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Crossing and Finishing

Crossing and Finishing

The ball starts centrally. The players work the ball one side and then to the other. This can be done either directly or by linking. There are many combinations. Once the ball has been switched the three players involved in the process run to the box to finish for...

Blocking Crosses and Shots

Blocking Crosses and Shots

Be sure to have a good ball supply. You can find our range of footballs here. The first ball is played out wide which creates a 1 v 1 situation. The yellow player stays in his zone and the blue player cannot cross the line. Progress to allowing complete freedom....

How to Become a Football Scout				    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	4.44/5							(43)

How to Become a Football Scout 4.44/5 (43)

How do you become a football scout? What are the steps needed to go from regular fan to professional scout? How many of us can answer these questions? In fact, how many people would even know where to begin researching to find out those answers? Our article aims...

The rise, fall and rise again of David Luiz

The rise, fall and rise again of David Luiz

As David Luiz sent a 30-year pile driver into the Liverpool net, it emphasised his revitalisation back at Chelsea this season. The sharp collective intake of breath in West London when it was announced the fun-loving Brazilian would be returning was profound. Had...

The myth of loyalty in modern football

The myth of loyalty in modern football

There has been a lot of talk about footballers moving for money, player power and if the lack of player loyalty is ruining football. But when it comes to player loyalty, who should they be loyal to? The owner? The manager? Team mates? The fans? The club? The contract?...

An in-depth look into player power				    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	5/5							(1)

An in-depth look into player power 5/5 (1)

Dimitri Payet has recently secured his ‘want away’ move to Marseille, which will see West Ham United pocket £25 million. The process is usually simple, a club make a bid for the player, the selling club fight to secure the best possible transfer fee and the player...

Has Wenger come to the end of the road at Arsenal?

Has Wenger come to the end of the road at Arsenal?

It’s been almost 21 years since Arsene Wenger took over at Arsenal Football Club, a period of time during which the Gunners have changed beyond recognition, both on and off the pitch. The urbane Frenchman has been credited with keeping the north Londoners competitive...

Is the lack of player loyalty ruining football?

“We’ve got Payet, Dimitri Payet, I just don’t think you understand….,” is a refrain that won’t ever be heard in or around the London Stadium again. As Upton Park is turned to dust, so are the dreams of thousands of West Ham supporters who had religiously deified their...

Every Training Session Of 2016

Every Training Session Of 2016

The official free guide to all the Louis Lancaster football training sessions of 2016. We have compiled all the training sessions by UEFA Pro License coach Louis Lancaster into a simple downloadable document.

Passing and pressing 3 vs 3				    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	5/5							(1)

Passing and pressing 3 vs 3 5/5 (1)

Players: 12 players + 2 Goalkeepers What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs and 2 goals. Exercise description: Red team play the ball to blue team and then they will go to press. Blue team can play together or they can pass to the pivots and attack. The aim is to score a...

Passing and pressing 2 vs 2				    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	5/5							(1)

Passing and pressing 2 vs 2 5/5 (1)

Players: 8 players (4 inside + 4 outside) + 1 Goalkeeper What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs,1 goal and 2 mini-goals Exercise description: The reds start with the ball and pass it to a player on the yellow team Reds will press the ball to avoid the attack Yellow team...

Turning to advance

Turning to advance

Players: 4 players + 2 Coaching Assistants split into 2 groups Playing area: One half of the pitch What you’ll need: Cones, balls and 4 mini-goals Exercise description: Player 1 passes the ball to the coach assistant and runs towards him The defender runs behind the...

Win the Ball – Exercise 3

Win the Ball – Exercise 3

Players: 4 players + 1 Goalkeeper Playing area: Zone 1: 2 Defenders Zone 2: 2 Attackers What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs and a goal Exercise description: Players will be 1v1 in each zone. Goalkeeper kicks the ball to the zone 2. Defenders in zone 2 fight for the...

Win the Ball – Exercise 2

Win the Ball – Exercise 2

Players: 4 players + 1 Goalkeeper Playing area: Zone 1: 1 Attacker, 1 Defender and 1 Goalkeeper Zone 2: 2 Attackers What you’ll need: Cones, balls, bibs and a goal Exercise description: Coach throws the ball with his hands to the defence and the attacker (zone1). If...

