking
too far away.”
Optional pass/
run angles
holds up the attacker
10 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 In partnership with

Preventing crosses

4
to allow time for fellow Defending
midfielder should
defenders to support. stay in contact with
We look at angles and his attacker, but be
Steve Davis distances between ready to support the
Crewe Alexandra other defenders
defender and attacker
Steve Davis was – the common fault
confirmed as the new is to be too tight or too
manager of Crewe far away. Angles vary
Alexandra in November
depending on how far
2011, having been
assistant manager at
up the touchline the
Gresty Road for the tackle is being made,
previous two years. but a defender should
Prior to that, the
never be more than
Midfielders and full-backs
46-year-old had been three yards away from Key
Ball
movement must maintain a presence between
in charge at Northwich the crosser. A defender Player
movement the attacker and the goal, whilst staying
Victoria and Nantwich at the wrong angle will Dribble
Optional pass/
the correct distance from an opponent
Town, guiding the latter fail to block the cross. If run
Full back must
to two promotions in the ball is successfully cover the winger,
three seasons and an blocked but goes but be ready to
close down the
FA Vase final victory in out for a corner, the

5
attacker should
2006. defender’s angles are he beat the first
As a player, Davis made slightly wrong. But if defender
145 appearances in the cross is stopped
defence for Crewe, and goes out for a
and also turned out for
throw-in he is perfectly
Burnley, Barnsley and
Oxford United.
positioned.
Defenders must also
consider if the winger
is quick or tricky, and
right- or left-footed.
Does he want him to
go inside or outside?
And he must also be
well balanced should Key
Ball
In the first game
movement
situation phase, wingers
the attacker change Player
movement are conditioned to stay in
direction at any time Dribble
Optional pass/ their halves, so 1v1s develop
run
- over-striding is a
common mistake.
How do I put Using a midfielder
to defend allows
this into a game

6
the centre back
situation?
“Defenders In the set-up shown,
to move across to
cover potential
must the pitch is 50 yards
attacking options

consider if long (5). Midfielders

are two-touch,
the winger while wingers are
is quick or conditioned to play in
one half before, on the
tricky, and coach’s instruction,
right- or being allowed into the
other half (1v1s leading
left-footed. into 2v2s). We can now
So should drop in other individual
training plans, such as ... but when that
he position defensive midfielders Key
Ball
condition is dropped, the
defensive midfielder must
inside or
movement
tracking in relation to Player
movement track back to defend in relation
full-backs (6). Dribble
to his full-back and centre-
outside?” Optional pass/
run back

11 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

Derby County
Kevin defending in and around the penalty area
Nicholson iii. The coach nominates an attacker,

1
ii. The defender
SET-UP
Defending heads clear and who dribbles the ball out to create a
1v1. He can only shoot once inside the
in and
Area away from goal –
1v1s the ball mustn’t central part of the penalty box
Up to half pitch
around the Equipment
bounce

penalty
Key
Ball
Balls, cones, goals movement

area
Player
movement
Number of Players Dribble
Optional pass/

Overview: Up to 18 players run

Session time
This session is about
10mins per phase
defending in and
around the penalty What do I get the
area in a variety of players to do?
situations. It looks
Mark out the area as
at defending as an i. The full-
shown in the diagram.
individual, a pair and back starts by iv. The defender
Split the group into delivering a long must steer the
a whole unit. The way
four defenders and aerial ball towards attacker into the
the session is built the penalty area shaded areas,
six attackers, plus two
up helps players to tackle, block or
full-backs who serve force a mistake
understand their
long aerial balls from
various roles and

2
just over the halfway
responsibilities and
line. Attackers line up ii. The second defender
the key defensive
behind two cones 10 2v2s drops then moves
priority of protecting forward, reacting off
yards apart, placed 12
the goal. the first defender who
yards from the 18-yard attacks the aerial ball
It’s important to box.
practise this because
We run through a
defenders need to be
number of scenarios
able to react quickly
that build in
and deal effectively
complexity:
with the numerous iii. One attacker
defensive scenarios 1v1s dribbles the ball while iv. Defenders
a second attacker joins should again aim
that occur. This The defender clears a to create a 2v2 situation to show attackers
session covers many long flighted ball back away from goal
skills and qualities in the direction it came,
that will be required either using a header Key
i. Another aerial
at the highest level, or side-foot volley, and ball is lofted in
Ball
movement
Player
including the reality without it bouncing. He movement
Dribble

that many top level then has to react to a Optional pass/

run

sides are now are 1v1 with an attacker (1).

