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.
This session aims to improve the movement of your forwards when getting into the opponents box in order to score from a cross. MORE
Recent sessions have given your players dribbling, passing and decision-making skills. This session encourages your players to put these skills into practice in a team environment with the aim of building movement in attack and creating more goal-scoring opportunities. MORE
A lot of teams now play with a lone striker supported by players from midfield. The modern striker must have a number of attributes. These include running deep to receive the ball, holding the ball up, dribbling at speed and shooting with either foot. This session aims to improve these skills in a number of 1v1 exercises. MORE
This 2v1 session has players practicing a range of attacking techniques, including passing and shooting. MORE
This session is about developing players that are capable of scoring goals in a range of match situations. MORE
It’s tough trying to keep calm and pass the ball when the opposition’s defenders are swarming around, but being able to do so will mean your team is less likely to give away possession and so retain control of the ball. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
This session is ideal for getting players to practise shaking off defenders in tight areas and creating room to execute the next technique – in this case a pass. MORE
This session develops attacking play from both central and wide positions. Your team should firstly look to attack through the centre as that is the quickest way to the goal. However, opponents will often block these areas and therefore your team must know how to attack down the wide areas too. MORE
If your players can improve their individual defending when man marking and tracking their opponent’s runs, your team is far less likely to concede goals. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Players often get frustrated when closely marked as they do not have the luxury of time and space to perform their skills. This session shows your players how to shake off a marker and create space to receive a pass. This will give them time to execute their next skill, whether it is a pass, shot or dribble. MORE
Help improve your players’ movement off the ball so they can support play and create goalscoring opportunities. MORE
An attacking team’s first priority when passing is to play positively towards a target. If they’re prevented from reaching that target, their second aim is to retain possession until they can find an opportunity to pass. This session focuses on risk and reward. Do your players pass or do they keep the ball? MORE
Defenders can reduce the threat on their goal by keeping the other team’s forwards facing the opposite direction and moving them away from the penalty area. Use this session to enhance your defenders’ skills at closing down attackers and clearing the danger without necessarily making a tackle. MORE
Despite the many differences between football and rugby, there are principles of rugby which can be used on the football pitch. This session does not allow any forward passing – the same as in rugby – and allows your players to work on using supporting players and using solo dribbling skills. MORE
in Practice plans, Team Management
Instilling a winning mentality in your team can result in a positive outcome on your results. Doing this can help players win their 1v1 duels. The practices in this coaching plan encourage both good defending, attacking and concentration skills. MORE
Dealing with crosses as part of a defensive unit is a large part of a goalkeeper’s job. That, is why it is vital to spend time on the practice ground helping your goalkeeper with their positioning, communication and punching and catching skills. “The cross collector” shows you how. MORE
Teams such as Barcelona and Swansea base their games on dominating possession of the ball. You can get your players doing the same with this drill. MORE
The role of a sweeper is given to a player that plays behind the line of defenders. It is that player’s duty to cover the space behind and sweep across to remove the danger of the opponent’s attacks. This is how you can develop the use of a “minesweeper” in your team. MORE
By constantly probing the opposition’s defence by switching the point of the attack from side to side, eventually a space will open up that can be exploited. This session will help you teach your players how to work the ball into such posi MORE
Not all players enjoy defending so it is essential practices are competitive, fun and give the player a reward for winning the ball (the chance to score a goal!) Encourage your defenders to make “First contact” in the bid to thwart an attack. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Watch your players’ confidence soar when they realise they can keep control of the ball for longer by using their bodies as a shield to protect the ball. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Players should be encouraged to express themselves in practice. This will improve their confidence in matches and they are more likely to try out some skills. You should inspire your players by asking them to play in the “showboating” role of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Improve your players’ close control skills with these easy-to-set-up drills which place the emphasis on the individual. Each player can become a “one man army” if he can keep the ball away from opponents. MORE
Teaching your players how to block or intercept an opposition forward pass will help your team regain possession of the ball. Remember – you can’t concede a goal if you have the ball. MORE
