Periodization for Football

The fitness work for this contains four areas:

1.      Maintaining the ability to recover quickly between moments of action on the pitch

2.      Maintaining explosiveness of action for longer during play

3.      Maximising recovery ability

4.      Maximising explosiveness

Training to maintain quick recovery

Extensive Endurance Training= 3-9 games of 10 minutes 11v11 2 minutes rest between games

Intensive Endurance Training= 5-9 games of 8 minutes 7v7 2 minutes rest between games

 Training method to maintain explosiveness of action

 This is done to raise the pace of the game for longer periods.

Repeated Short Sprinting= 2-4 series of 6-10 sprints of 15 m with opponent + finishing on goal 10 seconds rest between sprints with 4 minutes rest between series.

 Training method for maximising recovery procces

 Extensive Interval Training=2 series of 6-10 games of 3 minutes 3 v 3 with 3-1 minutes rest between games and 4 minutes rest between series

 Training  method to maximise explosiveness

 Sprinting Speed= 2-4 series of 8-10 sprints of 5 m with opponent + finishing on goal with 30 seconds rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series

Periodization for Football Training

 After building the base of fitness above the focus is then periodization of training. This again uses global problem solving drills designed with Hiddinks two pronged approach in mind.

 All Periodization for Football  methods contain elements like:

 – duration of work

– number of repetitions

– number of series

– rest between repetitions

– rest between series

 These elements within a training method can be used to develop overload during training. Forexample, a longer duration of work or a higher number of repetitions. The remaining questionis: which element do you change in what sequence and in what moment of time?

Extensive Endurance Training

 3-9 games of 10 minutes 11 v 11 2 minutes rest between games

 step 1. 10 min / rest 3 -2 min

step 2. 10 min / rest 4- 2 min

step 3. 10 min / rest 5- 2 min

step 4. 10 min/  rest 6 -2 min

step 5. 10 min/ rest 7- 2 min

step 6. 10 min /rest 8- 2 min

step 7. 10 min /rest 9- 2 min

Intensive Endurance Training

 5-9 games of 8 minutes 7 v 7 with 2 minutes rest between games

step 1. 8 min/rest  5- 2 min

step 2. 8 min / rest 6 -2 min

step 3. 8 min /rest 7- 2 min

step 4. 8 min /rest 8- 2 min

step 5.8 min /rest 9 -2 min

 Extensive Interval Training

 2 series of 6-10 games of 3 minutes 3v3 with 3-1 minutes rest between games and 4 minutes rest between series

 step 1. 3 min/ 6 games 3 min rest /2- 4 min

step 2. 3 min/ 6 games 2.5 min rest/2 -4 min

step 3. 3 min/ 6  games 2 min rest /2- 4 min

step 4. 3 min/ 6 games 1.5 min rest / 2- 4 min

step 5. 3 min/ 6  games 1 min rest /2- 4 min

step 6. 3 min/ 7 games 1 min rest /2 -4 min

step 7. 3 min/ 8 games 1 min rest / 2- 4 min

step 8. 3 min/ 9 games 1 min rest /2 -4 min

step 9. 3 min /10 games 1 min rest / 2- 4 min

Repeated Short Sprinting

2-4 series of 6-10 sprints of 15 metres with opponent + finishing on goal with 10 seconds rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series.

 step 1. 15 m /6- 2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 2. 15 m /7 -2 reps/10 sec/ 4 min

step 3. 15 m /8 -2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 4. 15 m/ 9 -2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 5. 15 m /10- 2reps/ 10 sec/ 4 min

step 6. 15 m /10 -3reps/ 10 sec /4 min

step 7. 15 m /10- 4 reps/10 sec /4 min

Sprinting Speed

 2-4 series of 8-10 sprints of 5 metres with opponent + finishing on goal with 30 seconds rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series

 step 1. 5 m /8 2 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 2. 5 m/ 9 2 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 3. 5 m /10 2 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 4. 5 m /8 3 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 5. 5 m /9 3 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 6. 5 m /10 3reps/ 30 sec/ 4 min

step 7. 5 m/ 8 4 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 8. 5 m /9 4 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 9. 5 m/ 10 4 reps/30 sec /4 min

Guide lines for effective training sessions

As well as following the above concepts there are certain guidelines for effective training sessions:

1.      Only football activities should be used as the main ways to increase fitness.

2.      Intensity should not be allowed to drop during training there should always be some form of over load present.

3.      The coach has the final say on all training sessions based on what his targets are i.e he decides which areas should be worked on more intensely depending on what need improving the most.

