Insights from Carlo Ancelotti

The Carlo Ancelotti 4-3-2-1

Attack

The wings are never covered permanently during the attack, attacking is about unpredictability and movement off the ball so there will be alternating attacks from centre to wide positions. Width will be provided by different players at different times. Nothing is static here.

Most of the time the width will come from fullbacks who should be skilled in attack as well as his defensive tasks. If the fullbacks can't control the width then a midfield player will control it, if not then the forward will move. The trigger for switching is each players position at the moment of transition.

The main method of attack is fast break attacks from the point the ball regained, anything which slows down attacks is to be avoided. The main advantage present in this system is the 2 players between the lines of defence and attack.

Defending Movements

The key to the defence is a "collapsing" movement which is aimed at creating depth behind the ball.

Carlo Ancelotti asks for three phases of transition once the ball is lost:

1-Pressure the ball carrier while while re-organising behind the ball.

2-Pressure the area around the ball while failing back.

3-If the ball has not been regained fail back to own half before pressuring the ball again.

If the ball is lost high up the pitch in a wide the attacking midfield player will press the players with the ball. The second attacking midfield player will drop into midfield while the nearest midfield players will mark the opposing midfield players clost to the ball to prevent passing combination play.

If the ball is lost in midfield on the flank the midfield player will pressure while the attacking midfield player and fullback will cover passing options. Support players will adjust and balance the midfield closing the central areas of the pitch.

If the ball is in the area of the full back he will pressure 1v1 with other midfield and defending players providing support with either man marking or doubling up as needed.

For the phases of transition to work it vital that the ball carrier be pressured effectively. Ancelotti selected a collapsing defence in order to avoid counter attacks.

The midfield is balanced by the free attacking midfield midfield player dropping into any free space, while the striker supports to pressuring attacking midfield player.

Carlo Ancelotti asks his forward players to defend from the front based on how many defenders are in the opposing team back line, if 4 defenders are used the 1 striker will cover both centre backs making movements between the 2. If the opponent defends with 3 players the 2 attacking midfielders push up to make a 3v3 with 1 on each defender.

One weakness which must be worked on is defending against long switching of play which can leave a fullback isolated on one side with weak support.

The focus is placed on closing down the center of the pitch with closest midfield players to the ball man marked by midfield players where possible.

Training

In training Carlo Ancelotti Focused on:

Positional tasks for defenders both individual and group.

Attacking from the point the ball is regained with general principles which the players should follow, no set patterns are used players are encouraged to experiment with attacking tactics but within the confines of the basic principles provided.

Effective movement off the ball is the main attacking focus.

Use of many small sided games based on creating numerical superiority in key areas, games for pressing and precise attacking combinations are also used.

Hope that helps in some way.

Apologies for the shortness of the post I vastly underestimated the amount of material I have on Carlo Ancelotti to post there is to much , but as promised I will post a session that provides an example of some of the key ideas of Carlo Ancelotti and how he refines the attacking movements of his forwards in either a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2.

Carlo Ancelotti Sample Session

Warm up-25 mins, half field coned off, warm up is dynamic alternating between sequence passing moves using cone play,dynamic stretching, varied speed runs and movement drills with a ball. The long warm up is aimed at preparing the players in mental areas not just physical. Injury prevention is also a key area in mind.

Training then takes place in a 30x30 yard grid in front of the penalty area, with one large goal plus GK. The training progresses from attacking 1v1 to shoot into midfield support and shooting. These are some of the basic moves which Ancelotti refines with his players in order to create shooting chances in key central areas. Movements, techniques and decision making are refined in constantly in drills of this nature. Pressure is a constant factor in Ancelotti methodology. The next part is to refine the movements of 2 forwards who Ancelotti says must be capable of winning a 2v2 with 2 centre backs. The session progresses onto 3v2 and finally ending with a small sided game in 40x30 yard grid. To warm down players engage in free play with no coaching in relaxed conditions.

Progression 1 (attacking 1v1 to shoot central areas)- 5 mins,the defender who is positioned in the top right corner of the square passes to the defender who is positioned in the middle of the bottom end line. The attacker must beat the defender to create a shot from inside the grid.The drill is high paced with attacker aiming to create accurate shots from the area just in front of goal.

Progression 2 (Recieve ,Turn and Shoot)-5 mins, the ball is thrown out to a player near the centre circle who passes into the attacker who must receive under pressure with his back to goal, turn  and aim to force a quick shot as in progression 1.