playing without an In the 1v1, the angle
assigned centre-
forward. This means
central defenders
(getting and staying
low) and speed of
approach is important,
3a
2v2s and a
will now often have and the defender must cross
no player to directly put the brakes on at
mark and may come final moment when
up against a player tight to the attacker. He
facing them up in an needs to steer away
attempt to dribble from goal, because the
past them. We deliver attacker can only shoot ii. Defenders look to steer
a session of this from the non-hatched attackers away from goal,
type once every two area. The defender’s forcing them to feed the i. Two wingers
weeks. ball wide to wingers are added as a
main task is to keep supply line for
the ball out of the the attackers
area, rather than win Key
Ball
possession. Defenders movement
Player
movement
rotate after each Dribble
Optional pass/
phase and full-backs run

12 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

defending in and around the penalty area

3b
alternate.
2v2s
Kevin Nicholson As before, except this
Derby County
time after the aerial
ball it’s a 2v2. The
Kevin Nicholson is
second defender must
Under-16s Head
Coach at npower
provide cover and The defender has
Championship side support, track runs, done well to force
play wide. With
Derby County. The 25- and communicate his team mate,
year-old holds the UEFA danger. The pressuring he must now
‘A’ Licence qualification. defender must look to react, positioning
themselves in
On a day-to-day cut off the option of the order to deal with
basis, he manages second attacker, so a cross
the development of leaving a 1v1, or a 2v1 in
elite youth footballers his favour (2). The angle
from the age of eight of approach is crucial, Key
Ball
movement
upwards, whilst as is the need for Player
movement
educating and guiding defenders to stay close. Dribble
Optional pass/
his team of coaches. run
2v2s and a cross
Nicholson joined Derby

4a
in February 2007 having Building on the iii. The full-back
worked as Academy previous phase, two moves out wide
Coach at Stoke City, attacking wingers to defend 1v1,
are added, who must attempting to stop
while he also has Full phase the cross if possible.
extensive experience in deliver crosses into
running Football in the the penalty area using
Community projects. ii. With the back
the fewest number of four in place,
He has recently been touches. Defenders two team mates
selected by the Football
have done well if drop around
Association to attend the defender to
the inaugural FA Elite
they force play to the provide cover
Coaches Award. wingers, but they must i. Now attackers are and support
then deal with the challenged in a 2v4,
and the player in
cross (3a/3b). possession is forced
Full phase to play out to the
winger
Now full backs are
added. After defending Key
Ball
the long aerial ball, the
movement
Player
movement
entire back four is now Dribble
Optional pass/
involved in repelling the run

4b
central attack 4v2 (4a).
They then reorganise
for a potential cross.
The full-back must
go out wide to defend
“Patience 1v1, preventing the
and blocking cross if possible (4b).
If he cannot get there,
ability will he drops to become an
be required extra defender.

if the ball
can’t be won
immediately Defenders organise
with a to counter the threat
of a successful cross
Key
Ball

tackle or
movement
Player
movement
Dribble

interception.” Optional pass/

run

13 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

LMA Ambassador
Keith quick combination play
Millen SET-UP
Quick
combination
play
Area
Half pitch
Equipment
1a
Overview: Ball, cones (and/or
poles)
This session is about Number of Players
moving the ball
18
quickly in creating
Session time
and exploiting space.
In any match, it’s very Session 27mins,
progression 27mins,
important to move the game 10mins
ball within tight areas,
to create overloads What do I get the
and to understand players to do?
how to use space. Set up as shown in the Key
Blues and yellows are fixed
Ball in their area, but two reds
The result is that, in diagram (1a), using movement
Player can roam and press at any
movement
turn, this improves the space between Dribble one time
decision-making and the penalty area and
technique. halfway line, extended
In this training
session, we’re fully
focused on technique
outward to each
touchline. Across
the centre is a 4-yard
1b
and high tempo channel. The practice
passing, so all passes is three teams of six.
should be below Red defenders start
head height as we in the central zone,
progress from short, which they can move
quick combination out of, while blues and
play to longer passing yellows remain in their
passages designed to zones. The server plays 75
stretch play. to the blue team (1b), 75
who must complete Blues are served the ball
six passes – all of them
35

