Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe.
If you want your team to dominate possession by passing the ball out and upfield, starting with the goalkeeper, your players need to show skill, hard work and courage. MORE
in Practice plans, Soccer dribbling drills
The ability to change direction at speed is one of the key elements of successful dribbling. Coach your players to leave defenders dazzled with this session. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Practice plans
Modern goalkeepers are as comfortable controlling the ball with their feet as they are with their hands. Having this ability allows them to help their team retain possession after they receive a back pass. MORE
The conductor may be the person who controls a group of musicians but on your team, he pulls the strings when it comes to attacks. Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona is one famous player who thrives in this crucial role. MORE
A well-timed through pass can cut a defence wide open and set a forward on his way towards goal with a clear opportunity to score. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Improving your players’ skill levels could give them the ability to beat an opponent in tight areas. The theme is “getting a yard” and encourages players to realise that a yard of space is all that is needed to score or create a goal. MORE
in Practice plans, Soccer dribbling drills
Help your players put together all the different elements required to complete a successful dribble with this Smart Session. MORE
The term “box to box” is given to midfielders who are able to get from one penalty box to the other in order to both create and score goals. This dynamic type of player is worth his weight in gold because he is vital in defence as well. MORE
It’s important your players develop the habit of constantly looking around the pitch to see what’s happening so that when they receive the ball, they know how much time they have in possession and also the ball’s next destination. MORE
Have a bit of fun with this Easter-themed session that also has the serious goal of improving your players’ first-time shooting skills. In the final game, if you can put all your eggs (balls) in the basket (goal) before the opposition, you are the Easter champion. MORE
Try out this fun session in which two teams compete to win the Easter egg cup. This type of practice makes a great change from your normal style of training and is guaranteed fun for the players. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Defenders try to stop players stealing the eggs (balls) from Easter island (centre circle). The team which steals the most balls wins the game. MORE
in Practice plans, Soccer dribbling drills
With the Easter holidays just around the corner, why not try this collection of Easter-inspired drills for your next session? These fun games will keep your players entertained and teach them vital skills. MORE
If a striker can shake off defenders in tight areas and create room to take a shot, your team is bound to score more goals. Here’s how you can teach that technique. MORE
When playing the ball forward to a team mate, players need to make runs to support the pass and give the receiving player an option for his next move. This session looks at movement off the ball. MORE
One of the attacking midfielder’s key jobs is to get into advanced positions to create goalscoring opportunities for strikers and find the back of the net himself. MORE
It is crucial that your first two defending players nearest the ball know what they should be doing when the other team has possession. A pair working in tandem can slow down attacks and win back possession efficiently. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Practice plans
Much of a keeper’s role is about making sure he is in the right position in relation to the ball and the goal, particularly when an attacker is bearing down on goal and ready to shoot. MORE
To increase your team’s chances of scoring goals, you can increase the number of players in your attack. This session will help improve decision-making abilities in your strikers for overload situations and the net result will be more goals. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
A high-quality controlling touch away from opposition pressure is critical because it allows your players to retain possession and gives them vital time before executing their next move. In this drill, that will be a pass to a team mate. MORE
The priorities for any defender when dealing with an opposition cross is to be first to the ball, clear it out of the danger area, and, if successful with the first two aspects, get themselves out of the area to reorganise. MORE
This session is a multi-themed game that improves your team’s ability to be patient in possession of the ball. MORE
A team needs to be united in defence when under pressure. The focus of the session is defending with two banks of four players. These players work together to reduce space for the opposition to attack and create goalscoring opportunities. MORE
If you can improve your players’ defending from crosses, fewer goals will be conceded. The session focuses primarily on the four defenders and their ability to block a cross or clear the ball from danger. MORE
