As always we filmed the session.  I was happy with everything up to my possession game.  The idea of the possession game was to take the idea of the passing short & keeping possession to a set number of passes before switching the ball to another grid.  I must admit I didn’t get the results from it that I intended but as coaches it is important to realise this & adapt.  Either by making a change to the game or simply bin the idea!  Never continually force the players to do something that is not achieving what you have set out to do.  I quickly assessed this & knew it was time to switch the session.  My Academy assistant had the next stage of the session set up & transferred the players over.

Warm up…

Control Game With Keepers

Emphasis

Passing, control / first touch, communication & catching for goalkeeper.

Set-Up

Players spread out around half a pitch in a circle.  All players on the outside have a ball.  One outfield player works inside the circle without a ball & with a goalkeeper.

Objectives

In turn outfield players drive the ball in toward the middle player.  They must control for the keeper to combine & catch.  For each successful touch by the outfield player & catch by the keeper they receive a point.

Keeper should throw the ball back to the server.

Progressions

1. Rotate outfield player in centre.
2. Operate as a competition.
3. Set a time limit.
4. Vary the service.
5. Limit the outfield player in the centre to one touch.
6. Condition what part of the body they must use.
7. Get the inside player to work the keeper by not offering them ‘presents’.  Make them work to catch the ball.

Coaching

• Quality passing from servers.
• Good first touch.
• Communication.
• Catching technique.
• Distribution.

Again we operated with a few variations.  We started with the player in the middle taking turn to rotate with outside player while juggling the ball.  This developed to adding 2 players to take it in turn to remain in the middle of the circle to combine together.  This is ideal to work with an outfield player & goalkeeper.

The Technical Bit…

We then got players to work in groups of 3 with 2 balls.  This was to get their footwork & passing going to a nice high tempo.  Nice session to improve peripheral vision & of course when we talk about that the player that springs to mind is Paul Scholes.  Did you know he used to do a warm up with his eyes before every match?!

The Paul Scholes Passing Session

Emphasis

Paul Scholes of Manchester United is renowned for his vision.  His ability of passing the ball over 40 yards at ease is superb to watch.  What makes Paul Scholes a world class player is his vision.

This session is perfect to improve your players’ peripheral vision.  This is a part of vision that occurs outside the very centre of gaze.

Set-Up

3 players stand in a triangle.  The player at the top of the triangle stands in between the 2 players with the ball.

You can use cones if necessary.

Objectives

The players with a ball, in turn, pass to the target.  They must pass the ball across the targets body so they pass back with the inside of their foot.

The target player works both feet but should stand with open body looking straight down the middle of the facing players.  They should look to play one touch & increase the speed of play.

The player at the top of the triangle works for 30 seconds – 1 minute then changes.

Progressions

1. Instead of letting the ball come across your body & passing with the inside of your foot, vary to pass near side & with the outside of your foot.
2. Increase / decrease distance between players.

Coaching

• Stand open body.
• Weight & accuracy of pass.
• First touch.
• Peripheral vision.
• Communication & understanding.

This then led in nicely to our passing drill.  When you watch the video you will see I had 2 grids set up to suit my group size.  This also formed the basis for my development in the Barca Passing Sequence before using the set up for the final possession game.  Use your set up wisely.  No waiting about for players & it doesn’t put you under pressure either!

Passing Drill

Emphasis

Pass, move & support session.

Set-Up

20 x 20 yard grid with 2 players & one ball at one corner & then another player at each corner.

Objectives

Player passes to next corner & follows their pass for lay off & return the pass, one-two.

Progressions

1. Change of direction to use other foot.
2. Skip out the return pass & play direct to the next corner, i.e. play ‘give & go’.  (See diagram.)

Coaching

• Good passing.
• First touch & lay off.
• Movement, don’t wait on pass.
• Timing & weight of pass.
• Communication.

This is what I call my boring passing drill.  It simply was to get the players used to playing the ball…also checking before receiving & some basic combinations like ’1-2′s’ & ‘give-&-gos’.  This developed on to the next development that allowed the players a bit more freedom.

Barca Passing Sequence

Emphasis

Emphasis is based on pass & move that the great Barcelona demonstrate with the likes of Iniesta, Xavi & Messi.  Looking for the short pass, short pass then killer through ball.