Progression 3 -5 mins,(Unmarking 1v1 to shoot) the ball is passed to a player positioned outside the centre circle, the attacker must move against the defender 1v1 and indicate whether the server should pass into space or into feet and then attempt to beat the defender to create a shot.

Progression 4 -5 mins (Midfield support, receive and shoot), the ball is passed out to a player positioned on the edge of the centre circle who then passes to the attacker who must pass back first time for the midfield player to play a through pass for the striker to receive and then attempt to beat the defender then shoot. The aim is to practice the basic movement of coming towards the ball to draw the defender in, passing first time back the passer and then making a run into the space behind the defender from a pass from the support player. This is a very simple move for creating space and can be very effective in front of goal.

Progression 5 -2v2-5 mins, the drill is in the same area of the previous 1v1 and begins the same way as progression 4 the difference in this progression is that an extra defender and attacker added and must use the movements learnt in the previous progressions to win 2v2. Speed is again essential here Carlo Ancelotti aims for effective shots and combinations from key central square just in front of the penalty area.

Progression 6 -3v2, the area is the same and the progression from 2v2 is that the aim is to involve the attacking midfield player, the major aim is to refine runs made to penetrate, the main move refined is the overlap. Here the 3 forwards combine all the previous moves with the off the ball movement of the attacking midfield player. The focus again is on attacking with a high speed of play and creating shooting chances in the key central area.

Progression 7 -6v6 with 2 Goal Keepers, 15 mins, the area is expanded to 40 yards wide and another large goal is added. The aim is to perfect attacking movements with the correct decision and speed of play, the challenge of the game is to play minimal touches when needed, 1 touch when needed and to know when to take an extra touch.Carlo  Ancelotti believes that anything that slows the game down should be avoided, to do this a player must know when to take no touches, when to take 1 touch and when to take 2 or more. The aim is to produce attacking moves which have a fluid momentum where no player takes more touches than are needed and can do this under pressure. To warm down the players then play free play free of coaching in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Goal Keeper is in the normal goal, the 30x30 yard box is just in front of the penalty area.

The session was to sharpen for a champions league game, nd it was the first of a week cycle, Carlo Ancelotti bases his training on that done by Saachi, the training loads, intensity, coaching methods etc are all similar. The drills would be revisited as it were at different times in the season. The principles in terms of speed of play are central to Carlo Ancelottis thinking.

This is one of many sessions from my own Milan training journals which date back to Saachi. Including tactics, coaching points, fitness training systems etc.

Using the Integrated method of coaching for Football

The integrated method of coaching for Football is a method used by extensively by RB at Liverpool and now more extensively by Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United, Arsen Wenger also uses or has used this method with good results.It is used mainly in Europe and South America.Thought I would provide some material and get your thoughts.

The Integrated Method of coaching for Football

This method is highly specific basing its coaching points on a global perspective with a main focus on:

-Visual cues

-Techniques as the relate to tactical issues during the match

-Conditioning

-Decision making

-Position Specific Skills

The aim of this method is to allow players to train in such a way that they "see, hear, feel and then perform" the specific roles during performance while seeing how this is affects the whole team from holistic perspective. This has the effect of producing a tactically and technically disciplined performance with players conditioned specifically for that performance as it relates to a model of play whether it is Defensive or Attacking.

One central teaching of this method is that if a player has the ball at his feet he is always learning.

One of the main ways of using the integrated method of coaching for football is the mirror approach, this involves patterns with a ball which can be mirrored either of the pitch. These can be adapted using tools such as speed ladders, hurdles, agility poles etc depending on the fitness goal. The key is that movements are repeated starting in fixed patterns at slower speeds and then moving up to patterns allow for guided discovery. Players must "discover" how to use the techniques of there specific role/position in line with the determined training goal. This can allow for snap shots during training to make coaching points around the above which integrate the whole performance. This method can also be used in small sided games.

Motivation is also increased using this method as the player is encouraged to give maximum attention while improving performance all round for the team and specifically for the position they play in.

Before this method of coaching for football can be used a specific and progressive model of play is needed which will then be used to plan the micro-cycles of training during the season, this will then be complimented with situation specific patterns based on previous match performance allowing for holistic improvement of the team model of play week by week.

It is important that the high intensity training given is complimented by an attitude of relaxation on the pitch.

The method ensures that individuals are improved and complimented with the group allowing for a focus on the effect of the individual on the actions of the group.

