Michael Beale is a world renowned coach and author of the best-selling 64 Small-Sided Soccer Games coaching manual.
A former player at Charlton, Michael moved into coaching with the Chelsea academy at Cobham and established himself as one of the best youth developers in the game.
During this time, Michael authored a number of hugely successful coaching manuals including 64 Small-Sided Soccer Games, Soccer Attack!, Perfect Defending and The Ultimate Soccer Warm-Ups Manual (all published by Soccer Coach Weekly and available here).
Having worked under and learnt from a number of high-profile Chelsea managers during a decade at Cobham, Michael made the move to Liverpool in 2012 where he coached the U23 team from 2012 to 2016. In 2017 he moved to Sao Paolo and took the role of assistant manager but returned to Liverpool 6 months later.
After a year as academy manager at Liverpool Michael moved to Rangers and became first team coach working under Steven Gerrard.
Soccer drills and small-sided games by Michael Beale
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
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
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
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
If your team hasn't won a match for a while, you need to get your players back to basics and working on their core skills. Try this small sided game to help them with their basic skills MORE
The 1v1 duel pitches two players in a tight situation where there can only be one winner. Who has got the determination and skill to claim the ball and dribble past their opponent to score a goal? MORE
This session helps defenders to use an overload to their advantage when attackers run centrally at them – they must press their opponents into making a mistake and win possession back. MORE
In every match there will be moments when the team us under a lot of aerial pressure. Defenders must be organised and put up a united front. Successful teams are often the most organised defensively. MORE
If you haven’t got the ball you won’t be able to win, so this game teaches teams how to move together to press the opposition all over the pitch and force a mistake that wins the ball. MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players No goals Both teams must have two players on the pitch and two players on the outside of the pitch If the ball leaves play, pass a new ball onto the pitch Rules The... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 30 yards Two teams of four players Five gates made from cones No goals Rules There are a number of ways this game can be played and scored: The player in possession must dribble through a gate to score. The player in possession must make a pass through the... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Four keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The players take a roll in The players take a... MORE
The attacking team receives a pass from the coach and after each ball is played, a new defender enters the pitch. The attacking team has a total of four attacks (4v1, 4v2, 4v3, 4v4). MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The players take a roll in The players take a throw in... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two end zones, 10 yards in from each goal-line Two teams of four players Two keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The... MORE