Set-Up

Set up as per diagram, 2 cones facing each other approx 20 yards apart.  Have a supply of balls at either end.

Objectives

First passing sequence with the red players;

• Player A makes the first pass to player B who has checked & moved away.
• Player B then lays the ball off to player C.
• Player A then over laps player B to receive the pass in space from player C.
• Player A then passes to player D.
• Player D operates the same sequence but as a mirror image.

Second passing sequence with the yellow players;

• Player A makes the first pass to player B who has checked & moved away.  Player A then follows their pass.
• Player B then lays the ball off to player C.
• Player B then over laps player C to receive the pass in space from player A.
• Player B then passes to player D.
• Player D operates the same sequence but as a mirror image.

Progressions

1. Vary distance & technique of pass.
2. Look at creating different passing movements.
3. Finish with a shot at goal.

Coaching

• Communication & understanding.  Player should shout, ‘set’.
• Players should use 1 or 2 touches only & use both feet.
• Play ‘side on’.
• Movement on / off ball.
• Speed of play.
• Quality passing, weight & accuracy.

Really happy with the session & players find it easy to identify by using pro players / teams to explain.  How many times do you see Xavi, Iniesta & Messi combine like this?  To finish of my part of the academy session I took everything that we had worked with into a possession game focusing on switching the ball.

The Tactical Bit…

Break Out Game

Emphasis

Possession game encouraging movement off the ball & support play.

Set-Up

Session takes place in a 50 x 20 yard area.  3 sections are divided inside this area.  First section is 20 x 20, second section is 10 x 20 & third section is 20 x 20.

Objectives

Play takes place in the first section with a 5 v 2 possession game.  After set number of passes have been reached the ball should be passed into section 2 for a team mate to run onto.

They then pass & link up in section 3 to continue the possession game of 5 v 2.

For each successful attack the attackers receive a goal.  If the defenders should win possession they receive a goal for 3 consecutive passes.

Progressions

1. Rotate players roles.
2. 1 or 2 touch passing.
3. Ball must be chipped into area 2.
4. Extra players introduced.
5. Area made smaller to demand better control & movement.

Coaching

• Work rate on / off ball.
• Quality passing.
• Look for space.
• Width & support.
• Look to switch.
• Communication & understanding.

With being a player short I operated 4 v 2 in each end zone.  Although this offered no real incentive for the defending team.  I adapted the game so we had 3 teams, i.e. 3 teams of 4 players.  The focus was still on 4 v 2 in each end zone.  If the orange team kept the ball for 5 passes in their zone they would transfer the ball to the yellow team in the other end zone to do the same.  If the 2 players from the blue team won the ball from the yellows the other 2 blue players would switch from the other end zone to join them while 2 yellow players would switch grids, i.e. it was the yellow team trying to win the ball back as their punishment while the blue team tried to complete 5 passes before combining with the orange team.

The players found this quite confusing & as I was not getting the results I wanted from the game I decided to finish this part of the session early.  As coaches never be afraid to change or move on.  Don’t force players to continually do something that no one is benefiting from!  My Academy assistant was then ready to transfer the players over to work on playing through the midfield.  We then finished with some free play.

Coaches, always adapt.  My diagrams above will show a certain amount of players but if you don’t have enough – adapt!  Adjust the size of the pitch too.  Insure your players enjoy the training but demand a lot of hard work from them at the same time.

Let me know how you get on if you use with your own team.  Always feel free to re-post & share as long as you link back to my blog.

Want more info?  You can access over 450 of my session plans by clicking here!  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or You Tube

The other nice thing about filming the sessions, apart from sharing with you, is that I can review my own session & player performance.  When watching back at the 3 v 1 session I was not happy with the tempo…as I walked around other grids offering coaching points one or two players got lazy in the grid I had started with – the camera never misses a thing!  While I edit the videos to share the session plans I think I’ll not edit the videos so players can watch their performance.  This is perfect to increase their performance & decision making.

Warm Up…

Barca Keepie Ups

Emphasis

Fun game for players to ‘show off’ their juggling skills!

Set-Up

Split players into groups.  They make a circle & join hands.  One ball per group.  Mark out an area using cones where groups have to start from & finish.

Objectives

Groups must perform keepie ups & move from one side of the area to the other.  They can then race back to the starting point.