Every aspect of performance is taken into account allowing the player to structure the following factors in relation to their own performance:

-Emotional

-Physical

-Psychological

-Team structure

-Development of habit

-Performance in relation to specific goals/problems

-Creative expression

The set up relates to learning styles and focus of attention. A basic example is using two teams in an attack v defense format you first show the basic pattern of play for the attack so the players see what it looks like, they then listen and hear coaching points and sound sounds such as calls from players etc this is then increased in speed and performed. Players also feel the pressure of resistance/presence in the form of opposing players.There is also an element that players can discover their own patterns stemming from the basic pattern .You can also do this with equipment for fitness etc.

The point of the method is to repeat this to point where habit is then created.

Insights from Sir Alex Ferguson

Found a few notes that may be of interest to some:

Training structure

Training always follows a basic structure as follows:

1)Passing with small sided keep ball games

2)Functional work on possession and passing

3)Tactical and Technical work revolving around Penetration(both creating and preventing)

4)Shooting/Finishing Technique

5)Practice game with 7v7,8v8,9v9 or 10v10

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that training should be set out to maximize "flow" and encourage a high work rate, this is done by keeping players moving as much as possible by including movement at every phase of training. Which is to be done at high intensity to build stamina.

Focus should be placed challenging players technique in game situations involving problem solving around the above format, this is aimed at producing what Sir Alex Ferguson calls "thinking players".

Repetition should be used to create performance habits,"the skill we she in flashes should repeated in training until it becomes consistent".

Players are also coached in how the above flow of training relates to how they "play" in the position they are in. For example midfield players are coached intensively on how to use various passing techniques to increase Penetration.

No mistake in training is allowed to repeated twice, players must accept the need to remove mistakes from performance.

Training sessions are 90 minutes in duration.

During the possession games older players are mixed with younger players to enable younger players to be challenged by higher speed of play provided by older players experience, the same is done for older players to be challenged by the work rate of the younger group. A favorite is the boxes which players are around the outside of a "box" with defenders who must intercept the ball. The older players such as Giggs and Scholes would go round the outside and the younger players would be in the inside. Players enjoy this and sets the feeling for the whole session. By letting the players "play" early in the session. These last for 15 mins in duration.

Goal Keepers train apart from the squad for the first part of the session with with a focus on handling and footwork and reflex saves. They are also coached in long passing to target players which are rotated in games between a forward pushing up, a forward dropping deep of one of the two wing players.

When coaching players to dribble SAF like to have every player "comfortable" with a minimum of 2 different types of dribbles/tricks.

Sir Alex Ferguson pushes his players to constantly refine rythem in play with changing of rythem through passing or individual play worked on.

Fitness Training

The weekly fitness training schedule is worked out depending on the number of games for the week but follows a general pattern built around competing in 1v1, fitness to optimize penetration and sustain a high work rate during play.

With a general cycle as follows:

Monday-strength

Tuesday-aerobic work

Wednesday-speed

The intensity is reduced to prepare for the next game with a focus shifting to injury prevention.

Before training there is normally 15-30 mins of spinning.

Game Preparation

One session per week is done preparation for the next game. This is usually done with a focus on removing mistakes made in the last game or working on a technical/ tactical point Sir Alex Ferguson wants to be "fine tuned" for the next opponent.

A favorite is 4v4 with midfield players working on through passing through gaps in the defending line while defenders must work to prevent penetration by ramaining compact and constricting space for the through pass.

SAF prepares a 45 minute team talk on the morning of the game based around the most important aspects of the oppoents play to exploit or remove. The main focus is tactical strengths and weaknesses first as SAF believes "good managers get there tactics right".

Players are then left alone and nothing further is said with SAF believeing that the most important thing to o when all is said and done is to trust his players on the pitch.

Basic Playing Tactics

Sir Alex Ferguson system of choice is a VERY fluid but simple and well refined 4-2-3-1(or unorthodox 4-4-2).

SAF likes to work with a basic basic back four with changes made to the 6 remaining players depending on the situation.

Wingers will play close to the two central midfield players as well as being able to go out wide should the need arise, this enables the midfield to be tight in terms of preventing the opponents play.

Out of the two strikers one of them will drop back to provide a link and play the "in the whole" position.

A versatile midfield is the key to this system. The midfield is comprised normally of one holding player, a player who can make penetrating forward runs and also shoot from distance, a "creative dribbler" and a player who can cross the ball.

Both strikers work hard at combination play as a pair.

Fullbacks can work on a support basis during the attack behind wingers to maintain support or can over lap following a winger who cuts inside.

Attacks are started from the back with the point of attack determined by passes from the central defenders.

