Rondos are ideal for training, for warm-ups, for pre-season and to get players in the mood for working hard. They are directly related to the principles of play and link into systems of play – so 2v1 3v2 – and that works into practising formations at all age groups. MORE
To make a success of counterattacking, players must be able to recognise the moment of transition between defence and attack quicker that the opposition. They should then move quickly to take advantage of it. MORE
Shooting chances may only be there for a split second and young players miss the opportunity while moving the ball from one foot to the other or by passing when a shot would be the best option. MORE
It was the first game of the season on Saturday and the local council had decided to close the main road leading to our club's ground. So the phone calls started coming in thick and fast: "Dave we are going to be late." MORE
My go to activities when players have had been on the summer break are Rondos – and with this being one of the longest breaks from playing due to lockdown I am going to be using Rondos over the next few weeks to get players back up to speed. MORE
There are a number of places where the social distancing rules are not the same as here in England, and I've been asked for sessions that are non contact but not just 5 players so this ssession can be used with any number of players. MORE
Play this like a Rondo where if you split the defenders and hit the cone keeping possession of the ball. The pressing team must try to win the ball and prevent the possession team hitting the cone. MORE
Filipe Ragel the Under 19 head coach of Marcet Academy in Barcelona shares a video of his team doing a 4+2 x 2 Rondo which shows the technical and tactical practice MORE
I was asked by a coach this week about what a good warm up was for his U10 team. The answer that I gave him was to use Rondos. You can use them at any age group and they really work well to warm up players for training or matches and they don't involve much setting up. My favourites are the simple ones like 5v2 or a combination that works for your age group. MORE
Simple to set up and simple to do, but this does need accurate passing and good player movement. Good for match days when you want a quick warm up for movement and technique MORE
This session works on encouraging communication and good passing and getting players to drive into space and hit the target. MORE
I cannot second guess when we will all be out of this strange way of coaching with no opposed sessions but hopefully it will be fairly soon. To that end I continually remind myself that I will be going back to getting my players warmed up in a different way to how I am doing it at the moment. MORE
You can use this small sided game as a warm up or warm down – the winning team is the first to have all four players on the pitch and complete 6 consecutive passes. MORE
‘The Dutch 4v4’ is a small-sided game blueprint that has been at the heart of producing a vast array of talented individuals. It is the Dutch way to pick out problems during the match, create similar training models, and use them to develop the players. MORE
Both teams must try to win and keep possession of the ball. A goal is awarded to the team that completes a certain number of passes (a minimum of 5 for younger players). The game is played for a set time period. MORE
Practice plansBeing able to keep control of the ball while changing direction when dribbling is an important skill that players must use in matches, especially when trying to beat or avoid a defender. MORE
Practice plansThis session is designed to improve 1v1 duels in the midfield. The players are forced to continually attack and defend 1v1 in order to get a chance to attack and score a goal. MORE
Practice plansForwards must always be “alive” and ready to react should a defender fail to clear the ball, miss-control, play a poor pass or not react to a rebound off the goalkeeper. Use this session to keep your forwards alert and they will steal goals for your team. MORE
The defending team is coached how to get into formation in a match when they have lost the ball and how to quickly assemble a zonal defence. After using our first session, run this and allow players to make decisions on where to defend at the corner. MORE
Use this session if you want to see exciting attacking wingbacks who can either cross a ball or cut inside and shoot. Players can make use of 2v1 situations to attack or fool the defenders with a skill. Crosses into the box are also an option in this game. MORE
This session is all about build up play, keeping possession to pass into key attackers getting players to pass to the players safe side away from their markers. Youth players will also learn the why, when and how of attacking and defending play. MORE
Breaking down a defence isn't always as simple as playing passes into the space behind – sometimes that space is on the other side of the pitch that your players can exploit. MORE
11/26/2020
Keeping possession of the ball is key to winning games – if you have it your opponents haven't got it. There are tactical musts that go hand in hand with a possession game. Being aware of where the ball is and where your teammates are is essential so get your players to have a picture in their head of what they’re going to do with the ball before it comes to them. MORE
11/24/2020
Over the next few weeks I plan to work on box-to-box passing moves – counter-attacking play that involves passing and receiving between the lines, well-timed movements and crossover runs, and the exploitation of space behind the opposition’s back line. MORE
11/19/2020
One of the things I have done a lot of work on this season is getting my team to play right to the very end of matches. Not only that, whether we are losing or not in the last 10 minutes as a collective we up our game and try to score a goal. It helps us end on a positive note. MORE
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Brett Demetriou, Campbelltown Collegians FC, Sydney, Australia
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Ivan Casha, Marsa FC, Malta
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Martyn Rushmore, Cedar Stars Academy, New Jersey, United States
Now all your players can get more touches, make more passes, score more goals and enjoy every coaching session you run MORE
Defence leaking goals like a sieve? Start plugging holes today with these 67 easy-to-coach defending drills and games MORE