The ball must be kept off the ground while performing keepie ups between each other.

Progressions

1. Rather than move from one side of the coaching area to the other have groups perform in the same area joining hands.  If a player mis controls they leave the circle.  Play until there is a winner.

Coaching

• Be confident & comfortable on the ball.
• Keep body relaxed.
• Keep eye on the ball.
• Good control over ball.
• Communication.

You’ll see from the video we operated 2 variations.  One where the players stand stationary joining hands then develop to moving with the ball.  This is something we will operate on near a weekly basis to improve their juggling & ball control.  Don’t be put off doing these type of games from a young age…you will see improvement on a week to week basis!

The Technical Bit…

My Academy Assistant, Lee Hodge, then performed an excellent ball mastery & passing session.  Watch the ball skills session here & his passing session here.

To increase the tempo we developed to a fun 1 v 1 session that I call Power Ball after the Gladiator game.

Power Ball!

Emphasis

Like the Gladiators game but instead of carrying the ball & throwing into baskets, players dribble the ball & try to shoot them into mini goals.

The emphasis is on 1 v 1 defending.

Set-Up

The game takes place inside a 30 x 30 yard grid with 6 mini goals placed equally around the outside.  You can adapt the size of the pitch to suit your group.

A large supply of balls is placed inside a small square in the middle of the grid.

Objectives

Two equal teams compete to concede the least amount of goals.

One team play as forwards & continually dribble balls out of the central area aiming to beat the defenders & score.

Defenders must try & stop the attackers.  The session starts with as many balls as possible & in a 1 v 1 environment.

Once it gets down to the last couple of balls the attackers look to combine.  Defenders must also operate as a unit.

Teams change roles for the next game.

Progressions

1. Players changes roles.
2. Attackers can change point of attack & dribble towards another goal to see how defender adapts.
3. Defenders protect one goal so must communicate to pass attackers on to a team mate.  This will help improve communication, understanding, balance & covering.

Coaching

For defenders;

• Deny time & space for opponents.
• Pressure first touch.
• Close down space quickly.
• Jockey opponents.
• Force player wide – away from goal.
• Tackle opponent correctly – not from behind, make contact with ball & ensure correct timing.
• Don’t go to ground unless the ball is played to a team mate or out of play.
• Balance & covering.
• Defending as a unit.
• When to mark – when to drop off.
• Showing a player inside – outside.

For attackers;

• Speed of play – run at the defenders.
• Turns & skills.
• Good close control of the ball.
• Decision making.
• Quality finishing.
• Be confident & direct.
• Follow in shots.

The boys automatically looked to combine with each other in the last game of Power Ball so the overall session developed well with the introduction of 3 v 1.  I had set up four 10 x 10 yard grids with a 5 yard safety area between each.  This offered a perfect 25 x 25 yard pitch for Power Ball then the 4 grids were set up to walk in to.  This is an important factor as coaches…prepare your set up wisely as players hate standing about!

3 V 1

Emphasis

Keep the ball, movement off the ball.

Set-Up

3 attackers play against 1 defender in a 10 x 10 yard grid.

Objectives

Attackers try to keep the ball from the defender for as long as possible. When attacker is dispossessed they replace the defender or have everyone take a go & play a set time.

Progressions

1. Larger / smaller area depending on ability.
2. Record set number of passes without interception & compare with other groups.

Coaching

• Interpassing within a triangle shape.
• First touch on the ball.
• Support movement.
• Quality passing.
• Communication.

It is essential to develop & challenge the players while keeping a similar feel to each session.  I loved the idea of adding a triangle in the middle to challenge the players work rate & movement on & off the ball while making supporting runs for each other & playing that great through ball.

Movement ‘Off The Ball’ In A Passing & Support Game

Watch the video highlights

Emphasis

Focus on improving movement ‘off’ the ball.  Session to work on passing, movement off the ball, fitness & looking for the penetrating pass.

Set-Up

Play takes place in a 15 x 15 yard area with a 4 yard equilateral triangle in the middle made up of cones.  There are 5 players in the activity with one being a defender & the other four being on offense.

Objectives

The 4 players try to maintain possession while also looking to score goals by playing the ball through the triangle to their team mates.  The defender is NOT allowed inside the triangle so they must be constantly working their way around the triangle trying to cut of the penetrating passes.