4.      Every player must do exactly what they are instructed to do in order for the system to run properly. This provides the organisational base on which problem solving and initiative can be allowed. Tactical rules are kept very simple.

5.      As the session progresses tactical rules are taken more strictly to improve the ability to function effectively tacticly when fatigued, the coaches role is to point out where players make mistakes when they fatigue and then direct how to improve this area.

6.      If there is a solution to a problem decided upon the every aspect of performance relating to that solution must be performed with full discipline and work rate, as allowing players to become slack in skipping good habits is damaging to the team discipline and organisation.

7.      Rest sessions should be used for problem solving questions which relate to the tactical situations the team are facing.

8.      Interventions are made only up to the point where the tactical aims are performed effectively for a given situation after this the exercises will be repeated for habit building and fitness.

9.      The aim of tactical games is to focus on reading the situation, solving problems and decision making as these areas when trained properly create a dramatic improvement in performance.

Periodization for Football- additional notes:

Week 1 and week 2 you play 11v11/10v10/9v9/8v8 with always 2 min rest, it's a Extensive Endurance training because the HR is between 130 and 160. If you go then to week 3 and 4 you play 7v7/6v6/5v5 with always 2 min rest, now it's a Intensive Endurance Training because there are not so much players on the field and there is more action the HR is between 150 and 185. In week 5 and 6 you go to games with 4v4 and 3v3 this is the most intensive part and this is the Extensive Interval Training. This games are played to get the phosphate system faster recover.For example this is the the list for Extensive Interval Training:.

step 1.   2 times   6x1min   / 3min rest

step 2    2 times   6x1min   / 2.5min rest

step 3    2 times   6x1min   / 2min rest

step 4    2 times   6x1min   / 1.5min rest

step 5    2 times   6x1min   / 1min rest

step 6    2 times   6x1.5min /1min rest

step 7    2 times   6x2min    /1 min rest

step 8    2 times   6x2.5min /1min rest

step 9    2 times   6x3min    /1min rest

step10   2 times   7x3min    /1min rest

step11   2 times   8x3min    /1min rest

step12   2 times   9x3min    /1min rest

step13   2 times  10x3min  / 1min rest

there is always a 4min break between the series.

First of all you have to get smaller rest times, then you can start to get bigger work time. I work that way and the HR went in the rest time down, after 6 months of work, from 120 in the  rest to 100 in the rest, that means that my players recover faster.

If have also the times for the other games if someone needs them.

For example it's week 5. Every step is one practice. If you have step one in your schedule you play 1min 3v3, than make a 3 min break, repeat this 6 times.... -> this is 1 series

now you have a 4min break

and then you repeat the same like in series one, this is all in one practice.

You can make this drill only once a week (wends day) because you need 72h of super compensation. In week 6 you play again 3v3 or 4v4 but now you play step 2!

Then you start again with week 1. Remember it's now extensive endurance training. So the next time you play 3v3 or 4v4 will be again in 5th week or circle 2.

Periodization for Football Weekly Structure

Saturday : MATCH

Sunday: Recovery like soccer-tennis

Monday: Free day

Thursday: Tactic practice to get ready for wends day

Wendsday: Condition ---> that's the day you put in the different steps

Thursday: Tactical + Underload (half of the conditional training in the next week, so the body can a Little bit adjust to the next hard training on wends day)

Friday: Tactical training plus 6x5m sprint, 30sec rest for the muscle to get ready

Saturday: MATCH

Also there are two sprint programs that alternate every 2 weeks.

