The video below is provided by World Class Coaching,  a really great resource for soccer coaches. World Class Coaching has graciously offered three of their eBooks to you for FREE simply click on the images below the video for your free download.

In the clip Rob Gale, head coach of the Canada U-20 Men’s National Soccer Team, instructs players during his Three Against One demonstration.  This is a very simple and effective drill that could be used during a practice session or during a pre-game warm up.  

There are 5 x 5 yard squares set up on the field with three offensive players that each have a soccer ball on the outside.  There is one defensive player in the middle of the grid that will have to play defense against all three of the offensive players.  Once the drill starts, each offensive player has to dribble to a different side of the grid.  If they move to a side adjacent to where they started, they get one point for successfully dribbling there without the defender stealing it or getting a touch.  If the offensive player can dribble to the opposite side of the grid, they get three points for successfully completing this.  The coach starts the drill and goes for 45 seconds with each offensive player keeping track of how many points they earn.  The player with the lowest number of points has to play defense for the next round.  The player in the middle that played defense would then switch to the outside to dribble and play offense.  

This drill allows coaches to focus both on offense and defense with their players.  The offensive players get work in by dribbling in tight spaces that requires them to have their head up and dribble quickly in order to make it to one of the sides successfully.  The defensive player in each grid gets experience with having to close down players quickly in tight spaces while constantly making decisions on who they can defend and who is their best option to defend.  All the players involved in the drill get quality work in during a short amount of time.

The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your sound is turned on. Please note that some schools block access to YouTube.

Free eBooks (Click on the image for access)

This video clip from World Class Coaching shows an example of scoring goals from high pressure defending with two professional soccer teams.  There are several important areas that are shown during this video clip as the keys to being successful with high pressure defending.

1.Close short pass lines in final third

The defending team presses the offensive team in their final third of the field.  They are trying to take away any close and short passes from the offensive team so they are forced to clear the ball out deep or to an area the ball can be taken away.

2. Recover possession in middle third

The goal of the pressing defensive team is to win the ball back in the middle third.  This allows them to quickly counter attack in a dangerous area while hopefully cutting out several different players.

3. Quick combination passes to attack

Each offensive player must pass and move quickly in order to keep the counter attack going.  They should constantly be looking for open space and areas to attack through combination play that stretches the defensive team.

4. Attack in space behind defensive line

The space behind the defensive line is the area teams want to attack because it is not only close to their attacking goal, but it forces the defensive team to turn and run towards their goal.  This space is critical for offensive teams to find in order to have success in the final third.

5. Positional advantage of forwards

The forwards must constantly work together and stay connected during a game.  If one forward is making a run into space for a potential cross, the other forward should be moving into space for a pass and try to capitalize on a goal scoring opportunity.  The spacing and shape of your forwards is critical to having success from high pressure defending.

I have included a link to a free eBook provided by World Class Coaching. Click here to download  WCC Complete Soccer Coaching Guide and get access to 73 free soccer drills.

The YouTube video has audio, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. Please note that some schools block access to YouTube.

The WCC Complete Soccer Coaching Guide contains 73 drills and exercises and is packed with a wide range of topics by soccer coaching expert, Lawrence Fine. This book has over 140 pages that covers topics, from technical drills to conditioning to formations and small-sided games, these drills have been used by 1,000s of coaches from over 70 countries across the world to improve their coaching knowledge and the quality of their training sessions.

Free eBook

(Click on image for more details)

In the video clip below from World Class Coaching, Jimmy Gilligan leads players in a possession drill that is part of his Changing the Point of Attack demonstration.  The drill is set up in a 30 yard grid with two groups or teams of four players each in the middle.  There are two players on each side of the grid with one player from each team.  The players on the outside only have two touches to receive the ball and then must pass it back in to a different player on their team.

There are several important areas to focus on when using this drill:

1. Possession

The main point of this drill that should be stressed to all players is to keep possession of the ball.  There are no goals or directional attacking so it’s a keep away game where teams must move the ball quickly.  Players should be encouraged to play quickly with one and two touch passing.

