Passing & Control
Key Passing/control coaching points:
Weight, accuracy and timing of the pass; first-touch; body-shape when receiving; moving the ball quickly to stretch the opposition; maintaining possession to allow team to regain shape.
Remember: passing has a purpose, ensure your players know when to pass, when to run, when to dribble.
"He who has the ball is the master of the game" - Xavi
"I don't think Xavi or Iniesta have ever given the ball away in their lives" - Sir Alex Ferguson
Dribbling/Running with the Ball
1 Dribbling and Running with the ball #1
2 Dribbling and Running with the ball #2
3 Dribbling and Running with the ball #3
4 Dribbling and Running with the ball #4
5 Dribbling and Ball Mastery
6 Dribble, Run or Pass
7 Dribbling and Turning
8 Dribbling and Passing
9 Individual and Combination Play
Dribbling/Running with the Ball
Key Dribbling coaching points:
Weight of touch depending on space infront of player; using all parts of foot; disguise and surprise; being creative and confident; using dribbling skills to commit defenders.
Remember: most players love to dribble - do not coach this out of them - help them make best decisions based on the game.
Did you know...Messi has dribbled past more than twice as many players as La Liga opponents in the last 5 seasons (675).
"Messi or Ronaldo best player in the world? In the world, I would say Ronaldo. Messi is from another planet.” - Turan
Attacking as a Unit
Key Attacking as a Unit coaching points:
Space creation; supporting runs; interplay; high-pressing; creating and exploiting an overload; anticipation; developing understanding with others.
Remember: attacking players without the ball are vital when supporting: providing options/stretching the opposition.
Did you know...Between them, Messi, Suarez and Neymar scored 125 goals from January - Nov 2015. More than any other team in Europe. Real Madrid managed 112 in total in that period.
Defending as a Unit
Key Defending as a Unit coaching points:
Body-shape, side-on; awareness of the ball, opposition and team-mates; staying on feet; denial of space; working hard to help one another; anticipation; transitioning quickly where possible.
Remember: defending as a unit requires team-work, coordination and patience. Rewards are huge but take time.
"Defenders receive much less attention from fans and the media than goalscorers...we are in the engine room rather than taking the glory" - Paolo Maldini
Shooting
Key Shooting coaching points:
Angle of approach; power v placement; body-shape; across the keeper; disguise and surprise; accuracy; using both feet; striking with minimal backlift.
Remember: shooting sessions can be chaotic and need to be set-up to ensure balls are rotated into play quickly. Young players can often focus purely on power and may benefit from approaching the goal from a variety of angles.
"What John Carew can do with a football Zlatan can do with an orange" - Ibrahimovic