Week 1 :

8x40m progression to 80% of max speed

Week 2:

9x30m progression to 90% of may speed

Week 3 and 4:

There you have this steps again...

step1 is (6x15m sprint with 10 sec rest) 2 series of this with 4 min rest between

There are 3 types of sprinting.

1. Player 1 sprints from point A to point B. ---> the player has a explosion

2. Player 1 sprints with player 2 from point A to point B in a competition. ---> bigger explosion

3. Player 1 sprints with player 2 in a competition after the ball, who will touch the ball first---> the biggest explosion, this means against OPPONENT when it was posted in the post before by another user.

 In week 5 and 6 there are power and speed activities that are always one on one for the ball.

step one is for example:

6x 5m with 30sec rest

4min rest

4x15m with 45sec rest

4min rest

2x25m witch 60 sec rest

Why so much rest?

You need to maintain an explosion every time, and for this you need a full phosphate system. 5m is a Small bite of ATP, 15m is a bigger bite of ATP and 25 is an even bigger bite of ATP. So you get more dynamic starts from your players.

One thing more:

The conditioning practice on Wends day is built up like this:

Lets say it's our 1 Cycles 5 Week

1. Warming up : It must be intensive because it's a hard training 15'

2. Soccer sprints step1

6x 5m with 30sec rest        ca. 3.30'

4min rest                                  4'

4x15m with 45sec rest            4.30'                           >19'

4min rest                                 4'

2x25m witch 60 sec rest         3'

3. Main condition part  3v3/4v4 step1

step 1.   2 times   6x1min   / 3min rest      

                                                                 6x1' work x2 = 12'

                                                                 5x3' break x2= 30'

                                                                 1x break of 4' between the series=4' 

                                                                  >46' for step1

total practice: 80minutes plus time for taking on fluid

The Block Defence in Football

For the purpose of this post on the Block Defence in football the example in the following session will be presented for a 4-4-2. The Block Defence in football can be adapted to any system of play.

The following session was used to pass a high level European football coaching licence and was planned by Peter North. The session topic for examination was to plan and conduct a session aimed at full team defence in football.

 Defensive organization of the 4-4-2

The objective of the session is to organize the 4-4-2 as a defensive block. The Block Defence in football is used to coordinate quickly the full 11 behind the ball and concentrated in a well organized way.

Warm up

-Jogging,sprints, basic ball work etc
-1v1 on one goal
defenders pass to attacker who must then pass the defender to score, refresh basic 1v1 principles.

The reasoning of having a 1v1 warm up drill is to refresh and focus the basic principles of defending in a 1v1 situation. 1v1 will be worked on during the session as it relates to the position of the ball, the position of the opponents and the areas of space which are attacked by the opponent.

Why has the session focused on defending as a block?

Block defending is a variation on zone defending, by organising players into blocks rather than individual zones players can learn the roles they must play while defending in a given formation. All that is required is to simplify the principles of defending for that system into roles and responsibilities.

The block system is based on organising defending units based on maximising the principles of defensive play:

1.    Delay

2.    Depth

3.    Balance

4.    Concentration

5.    Control/Restraint

This done by using a series of progressive drills, small sided games, phase of play and coaching in the game which focuses on coaching aspects of play based on how they relate to the unit. The methods focus their coaching points within the activities in the following way:

1.    The role of the first defender pressuring the player on the ball(1v1)

2.    The role of the second defender to provide cover for the first defender and prevent runs of the supporting player for the opponent on the ball such as a player overlapping a player on the ball(2v2)

3.    The role of the second, third and fourth defender in covering the space against the nearest supporting players of the opponent in this case three players in a supporting block(3v3).

4.    The movement and communication of a block of four against the opponents block of four (4v4).

The starts by working the defending back four in one block then working the midfield block and then integrating the two into a block of 8 and focusing on how to cover each block.

All of the above aspects 1v1,2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 are worked on focusing on how they relate to working in a block of 8 at the same time as integrating the goalkeeper in  phase of play.

This the followed by coaching in the game which is based on integrating the attacking players with the block of 8 creating a whole 4-4-2 block in order to defend.

Patterns and specific shifts specific for the 4-4-2 which are based on constricted space and keeping numerical superiority around the ball in your own half.