2. Outside Players

The outside players should be used to help keep possession and also switch the point of attack.  These players are only valuable if they are moving and creating passing angles and options for their teammates in the middle.  Once they receive a pass, they need to already have a good idea of where the ball needs to go.  These players should be trying to play away from pressure into open space in order to keep possession.

3. Communication

This drill does not work and is not very effective without communication from the players on both teams.  There should be talk about where to keep possession and where to find the open space, as well as talk from the outside players when they are open and can give options to their teammates to keep possession.  Lack of talk and communication can always be a big problem if not addressed and this drill gives players a chance to work together and improve in this area.

The YouTube video has sound so please make sure that your audio is turned on and that you have access to the site. Please note that some schools block access to YouTube

 

World Class Coaching is an excellent resource for soccer coaching tools. You can just click on the link to see all that they offer.  I have also included a link to a FREE eBook that they offer. The book includes 73 Drills, Exercises and Tips that will make you a better soccer coach. Click on the image to get your free access Complete Soccer Coaching Guide

The YouTube video below is from World Class Coaching where you can find many useful coaching resources.

This Shooting drill starts with two lines about 35 yards away from goal.  There are several different lines set up for passing, receiving, and shooting.  The objective is for one player to pass into a target player, then there is a combination play which allows for a player to take a shot on goal.  The drill rotates players so there is constant movement with players in different spots and getting experience with the different roles.

Coaches can use this drill to work on several different things with their players:

     1. Combination Play

The importance of all players working together on the field is extremely important.  As players get older and the competition gets tougher, combination play becomes more and more critical to having success.  Forwards working with forwards, midfielders working with midfielders, forwards and midfielders, outside backs and midfielders…the list goes on and on.  Individual play is important, but combination play allows teams to be more effective and aggressive on the field.

      2.  Shooting

This drill works on several different things, but it all relates back trying to get a shot and score.  It’s good for players to get shots through quick combination plays so they are more comfortable when these situations happen during a game.  The final shot is the most important and players need to make sure they are not wasting opportunities.  Make sure shots are on goal first, then start focusing on finishing to corners.

World Class Coaching offers a free eBook that contains 31 Favorite Shooting Drills. Click the image below to download your free eBook.

     3. Mental Training

This drill breaks down right from the start because the players are not familiar with it or have any experience.  Players need to be constantly pushed to mentally improve on the soccer field.  Challenge players to not only do the drill correctly, but understand the reason for it and how it translates to a game.  The best players are mentally tough and able to play the game at a high level.

The video has sound so please make sure that your audio is turned on and that you have access to the site. Some schools block access to YouTube.

 

 

 

In the video clip below Paul Heffer, who is the Assistant Academy Director at West Ham United, instructs players during an Attacking with Speed and Vision drill.  Coach Heffer is a former professional soccer player that played for West Ham United and has lots of experience with training youth soccer players.

The clip is provided by World Class Coaching, a great resource for soccer coaching tools.

This drill is set up as a small sided game with the focus on attacking with speed and vision.  The grid is 60 yards long and extends from sideline to sideline.  There are two groups and teams of six players on the field with target players set up on both ends in front of the goals.  The teams are attacking one direction and must play possession with the purpose of trying to connect a pass to their target player on the opposite end.

There are several important parts to focus on with this drill and demonstration:

1.Offensive Purpose

The purpose on offense should be to move the ball forward as a team to attack and eventually try to score.  The target player is the goal in this drill and the players must understand that lots of possession is great, but if the ball does not find the target player, those passes don’t mean much.

2.Vision

All players, both offensive and defensive, need to have their head up and see the whole field.  They should be constantly thinking about how they can find the target player on offense or how they can stop a pass to the target player when on defense.

3.Quick Defensive Close Downs

 

This drill shows what can happen when defenders do not close down the ball quick enough.  There are several long passes to the target players without any defensive pressure.  Both teams should focus on quickly applying pressure to the other offensive team so they have to connect more passes and can’t play the ball up and over everyone to the target player.

 

If you are interested in improving your teams ability to take advantage of the oppositions defense, you might want to check out these 2 e-books from World Class Coaching . Just click on the images below for more information about Coaching Possession with Purpose:

Volume 1                                             Volume 2