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EVERTON

DAVID MOYES

THE
SWITCH
CHANGINGATTACKINGANGLESWITH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

•SPEED•PRECISION•INTELLIGENCE

COVENTRY CITY LEYTON ORIENT STEVENAGE LMA AMBASSADOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST

AIDY RUSSELL GRAHAM DAVID STEVE

BOOTHROYD SLADE WESTLEY PLEAT SUTTON
Transition Possession Shooting from Extra man Keeperreactions
game and retention distance overload play anddecisions
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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ISSUE 06 JANUARY 2011: FROM THE CHAIRMAN

03
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Tactical ingenuity fromthe David Mo
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football… The switch:
switcch:
Publisher: changing
g g
Kevin Barrow C
Dear Coach, attacking
Editor:
James Evans Welc
Welcome to the latest issue of Elite Soccer, the angles
Contributing Editor: mag
magazine - produced in association with the
Matthew Amos, LMA
Illustrator:
Leag
League Managers Association - that providess 06
Richard Palmer in-de
in-depth coaching knowledge and insight from m Aidy Boothroyd
Customer Services: coaches and performance specialists. COVENTRY CITY
Duncan Heard
Operations Director: We kick off 2011 with six superb sessions ns Transition
Toby Curthoys
Managing Director:
that offer a variety of coaching and me
game
Andrew Griffiths training scenarios across all areas of the pitch. The first offering
g
Photos: Action Images comes from Everton manager David Moyes. The Premier
League boss has produced a drill for us that examines the
techniques and benefits involved in switching attacking play with
Publishedinpartnershipwith:
pace and precision.
08
Russell
Coventry City manager Aidy Boothroyd introduces a transition Slade
game through zones and sectors, while Leyton Orient boss LEYTON ORIENT
League Managers
Association Russell Slade explains how possession and retention of the ball – Possessionn
The Camkin Suite,
1 Pegasus House,
particularly in midfield areas – is so valuable. and retention
retention
Tachbrook Park, Warwick, In addition, Graham Westley, manager of Stevenage, provides
CV34 6LW, UK
Tel: +(0)1926 831 556
a training session which focuses on shooting from distance, 10
1
Email: lma@lmasecure.com while LMA Ambassador David Pleat and Nottingham Forest’s G
Graham
President: Steve Sutton look at extra man overload play and goalkeeping W
Westley
Fabio Capello STEVENAGE
S
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Shooting
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2 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

EVERTON
David THE SWITCH: CHANGING ATTACKING ANGLES: MAIN SESSION
Moyes SET-UP
The switch: AREA
changing 55x35 yards
attacking
angles
Overview:
EQUIPMENT
Set of poles, balls
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
1
14
This session
is designed to What do I get the
encourage and players to do?
develop quick and
We play 7v7, with
incisive football.
each team defending
Players should be
three goals spaced
looking to quickly
at equal points along
switch the point KEY
the longer sides. The Ball
movement
of attack, utilising Player
coach serves the ball movement The yellow team begins
forward and angled Dribble
with possession of the
to one team, whose
passing, one-twos, ball
aim is to score in any of
plus intelligent off-
the opposition’s three
the-ball movement.
goals. In possession,
The ability to retain
the attacking team
possession and
must aim to pass
switch play quickly
quickly and switch play,
and effectively
looking for forward
is important for
breaking down and
moving opposition
and angled passes. If
they cannot score, they
must keep the ball.
2
defences about,
therefore creating What are the key
space for goalscoring things to look
opportunities. for technically/
tactically?
This method worked
brilliantly in our Technically we are
Premier League looking for players to
match at Blackpool move the ball quickly KEY

in November. whilst maintaining Ball

movement
Player
Attacking down the control at all times. movement
Dribble Players construct quick
left side, Blackpool We’d expect the switch passing moves

had good cover and of play to vary in its

forced us to play execution - either a
backwards. Steven number of short quick
Pienaar quickly passes or one long ball.
dropped the ball In addition, there are
into John Heitinga key tactical aspects
who immediately to be achieved. If
switched the point
of attack to the right
side, where Seamus
possible, we look for
the attacking team
to manufacture 2v1
3
Coleman progressed situations on the
1v1 with the left- opposite side of the
back. Our midfielder play (i.e. in non-ball
won the first ball, areas). The switch is
moved in on goal, and progressive and should
scored. ultimately end with
goalscoring situations
created from crosses, KEY
Ball
movement
shots or one-twos. Player
movement The left-sided player
Dribble creates space for the switch