What makes this such an interesting activity is the required movement off the ball by the offensive players.  On every pass they are moving in order to get into a better position to either make a penetrating pass or receive one.

Play this game for a 5 minute period with each player having a one minute turn in defence.  It gets the players working hard, thinking & competing while having fun trying to beat their team mates.  The player who gives up the fewest number of goals in defence wins.

There is a tendency in this game for the offensive players to get to close to the triangle which takes away the passing angles.  This is easy to correct & is a good learning opportunity for the players.

Progressions

1. Change to 4 v 2, or 2 v 2 v 2.  Keep the overload initially until players get good at this before you move on.  Experiment with numbers increasing the difficulty of the session as you go.

Coaching

• Creating space for yourself or for a team mate by movement off the ball.
• Quality of passing (weight, accuracy & timing.)
• Quality of control & first touch.
• Effective maintenance of possession,
• Communication.

The Tactical Bit…

Now we wanted to take what the players had worked on & develop it into a tactical game then some small sided games focusing on ball retention with good movement off the ball.  This then assisted in better 1 v 1′s, passing & all the other components we wanted like support, depth & penetration.

Target Passing & Possession Game

Watch the video highlights

Emphasis

Passing & possession game to play to target player.

Set-Up

Play takes place inside a 35 x 35 yard area with a smaller 6 x 6 yard square in the centre.

Objectives

The 5 yellow players pass the ball & look to keep possession from the 3 red players.  The object is to pass the ball to the 2 yellow players inside the square.

The 3 defenders work as a unit to stop the attacking players passing to the smaller square.

Apart from the 2 players inside the square, no one is allowed to enter the smaller area.

Progressions

1. If the defenders win the ball offer them a goal for set number of passes that they retain possession.
2. Players inside the smaller square follow their pass out of the square & the player making the pass replaces them.
3. Play 4 v 4 with both teams looking to play the ball into the smaller square to the target players.

Coaching

• Keep possession – be patient.
• Pass & move.
• Good supporting angles.
• Work rate & movement on / off the ball.
• Communication.
• For defenders look to press.
• Intercept / block passes.
• Anticipate.

The players really got the concept & played some terrific football.  With having the 6 small goals still placed around the outside we developed the game & set a challenge for each team.  As you can see from the video the orange team had to pass to their play maker & then he was able to accelerate out of the central area & combine to score in any 1 of the 6 goals.  If the yellow team gained possession they could attack & score in any of the goals.

I always want the players to take that focus into small sided games.  I also feel after 75 minutes of listening to us coaches it’s important for them to have some free time to simply play.  We will on occasion offer coaching points & communicate with players but generally we let the game be the teacher & offer them some free time.

The 4 Goal Game was great as it worked on all aspects & switching.  The Real Madrid game is one of my favourite small sided games along with the players!

Small Sided Games…

4 Goal Game Encouraging Switching Of Play & Width

Watch the video highlights

Emphasis

To improve width, support & switching of play.

Set-Up

20 x 30 yard pitch with 4 mini goals placed in each corner of each wing.

Have a supply of balls in each goal.

Objectives

Players are encouraged to switch the point of attack from one side of the pitch to the other.

Don’t force play, if one goal is well defended look to switch at speed & attack the other goal.

Progressions

1. Adapt the size of the pitch to suit the ability of the group.
2. Introduce a neutral player.

Coaching

Attacking

• Relaxed on ball.
• Quality dribbling, skills & turns.
• Quality passing – correct weight & accuracy.  Vary passing, pass into space.
• Angle of pass.
• Attack at speed.
• Don’t force – look to switch.
• Use the width.
• Good technique.
• Work rate & movement on / off ball.
• Decision making.
• Communication & understanding.

Defending

• Win the ball back as quickly as possible.
• Work as unit – offer cover in the space behind.
• Look to close the player down but don’t dive in.
• Look to close the space & hunt in packs forcing the attacking team into errors.

The Real Madrid Game

Watch the video highlights

Emphasis

Excellent game encouraging players to go wide.

Set-Up

40 x 25 yard pitch with 2 mini soccer goals.  4 v 4 is played with goalkeepers being an added option.

The 2 mini soccer goals are placed in the centre of the pitch, back to back.

