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.
in Practice plans, Soccer dribbling drills
The ability to dribble at pace and change direction with the ball under control, will benefit any player. Flip cone dribble is a fun, competitive game to help your players develop this ability. MORE
This practice includes different 2 v 1 choice games. The player in possession passes to a team mate of his choice and then supports to make a 2 v 1 situation. MORE
This series of drills will help your attackers take on defenders in crucial 1v1 battles. This is an important skill all players need because there are so many one-on-one encounters everywhere on the pitch. MORE
The term “hungry striker” is given to an attacker who has a burning desire to score. Players like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez are prime examples. They work hard for the team by pressuring opposition defenders in order to win the ball or force a mistake. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Swerving the ball using the inside of the foot can be used for passing around opposition defenders, shooting and taking corners – so it’s a technique well worth mastering. MORE
Using a full back as an offensive weapon was made popular by the Brazilian national team. This session will help you develop “Brazilian” full backs in your team, giving it greater numbers in offence and increasing your attacking options. MORE
Lionel Messi’s attacking ability from both wide and central areas is unrivalled. Get your players to copy him in the Messi challenge – a session that will give them the confidence to attack from any position. MORE
Good, progressive, passing football involves moving the ball forward by breaking through defensive lines and slipping passes between defenders. Use this session to help your players learn this simple, yet devastating, skill. MORE
This trio of overload attacking and defending possession drills is demanding for defenders but the rewards for winning possession is to give their team a player advantage. MORE
This session is inspired by the ice hockey final at the Olympic Winter Games. Canada were leading 2-1 with seconds left. The USA coach removed his goalkeeper to give his team a player overload and this led to the equalising goal, and overtime. The USA lost, but the coach’s bravery deserved more. MORE
This session is designed to develop counter attacking breaks. The players will learn to pass forward and make quick supporting runs in order to get forward and create goal scoring opportunities. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Practice plans
This technical session works on goalkeeper position and taking the fear out of diving at an attacker’s feet. Young goalkeepers need to practice their timing and movement to get it right in matches. MORE
Things don’t always go to plan in the attacking third. Encourage your players to “wing it” by showing them that how they deliver the ball into the box doesn’t matter – as long as it gets there. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Practice plans
Increasing a goalkeeper’s reaction time by even a fraction of a second will improve their chances of making vital saves. This session encourages your goalkeeper to be more mobile, turn sharply and return to their feet quickly to block a rebound. How will they react? MORE
“Target man” is the term used to describe a centre forward who is able to hold the ball under pressure and then pass back to supporting players. This session includes three simple practices to develop target players. MORE
Cutting across a following defender when through on goal will increase your player’s chances of scoring as it denies the defender a tackling opportunity. MORE
Defenders who run out from the back with the ball can create overload situations in midfield, making them a valuable attacking weapon. MORE
It is vital that players support forward passes so that attackers are not isolated and possession can be retained. MORE
Because football is ultimately about scoring more goals than the opposition, your players should be regularly practising their shooting skills. Use “Simple shooting” to work on your players’ accuracy in front of goal. This session will also help your goalkeepers work on positioning and making reaction saves. MORE
This session aims improve your players when they are receiving the ball with their back to goal. Can the players turn and beat the defender? Can they hold the ball and then bring their team mates into the game? MORE
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