3 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

EVERTON
David Moyes THE SWITCH: CHANGING ATTACKING ANGLES: PROGRESSION

How do I
progress the
session?
We progress the
session with the
introduction of
sweepers. Each
team has one
sweeper who plays
1
behind the goal
line, therefore off
the playing area.
Neither team can
score in a goal that
the sweeper is
protecting. KEY
Ball
movement
The introduction of Player
movement
Each team now
sweepers forces Dribble employs a sweeper
to block off any of the
the players to keep three goals
their heads up in
order to establish
where attacking play
should be directed.
The presence of this
player on each team
should encourage
the opposition
players to switch
2
the point of attack
quickly before the
sweeper is able
to get across and
defend.
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement The yellow team must
Dribble work the ball away
from a protected goal

“The switch is
progressive
and should 3
ultimately
end with
goalscoring
situations
created from KEY
Ball
movement
Possession changes
crosses, Player
movement
Dribble hands and a quick switch
puts the winger in on an
shotsorone- unguarded goal

twos.”
4 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

THE SWITCH: CHANGING ATTACKING ANGLES: GAME SITUATION

How would you put
this into a game
situation?
David Moyes The drill can be
EVERTON increased to 10 or
Everton manager
David Moyes has been
the recipient of the
11-a-side to become a
game situation.
In terms of playing
1
LMA Manager of the area, use a half pitch
Year Award on three
extended a few yards
separate occasions.
past the halfway line.
The Glasgow-born
There is one full-sized
centre-back always
had an eye on the
goal at the end of the
tactical side of the game pitch and three small
having started taking goals positioned just KEY
Ball
movement
his coaching badges beyond the halfway Player
movement
The blue team,
attacking one goal,
at the age of 22. But line, spaced equally Dribble
constructs passes
first he enjoyed a long along the line, as in the
and successful playing diagram.
career, clocking up The yellow team,
over 500 competitive
which has a keeper in
appearances for Celtic,
Cambridge United,
place, can score in any
Bristol City, Shrewsbury of the three goals. It
Town, Dunfermline must construct moves
Athletic, Hamilton building from the back.
The blue team attacks
2
Academical and
Preston North End. the one full-sized goal.
It was at Preston where Tactically, it must retain
the Scot first stepped shape and position
into management, and should press from
guiding the Deepdale the front given they are
club into the League shooting at only one
Two play-offs in his first target.
full season in charge.
We encourage
Following promotion,
and a high finish the
attacking play with KEY
Ball

following year, Everton a positive outcome movement

Player
Here, a switch is made to
movement the left-winger in space
moved to install Moyes every time. Teams Dribble

as replacement for must play one-twos,

Walter Smith in March crosses, unleash shots
2002. and perform switches
The manager staved off between playing areas.
the immediate threat Depending on the
of relegation and has coach’s requirements,
since earned the club the session’s focus
Champions League and
can alter between the
Europa League football,
defensive or offensive
as well as an FA Cup
final appearance.
He has also overseen
elements of switching
possession play. 3
the development of
brilliant young players
such as Wayne Rooney
and Jack Rodwell.