Session Phase 1-Block Defending in a 4-4-2 with a focus on the Back Four and Midfield Blocks

Activity 1-The Back Four

SSG-The Back Four

Area-Defensive Third
Organization- set up four different cones-red,white,blue and yellow(or what ever you have), put these out in the positions the back four would be in. Try to make distance between realistic.
Performance of activity- Shout out a cone for example Red, the player will then move to PRESSURE the cone while the other three move to cover.
Coaching Points
1.Body position when pressuring in relation to supporting players.
2.Organisation of the 3 support players along the 1 up 3 back method.
3. Comminication.

Progression- SSG

Area-Defending Third
Organization-Add a player onto each of the cones, add a one small goal behing each defender.
Performance of Activity- Players on the cones must attempt to pass the the ball through one of the small goals.
Coaching Points
Coach the above but add:
1-Pressuring the ball, Where to SHOW the Player inside or outside.
2-Deny penetration, Bend runs,etc
3-Support and balance.
4-Moving when the ball does.

Activity 2-Midefield Block

SSG-The Midfield Four

Area-Midfield Four
Organization- set up four different cones-red,white,blue and yellow(or what ever you have), put these out in the positions the back four would be in. Try to make distance between realistic.
Performance of activity- Shout out a cone for example Red, the player will then move to PRESSURE the cone while the other three move to cover.
Coaching Points
1.Body position when pressuring in relaion to supporting players.
2.Organisation of the 3 support players along the 1 up 3 back method.
3.Comminication.

Progression- SSG

Area-Midfield Third
Organization-Add a player onto each of the cones, add a one small goal behind each defender.
Performance of Activity- Players on the cones must attempt to pass the the ball through one of the small goals.
Coaching Points
Coach the above but add:
1-Pressuring the ball, Where to SHOW the Player inside or outside.
2-Deny penetration, Bend runs,etc
3-Support and balance.
4-Moving when the ball does.

The use of 4v4 small sided games and drills in this phase is designed to be “global” in nature. Working on all four performance aspects as they relate to the system and aim, this is done as follows:

·         Fitness is worked on by repeating the movement to create stress on the aerobic system.

·         Technical aspects are worked on by focusing on 1v1defending principles as above.

·         Tactical aspects are also worked as outlined above with the focus on the block.

·         Psychological aspects are worked on by focusing on the mentality to press ,communication, concentration and decision making.

Session Phase 2-Defending as a Block of 8 adding Back Four to Midfeiled Four.

Activity-Phase of Play 11v8+1GK

Area-Full Pitch
Organization- set up the block of 8 and integrate the above two activities.
Performance of Activity- 11 attackers after starting in their own half must attempt to break down the block of 8, upon losing possession the play is re-set and repeated. If you have done the previous phase of the session correctly the block will be very difficult to attack.
Coaching Points
1-Integrate the role of the GK
2-1 up 3 back in midfield with support, when a midfield player pressure the ball the correspondig defender covers the SPACE behind.
3-Pressure,Cover and Balance.
4-Remaining compact.
5-Devolop timing and rythem in defensive SHIFTS.

Session Phase 3- 11v11 Integrate the strikers and focus on Defensive SHIFTS to create numerical superiority around the ball

Activity-Coaching in a Full Game working on team Patterns and Organization

Area-Full Pitch
Organization-11 attackers must attempt to attack the 4-4-2 with EVERY defending player working together as a Block.
Performance of Activity-Defenders must defend with there Block Mentality.When possession of the bal is lost attack re-sets in own half.
Coaching Points
1-Integrate the strikers with the block of 8, work on dropping into midfield and preventing back passing and inviting the Opponent in oen direction to make play predictable.
2-Defensive SHIFTS to create numerical superiority around the ball in own half.

The aims of this aspects of the session are to integrate all of the above and work on patterns of play which are specific to defending as a 4-4-2 with a focus on :

1.    Shifts for numerical superiority around the ball in own half.

2.    The role of strikers in dropping to press in the midfield.

3.    Working on coaching moments in real games situations which aim to further improve understanding of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 in different areas of the pitch as they relate to in game defensive tactics for the 4-4-2.

