Mike Trusson – FA Coach Educator
Football Training – First Time Passing
Jul 24th
To be able to pass first time, players will need to try and think one step ahead. They will have to visualise where they are going to pass, before they receive the ball. Other factors that will influence their decisions will be the weight, speed and accuracy of the pass they are receiving and the early support and communication of the receiving players.
In this first video, we see a group of young players playing “Rondo” or “piggy in the middle” a simple possession game played by all the to European clubs, very often as part of their warm up. This can be played 4 v 1, progressing to 3 v 1. As the players get better the size of the grid can be decreased.
In this video, the young players are more advanced that the players in the first video. They are also playing 3 v 1 Rondo in a square. Notice the movement of the players off the ball, they way they move early to support the player on the ball and the decisions they make about passing first time or control and pass.
In this progression, the players are still playing 3 v 1 in a grid. But, now there More >
Football Training – Dribbling drill and competition
Jul 22nd
In this video, players are encouraged to dribble round and past cones in tight areas, whilst keeping their heads up, the ball close to their feet. They also have to break out and run the ball between gates, which encourages changes of pace and direction.
I like the ideas of bringing in defenders, who also have to have a ball at their feet whilst they are defending, as this adds competition and an additional dimension for the dribblers.
Football Training – Ball manipulation and dribbling
Jul 19th
It is important that young players get comfortable with the ball at their feet and know how to manipulate the ball, with different parts of their feet, whilst keeping control of the ball and their heads up. This is a short video that shows how players can achieve these basic techniques, using their big and little toes and keeping their head up, to be aware of other players and space.
A simple progression would be for the players to be in pairs, with ball between them. One passes the ball, the other receives the ball and then does the ball manipulation, before passing back to their partner. The football coach should encourage the receiving player to be aware of space, receive the ball on the half turn as this would replicate what they have to do in a game, prior to dribbling.
Football Coaching Skills – Create Space and lose your marker
Jul 17th
One important football coaching skill is how to create space for yourself on the pitch. In this video, the football coach works with young players to show them some simple moves on how they can create space for themselves and lose their marker.
I like the idea of the player having the opportunity to score a goal after they have created their space and received a pass. One simple way of helping players is to get the players to initially start with the ball in their hand, like netball or basketball. This way, their heads are naturally up and they can make their moves and make a visual connection between passer and receiver.This will also encourage the players to be clever with their movement. Once they have done a few moves with the ball in their hands, progress to the ball at their feet and see the difference.
Becoming a referee
Jul 15th
TV Presenter, Tim Lovejoy takes part in a referee taster day at Liverpool County FA. Professional referee Chris Foy and Martin Keown also take part.
Chris and Martin inject a humorous approach to refereeing. Referees are seen as serious, officious, studious and boring. Well perhaps many of them are. But football needs them desperately and what is a game without ref’s?
England needs 8,000 new referees and maybe this video will inspire many to take it up.
Tim referees an actual match and his highlight? He enjoyed running backwards!
Have you ever fancied yourself as a football coach or a referee? Do you like the idea, but don’t have the time to get involved? Well, did you know that the vast majority of grass roots coaches and referees have full time jobs outside of football?
Football needs more trained coaches and referees in order to keep the game running. What’s stopping you? www.TheFA.com/FootballNeedsMe
The need to respect referees – Howard Webb
Jul 13th
Respected referee Howard Webb talking about the need for respect for referee’s at Grassroots Level. Over 7,000 referees walk away from refereeing every year. This must have a very negative impact on those games that are played without referees and the quality of Grassroots football.
When are parents going to get the message of the need for adults to set the example for youngsters and not to abuse referees?
The FA Respect Programme
Jul 11th
The Football Association Respect is a cross-game programme dedicated to improving standards of behaviour at all levels of football.
Frighteningly 1 in 3 matches are played without referees, because of the abuse they take. This video is a humorous take on a game played without a referee. This video highlights the serious difficulties football faces without referees gaining more support and respect. Who would want to be a ref?
FA Respect Elders and Betters
Jul 9th
The second in The FA’s series of Respect films featuring actor Ray Winstone, aimed at highlighting the pressures placed on young footballers by angry and aggressive parents.
Comments from parents on the video
“Hopefully parents will learn that when they use threatening behavior with their children then that is exactly how they are teaching their children to behave. Children learn from what we do, and how we do it – not from what we say and how we say it”
“This behaviour is common place. It is symptomatic of the problems we are facing in our society. This respect campaign needs to be extended to life. What a great start”.
The FA Respect Campaign: Two Rays
Jul 7th
The first of Ray Winstone’s respect videos highlights and dramatises the damage done by overzealous, aggressive parents at kids soccer matches. Whilst this is an overly dramatic video, it does highlight the type of abuse parents are prepared to dish out to referees, officials, other parents and indeed their own children in what they see as “genuine support” for their kids.
Football Coaching – The Youth Award
Jul 5th
The Football Association Youth Coaching Award is a groundbreaking new football coaching course designed to help football coaches understand as much about their players as they understand about the game.
Sir Trevor Brooking explains why the FA have developed the Youth Module football coaching courses and how he hopes these will transform football at Grassroots level. The FA hope that the qualifications will enable coaches to better understand the needs of young football players and improve the base level of players in this country.
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