In this instance,
KEY
Ball a shorter pass has been
movement
Player intercepted to create a
movement
Dribble goalscoring opportunity for
the yellow team

5 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

COVENTRY CITY
Aidy TRANSITION GAME: MAIN SESSION
Boothroyd SET-UP
Transition AREA
game 20x20 yards
Overview: EQUIPMENT

This session is Cones, balls

based on defending NUMBER OF PLAYERS

in overloads yet 9 (3 teams of 3)

incorporates both
defensive and
offensive elements,
What do I get the
players to do?
1
as well as helping We set up a box in the
players feel shape of a St George’s
comfortable when flag, using cones to
keeping the ball in mark out the internal
tight areas. It requires lines. The yellow team
quick movements starts with the ball,
and good reactions. passing amongst KEY
Ball
movement
themselves and Player
movement
The yellow team begins
It is important to keeping possession in Dribble with possession while
practise this because a grey player looks to
one box. The red team intercept
it brings together all of three places a player
game components in each of the vacant
in one scenario – boxes, while the grey
attacking, defending, team begins in the
passing, and the centre.
need for players to be
alert to receiving the
ball or stopping an
opponent.
In this instance, the grey
team acts as defenders.
One enters the three-
2
man box, attempting
The session also to win possession
looks at recognition from the yellows,
of space, when to whose task is to keep
play beyond the the ball for five passes
opposition and when before transferring it
to play in between. to any red. Should they KEY
Ball
succeed, the other reds movement
Player After five passes, the
now move to the square movement
Dribble ball is moved to a red
where possession player
is, yellows move to
individual squares, and
a new grey defender
comes forward to break
up play (his team-mate
returns to the centre).
“The session
is about
Should the ball be
intercepted by a grey 3
recognition defender, he must
attempt to pass out
of space, to a team-mate. If he
when to play succeeds, rotate teams
so that the yellows
beyond the (who lost possession)
opposition, become defenders.
KEY
Ball

and when movement

Player
movement
Dribble
Yellow players retreat
to separate squares as
to play in a new grey defender
approaches
between.”
6 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

TRANSITION GAME: PROGRESSION

What are the key

things to look
for technically/
Aidy Boothroyd tactically?
COVENTRY CITY Defenders need to
Aidy Boothroyd was get out quickly and all
appointed manager of players should show

1
npower Championship awareness of others’
side Coventry City in positions in such tight
May 2010. passing areas, as well
Prior to that, the as being quick to react
39-year-old had to possession being
guided Watford into
overturned. No players
the Barclays Premier
League just 14 months
should ‘ball watch’.
after becoming the The move also requires
Football League’s quick thinking in the
youngest manager. event of possession KEY
Ball
Although the Hornets changing hands. movement
Player Grey wins possession and
movement
spent only a solitary How do I progress Dribble his team breaks out on
season in the top flight, the attack
the session?
they did claim an FA Cup
semi-final berth, and Progress the session
responded the following by adding more
year by finishing in a players, varying the
play-off spot. number of touches, or
After Watford, changing the number
Boothroyd joined
Colchester United,
guiding the Essex club
to eighth in League One
of passes that need to
be completed by the
team in possession.
2
Making the playing
before switching to area bigger increases
Coventry. the need for accurate
As a player, the passing over greater
Yorkshireman turned distances.
out for clubs including
Huddersfield Town, We also like to add in a
Bristol Rovers, Hearts, goalscoring element KEY
Ball
movement
Mansfield Town and whereby if a defender Player
movement
Approaching goal he
wins possession and Dribble decides whether to go
Peterborough United;
alone…
and after his career passes out to a team-
cut short his playing mate, they then turn
career at the age of 27, to attack a goal in any
he accepted senior of the three squares
academy coaching roles protected by a lone
at Norwich City and
opponent.
West Bromwich Albion,
as well as landing the
job of first-team coach
at Leeds United.
The player can choose
to go alone or might
combine with a team-
3
mate to score. Team-
mates of the player
whose goal is under
attack must track back
to prevent a goal being
scored.
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
… or involve a team-
movement
Dribble
mate, though opposition
yellows are closing in