The aim of this session is to create a format which can coach the basic tactical elements of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4. At the same time the format enables the defence, midfield and attack to be integrated thus allowing for the principles of play in defending to maximise and the refined specifically for the 4-4-2.

Progression

Remove the re-set condition and integrate basic organization for set plays.

Refine points of previous activity to further enhance the quality of your defence in football situations.

Finish with free play and cool down of choice.

Develop Football Skill the Manchester United Way

Developing Football Skill 

By Rene Maulensteen

 
What should be the coaches aims for the session to develop football skill?

• Create football skill drills/games which revolve around technical challenges
• Cover all learning methods during the session
• The final aim of the session should be shaped and achieved by the technical challenges
• Structure the drills as much as possible but remove the structured coaching
• Avoid complexity
• Each challenges should be built on as templete for the full game scenario
• Perform the same skill on both feet
• The aim is mastery of technique in a problem solving setting- the more techniques a player is able to do and the more intelligently they can be applied the more effective they will be during performance
• Give the players time with the ball when ever possible

Deliberate practice within the context of the game 1

• Deliberate practice should not be focused on just one movement but should make use of variable pracitce to maximise results
• Football skill Drills/games should flow easily to keep high interest
• Use game realistic circuits which involve all of the following 1-Moving off the ball revolving around switching positions 2-Movement of the ball with patterns based on non switching positions 3- Continous movement 4-Contact on the ball using a variety of parts of the foot/other body parts. Preferably ending with a shot at goal each should have a few basic progressions.

Deliberate practice within the context of the game 2
 
Build on the pattern play above to create problems within the specific context of the game during a small sided games using 2v2 and then 4v4 games.

2v2 Football Skill

• Start from 2v2 toach the first player to the ball and the supporting player combined with the player on te ball and support player
• Use vairations of end zones, goals and nuetral players or wing/target players

4v4 Football Skill

• These should be built on the technique challenges of the previous 2v2
• Use 4 main formats:
• 4v4+GK 25x25 yard grid
• 4v4 two goals game 30x25 yard grid
• 4v4 four goals game 25x25 yard grid
• 4v4 end line/zone games 25x20 yard grid

Main coaching points during this part of the session:

1. Ball Control
2. 1v1 skills
3. Creative play
4. Passing and movement at high speed

What advantages will this give?
 
The main advantage is to give the players the dual benifit of deliberate practice and guided discovery. By repeating variations of techniques within problem solving settings players begin to think more effectively during performance. Using the above two formats the players can do this in the context of the principles of play while still getting high touches.

Internalising the coaching points
 
It is not enough for coaching points to be practiced they need to be internalised mentaly.
 
Use the Speak, Show and Do method.

Tell the player as simply as posibble what you will do, show via drawing a diagram then perform the finished move, skill, pattern ect.Covering all learning styles and using three layers of reinforcement of the coaching points to focus plyer mentaly. Deliberate practice with out understanding and motivation can cause deteriation of skill level both on a physical and mental level.

The main coaching areas for development

• Good positioning both attack and defending
• 1v1
• Fighting for second balls
• Movement off the ball both attacking/ defending
• The use of techniques and football skill to solve tactical problems
• Understanding of tactics
• Passing and possession
• High speed of play
• organisation of set plays

When creating problems for players to solve players should be asked how they would use techniques combined with right tactics to help them solve situations where the teams against them are capable of aspects of any of the above of their sub groups.

Six variables contributing to winning games

1. Winning 1v1 situations
2. High work rate
3. Team cohesion
4. Playing to set system of play or game plan
5. Winning mentality
6. Goals and saves

Six factors of effective performance

1. Athletic skills
2. High range of techniques mastered
3. Game intelligence
4. High speed of play under pressure

After considering the development of players for the game in order to get peak results the aim should be to take a players natural potential in as many of the above  10 areas as possible and enhance it as much as possible .....then keep them there for aslong as possible. Development should be judged by how much a player contributes with individual factors to the above team factors.

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.