Bainbridge Island Fc Elite Soccer December 2015.pdf

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DECEMBER 2015

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SOCCER COACHING PRACTICES FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING MANAGERS AND COACHES

Exclusive om top Training practicesafr ers professional man g

ROBERTO MARTINEZ & DENNIS LAWRENCE EVERTON

COMPACTTEAMMOVEMENT

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

PORT VALE

CAMBRIDGE UNITED

BURNLEY

IPSWICH TOWN

CHRIS HUGHTON Defensive principles

ROB PAGE AND PAUL BODIN Switching play

SHAUN DERRY Counterattacking

MICHAEL JOLLEY Penetration or possession

STEVE FOLEY The Italian Square

EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEW: WITH MOLDE MANAGER OLE GUNNAR SOLSJKAER

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Elite Soccer is published by:

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League Managers Association St George’s Park National Football Centre Newborough Road Needwood Burton upon Trent DE13 9PD Tel: +44 (0)1283 576350 Email: [email protected] President: Roy Hodgson Chairman: Howard Wilkinson Chief Executive: Richard Bevan This publication is protected by national and international copyright laws. Elite Soccer will take legal action against any individuals or organisations found to be infringing our rights, and will make that action public. Elite Soccer members who have purchased this report may circulate electronic or hard copies to members of their own club or school, provided this is done without commercial gain. However, no part or whole of this report may be circulated elsewhere or displayed on any website or distributed commercially except under licence from the copyright owners. © Green Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved

2 DECEMBER 2015

ISSUE 65/DECEMBER 2015: FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Original and engaging training practices from the best UK soccer coaches Dear Coach, Welcome to the December issue of Elite Soccer. With the festive season’s sometimes inclement weather certain to have an impact on fixture lists – unless you’re lucky enough to live in warm climes – the upcoming weeks present a perfect opportunity to reflect on what has worked well for you over the first part of the season (and perhaps one or two things that haven’t been so satisfying!). So with that in mind, and whether to start afresh with new ideas or just bring in one or two different practices, we’re delighted to present for you another six engaging sessions from some of the best coaches in British soccer. Kicking off in the Barclays Premier League, it’s always a pleasure to welcome Roberto Martinez back into Elite Soccer, and the Everton manager has returned with a session that focuses on compact team movement when both in and out of possession. The evidence on show is the Toffees’ brilliant recent run of form in the top flight, which sees them on the coattails of the Champions League challengers. Moving on, from the Sky Bet Championship, Chris Hughton outlines the solid defensive base on which his Brighton & Hove Albion side have built such considerable success so far this season, with a progressive practice that uses specific positioning and solid structures. From Sky Bet League One, Port Vale manager Rob Page and his assistant Paul Bodin isolate the benefits of switching play, while new Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry reveals how and long and short passing in counter-attacking can be a potent weapon for his League Two side’s attempt at a shot at the play-offs. Burnley coach Michael Jolley has given us a practice that outlines whether to penetrate opposition ranks or look after possession, while Ipswich Town’s Steve Foley is also discussing retaining the ball as he introduces a simple yet effective set-up called The Italian Square. We hope you and your players enjoy what’s on offer, and of course, we wish you a rewarding and relaxing Christmas and Happy New Year.

5

ROBERTO MARTINEZ & Dennis Lawrence EVERTON

Compact team movement

7

CHRIS HUGHTON

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Defensive principles

9

ROB PAGE & Paul Bodin PORT VALE

Switching play

11

SHAUN DERRY CAMBRIDGE UNITED

Counterattacking: short and long

14

MICHAEL JOLLEY BURNLEY

Penetration or possession

Enjoy your soccer,

17

STEVE FOLEY

IPSWICH TOWN

The Italian Square

Howard Wilkinson, LMA Chairman

Elite Soccer is a monthly publication for professional, semi-professional and aspiring soccer coaches and is available by subscription only. £97 for 12 issues. To subscribe email [email protected] or call on +44 (0) 1483 892 894

3M  ANAGEMENT MATTERS Our review of the past month

19 EXTRA-TIME:

... with Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer

20 B OOKED

Elite sports book review

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MANAGER PROFILES ELITE SOCCER DECEMBER 2015

Here are the six managers andcoaches we’re delighted to welcome into this issue of Elite Soccer

ROBERTO MARTINEZ

aided by First-Team Development Coach Dennis Lawrence EVERTON

Martinez was confirmed as the manager of Everton on June 5, 2013. The popular Spaniard had enjoyed a meteoric start in management after being appointed by Swansea City in February 2007, landing four Manager of the Month accolades inside his first two years in the job, as well as the LMA’s League One Manager of the Year award. In his first full season he guided the South Wales club into the second tier of English football for the first time in 24 years, with the Swans finishing an impressive 8th at the end of the following campaign. Switching to Wigan Athletic in June 2009 saw him return to a club he had made 187 appearances for during a six-year spell from 1995 onwards, and against the odds he preserved the Latics’ Premier League status for three consecutive seasons. In his fourth year in charge, Martinez created history by guiding the club to victory in the 2013 FA Cup Final against Manchester City at Wembley. It was Wigan’s first major trophy in their 81-year existence, and with it came their first taste of European football. In June 2013 Martinez joined Everton, leading the club to their highest ever Barclays Premier League points tally (72), and a 5th-place finish and, with it, Europa League qualification. The 42-year-old is now overseeing the Toffees’ assault on a top four place as well as helping to nurture some brilliant young talent at Goodison Park, with John Stones, Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Brendan Galloway all catching the eye this term. 3 DECEMBER 2015