7 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LEYTON ORIENT
Russell POSSESSION AND RETENTION: MAIN SESSION
Slade SET-UP
Possession AREA
and 40x40 yards with an
retention inner 15v15 square
EQUIPMENT
Overview:
Poles, marker discs,
The fundamental
principle of retaining
possession occurs
in every game. In
balls
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
16 (7v7 plus two
1
neutral players)
particular, the ability
to hold the ball in What do I get the
midfield areas is players to do?
crucial to any side, We play 7v7 in the large
with an eye on good square, with a pole
movement and fluid positioned centrally KEY
Ball
rotation from forward along each long movement The white team combines
Player
movement to free a player fixed
and wide players. touchline. Two players Dribble
to the pole, who is then
Gaining control of from each team are replaced by his team-
the midfield often fixed to poles opposite mate
equates to gaining one another. These
control of the game, players can only be
so this is a session released when brought
that will we practise into play by a team-
often. mate, who must pass
the ball to him and take
his place on the pole.
The team in
possession can use
2
the two neutral players
(who must always
remain in the small
square) for overload
advantage, therefore
creating a 9v7 game. KEY
Ball
The result is a passing movement
Player They utilise the two
and possession game movement
Dribble neutral players
between fixed and
mobile team-mates.
Should the ball go out
of play or possession
be turned over, the
other team restarts
and can now utilise the
two neutral players.

“Gaining
What are the key
things to look
for technically/
3
control of tactically?
This is a session that
the midfield requires quality
often passing, intelligent
decision-making and
equates excellent movement
to gaining and rotation. Players KEY
Ball
movement A tackle is made and the
must adopt good Player

control of the passing angles, clever

movement
Dribble
orange team combines to
good effect
game.” timing and strong

8 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

POSSESSION AND RETENTION: PROGRESSION

positional awareness.
Holding onto
possession and being
Russell Slade willing to free a fixed
LEYTON ORIENT man are the main aims
Russell Slade has been of the session.
in charge of London
side Leyton Orient
How do I progress
since April 6, 2010,
the session?
and succeeded in We progress by
preserving the club’s creating a scenario that
rehearses players in
1
npower League One
status last term. gaining control of the
This year, Orient game specifically in
are performing well midfield areas. We use
again despite limited 14 players in a 60x30
resources relative to yard playing area - the
some of their rivals, longer side split into KEY Both end zones are
Ball
though it is a scenario movement utilised before a pass is
three 20 yard zones. On Player
movement laid into the middle zone
that Slade thrives
each side of the central Dribble
on having previously
steered Yeovil Town
zone is an area extended
and Brighton & Hove 5 yards outwards.
Albion to strong finishes The overloads are 5v1 in
in the division on small the far zone, 3v1 in the
budgets. middle section (with two
Slade began in coaching attackers fixed wide)
as caretaker manager and 3v1 in the near zone.
of Notts County in
In the 3v1 near zone,
1994, and moved on
to Sheffield United
an attacking player
before taking charge at starts with the ball. A
Scarborough in 2001.
He performed heroics
at the Conference club,
minimum of two passes
are made before a
long ball is played into
2
in particular guiding the far zone. At least
them on an enthralling two passes are made
FA Cup run that ended before a pass to either The wide orange players
KEY
with a tight 1-0 defeat to of the wide players in Ball
movement
can now move infield with
Chelsea. Player the defender looking to
the central 3v1 zone. movement
Dribble break down the move
He moved on to Grimsby Receiving a pass frees
in 2004, taking them to both wide players. Two
the League Two play-off of those in the middle
final, before switching
now head to the near
to Yeovil, where he
achieved the club’s
zone to create a new 5v1
highest-ever league overload. Two attackers
finish – fifth in League from the far zone move
One. into the middle zone to
occupy the now vacant
wide areas. Play can
now be played back in
the other direction.
The key area is the
middle third, yet players
3
are using both end
zones to launch midfield
player exchanges, a KEY
The oranges switch into
Ball the original starting
weapon that can be movement
Player zone and are replaced
movement
utilised to great effect in Dribble – therefore the 5v1 and
matchday situations. 3v1 end zones have been
switched