Have a supply of balls in either goal & around the perimeter.

Objectives

The big difference with this game is that the goals are positioned in the centre of the pitch, back to back.

One team defends the goal that is facing south & score in the goal facing north.  The other team do the opposite.

You must have at least one player in each half at all times & you can’t kick the ball over the goals into the other half.  The ball must be played around the goals.

The game encourages players to take up wide positions to get around the goals.  Players naturally form into a diamond shape with two players going wide, one attacking & one playing out from the back.

The game also encourages playing from the back as the keeper can’t kick it long over the goals.  Also, with the unusual pitch lay out & goal positions it really makes the players think.

Progressions

1. Introduce more players.

Coaching

• React quickly when your team first attacks & look to get an early shot at goal.
• Always follow in for rebounds.
• Shooting technique.
• Shape – width.
• Diamond shape.
• Play from the back.
• Concentration, vision & insight.
• Team work.
• Understanding.
• Communication.

Coaches, always adapt.  My diagrams above will show a certain amount of players but if you don’t have enough – adapt!  Adjust the size of the pitch too.  Insure your players enjoy the training but demand a lot of hard work from them at the same time.

Let me know how you get on if you use with your own team.  Always feel free to re-post & share as long as you link back to my blog.

Want more info?  You can access over 450 of my session plans by clicking here!  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or You Tube

Teams are at their most vulnerable in terms of losing the ball in the first few seconds after gaining possession.  It is this transition period that we are looking at, both in terms of winning the ball back quickly & then keeping it.

The key is the first 6 seconds after losing the ball.  This period is when the opposition have not yet switched from defensive to possession mode.

The other key period is those 6 seconds after you have won the ball back & need to maintain possession during that critical period when your team is changing shape & finding space (going wide & deep.)  This is what I focused my academy session on last Sunday & you can see that exactly from my session plans & videos below…especially if you watch the shape some of my players take automatically after winning the ball in the Braga transition game.

Warm up & technical bit…

After some dribbling, juggling & ball mastery the players moved into the following session…

Control

Emphasis

Control & movement session.

Set-Up

Divide players in half.  Set a series of cones down, one down every 5 yards.

One player per cone with a ball.  Place the same amount of cones out facing the players 5 yards away.  The other half of the group line up at one end without a ball.

The other cones should be angled mid-way between the first row.

Bib groups off so it is easier for turnaround.

Objectives

One group serve while the other group control & return the ball.

Players go one by one, they move half way toward server, control & retreat backwards around cone & onto the next player.  Each player in line should be ready to go so that all players go in & out together.

After one circuit is complete players should reverse roles, i.e. first player in line changes with first server.  The server will then move to the starting cone.

Progressions

1. Passing (one touch.)
2. Volley (side on, then laces.)
3. Heading.
4. Chest / volley.
5. Thigh / volley.
6. Chest / thigh / volley.

Coaching

• Good service.
• First touch & return pass.
• Quick movement & proper footwork.
• Timed movement, so players go in & out together.
• Communication.

The tactical bit…

This was a nice small sided game to get the boys disciplined to close down the ball well & hunt in packs.  They get used to forcing the opposition to make an error & communicate so if they can’t win the ball inside 6 seconds they retreat back into their shape asking the opposition to try & break them down.  Insure someone counts out aloud, ’1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6′ so they get used to the time & award a point for each success.

6 Second Transition Game

Watch the video highlights

Emphasis

Teams are at their most vulnerable in terms of losing the ball in the first few seconds after gaining possession.  It is this transition period that we are looking at, both in terms of winning the ball back quickly & then keeping it.

The key is the first 6 seconds after losing the ball.  This period is when the opposition have not yet switched from defensive to possession mode.

The other key period is those 6 seconds after you have won the ball back & need to maintain possession during that critical period when your team is changing shape & finding space (going wide & deep.)

Set-Up

40 x 25 yard pitch with 2 mini soccer goals.  You can play 4 v 4 – 6 v 6 depending on the amount of players you have available.

Have a supply of balls in either goal.  Play starts with the goalkeeper rolling it out.

Objectives

In this game when a team lose possession they have 6 seconds to win the ball back (the coach counts this out loud.)  If they win it back in that time they are awarded a point (a goal.)