CHRIS HUGHTON

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Chris joined Brighton on December 31, 2014, with the immediate aim of preserving the club’s Sky Bet Championship status, something he subsequently went on to achieve at the Amex Stadium. Yet most of the former Spurs defender’s managerial experience has been in the Premier League, having taken charge at Newcastle United (for whom he secured promotion back to the top division) and Norwich City. He also guided Birmingham City into Europe for the first time in half a century after they clinched the League Cup at Wembley.  

ROB PAGE

aided by assistant manager Paul Bodin PORT VALE

Rob joined Port Vale at the end of October 2014 having previously been youth team coach, assistant manager and interim manager at Vale Park. Page won 41 international caps for Wales over nine years. The former defender captained Watford to their first season in the Premier League and was voted the club’s Player of the Season at the end of their debut campaign in the top flight.  

SHAUN DERRY CAMBRIDGE UNITED

Shaun joined Cambridge United in November 2015 after successfully securing Notts County’s Sky Bet League One status during his first season in management. He is now plotting Cambridge’s ascent back up the Football

League and can draw on a vast amount of experience as a player – he has been a popular figure at every club he has represented through a series of passionate displays, along the way captaining Portsmouth, Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers. He secured promotions to the top flight with Palace and QPR and is now looking to transfer his successful playing career into management.

MICHAEL JOLLEY BURNLEY

Michael’s first coaching position was at the Crystal Palace Academy in 2004, where he helped develop young talent such as John Bostock and Victor Moses. He went on to coach at Nottingham Forest and the University of Stirling, before joining Scottish Premier Division side Falkirk. Moving back to England in 2012 he joined Lincoln City, then switched to Crewe Alexandra, before being appointed Senior Professional Development Coach for the Burnley Under-21 team.

STEVE FOLEY IPSWICH TOWN

As a player, Steve Foley made 283 appearances for Colchester United before hanging up his boots to turn his hand to coaching, spending 10 years at Norwich City. He moved to rivals Ipswich Town in 2006 and will soon celebrate a decade of service at Portman Road. Foley has also coached at Watford, and had two spells in charge of Colchester United as caretaker boss. www.elitesoccercoaching.net

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MANAGEMENT MATTERS

MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARDS

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger scooped the Manager of the Month award for October after the Gunners caught up with the frontrunners in England’s top division after four straight wins during the month. A stunning 3-0 home victory over Manchester United kicked off proceedings, a result that would be replicated in matches against Watford and Swansea City. There was also a 2-1 home win over Everton, while the London club kept alive their Champions League hopes as well by defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Emirates.

In English football’s second tier, Brentford manager Lee Carsley took the award after the Bees recovered from a slow start to the season to chalk up four wins in October. Carsley, the former Derby County and Everton defender, has only been in the hotseat at Griffin Park since September, but his side have quickly adapted to his football principles, and they saw off Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and QPR during the month, with a 2-0 defeat at Derby County the only smudge on an otherwise flawless record.

P4 W4 D0 L0 (LEAGUE ONLY)

P5 W4 D0 L1

CAREERPATH

In Sky Bet League One, Mark Robins picked up the divisional award after his Scunthorpe United edged away from danger near the foot of the table with 15 points out of a possible 18 in October. The matches have been coming thick and fast for The Iron, but their momentum saw Fleetwood Town, Oldham Athletic, Shrewsbury Town, Chesterfield and Barnsley put to the sword, with 14 goals being scored during the month. Only a 2-1 defeat at league leaders Gillingham could detract from an otherwise perfect run of form that saw the Lincolnshire club move up into the top half of the table.

And finally into Sky Bet League Two, where Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams guided his side to the top of the table after five wins during October. Argyle began the season as one of the favourites for promotion, and they appear to be embracing the expectation, with Crawley Town, Notts County, Accrington Stanley, Luton Town and Morecambe all defeated in the space of four weeks. The Devon club also edged past local rivals Exeter City in the Football League Trophy by two goals to nil, with former Ross County manager Adams working his magic at Home Park despite having only been in the job four months.

