EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FOR GRASSROOTS SOCCER COACHES
A floating or false 9 is a centre forward who leaves his position in the centre of attack and moves deeper to link with the midfield.
When the false 9 moves deep (towards his own goal), the defenders are unsure whether to go and mark him. This creates confusion in defence.
Spain used a false 9 in Euro 2012 with coach Vincente Del Bosque using Cesc Fabregas in this position and therefore playing without a recognised centre forward.
The floating or false 9 causes confusion among defenders by dropping back into midfield from the traditional centre forward position
I coach my team to attack the opponent non-stop when they have the ball, when they lose it and when the opposition have it – defending is our first offensive action. What I try to get across in my coaching session is every player being an attacker and every player being a defender. MORE
in Email newsletters, Formations, Tactics
If your team is getting caught out by counter attacks, balls over the top or a team that dominates with through passes, a sweeper can be a godsend MORE
Players learn to work the ball from the back four to the front players. It’s an excellent way to get players to be patient in the build up and to use the goalkeeper as an extra player to pass to and keep the ball. It shows how overloads work. MORE
in Attacking, Email newsletters, Tactics
Every age group in youth soccer will, at one time or another, use twin strikers as their attacking threat. From 4v4 right up to 11v11 pairs of strikers work very well. Here are my sessions to help you coach two strikers with your team. MORE
If you want to score more goals, use this session to teach your players to build from the back and make penetrating passes through to the midfield MORE
Simple unopposed link up play is an ideal way to start your strike partners working together. Receive, look up, lay off, support. This is the way attackers should be behaving in the final third. MORE