9 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

STEVENAGE
Graham SHOOTING FROM DISTANCE: MAIN SESSION
Westley SET-UP
Shooting AREA
from Two penalty areas
distance pushed together, with
cones laid diagonally
Overview: from each goalpost to
This is a session the halfway point of
designed to improve
shooting ability,
particularly for
the touchline on each
side
EQUIPMENT
1
midfield players Goals, balls, cones
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
in and around the
edge of the penalty 12 (6v6, 4 players
and a keeper in the
box. The ability to defensive half,
contribute a good 1 player in the
quantity of goals is attacking half)
an important aspect KEY
Ball
Stage one: yellow receives
of any midfielder’s What do I get the
movement
Player
movement a pass and shoots from
game. At Stevenage players to do? Dribble
within his own half
we rely a lot on this We play 6v6 with
contribution, and each team attacking
in a recent league a goal – play begins
match against with the keeper who
Rotherham United, must roll the ball to
John Mousinho fired a player in his half. In
home from outside
the area in style to
salvage a point at one
of the League Two
stage one there is only
one player forward
in the attacking half.
2
Players cannot cross
promotion favourites. the halfway line
We play three stages and must construct
of the session for passing moves to the
eight minutes each point where a player
then conclude with takes a shot from
a 12-minute small- inside his own half. KEY
sided game. The lone forward in the Ball
movement
Stage two: with an
Player
attacking half needs to movement
Dribble overload in each half,
be alert to any rebound defenders and attackers
work for position and
opportunities. space.
In stage two, three
players and a
goalkeeper are in the
defensive half, with
two in the attacking
“The ability
to be able to
half. A shot must still
be dispatched from
the defensive half,
3
contribute but the two attacking
a good players must work
to draw defenders
quantity of across and obscure the
goals is an keeper’s line of vision,
whilst continuing to
important stay alert to rebound KEY
Ball
movement
Stage three: long-range
aspect of any opportunities. Player
movement
Dribble
shots are combined with
In stage three, we passing moves into the
midfielder’s progress to chances opposition half

game.” in and around the goal

10 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SHOOTING FROM DISTANCE: PROGRESSION

where the ball can

be passed into the
attacking half.
Graham Players will always
Westley have an overload in
STEVENAGE
one half or the other.
Graham Westley is To make the most of
the popular, forward- this session, they are
thinking manager of
npower League Two
side Stevenage.
encouraged to take
shooting opportunities
and look for quick play
1
The 42-year-old is
in and around the box
now in his second and
most successful spell
in order to create goal
in charge at Broadhall scoring chances.
The yellow team builds
Way having secured the What are the key KEY
from the back
club promotion to the things to look Ball
movement
Player
Football League for the for technically/ movement
Dribble
first time last season, as tactically?
they strode to the Blue
Square Conference title
In this session, we
in style. look for players with
vision to be able to
Westley, who is known
for his motivational
create space by using
team-talks, has quick interchange
taken charge of over play. Technical ability
400 games for the is important given the
Hertfordshire outfit, limited space available,
plus Farnborough
Town, Rushden
& Diamonds and
while players receiving
the ball on the half
turn need to be aware
2
Kettering Town. He of all forward options
won Stevenage the FA around them, whether
Trophy at Wembley in
that’s a pass to a team-
2009.
mate or a shot. The ball must be laid
Westley had a long KEY
back from the final third
playing career in How would you put Ball
movement
before a shot can be
London and the Home this into a game Player
movement
taken
Counties, turning out for situation? Dribble

the likes of QPR, Barnet, To put this into a game

Gillingham, Wycombe situation we set up an
Wanderers, plus a host area of 54x30 yards,
of non-league clubs.
with the length divided
into three 18-yard
zones. Play a standard
9v9 game, with the
goalkeeper beginning
play from the back.
Ensure that goal
“We look for
players with
scoring only comes as
a result of a shot from
the middle zone, and
3
vision to be only after play has been
built into the end zone
able to create and the ball laid back. The keeper saves but
space by KEY
Ball
the rebound finds the
target
using quick movement
Player
movement
Dribble

interchange
play.”
11 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LMA AMBASSADOR
David Pleat EXTRA MAN AND OVERLOAD PLAY: MAIN SESSION
Extra SET-UP
man and AREA
overload 80x18 yards, the
play length divided into the
three areas (25, 30 and
Overview: 25 yards)
This is a progressive EQUIPMENT
practice session Cones, goals, balls
that trains players NUMBER OF PLAYERS
in the usefulness of 10
forward passing and
the benefits of
overloading
areas. The session
What do I get the
players to do?
1 A 2v1 overload in the first
embraces all key The coach serves a third works the ball into
the next zone
elements of the ball into the defensive
game, including third where one of
freeing up space, the two defenders
keeping possession, receives possession. KEY
Ball