P6 W5 D0 L1

P6 W5 D0 L1

With so much experience in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and other countries, are you looking to bring some ... with Ricardo Moniz, manager of Sky Bet continental flare to Notts County? League Two side Notts County Well first and foremost the most important thing is for us to win You’ve managed a number of big sides football matches. I worked across Europe and beyond, so what made for three years at Tottenham Has the size of the task surprised you? you want to drop into the fourth tier of Hotspur so the English way English football for this challenge? No, but what I will say is there are some very of playing certainly isn’t alien Well the opportunity to manage and coach well prepared teams in this division and the to me, but if we can get the in England is something that maybe doesn’t commitment and competitiveness even basics right then, yes, there come along too often, and everything about here in the fourth tier is like nothing you is perhaps room to play a would get in any other country. That means very stylish way, but only the job was right. This is a proud, famous we have to be up for every game, and if any club, we have amazing facilities, and the if that means we win player isn’t then he will get found out. ethos behind how the team wants to play matches! 4 DECEMBER 2015

reflects my own. With that in mind I felt the fit could be really good. We are looking at a medium-term project here to get this club back up to where it should be. As I have said to the players, it won’t come overnight, but if we all work hard then it will come.

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1a

EVERTON

Roberto Martinez & Dennis Lawrence

Compact team movement

3 Reds must retreat, ensuring that all players are positioned defensively and none are in the free zone

25

SET-UP AREA

Up to a full pitch EQUIPMENT

Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Up to 11v11 SESSION TIME

Zones practice, 6x4mins with 2mins recovery (34mins total)

Overview: This session is about movement of the team in attack and defence to ensure we remain compact with good distances between players. It also helps us develop good spatial awareness of the player in and out of possession, as well as creating good options for the man on the ball. Although this is simple in its set-up, it houses key principles of organisation, and its effect shouldn’t be underestimated. Done well it’s easy to recreate match intensity whilst improving the synchronisation of the movement of certain partnerships and their communication. If the fixture schedule allows we will run this once a week, otherwise we’ll ensure it’s played out fortnightly so as to ensure players maintain good habits in the way we try to play. It’s important to find other exercises which would promote the movement of the team in compact spaces with a variation on this exercise. What do I get the players to do? Warm-up (not shown) We will begin with a warm-up and activation exercises, which can be dictated by the coaches taking the session. Zones practice We set up using a pitch divided into three zones of 25x40 yards, with a full-size goal at each end, as shown (1a). It’s 6v6 and teams can only use two zones. The coach will start and restart the play from the middle of the pitch, 5 DECEMBER 2015

2 Play is worked forward with blues moving from the defensive to the middle zone

1 The ball is fed in by the coach

25

FREE ZONE

25

40 1b

25

FREE ZONE

2 Upon turnover it’s now the blues who must quickly vacate the attacking zone

1 Reds attack at pace using limited touches in order to move the ball forward quickly and positively

25

3 Three blues occupy each zone with a balanced approach to defending

25

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

40

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ROBERTO MARTINEZ & DENNIS LAWRENCE COMPACT TEAM MOVEMENT Teams are lined up in tactical shape 1-4-3-3 against 1-4-1-4-1

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

2

1 The ball begins from the keeper 2 It’s worked out to a blue

3 Reds must now vacate the attacking zone

ZONE A therefore immediately forcing players to think and move as a team. As shown, blues attack the top goal with all six players needing to be positioned in the two upper 25-yard zones. We can also run this without keepers with 10 consecutive passes needing to be made in two zones. If a team loses possession in the attacking final zone there is a condition that they always have to retreat into the deepest two 25-yard zones (1b). The same instructions apply for opponents, so both teams will play using one free end zone. Outside of these conditions normal football rules apply. How do I progress the practice? The session can be progressed with pitch size and/or player numbers being increased as well as allowing players to make more informed decisions upon turnovers. So, after losing possession do they press the ball high up or drop off? This decision-making can only come from assessing conditions around them, and that can only come from practice. We can also change things by enabling the restart from keepers, which presents an immediate pressing opportunity for the opposition. In addition, limiting players to two touches can vary the effectiveness 6 DECEMBER 2015

4 Other reds track back to occupy the two defensive zones only

ZONE B

ZONE C

of what we are looking for, both positively (quick play and fast moves) and negatively (rushed decision-making), but is again a key component in recreating and practising the realities of match situations. A common mistake made is when teams do not ensure a free zone is maintained when both in and out of possession. To avoid this, we would penalise the team that’s infringing – for instance if a player from the defending team is in the ‘free’ zone with opponents attacking, any goal for attackers would be counted as two. What are the key things to look out for? In terms of the key technical aspects, we’re looking for quick ball movement

“From a technical attacking point of view, we need to ensure that as the ball travels players travel as well, getting into the correct zones especially when the ball is in the attacking third.”

ZONE D in possession in the final zone in order to create plentiful goalscoring situations. Within this, and from a technical attacking point of view, we need to ensure that as the ball travels so players travel as well, getting into the correct zones especially when the ball is in the attacking third. Defensively, players need to be organised in the way they retreat, preferably with an even split of men in the two zones they are occupying. How do I put this into a game situation? For a game situation we will extend this onto a full pitch utilising what are, effectively, four zones, with teams only able to use two at any given time (2). The halfway lines divides the middle zone into two, forcing the compactness of the team during the game. Different conditions in the way we show the teams to use the zones will give the exercise specialised meaning to work an specific topic for the team. Both teams are placed in tactical shape – for instance 1-4-3-3 against 1-4-1-4-1 – with a premise of limiting the number of touches for players in different areas of the pitch.