The idea is to double team & work frantically to get the ball back in the allotted time frame.  If they fail to achieve this they must then go to the centre & make sure they close all the gaps & limit the space for the opposition.

If they do win the ball back within 6 seconds, if they are high up the pitch they must look for an immediate goal scoring opportunity.  If they are in a more crowded midfield area they must look for an ‘outman’ who can get hold of the ball & maintain possession through the crucial 6 second period.

Progressions

1. Adapt amount of players & size of pitch.
2. Award bonus points for set amount of passes / time opposition keep the ball.

Coaching

Trying to win possession;

• Concentrate on closing down – ‘PRESS’.  When a player goes to win possession players around them close space – tuck in.  Don’t dive in!
• Keep shape, apply pressure while others react & drop off but cover space in behind.
• Communication.
• Nearest player pressures the ball.
• On the call, ‘PRESS’, all players should look to win the ball off the opposition.

In possession;

• Quality passing – weight & accuracy.
• Decision making.
• Support play.
• Work rate on / off ball.
• Receive ball side on.
• Head up.
• Play simple pass.
• Look for space.
• Use of width & depth.

Develop to…

After the 6 second transition game this worked great.  The players really enjoyed the session & it encouraged good ball retention.  The team that won the ball & used it well were not only rewarded with bonus points but got to continue to attack!  Make poor decisions or lose the ball & you’re out the game!  Start off simple & don’t allow the team that lost the ball to win it back in their own half.  As the players get used to the concept develop so that teams can win the ball back before the other team leave the half.

Braga’s Concentration Of Transition

Watch the video highlights

Emphasis

To win ball & counter attack at speed.

Set-Up

Play takes place on half a pitch with 2 full size goals & the pitch split in half by cones.

A supply of balls are placed in each goal with a keeper at either end.  Organise 3 teams of 6.  A team of white is in one half with 6 red v 6 yellow in the other half.

Objectives

Red attack yellow.  If yellow gain possession of the ball the red team stop while the yellow team attack the white team in the other half.

Teams continue to attack until they lose the ball.

The session is based around transition.

Progressions

1. The team that loses possession can try to regain the ball before it leaves their half.

Coaching

Trying to win possession;

• Concentrate on closing down – ‘PRESS’.  When a player goes to win possession players around them close space – tuck in.  Don’t dive in!
• Keep shape, apply pressure while others react & drop off but cover space in behind.
• Communication.
• Nearest player pressures the ball.
• On the call, ‘PRESS’, all players should look to win the ball off the opposition.
• Recovery run.

In possession;

• Break & attack at speed.
• Quality passing – weight & accuracy.
• Decision making.
• Support play.
• Work rate on / off ball.
• Receive ball side on.
• Head up.
• Play simple pass or run with ball.
• Look for space.
• Use of width & depth.

Finish off with some free play & a cool down along with a debrief.

Coaches, always adapt.  My diagrams above will show a certain amount of players but if you don’t have enough – adapt!  Adjust the size of the pitch too.  Insure your players enjoy the training but demand a lot of hard work from them at the same time.

Let me know how you get on if you use with your own team.  Always feel free to re-post & share as long as you link back to my blog.

Want more info?  You can access over 450 of my session plans by clicking here!  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or You Tube

Warm Up…

I like my warm ups to introduce the ball straight away.  My players know on arrival to get a ball & go for a dribble & have some fun.  You see the main use of a ball net for me is to carry the balls from my van to the pitch.  Unlike other ‘coaches’ I don’t use it to keep all my balls sitting in it as some sort of blackmail that if they listen & do laps for a warm up their reward will to be to open the bag & get a ball!

Barca Keepie Ups

Emphasis

Fun game for players to ‘show off’ their juggling skills!

Set-Up

Split players into groups.  They make a circle & join hands.  One ball per group.  Mark out an area using cones where groups have to start from & finish.

Objectives

Groups must perform keepie ups & move from one side of the area to the other.  They can then race back to the starting point.

The ball must be kept off the ground while performing keepie ups between each other.

Progressions

1. Rather than move from one side of the coaching area to the other have groups perform in the same area joining hands.  If a player mis controls they leave the circle.  Play until there is a winner.

Coaching

• Be confident & comfortable on the ball.
• Keep body relaxed.
• Keep eye on the ball.
• Good control over ball.
• Communication.