In defense wingers track back to prevent fullbacks being in 1v1 situations.

The main defensive block is a block of the back four and two central midfielders who work along with the tracking back of the wingers to constrict attacking space especially around the edge of the penalty area.

Constant movement in attack, interchange of positions and good 1v1 players are some of the main refinements made to the system.

Penetration is the key aim of this tactical set up.

Possession is kept when possible under the condition that the ball keeps moving which tires out opponents. If you want to beat Manchester United you have to run for it.

The focus of the system is on simple european tactics worked with the work ethic and physicality of traditional British football.

During a fixture pile up a day of rest would be removed making it look like this:

satureday-match

sunday-strength

monday-aerobic

tuesday-speed

wednesday-match

thursday-strength

friday-aerobic

satureday-match

Bear in mind emembers of the squad that dont play in midweek pile ups train by the normal schedule.

Session planning

Sessions are planned early in the morning with SAF and his staff at the desk(7am starts). The team is made up assistent manager, first team coach, goalkeeper coach, fitness coach and specialist skills and technical coach. SAF plans the sessions with feedback on the best method of reaching the goal for that day.

In terms of the session the 15 minutes keep ball games are player lead, this a "letting of steam" kind of thing like I said letting them PLAY before work, much like school boys would do blasting balls about and shooting into the net or at each other(mainly Scholes and Rooney blasting balls at people when their not watching).

After this Rene Meulensteen(skills coach)briefs the players,using various diagrams and other things he is careful to pay attention to learning styles. He then takes the players through training designed to challenge certain skills in a fresh way. He was brought in to ensure that technique training is as modern as possible.

The goalkeeper trains separably until the practice games, designed by assistant manager and first team coach.

In terms of coaching for SAF its about observation and imagination. He observes and if he wants anything changed his team changes it. His fitness coach is there to give feedback on how to build fitness into any game, Meulensteen will be on hand to adjust the drills on a problem solving basis. SAF is a big fan of solving problem through technique.

As for team training on practice games they use the INTEGRATED METHOD with every player in the position they play in, parts of the pitch are divided of with players solving problems based on how they might have to solve them in a game based on that position. These are made as global as possible.

Sir Alex Ferguson Passing and Movement Triggers

SAF introduced a few changes to his 4-2-3-1:

-Fullbacks operating with Wingers as a pair down the flanks

-Changing the passing style to be closer to how Arsenal move the ball

The examples and principles below were used to promote a better method of ball movement.

Basic Principles

Before using triggers there are certain principles which his players will use:

-Pass the ball in triangles

-Play from constricted space to open space on the weak side or down the flanks

-2 central midfield determine horizontal passing build up

-Fullbacks determine vertical passing build up down the flanks

-The back 4 and Central 2 midfield players can hold the ball if needed until change of tempo for attacking

-Forwards act as a pair and Fullbacks act as a pair with Wingers midfield players act a pivot this done to enable many passing options in the above format which allows for many players to play above the line of the ball on the attack.

-Build up is alternated between combinations of long and short passing depending on the situation but still acting on triggers

Triggers

Triggers fall into certain types:

-Attacking the opponents weak side

-Changing tempo

Attacking on the opponents weak side

Center backs determine the direction to attack by the following:

Both full backs move diagonally closer to the half way line to present an option for the pass, the first pass to the Fullback from the Cent re back is the trigger to the Fullback and Winger on the OPPOSITE side that the ball will be switched for attack down the opponents weak side, the Fullback and Winger move Up the pitch to present width in space.

The second trigger is who the Fullback passes the ball to, this determines which player on the opposing flank the ball will be switched to and the movements of either the Fullbacks and Wingers in support of the switched pass. Should the Fullback pass the to Winger this will be followed by a fast pass to the central midfield player triggering the run of the opposite Fullback into space to receive the ball while the Winger cuts inside to create space. Should the ball be passed to the midfielder this is a trigger for the Winger on the opposite side to make a run into space to receive a long diagonal pass while the Fullback supports.

Should a midfield player receive a pass back from a Center Forward this triggers a movement from the winger on the weak side to make a run down the flank to prepare for long switched pass while the Fullback over laps to create space.

These can be used in the opposing half closer to the penalty area to allow for switches creating 1v1 encounters on the opponents weak side.

Changing Tempo

Tempo of the game and the speed of build up is determined by the Central midfield players. An immediate pass from the back line to Central Midfield players. A pass to a Midfield player triggers the Wingers to move to stretch the width and prepare for faster one touch passing combinations around the opposing third. The aim is to stretch the opposing teams to open up gaps to attack. Full back push up closer to the touch line to provide out lets for potential crosses and diagonally passes to the opposite Winger.