and begin their passing

below head height – in sequence as reds move
35

forward and press

transferring the ball Key
Ball
movement
to yellows through Player
movement

the central zone. Two Dribble

defenders can move

1c
out of the channel and
apply pressure on the
“All passes ball. The remaining
four defenders shuffle
should be from side to side to try
below head to intercept a through
pass (1c).
height as If blues lose
we progress possession the server 75
from short, plays to yellows and
the practice restarts
quick with two different red 75
35

combination defenders pressing.

Every time yellows or Blues complete six passes
play to blues complete six
and transfer the ball. Two
new pressing reds move to
35

longer passes and transfer

the ball they are
close down yellows

passing awarded a point.

Key
Ball
movement

passages
Player
movement
Dribble

14 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

quick combination play

Each team defends for

2a
three minutes with the
practice run all-in, then
Keith Millen two-touch, then one-
LMA Ambassador touch – so a total of nine
Having previously minutes per team.
turned down the role,
Keith Millen accepted
How do I progress
the job of manager
the session?
at Bristol City in In the progression, we
March 2010, securing increase the difficulty
the club’s npower for passing teams.
Championship status Now, players must
for two seasons before transfer through one of 75
departing Ashton Gate three gates, which are
in October 2011. Bringing in gates means to
protected by two red transfer, blues must pass
Prior to that, the defenders. And as two Key quickly and switch cleverly,
35

45-year-old had been Ball

which they achieve here
reds move out of the movement
Player
Under-17s manager at middle zone to press,
movement
Dribble
the club, having ended
another enters from
a 20-year professional
playing career at City in
the back of the area to

2b
2003. apply pressure from
behind (2a/2b).
Millen, who made his
Brentford debut in 1983, Finally, and using
made 305 appearances the lessons learnt,
for the Bees, before we move to a 12v6
switching to Watford in scenario (3). The team
1994, where he clocked that relinquishes
up a further 165. possession becomes
defenders.
What are the key
things to look
75 for technically/ 75
tactically? On the ball being
transferred, two reds move
Passing and Key out of the channel and are
movement are key
35

Ball
movement replaced by recovering
components, and we
Player
movement team mates from the other
Dribble area
have to make sure
players don’t take up
the same positions

“Passing
teams must
each time. Passing
teams must support
the man on the ball and
3
keep it moving, and
support shouldn’t feel forced
to transfer on the sixth
the man pass.
on the ball In the progression,
and keep it bringing in the gates
means passing has to
moving, and be quicker in order to
75 75
shouldn’t move red players who
are protecting gates. Removing all boundaries,
feel forced blues and yellows team up
to form a 12v6 possession
to transfer
35

overload game against reds

on the sixth Key

Ball
movement

pass.”
Player
movement
Dribble

15 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

booked: this month’s choice

Talentis
overrated

Talent is Overrated important role, about 5,000 things

What Really Separates World- and in essence you can do wrong
Class Performers from Everybody Colvin’s book is an when hitting a golf
Else exploration of what ball, so I pick one of
Nicholas Brealey Publishing 228pp
£12.99 this means, and them and work on