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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Chris Hughton Defensive principles SET-UP AREA

Use of a full pitch EQUIPMENT

Balls, cones, goals, mini-goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Up to 11v9 SESSION TIME

Warm-up 10mins, Pressing exercise 18mins, Defensive shape 20mins, Small-sided game 20mins

Overview: InsuchacompetitiveleagueastheSkyBet Championship,wheretherearenoeasygames,we knewnailingdefensiveprincipleswasgoingtobe imperative. Withthatinmindwewereabletohaveaverygoodpreseasonwhereplayerstookonboardtheseelements, withtheideaofsettingoutadefensivemainframethat alsofocusedontheimportantaspectoftransitions because,asateam,youwanttoattackandscoregoals, yetyouknowthatbydoingsoyouwilllosepossession. Sothatiswhenthedefensivestrategiescomeintoplay evenmore. Wehaverunthissessioninthelead-uptosome matchesanditisoneplayersenjoybecauseofitshigh tempoandcompetitiveness.

“We have a defensive mainframe that also focuses on the important aspect of transitions because, as a team, you want to attack and score goals, yet know that by doing so you will lose possession.”

1 In the ‘possession game’ a team of 12 (reds and blues) play against a defensive team of six (yellows). The team of 12 must retain the ball for as long as possible

35

35

If the ball is played into the central zone the players must rotate, with the passing player leaving and a new player taking his place KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

What do I get the players to do? Warmup(notshown) Thefitnesscoachbeginswithawarm-up. Thismustbehightempogiventhenature oftheworktheplayersareleadinginto.   Pressingexercise Wesetthisupina35x35-yardareawith fourmini-goalsontheoutside,asshown

7 DECEMBER 2015

(1).It’sapossessionsession-12v6‘keep ball’(say,bluesandredscombined versusyellows)withplayersoperating two-touch.Theteamof12mustretainthe ballforaslongaspossible. Whenyellowsturnovertheballthey play‘all-in’withtheaimofscoringinany ofthefourmini-goals.Theteamof12 mustreactassoonastheylosetheball, pressinghardtowinitback.

Whentheballisplayedthroughthe middlezone,therehastobearotationof personnel -thereasonforthisissowe don’tgetplayersstandingontheoutsides protectingthefourgoals. Weplaysixmini-gamesof90secs(with 30secsrecovery),rotatingteamsevery time,progressingontothreefinalgames thatareplayedone-touch.

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CHRIS HUGHTON DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES 6 When the red progresses high Defensiveshape enough the blue full-back engages in Nowwesetupacrossthefullwidthof order to negate space thepitchusingahalf-pitchextended 2 by15yards,asshown(2).Theaimhere istotestshapeandcompactness,with 5 The right defensiveplayerslookingtodenyballs full-back approaches intothefrontmen. so as to Thereisa10v8overloadwiththeonly delay play restrictionbeingthatfull-backshave twotouches.Thereasonforthisiswe knowweareoverloadingthedefensive set-up,andalthoughthebluecentral 3 Now the midfielderswillhavetoadjusttheir attacking move shapewedon’twantthemcontinually progresses up havingtodefendinthewideareas.And the left flank theuseofano.10andano.9istoensure thatwhenthedefendingteamregains possessiontheyhaveoptionstoplay forwardandscore. Normalgamerulesapply(exceptno corners)andwewillfrequentlystop playinorder tomakecoachingpoints. Inparticularwewanttonotehow playerscopewithoverloadsinwide areaswithmidfieldersgettingdragged 1 Reds begin a play out,aswellasassessingdefending with the centre-back fromcrossesandopportunitiesto passing out wide press.Wealsowanttodrawreference tothezonefortheno.10toworkin,and theroleofthedefendingdeep-lying midfielders. Transition to a defensive shape   Small-sidedgame Inthesameareawenowsetupagame 3 situation.Againit’snormalrules 1 The blue (nocorners)withtheoverloading team begin an attack by team(reds)onthree-touchandthe playing out of defendingteam(twobanksoffour) defence all-in.Inthedefensivebanksweare lookingforcompactness,pressingand copingwithoverloadsontransition. Wewillencouragebluestoattackwith 2 The midfield numbers-lookingfor wideplayers player drops tooffermoreoffensiveoptionsas to support theteamtriestoscore;thenthereds and the ball is attack. played out to the wing

What are the key things to look out for? It’sallaboutthetransitions-whenthe twobanksoffourareattacking,oneor twowillhavetocomeoutof theshape. Soiftheballisontheright-handside, yourleftwingershouldtrytogetinan advancedposition.  And while there will be opportunities to attack, in transition players will quickly have to get into a defensive mode and shape (3). 8 DECEMBER 2015

4 Reds close down the winger and the ball is won back

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

4 Blue midfielders shift across to support and track play

2 The no.10 tracks the path of the ball

Immediately the ball is lost the blue team must recover to their defensive shape – two backs of four

1 Centre-backs ‘push up’ to deny space

2 Full-backs move in-field to make a concentrated defensive shape

3 Midfield players must work hard to return to their defensive postions

3 As the blues advance down the right, the opposite winger is encouraged to move forwards

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

PORT VALE

Rob Page

& Paul Bodin

Switching play SET-UP AREA

Half-pitch EQUIPMENT

Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Up to full squad SESSION TIME

10mins plus 20mins progressions

Overview: The session is about passing the ball quickly and effectively across the width of the pitch to utilise space and to penetrate the opposition. Ultimately, players love passing the ball, so following that logic through, quick and effective link-up play is the best way to create opportunities, find weaknesses in your opponents and score goals.