Training

Allot of is spent on functional training and pattern work to enable triggers and patterns to practiced until finely tuned. These are only used to provide a foundation to aid the players own decision making and initiative. Possession is essential to master this method other wise it will compromise the principles of play.

TRAINING TO PREVENT FOOTBALL INJURIES

During the playing season success is not just a matter of preparing better in the areas of performance it is also IMO a matter of keeping your best players in top condition during the season by avoiding some of the many football injuries that contribute to loss of performance.. By this I mean ensuring your best players are injury free for a longer period of the season the your opponents can keep their best players injury free. It doesn't matter which team you are you will at some time have your top player/s out with an injury and it is those periods with out your best player/s which IMO contribute to the direction of your season. Which is why injury prevention is just as crucial as training aimed at improving performance.

I will outline methods from my notes that increase a players resistance to injury which follow a time line from off season to off-season, as the end of one season is the start of another.

These are not there to replace regimented training they are there to add to it as basic guides to be followed if needed thus adding to your to your tools for preventing football injuries.

Off-season

You can set a stronger foundation during the off season and avoid many football injuries by taking just a few steps that many players fail to take.

• Prescribe players with a resistance training program focusing on football specific muscles using dumbbells. Muscle development is biased to one side in that one side is usually better developed than the other. Most often it is the dominant hand side. Dumbbell exercises even this out.Not doing so contributes to destabilization of muscles creating a risk of injury during training and performance, when the development of muscles is evened out the quality of other physical training will improve and so will other aspects of performance as a result.
• The program should use exercises of 3 sets 8 reps, one minute of rest should be used in between each set. This will increase both muscle and strength. Strength is needed for stability. Building muscle will enable effective stretching as traditional methods of stretching have been shown to damage ligaments and tendons irreversible effects thus increasing risk of injury and shortening the playing career. The most effective stretching methods reset the nervous system of the muscles thus preventing this.
• A complete brake from running should be instituted during the off season non impact forms of aerobic exercise should be used to prevent stress related injuries which result from Running.

Preseason

• The aim of this period should be to gradually build players to a peak of fitness giving a base to build on.
• Change the format of the weight training to a program using multi joint compound exercises.Increase the weight and decrease the reps to 6 per set. The rest stays the same. The aim is now on strength building.
• Aerobic training should be built gradually via football specific games which sharpen technique and team tactics.The main aim of this should be a lowering of the body fat percentage to around 10% body fat and create peak fitness. Getting the player to peak fitness in this way will increase the ability to maintain fitness during the season, thus lowering the training load needed.
• Proprioceptive stretching should be used to improve the strength of the muscle this will set a further foundation for injury prevention during the season. This will enable speed to be built quicker and so lower the training load.This type of stretching stretches the muscle not the tendon or ligament. This also has an improvement on technique.

Competitive Period

• During this time full on sprints should be performed for no longer than a distance of 25 yards the majority of full on sprints in a game will be over this distance, sprinting further is of no use and is a risk.
• Training should be made up of small sided games which encourage running at 3/4 pace with short burst sprinting 5v5 is good for this. Working for short bursts at this level of intensity will maintain fitness. Performers who have had peak aerobic fitness who have then used short burst high intensity fitness have improved on vo2 max tests and aerobic tests.
• Include at least one training session per week for SAQ work or if easier include one SAQ exercises per training session. Working on this area has been shown to cut injuries due to impact through an increase in mobility. This also reduces injuries from cutting movements which occur when changing direction.
• Strength work should be isometric based, this will decrease joint stress through performing to many reps of high load weights.
• Use plyometrics every two weeks this will add power to SAQ, the cometti methods are good for this. By doing this you are maintaining muscle power and function by the minimal amount of loading frequency.
• Use a longer warm up and cool down period, this will prepare the nervous system. Also this will relax players as over aggressive play increases the rate of many football injuries.
• Use programs for position specific fitness e.g. use one armed press ups for defenders who may need to push opponents away.
• Supply players with vitamin c tablets as training at high intensity lowers immune function for a short time during rest.Increase anti oxidants in the players diet. Focus on protein and carbohydrates for recovery.

Repeat when off-season begins.

