One to One session explained

This will depend on what your preferred position is. There are four main positions in football, they are:

Goalkeeper,

Defender, whether that is

Left Back (LB) 

Left Centre Back (LCB)

Right Center Back (RCB) or

Right Back (RB)

Midfield, whether that is

Right Midfield (RM) sometimes known as a winger

Right Centre Midfield (RCM)

Left Centre Midfield (LCM) or

Left Midfield (LM) again sometimes known as a winger

Attack, or up front, whether that is

Left Forward (LF)

Centre Forward (CF) or

Right Forward (RF)

 

Whatever position you prefer, your training session with me will be adapted to focus on the relevant skills needed in that position. For example there is no point being coached kick ups if you are a goalkeeper.



Goalkeeping Session

One on ones - main focus being to narrow the area that the attacker has to shot at. B coming towards the attacker they either have to shoot or go round you. Most of which will try and go round you which will give you the opportunity to slow their movement down and force them to the sides more. Now their options are even smaller and your defense has had time to get back and help you out allowing you to get back into goal.

Throwing the ball out to your team - main focus is accuracy. The weight that you throw the ball, spin, height and infront of the player are all crucial to a successful throw-out to your team. Kicking the ball out is an option but many of the greatest goalkeepers throw the ball out in an attempt to mount a counter attack. An example of a Goalkeeper who used to do this was the retired Peter Schmeichel for Manchester United.

Kicking the ball out to your team - main focus is again accuracy. There is a minefield awaiting if you kick the ball out to a defender on your team but because of your accuracy the other teams attacker gets hold of it and is running towards goal on his own unhindered by your defence. Your choice of player is crucial here. Why pass to a man who has an opponent next to him when on the wing there is a player who is free and in a good position to run it up field.

Catches - main focus here is protecting the ball with a firm catch. Cast your memory back to the Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur game that ended 0-0. Tottenham had a shot from halfway and what should have been a routine save from Roy Carroll ended up in the net because he fumbled the ball. Fortunately for United the referee and linesman did not see the incident because both were around the halfway line so play continued. Also beware that trying to catch the ball from a powerful shot is not likely and the ball should be pushed to the sides of the pitch or over the bar. Again, how many times have Manchester United had a shot on goal, the Goalkeeper has tried to catch it but has pushed it forward a few yards and who was waiting but an attacker. This is game deciding stuff.

Penalties - main focus, 50-50. Yes on penalties it really is a 50-50 situation. You, as the Goalkeeper are at a disadvantage because a side footed shot with power into the bottom corner will not likely be saved. A main thing to consider is what footed the player taking the penalty is. If they are right footed then 9 times out of ten they will prefer to place it into the corner to your left. If they are left footed then obviously they will prefer to put it to your right. Remember to stay on your feet for as long as possible to avoid diving to the left or right when the ball is "chipped" down the centre.

 

Also remember to make yourself as big as possible by getting yourself into the position shown below:

I apologise for the really really terrible drawings but you get the idea of what I mean.



Defending Session

Marking - main focus staying close to your man. Do not give him the opportunity to peel away from you and have a shot on goal. As a defender you have the disadvantage because you may have to take the ball away from the man without causing a foul. In the case whereby you are the last man, you must avoid a foul at all costs unless you want a red card that is. Put pressure on the player and dont let him get infront of you. If need be follow the man and force him towards the side of the pitch, thus allowing the rest of your defence to get back and help out.

Tackling - main focus - getting the ball fairly. One footed tackles are perfectly acceptable as long as you get the ball before you contact the man and you do not tackle from behind. Shirt pulling and / or pushing the player is not ok. Most of the time pushing results in a foul and if you are a defender you cannot afford to do too many fouls or shortly your team will be a man down.

Heading - main focus - striking the ball cleanly. Getting to the ball first is crucial if you are to get a good amount of power on it. The best way is to pull you head backwards (not too much) and as fast as you can push it forwards and contact the ball with your forehead. By practising this you will soon get a feel for the ball and what feels comfortable for you. The amount of power that you put on the ball will depend on where you want the ball to go.

Passing - main focus - accuracy. Good passing is best achieved by using the side of your foot. By placing the foot that is not going to contact the ball about 30cm to the side of the ball, you can maintain your balance as you strike the ball. See example below:

Ok so its not the best of diagrams but I am very busy at the moment.

Note how the left foot is firmly placed to the left of the ball and the right foot is turned to the side. This is the most common pass that can be used. the ball should be struck in the centre and the pace will depend purely on the situation.



Midfielding Session

Passing - see Defending Session

Tackling - see Defending Session

Heading - see Defending Session

Marking - see Defending Session

Shooting - main focus deciding instantly what type of shot. There are two main shots that you can choose from. The first is by using the same technique used in passing in the Defending Session on this page. For an accurate close range shot, the passing technique shot is probably best. If however, you have a defender closing in quick and need to release the ball, a fast paced shot with the laces of the boot is best. to do this you position yourself the same as you would if you were going to pass but instead of turning your foot sidewards, you point your foot towards the floor and hit the ball with your laces. To get a clean strike away hit the ball in the centre and avoid hiting the ball below this point otherwise the ball will rise and probably go over.

 



Attacking Session

Passing - see Defending or Midfielding Sessions above

Shooting - see Midfielding Session above

Dribbling - main focus - taking the ball forward with pace and control. The ability to use both feet whilst taking the ball on an attack is very important if you want to be able to cause as much trouble to the defenders as possible. If they know that you are right footed and on the left hand side of the pitch, the defender will know that you will want to go inside because you cannot use your left foot because it is weak. A defender would rather let you go to the side of the pitch as opposed to allowing you to come inside and cross the ball with your preferred right foot.

Beating the last defender - main focus - agility. The ability to turn and dart off another direction is what is going to get you a chance on goal. By pretending to shoot but actually knocking the ball to the right this may allow you to run onto it if the defender has tried to block your "shot" by jumping. The nutmeg is also a common way of beating the last man but be warned that you still have to get yourself past him and be sure that the Goalkeeper cannot beat you to the ball. Once you have passed the ball through the defenders legs, this give you the opportunity to run past them leaving them the only alternative of bringing you down which results in a foul.

Beating the Goalkeeper - One on one with the goalkeeper means that you have the advantage. He can predict where you want to put the ball but only you know where you want to hit it. If the Goalkeeper has come off his line to narrow the space you have to shoot, then a little chip over his head will sometimes do the trick. Beware that the accuracy of this must be almost spot on, too low and the keeper should have it covered, too high and it will probably go over the bar. Practice is the only way of perfecting this. Taking on the keeper is sometimes risky but being an attacker you should be faster than him. Just like the last defender, pretending to go one way but actually going the other will help you as will pretending to shoot but actually just taking a touch.






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© Stephen York - Football Coach for all ages and abilities. Contact me at ronaldotwin@aol.com

 

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