Players need to be comfortable in possession, have a good passing range and be prepared to make unselfish runs, and switching play should always result in a cross or shot, with players quickly building an understanding of why we move play from side to side and to what advantage. Generally we will practise this session at least once a week. Sometimes the practice

is against mannequins and occasionally against opponents who will be set up tactically as our next opponents. What’s important though is variety – both in terms of technique, and in the involvement of full-backs, centre-backs, wide players and central midfielders, because all of these have a key role in switching play in the practice and, indeed, in match situations.

1

Play from right to left: longer passes over the midfield to reach the winger Play from left to right: short, sharp passes through midfield to reach the winger

What do I get the players to do? As shown, we set up an initial passing exercise with some players conditioned to make short passes through the mannequins while others are looking to feed longer passes over the mannequins.

9 DECEMBER 2015

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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ROB PAGE & PAUL BODIN SWITCHING PLAY KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

Play begins by the back four passing across the pitch

2

Short, quick passing through the midfield

Midfielder makes a supporting run

Depending on the angle of the final pass the winger can choose to work through the channel or take the ball down the wing for a cross

The striker makes a run ‘in behind’ to receive a pass through the channel

In a simple attack versus defence form we begin by telling players to move the ball across the back four with quick passing, switching play through the midfield with quick penetrating play. We progress this on to moving the ball across the back four, building up to long diagonal passes from left to right (or right to left). Fullbacks, centre-backs and central midfielders are key passers, with wide players and strikers vital in making

10 DECEMBER 2015

and when to make certain moves to either receive the ball or create space for other players. A big part of this is players being comfortable receiving What are the key things to the ball on the half-turn. If look out for? they have their backs to play Technically the players’ it means they are limiting touch, movement, their options because awareness, understanding, there’s no vision of what’s passing range and accuracy around them. You will also are vitally important. see players trying the long ‘wonder pass’ but this should Tactically the players must be discouraged in favour retain a solid shape with of firm, controlled, positive good distances and an passing. understanding of where themselves free to receive the pass. Having switched play we always try to end up with a cross or shot on target.

The opposite winger makes a run for the far post

“What’s important is variety – both in terms of technique, and in the involvement of full-backs, centre-backs, wide players and central midfielders, because all of these have a key role in switching play.” www.elitesoccercoaching.net

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CAMBRIDGE UNITED

Shaun Derry Counter-attacking: short and long SET-UP AREA

80x60 yards EQUIPMENT

Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Full squad SESSION TIME

4x4min drills

Overview: This session covers accuracy of passing both in deep areas of the pitch and in and around the goal. It also showcases combination play of centre-forwards and finishing techniques, third man running and defending situations when outnumbered. In short, it’s a session that tests every player involved, from the keeper, who has to make sure his angles are right, to ball-carrying midfielders and combination strikers. Yet at the heart of this practice is short and long passing in counter-attacking moves. The ability to use the ball smartly with expectation, vision, accuracy and speed is vital in moving from one end of the pitch to the other and, with that in mind, this is a session we will practise at least once a week, usually midweek. Players will require a lot of energy in order to fully embrace the challenges of the drill, always being required to operate quickly and under pressure, so not only do we want them to approach the challenges fresh, they’ll also need a small recovery period afterwards. What do I get the players to do? As shown (1a), we set up in the area between the 18-yard boxes (or approximately 80x60 yards). Using short and long passes the move prompts a counterattacking break into opposition territory that is played to a finish (1b). The drill restarts after the ball has gone dead, is with the keeper, or defenders have cleared. Now,

11 DECEMBER 2015

1a

5 When the midfielder hits the first line the centre-forward becomes active

2 They play one-two with each other, ending with a diagonal pass to one of the two midfielders waiting on either side of the goal

3 Once the receiving player controls the diagonal ball he then passes it across the six-yard box to his partner

1 Servers are the ‘resting’ defenders on either side of the halfway line

4 This man then runs with the ball at speed to the first line of flat cones

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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SHAUN DERRY COUNTER-ATTACKING: SHORT AND LONG from the end of the pitch where the previous passage of play finished the other two resting defenders play a one-two and a long diagonal pass into the next two midfielders. What are the key things to look out for? Technically, the power, pace and accuracy of the long ball that starts the session is so important for the drill to begin with positivity and momentum, but this must be accompanied by accurate, short passing. We want to see players mixing up this passing range throughout the practice for it to succeed. In the next phase we’re looking for a concentrated first touch of the receiving player and good running speed from his partner. The strength and body position to receive the ball off the front player is also key. Tactically the areas of the players’ runs are important, particularly with third-man midfield runs testing defensive players’ abilities to defend outnumbered. In terms of typical mistakes, because there is a carrot for the players (namely a goalscoring opportunity) some will hold on to the ball for too long, increasing the chances of them being tackled and the move breaking down. Really, the key to this drill is to play quick, interchangeable passes (long and short) that move the opposition players into areas of the defensive third so as to create problems for them to deal with whilst keeping potential tacklers a good distance away.