This method follows the high load low frequency formula to extract improvements from the lowest amount of training possible.The aim is economy in the training session itself, this should require basic tweaks to the format and focus of the session. You can minimize football injuries by paying close attention to what you and refining that before even thinking of adding anything new.The aims can be achieved in the normal time period for training so no extra time is taken up, the same frequency of training sessions will do.

 The next stage of it would be the recovery aids that enhance the rest time adding components such as specialized doctors and therapists to maximize the effectiveness of the rest.

Insights from Magath

"Football is the most complicated game ever" Felix Magath

An interesting interview with the master Felix Magath.

What did you learn from your experience as a player?

I learnt from Happel and Zebec that you can get success by being a strong unit. A strong team all working together.

What do you base your work on as a coach?

People don't see it behind the marketing, media and focus on players but the only way to succeed and perform is by pure hard work. This gets the last drop of performance out of the player.

What does this mean in practice?

I want 100% performance from my players. For me the key to this is intensity of work as in intensive training. This is often vital to a players preparation for the next game.

What staff do you think are essential to help you in this training method?

Key to our preparation and in allowing the players to train at high intensity we need two assistant coaches, a conditioning coach along side a specialist rehab coach who works on resting procedures. A specialist physio and myself.

How do you use your team of staff during training?

Each staff member takes their own training. We plan those parts and then they work with a specialist. The same specialist takes the players for each part so they know the players and can build a working knowledge. After all of this I take the football side of coaching and work on specific football situations.

How has the team changed with the use of your methods since you took over?

First of all as a unit the morale has improved and the willingness to train harder has become better developed. Also with improved training intensity to players found it a challenge at first but it is now a natural part of preparation for games.

What lies behind your philosophy in developing the team?

While working with the team I try to point out how the individual skills the players have can be of best use to the team as a joint unit. We must convince the players that you succeed through joint efforts on behalf of the team.

What does this mean for practice and the way you work with the team in your part of training?

I have a very clear idea of how I expect a player to use his skills and how the team should play as a unit. I explain to them in the clearest possible way so they have few problems implementing this.

Why do you work in this way during training?

Even though my goal is developing the team and I may have a 5 year deal, I do not develop by working long term. You have to coach in the way which works best with the pressures of coaching and with the way players like the coach to work. For this we work on short term results from the start. We develop the team and individuals by winning and consistent good results.

Do you coach players by a specific system or work with the strengths of the players?

I have one specific and very clear idea of the system of play I use. The n observe each player in training, how he works, moves, what runs he makes etc. I then ask myself "how can I best integrate him into the system?". With the answer I plan accordingly.

Is it just as simple as looking at the possible ways your team can play and then training hard?

No not at all. I am putting forward the idea that football is the most complicated game ever. People think chess is complex but its always you play then I play, there is only one person you have monitor and that is yourself. The ability of characters is always the same and so is the line up and set up. There are only three phases of play opening, middle and end game. Football is never like that. Situations are always different, we don't have the same characters. Also the chess characters don't think, as a coach we have to evaluate the actions of others and our players also have to evaluate their own actions. We will have changes of players game to game, training session to training session, month to month and even season to season. Also there are many uncertainties which affect the performance of the team. A manager cant control or find solutions to all of these.

Shouldn't experience tell you what to do? how many things are there that can go wrong? A coach must look at many things which can go wrong, Such as training problems, playing problems, staff problems. If you get it right there will be a good environment, with good training, good atmosphere and performance. But then even with all of that the coaches unconscious reactions before a game can ruin all of the good preparation and produce an adverse performance.

So the coach is just one element which results come from?

The coach is only one part of the entire structure.

Now moving onto pre-season. What do you do to prepare your team?

We start off with a period of 6 weeks high intensity intensive training. During the weeks in season we work from intense to less intense before a game. But always there is intensity in preparation.

For this do you use traditional sports methods?

No football is not other sports. Our training is high intensity and heavy but it is always the right training for football.

Are the requirements for a footballer lower than in other sports?

Not lower but due to many none football aspect we get less training time. So a manager cant be focused on "show business" he to ask "how strong can I make these players and how can I get peak performance in the time I have?"

Does that man things cant often be done like you want them done?

Sometimes. But the level of sports science it means I can find out just how much during the time I can have the player that they would be able to work with high intensity. That way other aspects which affect training become less of a burden on time.

How do you work with the conditioning coach?

He informs me of the conditions of players and team with regards to the intensity of work. We then work towards the high end. We then work out how we make the high intensity of work most stimulating to the players.

Can you give me an example of the kind of specific work done during pre-season?