B
the implications. it a bit, convincing
Precisely what myself that I can
ecoming world class role deliberate sense improvement,
in any field of human practice plays remains a matter until I hit another bad
endeavour is neither of some debate, with questions one, at which point I
the consequence of outstanding about exactly what “We have figure I should probably also work
hard work or God- needs to be practised and how, and, to identify on another one of the 5,000 things.”
given endowment”, still more about where the passion, So this certainly is not deliberate
Geoff Colvin states decisively at the motivation and dedication required
the painful, practice.
opening of his investigation into to carry out such practice comes difficult Anders Ericsson, the researcher
what explains top performance. from. activities who coined the phrase, described
These are the two most popular So what is deliberate practice that will it as something that isn’t work and
explanations of how greatness and what use might it be to a soccer make our isn’t play but something unique.
is achieved, yet they are not the coach? Colvin is good at explaining players There are several elements:
full explanations. Lots of people what it isn’t and many of us will • It is activity specifically designed
work hard all their lives and never recognise his personal example
better and to improve performance, often
become great at what they do, and of “practising” golf at the driving do those with a teacher’s help.
plenty of people achieve greatness range. He turns up, grabs a couple things over • It can be repeated a lot.
without having an innate talent. of buckets of balls and does what and over.” • Feedback on results is
“Great performance is in our hands he always does - hits a few short continuously available.
far more than many of us ever shorts, a few long shots, and quite a • It’s highly demanding mentally
suspected,” he suggests. So what few bad shots. It feels like practice, – whether an intellectual or
is the secret? but on reflection it’s not doing physical challenge.
Modern research into high much, if anything, for his game. • It isn’t much fun.
performance in many fields has “Occasionally I realise that I
shown that something called should stop to think about why the So deliberate practice isn’t
“deliberate practice” plays an shot was bad. There seem to be what most of us do when we are

16 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

booked: this month’s choice

“practising”, or coaching our team, “Doing be repeated a lot’ as coaching coaching regime, other elements
and it is most certainly a recipe for drills are inherently repeatable. of which are game play and which
not having fun. According to Colvin: things we The third, ‘feedback on results are very much fun and enjoyable.
“Doing things we know how to do know how is continuously available’, is also All of this points to one very hard
well is enjoyable, and that’s exactly to do well is true in a coached environment, fact. Even if we as coaches wanted
the opposite of what deliberate enjoyable, and this puts a big responsibility nothing else than to produce great
practice demands.” and that’s on the coach to provide individual performances from our players
What would a soccer coaching exactly the and accurate feedback. One there are massive hurdles in the
regime based on deliberate has to be on the case on every execution required just to set off on
practice look like? Well a positive opposite individual – commenting, cajoling, the road.
start is that the team has a coach of what encouraging – and given that this As Colvin points out, instead of
in the first place; a coach with a deliberate is in essence fault correction, they doing what we are good at, we need
knowledge of how performance practice are probably not going to enjoy the to insistently seek out what we are
is developed and improved is demands.” experience. not good at. We have to identify the
even better. By observation a Fourthly, the fact that it is ‘highly painful, difficult activities that will
Geoff Colvin
coach can see things that the demanding mentally’ presents make our players better and do
players cannot. However, here’s issues for groups of 20 or more 14 those things over and over. Practice
betting that in a majority of soccer year-old soccer players in terms is all about pushing our players just
clubs on a Sunday morning the of concentration span, ability to beyond what they can currently do.
sessions do not fit the deliberate engage, motivation, willingness There’s more in this book about
practice template, that they are to learn and not muck around, and applying these principles in our
not designed specifically for so on. lives and in organisations, but if it all
improvement, and that they are And finally ‘it isn’t much fun’. This seems a little daunting, consider
more likely chosen on a whim with goes to the root of the purpose of this - as Colvin points out, if the
little planning. sport and coaching an amateur activities that lead to greatness
Let’s start with the first element. team. What are we doing it for? were easy and fun, then everyone
The key word here is ‘designed’. To win matches at all costs? To would do them and they would not
Someone has to choose the best have fun? To develop world class distinguish the best from the rest.
practice activity and to make it performers? There is unlikely to be “The reality that deliberate
stretch an individual beyond his a consensus among the players, practice is hard can even be seen
or her current abilities. This is their parents or even the coaches. as good news. It means that
done by identifying certain sharply Why would you invite your players to most people won’t do it. So your
defined elements of performance come along and not have fun every willingness to do it will distinguish
that need to be improved, and then week? They probably wouldn’t you all the more.”
working intently on them. come. The reality is probably that Precisely.
We need not dwell on from the painful, deliberate practice
the second element that ‘it can should form just a part of the

Here at Elite Soccer, the psychological side of sports practice, but look to showcase the best going forward.
we value highly the there are undoubtedly a number of gems In striving to make Elite Soccer the ultimate
knowledge and we’ve not uncovered. monthly soccer coaching title, we’re
judgement of you, our We’d like to hear from you if there’s a always keen to hear your feedback on the
subscribers. Over the past few months coaching book that has really helped to magazine’s content - be that our book
we’ve been delighted to put forward some shape and focus your side. Contact us at reviews, bonus manager features, or the
fantastic coaching literature that examines [email protected], and we’ll coaching sessions themselves.

