Latest Blog Posts
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal Draw: Picking the Winner of Each Tie
The quarterfinal draw is in and we have four delicious ties to sink our teeth into over the next few weeks. To reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League is a serious achievement, and it's very unlikely we'll be subjected to any abject, desire-less spectacles...
Possession Games With A Twist
Help your team learn to gain and retain possession with these training drills brought to you by the coach of Watford U15's. Drill 1. -Set up the area as above suiting the needs of your players and numbers available. Rules: -Two teams fight in the middle for...
In Defence of Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil
Back in September 2013 Sam Tighe and Louis Lancaster looked forward to the arrival of Messut Ozil. Sam's piece looked into how Ozil would change Arsenals tactics whereas Louis looked into why Ozil has been so successful. Sam now writes in defence of Ozil six months...
Finishing In The Box #CAGE
This training session is focused on finishing in the box for strikers. Louis has given us two examples of top finishers in action. Example 1- Ruud Van Nistelrooy: Drill 1. Structure: -Set up the area as above. Rules: -The idea is for the strikers to score in...
Direct Play From Midfield Players
This training session is focused on direct play from midfielders. Louis has also given us two examples of direct play from two midfield giants. Example 1- Iniesta: Louis' Training Session Drill 1. Structure: -Set up the area as above. Vary the size depending on age,...
Are PSG Champions League Contenders? Victory of the Individual or Victory of Blanc’s System?
Paris Saint-Germain are currently fourth favourites to win the UEFA Champions League with the majority of betting agencies in the UK. It's a position borne out of domestic dominance in Ligue 1 and in the Coupe de France, their monstrous attacking power on display in...
Back To Back Goals
You are able to develop and adapt each of these training sessions to suite your own players abilities, age, and needs. Drill 1. Structure: -Two goals back to back. -Use an area suitable for your numbers and ability. Rules: -Blues and whites fight in the middle. -Reds...
“Wenger a Specialist in Failure” – Mourinho Finally Removes His Mask
"Wenger? He's a specialist in failure. I'm not." He arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer as The Happy One: refreshed after a tumultuous season at Real Madrid, in which he did as much to make his own position untenable is the board did to remove him from power. He...
3rd Man Running
Drill 1 Structure: -Set up the area as above suiting the needs of your players and numbers available. Rules: -The game starts with 2v2 in the middle. -The rest of the players are on the outside. -If the players in the middle combines with the outside players using a...
Premier League Relegation Fight: Who’s Going Down?
feat. Villa, Swansea & West Ham As we enter the final third of the Premier League season, a quick glance at the table will tell you it's the toughest, tightest and most gruelling relegation fight we've seen in decades. Eleven teams are mathematically in play for...
Breaking Lines
This training session is inspired by Bayern Munich last year in the UCL. Drill 1. Structure: -Set up the area as above, vary the size of the playing area depending on numbers and ability. Rules: -The two whites in the middle try to keep possession of the ball. -The...
Liverpool, Arsenal & More Winners and Losers from the January Transfer Window
We've allowed the dust to settle on a frantic January transfer window for just a few days before drawing some conclusions on Premier League teams' performances. The winter transfer window spans 31 days and gives managers the chance to add to their current squads,...
Remaining Compact As A Back Four
This training session is inspires by Arrigo Sacchi. Drill 1. Structure: -Set up the area as above. Rules: -10 yellows head up the pitch trying to score a goal. -The offside rule is in place. -If a red player touches the ball then that ball is dead and all the yellows...
How To Progress Up The Coaching Ladder: UEFA B Licence
Continuing to progress up the Coaching Ladder So you have done your level 1 and level 2, maybe completed your youth modules and you want to continue your progression up the Coaching Ladder. The next step is your UEFA B course. This article will discuss in depth the...
Player Favourites
3 Goal Game Structure: -Set up the area as above. Vary the size depending on age and ability. Rules: -Yellows and Reds compete and try to score in either of the little goals at one end. -Yellows shooting left to right. -Reds shooting right to left. -If a team scores...