making passing The lone opposition movement

Player
movement

angles and, notably, player works to delay Dribble

finishing. play and, if possible,

intercept and clear.
The practice starts
with a basic set-up In this 2v1 situation
and designated a pass is played into
players in each third the middle third
of the pitch, but a where there is a 2v2
coach can add arrangement. Once
difficulty by the ball has been
increasing playing
numbers and
adjusting the size of
received, either of the
defenders can move
forward to make a 3v2
2 A supporting player joins
the zones, up to a overload. the middle third and play
advances again
point where the The three in the middle
entire squad is zone now work to keep
involved. the ball against the two
defenders before the KEY
Ball
movement
opportunity to pass Player
movement
forward to the final Dribble

zone, where there is a

1v1 situation. Once the
ball is moved forward,
one of the middle three
“The set- advances to make a
up for this 2v1, the two working
for an early shot at goal.
practice What are the key
is perfect
for any
things to look out
for tactically/
technically?
3 The final overload results
imaginative An appreciation of
in a shot at goal

coach when and where to

pass is crucial, as is the
because the use of soft, angled and
KEY
variations shorter passes, plus
positive and early shots
Ball
movement
Player

and aims are

movement
Dribble
at goal. Players need to
endless.” work for space whilst

12 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

EXTRA MAN AND OVERLOAD PLAY: PROGRESSION

reta
retaining possession, The diagrams
below illustrate
so tthe timing and three selected
communication of
com progressions
David Pleat forward runs is
LMA AMBASSADOR essential. Players
David Pleat is a vastly should never get
experienced figure in caught square of each
the football world – other, and movement
most notably a former towards and away from
manager of Luton Town,
Tottenham Hotspur and
Sheffield Wednesday.
the ball (‘going’ and
‘checking’) is
important in creating
1
He currently combines space.
TV work with the role of
Consultant for npower How do I progress
Championship club the sesssion?
Natural Progression
Nottingham Forest, and There are several KEY Bigger teams and a
his advice is regularly progressions Ball
movement larger playing area offers
sought by the football including:
Player
movement room for more intricate
Dribble
authorities. passing moves in this
a. A player cannot progression
Pleat’s time in
management is most
advance until the
synonymous with recipient in the next
the 1980s, having zone has had contact
masterminded Luton with the ball.
Town’s top flight b. The player who
survival over the course played the ball into the
of a number of seasons. next zone cannot be the
Moving on to Spurs, player who advances -
Pleat led the north
London club to a third-
place finish in his first
year at White Hart Lane,
one of his team-mates
must react instead.
c. Players must
2
as well as an FA Cup keep the ball for a
final appearance. A specified time before
short spell at Leicester being joined by a new
Progression C
City followed, and after player or progressing KEY The coach can determine
a brief return to Luton, themselves. Ball
movement a minimum time for the
Player
he took the reins at movement ball to be retained within
Sheffield Wednesday,
d. When the ball enters Dribble
a zone
guiding the club into the attacking zone, a
Europe in 1997. strike on goal must
Later, he returned to
be achieved within a
Tottenham as Director certain amount of time.
of Football before b. At the end of an
concentrating on his attack, the move can
broadcast career. be reversed so that
As a footballer, Pleat the opposite end is
played in the lower attacked - another goal
leagues before injury
cut short his playing
career at the age of 28.
and keeper is required.
f. After an attack is
completed, a server
3
crosses the ball into
the attacking zone for a
goalkeeping practice.
Progression F
The set-up for this KEY In this progression, a
Ball
practice is perfect for movement
Player
second ball is crossed into
the middle for an additional
any imaginative coach movement
Dribble
attacking phase
because the variations
and aims are endless.

