Always remain open minded to the potential versatility to a player, the idea may not be so ideal to a player as a amateur level, but at a higher level focusing on the qualities of a player can work to your advantage and give you the opportunity to look at alternatives for that player.
This would have a broader application, any aspect of football if you are better prepared you are 100% more likely to get a better end product. One experience was an evening where I went to meet one of my friends Whinhall in airdrie, was invited to take care of an hours worth of training on the spot. So as a result I had to improvise, and the standard of the drill was pretty poor.
Another thing I have learned over the time of the value of knowledge, today’s trendy pundits mention the requirement to evolve, which for once has an element of truth in it, there is not a requirement to go with a trend though. Always be open to learn, pick up some information and ideas and add your own philosophy to some of the concept’s you have picked up.
Stage one - Preperation
4 players, 4 markers.
Stage 2 Action
Lay out a square, each marker about 10 yards apart. 3 players on 3 of the the markers to form an L shape. The 4th player in the middle of the square.
The 3 players pass it beetween themselves, passing to the left the remaining player must move to the other marker thus maintaining the L shape.
The 3 players jobs are to work together to maintain the L shape, in order to make sure the player in possession always have the option to the left or to the right.
Stage 3 - Aim
Simply following my obsession with possession football, emphasising posession and team work to make sure the pass is always available.
Fitness is something that is very important in football, as you know if you arent fit enough your not going to win?
What you have to do is keep it in perspective though, think along the lines “how am i going to include the ball in this fitness routine?”
If it is entirely required for your squad to focus fully on fitness improvement, keep in mind something called the fatigue factor, your players body will indeed do its job in terms of performance when fit, but it needs time to recover during a fitness routine.
Maintain the philosophy of short and sharp, do not let any fitness session last for more than an hour.
Minimum breaks allowed and maintain a high intensity level. Including these protocols (you will be hated for it) will see an excellent result.
Stage 1 - Layout
Set of goals, 2 players and a Keeper.
Stage 2 - Action
Have your keep lay at one of the posts in this position. Obviously flat on the ground of course…
Have 2 players(red marks) and the keeper (black marker) situated like so,
The action is have the keeper get up from the position he is in and have the 2 players hit a shot in quick succesion.
Encourage the 2 players to get the shots on target, for it to have the full effect.
Stage 3 - Purpose
Very simple, so conclude as to how quick the keeper can react and adapt. Doing repeatedly will develop this.
A goalkeeper specific today
Stage 1 - Layout
1 goalkeeper, 3 markers and a set of goals.
Stage 2 - Action
3 markers laid out like so, with the goalkeepers starting position being where the blue mark is.
the keeper moves forward always facing outwards, crouching forwards with both arms to touch each marker in quick succesion, then subsequently diving for a shot.
Variations - move the 3 markers to the other side.
Simple once again,
Stage 1 Layout - your starting 4 defenders on matchday.
Stage 2 Action - Your starting 4 defenders form a barrier like so, should get a set of 4 players to try and make their way to the other side of the pitch, the 4 defenders have the job of stopping them, using the barrier to do so.
Stage 3 - Nice and simple routine to get your defence into the idea of keeping a shape.
Stage 1 - Layout
To begin with we will go by example, so you have your starting 10 and split them into 2 groups of 5, single file on each black marker. Number the 10 players 1 to 10, then get player number 1 to start on one of the red markers, and 1 ball being on the same side starting at the black marker.
Stage 2 - Action -
Very simple, ball starts at one the the black marker, he moves forward, 1 2 with the player on the red marker, when the ball is returned he makes an accurate pass through the gate (2 blue markers)
the player on the red marker moves to the other red marker as pointed out on the sketch and awaits the pass to start the routine again, move the wide player to the other side after 1 minute, then after another minute change player to the next number.
Stage 3 - Purpose
The narrower the gate, the more accurate the passing has to be.
Small note - maximum capacity 10 players.
Nice and simple once again, part of your matchday warm up.
Stage 1 - Split your team into 2 groups. Each in a circle
Stage 2 - 1 touch passing within the circle, make sure each player is jogging on the spot at all times.
Stage 3 - Makes sure each player is fully active and tuned into before kickoff. Use this just before the game starts.
This isnt a staged drill this iss simply used for a bit of fun…
Split the group of players into 2.
1 group are challenged to complete a chain of tricks, wether it be a header or keepyuppy or whatever. Coaches job is to keep count how many are done.
The second group of players job is to better that score.
Variations - mix it up, right foot only, left, shoulder and so on. Make it as varied as you can.
Some extra advice today, a solid defensive structure is something very important to any type of team. What you would be ideal someone to take control of the situation, give one of your centrehalfs the opportunity to do so, create the idea for him that its like dealing with 3 children, your aim is to keep the rest of your defence disciplined and in turn will maintain the shape you originally intended in having. If you have a defensive structure that works like unit, each defender knowing whats going on, where he should be and at what time he should be there, in turn this will be prove to be productive exercise and achieve the ultimate objective of coaching your team. Remember though, you are simply the coach, you point your players in the right direction, advising them on how they could be more efficient, utilising what skills they have in a much better way, improving on what they have, you are not there to run the games they play.
A tricky one to explain but it should be understood.
Stage 1 - layout
Very simple layout, 3 files of players, 1 goalkeeper and a decent set of goals. Like so
Stage 2 - Action
Players work in groups of 3, section 1 the starting player approaches the goals and hits a shot, his target being the further post away from him. Then section 2 the player hits a shot attempting to score then section 3 does the same, similar condition being shooting towards the post furthers again once again. Once the section three hits a shot, section 1 immediately approaches the goals hits a cross with the other 2 players awaiting the cross attempting to score.
Stage 3 - Purpose
The point of this drill is to improve how reactive the players are to a sudden change of action, from positive to negative.
My recommendation to all managers coaches and the like, remain open minded. The ultimate cause is progress for your team, how effective the team can be and someone coming along and adding to that cause there is only going to be a positive outcome to that.