For example during this 6 week period we work on a base of endurance. We work high intensity for 60 minutes. We then observe which players are weak at this point. As training goes on we look at this and determine how players adjusting. Players find it hard at first but they all adjust. We dont do specific tests, everything is done by observation of player reaction as they become more adjusted to training loads.

How do you decide when the next training phase begins?

Once we have determined that players have adjusted to the high intensity running we do less of the running but still at high intensity. But we factor in more training and fitness with ball work.

How do you work on endurance with a ball?

We use longer training blocks of games over 2 hours and 30 minutes separated by periods of intermittent running with out a ball. These runs are all specific for football performance.

What other training content do you focus on in pre season preparation?

I also like my players to work on power. We supplement the endurance training with many 1v1 situations. We do specific power work and speed endurance. The speed endurance is not popular with players so we compromise we it less often after pre-season but more intense then for them it is less intensive over all.

On average how long does it take for the squad to adjust before you add specific ball work and football work?

They adjust within 3 to 4 weeks on average. Then we add ball work and try to cover as much of the conditioning is one intense training session along with football work.

Dont you think training with a ball is better for players? Would they not prefer training games?

Yes sure players would like that. But when they come back to pre-season they have not trained remained in good shape then I think its better they have a period fitness work with out a ball at high intensity. If they have a ball the work less intense and all of this ball work type of training can be over done. But again all the work is still specific and stimulating. Performing conditioning off the ball allows training to be more intense.

But will the willingness to play still be there?

At the start of training the mood is low but after they adjust to the work the willingness to play increases as they know they are conditioned enough to make the play enjoyable and effective at high intensity and speed.

So how do you communicate with your players?

I try not to be general with when I speak to players. But at the same time I also work for alternatives and flexible situations. A player relies on the coach for specific clarity.

What influenced your approach?

There are many factors both personal and sporting which affect the work done in the very specific football environment. This makes a long term plan hard. If I want to think ahead I can ask one of the sports science experts what we need to do to reach a certain point in 3 months time. But for me winning influences the team better. In that way its better for me to plan short term sometimes day to day.

It sounds like there are many factors you need to be aware of.

Yes but my empathy has limits. I have my aims and plans. So it is more important for me to look at which players can adjust. Not every players personality or ability fits your ideas. It comes down to accept or ignore. If he cant align the his actions are not accepted. Players must align to this.

So how do you fit this into how you work?

I will try for weeks sometimes a couple of months to find a common point where the player can be useful. But at some point if you find its impossible after this with a player then you have to draw a line under the player and his part in the team this is logical. But if the player can see the way it is and adapts his behaviour to a cooperative attitude then the door is always open for cooperation on my part. The key is not if a player is good or bad but in how well they adapt themselves to the ideas and methods.

Does it matter how much time a player will spend with you?

No what matters is understanding. A manager or coach could spend hours a day with his team but if the players dont get a clear understanding of what the managers ideas are then the game plan will not be effective. I could have little time with players but if I am clear and they understand then thats better then just having more time with players which isnt used properly.

How do you unify the playing elements?

You give the players rules. This in turn gives them security and the rules are the same for others. For the young players it provides an example and way to follow which is the same as old players. To gain acceptance in the group you have to follow the rules.

Are the rules in addition to the thinking on the training pitch?

My players should play and train intelligently. I remind players that this is a serious job.I also like them to always be ready if asked to cross the line and play also with power. Players should focus on realistic ways of reaching the result on the pitch. It is my job to show them how to be a success in this way.

How do you encourage a positive reaction from a player?

I recognise the players own reasons to work and I also give them incentives to work in the structure and improve in this way. I also structure environment to produce more incentives. By this I mean the ability to be flexible in things like a bonus in training or fun activities.

Do you think the teams you coach have changed to be more success motivated by your influence?

In my teams I have observed that as players dedicate themselves to my training methods and see the rewards on the pitch they then grow by gaining more confidence in the skills they have as players. They then want to play aggressively with power. This in turn improves motivation to continue with my methods.

How do you approach players? in groups individuals?

I discuss as much as possible in the group. I make it clear that we are a common unit and we must act as one and discuss things together. Unless it is a sensitive issue for one player then I talk to the group always. In this way they all get the same message with out misunderstandings which can come about if for example you talk to 3 players in turn and each understand the same message differently. In this way I want to lift team spirit.

If I were a player would you be open to me?

Yes I am open to everyone. But this policy is one that players only try rarely. They sometimes dont feel the need to tell me. I also have to select a team which means explaining to players why they are out and with they are in for next game. This can negatively affect a players confidence which must manage inhow I explain my decision.

