World Class Coaching Newsletter

The following session was with players from both the U17 and U19 teams. Both coaches Hugh McCauley and Dave Shannon conducted the session. Academy Director Steve Heighway was on hand to observe and offer specific coaching points. He talked to the players about working smart, taking the challenge of the session and making sure they got something out of the session. The session focused on ‘finishing’ and was fairly light as the players were due to train with weights later that evening.


Diagram 1 click on the image to enlarge

After a light warm-up of jogging and stretching, the field was set up with three goals as shown in diagram 1. To start the drill, each goalkeeper threw the ball out to the first player in their line. After receiving the ball, the player would then attack the goalkeeper creating a one-on-one situation.

Coaching Points
Make sure your first touch puts the ball out in front of you.
Use the first 10 yards as sheer pace
Experiment with different attacking options – be inventive
Use fakes and disguise your intentions
Use different body positions
If you are close to the goalkeeper, try to slide it under his body
Goalkeeper distribution should reach the player without bouncing

Editors note: The coaches also encouraged the players to try and emulate the moves that Arsenal’s Dennis Berkamp used in scoring a one-on-one goal which appeared on national television the day before.


Diagram 2 click on the image to enlarge

Progression
The players now line up at a cone placed five yards behind the original cone. The first player in line steps up to the front cone and receives the pass from the goalkeeper. On his first touch the next player in line, who is at the second cone, chases and attempts to disrupt the player’s run at the goalkeeper.

Coaching Points
First touch is critical
Use the first 10 yards as sheer speed to get away from the chasing defender
Run across the path of the chasing defender
Finish in four touches or less


Diagram 3 click on the image to enlarge

Progression
The two outside lines of players are moved five yards closer to the center cone. Use just one goalkeeper in the middle goal. The goalkeeper throws the ball to the front player in the middle line. On that player’s first touch, the front players in the outside lines chase the player with the ball and attempt to disrupt his run to goal. After each attempt, the players join the back of different lines.

Coaching Points
Again, the first touch is critically important
Composure
Look to finish quickly before the chasing defenders reach you


Diagram 4 click on the image to enlarge

Progression
Organize the players as shown in diagram 4 with a defender in front of each goal and defenders behind each goal ready to rotate in. The goalkeepers take turns throwing the ball to the front player in their line. Once the player has received the ball, the front players from the other two lines join in to play 3 v 3 against the three defenders. The attacking players can score in any of the three goals.

Coaching Points
Look to get into 2 v 1 situations
Switch the play
Combinations – overlaps