Pep Guardiola Career Timeline 4.33/5 (3)

Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola is a quite private man and happily keeps it that way with a simple life with his wife Cristina Serra and their three children. Shielding his family from the public eye and not one to flash his wealth, the extrovert Pep we see on the touchline is...

Win the Ball – Exercise 1

Win the Ball – Exercise 1

  Players: 3 players + 1 Goalkeeper Playing area: Zone 1: 1 Defender and 1 Goalkeeper Zone 2: 2 Attackers What you’ll need: Cones, balls and a goal Exercise description: 1. Coach throws the ball with his hands to the defence (zone 1). 2. The defender clears the...

Man City – a product of Guardiola’s philosophy 5/5 (2)

5 Premier league games. 15 goals. 4 against & maximum points. A convincing qualification to the champion’s league and an unbeaten record in the group stages highlight the immediate effect Pep Guardiola has had on Manchester City’s dominant start to the 2016/17...

A letter from Poppies 4 Kits				    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	    	5/5							(11)

A letter from Poppies 4 Kits 5/5 (11)

Poppies4Kits is working with support of the Royal British Legion to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. After seeing the Premier League stars raise thousands by having their shirts embroidered with the poppy emblem, we thought it would be a fantastic idea if all youth...

Top 5 Golden Boot Contenders

In a footballing world whereby the traditional 4-4-2 formation is a somewhat of a distant memory, and where most of teams nowadays boast a more possession based, 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation. The pressure on a team's goal scoring is placed even more upon a clubs 'Target man'...

The battle of the managers 2016/17 season

Mourinho, Guardiola, Conte, Klopp, Wenger, Pocchetino and Ranieri, the names just roll off the tongue. The premier League boasts an array of arguably the best managers in world football, but who will win the battle of the managers? This blog will compare the managers...

Paul Pogba – Returning Home

Some are calling it the signing of the summer. A world record fee of £89 million has seen the French international Paul Pogba re-sign for Manchester United Football club from Italian giants Juventus. Age 23, 6’3 in height, the mobile long legged midfielder who the...

Respect the Ref

Football is changing. The biggest sport on the planet has had a significant amount of new rules and regulations that have been implemented by FIFA within the last decade. From the introduction of goal line technology which was way overdue but desperately needed, to...

Attacking Centrally

Attacking Centrally

Process:  Normal rules apply, however the only difference is the pitch shape. This shape naturally forces the team in possession inside the pitch. Depending on your returns for the session and players add offside -lines. High lines to exploit space in behind. Deep...

Motivating Players for Set Plays

Motivating Players for Set Plays

To be considered: Attacking corners. Identify opportunities to score, retain possession in the oppositions half and prevent being countered. Deploy you players considering your strengths and weaknesses. Rules: Allow free play for a period of time once the corner has...

Purposeful Possession

Purposeful Possession

Coaching Pointers Dispersal: Length, width and depth. Support: Always be available. Forward, inside and backwards options. Movement: Become a free man. Penetration: Think forward, try to play forward. Security: Thinking about regaining possession whilst in possession....

Next Level Conditions

Next Level Conditions

6 Pass Rule (Possession) Once the team in possession score, they must complete 6 successful passes for the goal to stand. 6 Pass Rule (Pressing) Once the team in possession score, they must press and prevent the opposition completing 6 successful passes. 4 pass Rule:...

A technical report on England in Euro 2016 – Part 2

England played a conventional 3-man midfield, featuring mostly Eric Dier as the holding player and Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli in front as a 2. I want to applaud the contribution Eric Dier made to the tournament. Very disciplined in that specialist role, from a...

A technical report on England in Euro 2016

The FA launched its ‘England DNA’ project in 2014. The DNA is the framework or blueprint to help bring success to future players and teams who represent England at international level. From U16 all the way through to the senior side, the DNA project is designed to...

The factors behind late goals in football matches

One thing stood out to me during the 0-0 draw between England and Slovakia on Monday evening. Clive Tyldesley the ITV commentator that the evening stated that 25% of the goals in the tournament so far have been scored beyond the 85th minute. This got me thinking… Why?...

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