17 march 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 In partnership with

EXTRA-TIME

brendan rogers /swansea city

Swansea City manager Brendan the ball. I don’t think there’s a right
Rodgers gives an insight into a or a wrong way to do it. You have to
coaching philosophy that has won win games, but the coach’s own
the Welsh club many admirers philosophy will determine the way a
in their first season as a Barclays team plays.

Y
Premier League club. ou mentioned implementing
a 4-3-3 formation. How much
Y ou’re known as one of the most
progressive coaches in the
game - what are the main elements
did your time at Chelsea with
Jose Mourinho contribute to your
development? Do you still stay in
of your philosophy? touch with Mourinho?
In terms of coaching I like my Yes, I do stay in touch with him.
players to be technically strong and to But it wasn’t just at Chelsea that I
understand the game tactically, but came round to that way of thinking. I
I also think it’s vital to maximise the have always coached my teams like
extent to which every player can play that. From 20 years of age I studied
the game. It’s also very important in Spain and travelled throughout
to understand the human needs Europe, to understand the structure
element of players. and the formation of 4-3-3.
In terms of the actual philosophy, I had always done that as a youth
I like my teams to be attractive and coach, but obviously going to Chelsea
creative, but also with good tactical allowed me to work with players at
discipline, and that is really the core the very highest level, both youths
of all our work each and every day. and seniors. It also allowed me to
explore and experiment with how far
H ow beneficial was it for you to
inherit a squad of technically
accomplished players at Swansea
you can take that system with really
good players.
that way rather than having to create “Ilikemy
Y
who were used to a flowing, ou and Andre Villas-Boas
it right from the beginning.
attractive style? Did that make it teamstobe worked with Mourinho, while a
easier for you to make immediate
progress?
Certainly Swansea is a club with
H as there been a change in the
perception of how a promoted
team should play, in light of the
attractive
and
large number of Sir Alex Ferguson’s
ex-players have gone on to manage.
What is it about top managers that
a tradition of having teams that success enjoyed in recent years
creative, seems to rub off on the people they
play good football, and obviously by free-flowing sides like West butalso work with?
they changed their structure when Bromwich Albion, Reading and withgood I think you obviously have your own
Roberto Martinez changed from a Blackpool? tactical ambition, and you need people to
4-4-2 to a 4-3-3. From that moment I honestly don’t think there is a give you a chance, who think you have
on the club brought in coaches and right or a wrong way to play. You are
discipline, the capacity to work at that level. But
managers who understood that way judged on your results. West Brom andthatis obviously when you get the chance
of working and playing. That enabled played some fantastic football under reallythe to work with such managers it gives
me to fast-track and implement my Tony Mowbray, were in the Barclays coreofall you a chance to learn from the best
own ideas into the group. Premier League, and when they ourwork and develop, and Jose was a fantastic
They’d had a very good year in the were relegated they were told they eachand influence for me.
Championship where they finished were too naive. When you move into management,
eighth. Paulo Sousa took over and Watford came up and were a
everyday.” you’re working alone, you can’t look
did an excellent job and they reached breath of fresh air for the first few to imitate or be anyone else, and you
seventh position, and then I had the months, and they went direct and have to carry your own ideas with
big challenge to take the club forward long. Aidy Boothroyd didn’t have a you. But the more experience you
on a very limited budget. lot of time after they got promoted to have the better, and I have been very
So it was really about trying to change his style so they went with the fortunate to be able to work with lots
implement my own ideas, but the philosophy that got them promoted. of very good managers. I have then
core of the group knew and believed And after a few months when they hopefully been intelligent enough to
in that way of playing. It was then a lost some games, everyone was take on board the good and the bad,
case of developing and improving telling them they should be passing and work it into my own identity.

18 march 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net