“Players will require a lot of energy in order to fully embrace the challenges of the drill, always being required to operate quickly and under pressure.” 12 DECEMBER 2015

1b

1 The centreforward receives a quality passed ball into his feet

2 The 3v2 then becomes playable with both midfielders and the centreforward up against two defenders

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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SHAUN DERRY COUNTER-ATTACKING: SHORT AND LONG How do I progress the practice? We can progress the practice by adding another defender and centre-forward, as shown (2). After the first attack finishes (either with a goalscoring opportunity or a smart piece of defensive play) another ball is played into the middle of the pitch with the attacker having a timed challenge, such as score within 10 seconds. How do I put this into a game situation? To conclude with a small-sided game scenario, we can set up in two penalty boxes back-to-back to rehearse the defending aspect of this drill. Namely, we can construct 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 drills to further play out the short and long ball principles practised.

2 The three defenders need to squeeze the pitch area

2

3 The attacker who retrieves the ball has 10 seconds to attack one of the defenders in a 1v1 situation, before trying to score a goal

1 In the progression another ball is played in to the middle of the pitch

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

“The key to this drill is to play quick, interchangeable passes (long and short) that move the opposition players into areas of the defensive third so as to create problems for them to deal with.” 13 DECEMBER 2015

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BURNLEY

Michael Jolley Penetration or possession: finding the right balance

1

SET-UP AREA

Use of a full pitch EQUIPMENT

Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Up to 6v6 plus keepers

20

SESSION TIME

Main practice, 6 blocks of 2mins, Small-sided games both 2x3mins

Overview: This session is about helping players recognise the right moments to try to get behind opposing defenders, versus keeping the ball until that right moment arrives. Different coaches offer different plans in order to stimulate player thinking in this area, but the practice I use at Burnley I have found the most effective across over 10 years of coaching. Players respond well to the session because it challenges them to think clearly and make good decisions under pressure. It’s technically demanding – in particular the aspect of delivering balls in behind defenders and aligning that with good movement – and there is a physical requirement for them to run hard, both with and without the ball, which fits well with our club’s beliefs on the way the game should be played. It’s important to practise getting in behind defenders with quality because doing so will ensure your players regularly create goalscoring chances. I tend to deliver this practice early in the week, far from the game, because it is physically demanding. We revisit it regularly because the idea of getting behind defences is an important one for us. What do I get the players to do? We set up as shown with 12 outfield players divided into three teams of four players, plus two keepers. The pitch is penalty spot to penalty spot, 20 yards wide with a goal at each end, as shown (1). For whites, who start without the ball, the objective is either to win the ball back and score, or simply prevent opponents from scoring.

2 The ball is fed to a blue floater on the right

1 Three whites move on to press

25 3 He feeds it back inside for a red player to make the pass through to one of the attacking floaters

90 4 The pass evades the attentions of the line defender

25 5 Blue moves through for a 1v1 against the keeper

20

20 14 DECEMBER 2015

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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MICHAEL JOLLEY PENETRATION OR POSSESSION: FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE Up to three players can go in to press and win the ball – one player must stay back in his own team zone. If whites win the ball, they can combine with the blue floaters quickly on the counter-attack. There is an offside line running through both team zones – therefore the defender should be smart and realise not to advance any further than this line when his team mates go to press. For reds, who start with the ball, the objective is either to score with a pass in behind opponents that is collected by a blue who goes 1v1 against the keeper, or construct 10 consecutive passes. The team has an overload in its own zone (4v1 or 4v2 or 4v3, depending on how many opponents press), which is enhanced because the four can also use the supporting players as floaters (on two-touch). The ball needs to be worked to the second bank of floaters, one of whom receives in the scoring area. The quality and type of delivery into the area behind the last defender is key. It should be lifted, curled, spun or slid into the space so that it eliminates the defender and the keeper, and so the blue attacker can score with the fewest possible touches. For blue floaters, if the ball is in the zone directly before them, they must support the play and help the team in possession achieve 10 passes. If the ball is in the zone adjacent to them, they must make runs to try to receive behind the last defender and go in to score against the keeper (staying onside in the process). There will be one retreating/recovering defender. We play this for 2mins with intensity and quality, then rotate the three teams. How do I progress the practice? There are a number of possible progressions and we encourage the coaches to devise some of their own in response to how players are reacting, but some of the most common we used are as follows. Firstly, a player in possession can travel from his own zone, if unchallenged, with the ball, and combine with a blue to get in on goal himself (2). Defenders must try to stop him. Alternatively, we can condition it so that balls in behind must be below head height – this encourages quality, invention and disguise. Or for another