13 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Steve KEEPER REACTIONS AND DECISIONS: MAIN SESSION
Sutton SET-UP
Keeper AREA
reactions Centre circle
and EQUIPMENT
decisions 3 goals, balls
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Overview:
5 (3 keepers, 2 or
This session involves
decision-making,
angle work and
reactions in a
more set-up players)

What do I get the

players to do?
1
restricted space. Each keeper takes
The tight playing his place in one of the
area, combined with three goals positioned
the challenge of around the centre
shots being fired in circle. From the open
at varying height and side, the server fires KEY
Ball
movement
speed is designed to the ball towards a Player
movement
The target man
replicate instances Dribble deflects the server’s
player positioned in the ball to his left
of loose balls in centre of the playing
the penalty area area. This target man’s
(for example, from job is to either leave the
corners and free- ball or deflect it into
kicks). one of the three goals.
It is important to All three keepers
practise this session
because it tests
brilliantly goal-
remain on their goal
lines, and must be
reactive any time the
2
keepers’ reactions, ball changes direction.
decision-making and Before moving on to
awareness of angles, the next stage, rotate
as well as the ability keepers.
to pick up on loose We now progress to
balls. varying the serve angle
We frequently – each keeper must KEY
Ball
movement
see this session remain on his line so Player
movement
This time he flicks
a header towards a
producing notable as to create situations Dribble
different goal
results. In our recent where he needs to
Championship react quickly to a
match against Cardiff deflection. Rebounds,
City, goalkeeper Lee however, are ‘live’,
Camp was called and the ball in the area
upon to make a string must be smothered or
of reaction saves in dealt with.
order to protect our
lead. We went on to
Next, we bring the
goals in to within 8
3
score a second goal yards from the centre
to clinch the game spot. This tightened
2-0. space serves to
increase the need for
good reactions from
the goalkeepers. The
central player has KEY
Ball
movement
three big targets to aim Player
movement
Bringing the goals in
makes saving shots
at, while the server can Dribble
increasingly difficult for
also fire directly at goal keepers
if a keeper appears out
of position.

14 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net

 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

KEEPER REACTIONS AND DECISIONS: PROGRESSION

In the fourth stage, the

servers move to the
opposite side of the
Steve Sutton centre circle meaning
NOTTINGHAM that two of the keepers
FOREST are unsighted with
Steve Sutton is
goalkeeping coach at
npower Championship
club Nottingham
the ball being played
in from over their
shoulders.
1
Forest. What are the key
A former top-flight things to look
keeper, Sutton is best for technically/
known for his time tactically?
spent working under Keepers need to be on
Brian Clough at the City their toes and alive to
Ground throughout the all situations. Quick KEY
1980s. The Hartington- Ball The serve position has
foot movements, movement
Player changed leaving the
born stopper made 199 good hand positions
movement
Dribble keeper unsighted until
appearances for Forest the last second
and speedy reactions
before leaving the club
in 1992 when he signed
to second balls are
for Derby County, as essential. Each keeper
replacement for the must ensure he is
legendary Peter Shilton. covering his goal at all
Sutton went on to times, even when the
play for Reading, ball is past it.
Birmingham City and
Grantham Town before
hanging up his gloves at
How do I progress
the session?
We progress the
2
the age of of 37. He took
up coaching posts at session by taking the
Leeds United and Notts keepers into a 9v9
County before finding game situation, using
his way back to Forest, full-size goals on a
and has been bringing half pitch that is the
through the next breed width of the penalty KEY
of goalkeeper at the area. A tram line runs Ball
movement
Player
club since since 2006. down each flank where movement In a game situation,
Dribble
keepers must deal with a
a neutral winger is variety of balls from the
positioned. flanks
The keeper distributes
to a wide man who
can use two touches
to send a variety of
different crosses
into the box. All other
players are one-touch,
and are encouraged
3
to rotate positions and
make breaks into the
“Each keeper box in order to divert
must ensure crosses towards
goal. Progress this to
he is covering developing play that
his goal at all builds from the back KEY
Ball
movement
into midfield, and then
times, even wide to the flanks.
Player
movement
Dribble
Play is this time built
through midfield before
when the ball being sent wide where the
end result is a cut-back
is past it.”
15 JANUARY 2011 www.elitesoccercoaching.net