Do you think all coaches should use science? and specialists?

It is not a question of whether the science is good but if the players will accept the work. I cant just say "work with this guy on x,y and z" and expect the players to do it. Any work we do is based on short terms success game to game so any specialist must show the players they an produce positive results in this situation and time frame.

Evaluating Players.

"Know your Players" is a mantra of good coaching. Below is a good format for looking at those who can and should form the core of your starting group. This also gives you a solid base a coach for planning targets for improvement. This set of evaluations has a South American theme looking at aspects of South American play while providing a useful insight in general for coaches.

The main factors to evaluate technically/ tactically are:

-How?

-Why?

-When?

Dynamic warm up with and without a ball. This allows players to be evaluated in terms of flexibility, coordination, agility and basic comfort on the ball if ball work is included 1 ball per player.

1v1 small grid variations. Using this you can evaluate the ability of a player on the ball and defending. In this phase you are looking for technical quality and also decision making ability.

Defending

-Tackle or delay?

-Positioning between goal and ball.

-Good technical qualities in 1v1 defending.

Attacking

- If defender approaches correctly does he/she attempt to use changes of direction to unbalances and move past the defender?

-If the defender approaches too fast does the attacker attempt to pass him'her quickly?

-If the defender stands of or is too slow does the attacker shoot quickly?

Small sided games on multiple small and large goals. Each team has one goal to defend an opposition goal to attack and one/ two other neutral goals which both teams can attack. The rules of these games are:

- Can't shoot/score on the same goal consecutively players must reposition to attack another goal.

-Use one or two balls.

These games are looking at the communication, positioning and movement skills of the players as a group.

-which teams are dropping back into or staying in defensive positions? and are they using safe play holding positions and taking few risks with the ball?

- Which players are dropping in when defenders have the ball to create options to progress the attack? and are they looking to play forwards in where possible? can they use direct running and shooting when the decision is on?

-Which players stay forward? do they look to make runs into space for quick passes? how to shoot and when? can they link up play when no shooting chance is on?

This looks at how players think around the game and enables you to look at which players are dong any part of the above with comfort.

Other small sided and larger sided conditions for 11v11, 8v8 and 5v5. Once the above small sided game variations have been looked at move onto larger sided game variations to evaluate more conditions using the following:

Evaluate speed of decision making and movement of ball:

-Play from 3 touch to 1 touch maximum. Play will be good quality at the start and decrease as the touches allowed become fewer. Good players although having a maximum will use less than the maximum and make the right decision consistently. Players who can play with 1 touch consistently and make accurate decisions should make up the core of the team in positions of attack wingers, one forward should be able to link using 1 touch play, sweeper/libero, defensive midfield player and attacking midfield player.

Possession: Is there diagonal support on the ball defensively and offensively? Ahead and behind the ball? How many times to players lose the ball when passing? How much of the players play is on the ground? Is support for the player on the ball consistent and constant?

Receiving: Are players receiving the ball and switching it to the opposite side from which they received it? In order to move the ball in opposite direction to the pressure zone. Allowing for quick counter in free space.

Technical factors: is the ball on the ground as much as possible? except for when crossing and shooting.How strong are players with weaker foot? and outside of foot techniques?

Positioning: Using two balls can teams balance defending and attacking?

Sprints. Using different distances and variations of sprints against a timer to evaluate speed.

Shooting. On 2 large goals. Work on both feet and look at power, accuracy and technique. Control, first touch with inside or outside of foot? Correct positioning of standing foot to the ball? Correct technique on connection with the ball.

The value of watching old games for coaching?

How many you have memories of old but great teams? Ajax in the 70's, Brazil 1970 the list is could go on. But from a coaching point what is the value of watching these games?

I know you may all say "but the game has changed its not the same". But the point is how many tactical principles and systems can can be adapted to today's game if we made changes in line with speed of play, updated principles etc.

Rafa Benitez once made a comment about updating 80's Liverpool for the modern day game. I have to say he achieved at times a very effective style of functional play but nothing IMO close to that 80's team. Does this mean it can't be done? Not to me.

Louis Van Gaal adapted the pressing movements of Michels Ajax and 70's Dutch National team for his defensive system at AZ. He moved it down the pitch into AZ's own half and made it the base for counter attacks.

I always find value in watching old Milan games(I'm a fan of the Pressing game). I do think that these principles have helped me in refining some of my own methods. I would be interested to know how much value others get out of older games.