15 DECEMBER 2015

2

20

25 90

1 In the first progression the receiving red is able to dribble through before releasing his pass

2 He makes a one-two with the supporting blue

25

3 Now he advances on goal

20

20

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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MICHAEL JOLLEY PENETRATION OR POSSESSION: FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE progression, we can allow two attackers into the scoring zone plus two defenders, to play 2v2 to a finish (3). What are the key things to look out for? Players must look forward early and ask themselves if they can hurt the opposition with a penetrating pass, delivered with quality, to a runner in on goal. If they can’t do that, they should look to keep the ball and wait for a better opportunity to deliver. The team without the ball must decide how many players to commit to press, and how many to leave back to defend the ball that goes in behind them. The floating team must think quickly when the ball turns over because their roles change from being supporting players to becoming runners looking to get in behind. In this second role, we want to see good movement along the offside line and then ‘ducking’ in between gaps between defenders at the right moment (on or just before the ball is being played forward). The keeper should have an appropriate start position in order to be able to easily sweep up any over-hit through-balls. It should be said, the first time most players do this session, they turn down great opportunities to get in behind because they don’t want to put the ball at risk or give it away. As the session progresses, players tend to realise that the practice is designed for them to ‘look forward’, in behind the defence first, and then if they can’t succeed in behind, they have the option to keep the ball. We want to encourage players to look for gaps in the defence, or space behind defenders, into which they can deliver. How do I put this into a game situation? We tend to follow up this practice with a 6v6 small-sided game on a 45x35-yard pitch, divided into thirds. The lines act as offside lines and the intention of both teams is to get in behind their opponents. We’ll then finish with a ‘real’ small-sided game with a natural offside line (halfway line).

In a separate progression we allow two attackers to move in on goal, with two defenders now able to track the break into the final zone

3

20

25 90 25

20

20 16 DECEMBER 2015

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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1 The blue feeds in to the nearest team mate inside the area

IPSWICH TOWN

Steve Foley The Italian Square SET-UP AREA

20x20-yard boxes EQUIPMENT

Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Up to 8v8 SESSION TIME

2 As planned, the middle player receives the ball in a position where he can see both end players

1 3 His fellow ‘inside’ blue takes up a position on the opposite side

20

20mins

Overview: The Italian Square is a simple possession practice involving two teams of four players, with the aim being for the team in possession to repeatedly move the ball from one side of the practice to the other. It highlights the basic principles of building possession to play forward and break lines. The practice can be run as often as the coach desires and is suitable for any size of training area. In addition, stipulations can be introduced to vary the intensity and physical returns.

4 Blues are playing on different lines so as to offer a forward pathway whilst challenging defenders in covering any diagonal passes

2 The top white player presses the blue in possession forcing him into a rushed pass

What do I get the players to do? The practice is comprised of two teams of four players, as shown (1a). Each team has two players on the outside and two in the middle, and looks to retain possession, moving the ball from one side to the other. We set up two squares side by side. What are the key things to look out for? We want to see an appreciation of the pass with players retaining a pathway to the striker (the end player). They need to be playing on different lines, showing movement to receive the ball and always recognising when to play forward. As part of this, the ability to split defenders is also key, as is regaining possession on transitions. If the other team does take control of the ball they have to supply outside players in the same way in order to score (1b).

20

2 3 His team mate steps forward to intercept

20

1 Whites organise well to block a potential direct pass into the receiving blue at the other end

20 17 DECEMBER 2015

4 Now whites must structure their own move to an outside player – here the pass is successfully played to the right

KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble

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STEVE FOLEY THE ITALIAN SQUARE

KEY AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION

TECHNICAL

TACTICAL

• Passing – varied surfaces of the foot

• Angles and distance of support – creating a pathway into the striker

• Receiving the ball – body shape • Receiving the ball – first touch • 1v1 defending – timing of tackle/ interception

• Work on opposite angle to team mate • Recognise when/how to combine – one-two, overlap, takeover etc. • Recognise when/how to play forward

PHYSICAL

PSYCHOLOGICAL/SOCIAL

• Changing direction

• Communication – verbal and non-verbal

• High intensity when in the middle with little or no rest time

• Confidence – want the ball • Commitment – desire to win possession

Defensively, we want to see players preventing the team in possession from playing forward by pressing as a pair (with one pressing and one covering). As you would expect, there are a number of potential mistakes we are keen to protect against. An obvious one is having both middle players on the same side of the

18 DECEMBER 2015

practice; instead we want to, effectively, split the area into quarters and challenge the players to work on opposite angles to a team mate. In another instance, there can sometimes be a problem with middle players blocking the pathway in to the end players (the strikers). With this is mind we always want to challenge the middle players to receive

the ball in a position where they can see both end players. How do I progress the practice? To progress we move the two squares into one to form an 8v8 square, as shown above. Beyond that, we add goals on two of the sides to create a small-sided game.

