World Class Coaching Newsletter

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to spend a day at
Nottingham Forest. I watched both the first team and the
youth team practice. Below are some drills from the first team.


Diagram 14 click on the image to enlarge

Three Team Keep-Away
This drill was done as a warm-up for 12 - 15 minutes. In a field of 40 x 40 yards, three teams of five, each wearing different colors, one team starts as defenders the other two teams combine in possession of the ball. If the defending team wins possession of the ball then the five man team who lost possession becomes the defending team. Therefore it is always 10 v 5.


Diagram 15 click on the image to enlarge

2 v 2 Plus Servers
The grid is 40 x 20 yards. The middle 20 yards is occupied by four players in a 2 v 2 situation. Two servers are in each 10 yard end zone. A server starts by playing the ball into one of the players in the middle section. Once in possession, the player attempts to pass the ball to a server at the opposite end. He can do this directly or by using his teammate in a passing combination.If the defending team gains possession they pass

it to a server and then become the attacking team.When a server receives a ball he can either play it back to the attacking team with one touch or he can pass to the other server in his end zone to pass in.

Coaching Points

Defend strongly, individually and as a pair

Track your player defensively

Look for give-and-go’s offensively


Diagram 16 click on the image to enlarge

Crossing and Finishing
A1 passes to A2. A2 passes back to A3. A3 passes to incoming A2 then a runs down the flank. A2 controls with an open body position, turns and passes to A4 then runs to the edge of the 18 yard box. A4 passes in front of running A3 A3 crosses to incoming A4, A5 and A6. D1 defends the cross. Continue the drill using both flanks. Add defenders to make the drill progressively more game like.

Variation

A1 passes to A5
A5 passes back to A1
A1 passes in front of wide running A6
A6 crosses


Diagram 17 click on the image to enlarge

Crossing and Finishing
A1 passes to A4. A4 passes to A7 then runs toward 18 yard goalbox. A7 passes to incoming A6. A6 passes in front of running A8 then runs toward the near post. A8 crosses to incoming A3, A5, and A6. A10 runs in on the opposite flank to cover over-hit crosses. Continue the drill using both flanks. Progressively add defenders to make the drill more game-like.


Diagram 18 click on the image to enlarge

Variation of Diagram 17
As in the above drill but this time A4 passes to A8. A8 lays off a pass to A7 then turns and runs down the flank. A7 plays a first-touch pass into the path of running A8. A8 crosses.


Diagram 19 click on the image to enlarge

Variation of Diagram 17
As in diagram 17 but this time A8 plays a give-and-go with incoming A6.

Editors Note... Both the youth team and the first team did many repetitions of these crossing and finishing drills. Many different combinations were done and defenders were always added to turn the drill into a more game-like situation. One noticeable point was that even without the defenders involved, the coach was constantly directing his players to play at game speed. The passes were quick and accurate and after each goal attempt the players jogged back to their starting positions which made the drill somewhat fitness orientated as well.