01 May 2013
Paying the Penalty for a Flawed System
Don’t blame the boys, it was their upbringing!
28 Mar 2013
Viva Pep and the Spanish Revolution!
When the FA formed in 1863 the course was set for our beautiful game to become the dominant global sport. Since then a handful of coaches have had a lasting impact on the way the game is played.
26 Mar 2013
Coaching a Team to Defend as a Team in a Small Sided Game
I am often asked how coaches can effectively coach a team. Many coaches can put on practices and drills to improve players’ techniques and skills, but coaching a team to work together to achieve a specific team objective can be difficult and intimidating for many coaches. In this blog, we look at the topic of coaching a team to defend effectively as a team. In this example, we look at a UEFA B practical curriculum topic and play an 8 v 8 game. The principles and structure of defending shown here are equally applicable to coaching 4 v 4 games through to 11 v 11 games.
19 Feb 2013
UEFA B Coaching – Defend to Counter Attack
I had another question from a Grassroots Coaching fan regarding a key UEFA B Coaching topic:
06 Feb 2013
UEFA B Coaching – Defending Deep to Counter Attack.
Following on from the previous blog article, we now look at how to coach a team to defend deep and then counter attack. In this UEFA B coaching topic, the defending team are giving up ground and defending deep, in and around their own penalty area. Typically, this might be an away team who are 0-0 or winning the game.
01 Feb 2013
Sowing the Seeds – Footballs’ Social Network
In a recent FA survey children were asked what they felt was the most enjoyable thing about playing football... 'Meeting with and making new friends' topped the list by a mile. Far ahead of winning, scoring, league tables, medals and trophies, all identified as adult preoccupations. With the media hype that surrounds the game, the ridiculous salaries and tabloid antics of some high profile players it’s easy to forget the wide ranging and long term social benefits that football brings. It develops the socialisation of children and communities and like all sports football brings together people from different social and cultural backgrounds.
23 Jan 2013
UEFA B Coaching – Defending Against a Counter Attack
I recently received a question on a UEFA B coaching topic, one which is very relevant to the way football has evolved tactically. The question was how do you Coach a team to defend a counter attack.