“We always want to challenge the middle players to receive the ball in a position where they can see both end players.”

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Reproduced with kind permission of The Manager magazine.

EXTRA-TIME PROFILE

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER: TRAINING PERSPECTIVES

In business, aside from sporadic periods of upskilling and refreshment, time spent training is short compared to that spent delivering the goods. In football, it makes up the majority of the players’ and manager’s time. How, then, can it be made enjoyable, motivational and targeted? We asked current Molde and former Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer how he goes about structuring his sessions.

I

want my sessions to be enjoyable, challenging and competitive and to relate to how I want the team to play in the next match or period ahead. I work closely with my coaches to plan our sessions and their content will vary according to where we are in the season. During pre-season and at the start of the season, for example, most of our work in training will be based around getting players physically fit. Then, as the season progresses and points start to matter more and more, training gears towards preparing as well as we can for each match. It’s important to strike a balance between playing your own style of football and adapting your play to challenge specific opponents. You also have to be able to adapt your training plans, because suspensions, injuries and other problems can all put spanners in the works. My overall playing philosophy determines how my sessions look, but players also need to be stimulated in the right way, so it’s important to keep it varied. Your presence (as a coach, on the training ground) is vital to the outcome of training sessions and you dictate the mood. Some players might want to impress you while others need you around to be completely focused. And of course, training is an important part of team building, but ultimately the success of the team is the product of individual players’ performances. You therefore have to make sure they can fulfil their individual roles as effectively as possible. I always make sure that everyone gets to work on their job within the team and I’ll get them to repeat some set patterns of build-up play until they become second nature. I also like to allow talented players to make their own decisions, because it is important to allow them their freedom of choice.

19 DECEMBER 2015

“Yourpresence (asacoach,onthe trainingground)is vitaltotheoutcome oftrainingsessions andyoudictatethe mood.”

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BOOKED: THIS MONTH’S CHOICE

By Richard Aldhous

Elemental thinking MENTAL TRAINING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE By Steve Ungerleider Published by Rodale Books RRP £10.51

T

here are certain parts of philosophy, certain ideologies and principles that, ultimately, stand the test of time. In fact, more than that, they belie the fact that the society we live in races past at such a pace that most of us struggle to keep up. And for life psychology, read sports psychology. Yes, ‘a week is a long time in football’, but the ideas, conventions and formulas that comprise the world’s most recognised sport tend to move on unaffected by events. Good training practices in the 1980s – whether modern-day sports scientists like it or not – are, largely, the same good training practices used today; sensible diet and a view on preserving and expending energy at the right moments have been ideas extended through multiple generations of player. And to move closer to the point, adopting sound sports psychology for a player on £250,000 per week is largely the same practice as an amateur stepping onto an unforgiving, boggy pitch on a Sunday morning. Steve Ungerleider’s book, Mental Training for Peak Performance, is an ode to better performance; a body of work that has already stood the test of time. First published in the 1990s it is as relevant now as at any time in the past; even this updated version is almost a decade old now, and despite offering a stronger eye on athletics compared to other sports, it weaves a concise and engaging path around mental preparation for sport in a way that few other books can.

20 DECEMBER 2015

It’s punchy, direct and offers a real focus on the individual – why the mind battles us, recommended sessions and ideas, how relaxation can be as effective as pushing to 100% effort, and the science behind visualisation of goals and ambitions. As you would expect, there are stories and anecdotes from all manner of successful sportspeople, but always with an eye to bringing the morals back to the individual, and that person who may operate and compete at any level. Ungerleider, who holds masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Oregon in Eugene, also acknowledges that even the very best preparation away from the sports arena can be lost if nerves strike on the day, so there’s also a significant part of the book dedicated to not just achieving a mindset, but preserving it in those crucial moments leading up to an event or race beginning. In the two decades since some of these chapters were first written, clearly a lot has changed in the way we regard sport. But sometimes stripping away the gloss of heart rate monitors, satellite navigation devices and elaborate dietary plans gets us a lot closer to the one thing we should be focusing our attentions on – the training of the mind.

“There’sa significant partof thebook dedicated tonotjust achievinga mindset,but preserving itinthose crucial moments leadingup toanevent orrace beginning.”

EXCERPT:

“Before the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, social psychologist Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D., and I surveyed 1,200 track and field athletes who qualified for the Olympic Trials. We specifically compared athletes who qualified for the Olympic Games with those who nearly qualified but missed. We found that these two groups of athletes had a lot in common. You could say they all had ‘the right stuff’: They were training hard, eating right, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding alcohol and other intoxicants and using their brains as well as their brawn to compete. They were nearly identical in every respect except for one thing. Those athletes who actually made the team and compete in the Olympics were doing more mental practice in the final stages of preparation than their less success colleagues. The athletes who actually qualified for the Olympics were doing ‘mental tune-ups’ and getting ready for the competitive challenge of their lives: the Olympic Games. We learned from our studies with Olympians that mental preparation and the timing of mental preparation are the keys to who succeeds.”

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