Fun & increase the tempo…

After the fun juggling exercise I introduce another enjoyable session (although without a ball – shock!) that helps to get your players switched on & increase the tempo & concentration…try this & even join in for a bit of fun!

Chain Reaction

Emphasis

Fun warm up concentrating on speed of thought & reaction speed.

Set-Up

Vary size of grid but generally 20 x 20 yard grid is nice size.

Adapt depending on your squad size.  The diagram is based on a squad of 14.

Objectives

Players should inter link arms in groups of 3 to create chains.  In the diagram you can see 4 chains of players leaving two players free in the middle.

Player 1 tries to get on the end of a chain before player 2 catches them.  If player 1 links onto player C from the red chain then player 2 tries to catch player A from the reds before he reacts & then they try to join another chain.

Progressions

1. Introduce a ball.

Coaching

• Speed.
• Reaction.
• Communication.

The technical bit…

We started with the basics with this boring drill but is great to remind young players how to pass a ball.  For older players it’s nice to offer something simple for them to touch & pass the ball many times.

Passing / Receiving Through Targets

Emphasis

Passing accuracy.

Set-Up

One ball between two players.  Players should face each other 5-10 yards away from each other with a mini gate set up in the middle.  The gate should be approx a yard wide.

Objectives

X1 passes to X2 through the gate placed in between the players.  X2 controls the ball & passes it back through the gates to X1.  Players count how many passes go through the gates successfully in the time limit.

Progressions

1. Condition passing foot.
2. Players have to control with the left & play with right foot & vice versa.
3. Reduce time.
4. Increase the distance.
5. If players miss a gate – there score returns to zero – keep count.

Coaching

• Use inside of the foot.
• Lock ankle square to the target.
• On toes to receive a pass – move into line with the ball.
• Communication – call partners name.
• Try to be quick but maintain accuracy.
• Help partner with straight passes.

Develop to…

This allows players freedom for passing combinations to having some fun with long range passing & being able to ‘ping’ a ball to one of their team mates.

Combination Play

Emphasis

Combination passing.

Set-Up

Players spread out over half a pitch.  1 ball between 3 players.

Objectives

Players begin with playing any combination of passes to each other & moving anywhere through the half of the field.

Progressions

1. 1 player must now play a series of give-and-go with the other 2 players.
2. Once a player has performed a give-and-go, 1 of the other players does a takeover (1 play dribbles the ball toward another player & then leaves the ball for the other player to take.)  This will alternate the passer each time.
3. Players make the following combinations; short pass, long pass, take-over.
4. Finish with players being given free roles & allowing to make / receive a pass from anyone.

Coaching

• Communication & understanding.
• Players should use 1 or 2 touches only & use both feet.
• Speed of play.
• Quality passing, weight & accuracy.

The Tactical bit…

We take what we have worked on from the technical sessions into a game scenario.

5 Goal Game

Emphasis

Possession & combination game focusing on changing the point of attack.

Set-Up

2 equal teams play on half a pitch.  5 mini goals / gates are set up within the area using poles or dome cones.

You can adapt the size of the area & the amount of mini goals set up to suit your group.

Objectives

Teams combine to score a point through dribbling through the gates, passing through the gates or score a bonus point by playing a 1-2 / give-&-go through the gates.

Players are not allowed to score back-to-back goals in the same gate.

Progressions

1. Add more mini goals / gates.
2. Colour code certain gates, i.e. gates on the wing to encourage good width.

Coaching

• Good first touch.
• Quality passing.
• Movement & work rate on / off ball.
• Don’t force it through gate, look to open up & switch.
• Always receive ball side on.
• Awareness.
• Communication.

Free Play…

Allow time for your players to finish with a small sided game at the end of the session.

Cool Down…

Football Tennis

Emphasis

Fun cool down concentrating on control & first touch.

Set-Up

6 v 6 on a 30 x 20 yard grid with tennis net in middle or series of 6ft spiked poles. Obviously change the numbers / grid size to suit your group.

 

Objectives

Fun game of footy tennis. One team serves the ball out of their hands from the back of the grid. The ball is allowed one bounce before it has to be returned to the opposition.

Players can combine with each other before returning to the other side of the grid.

Can use any part of the body apart from your hands.

First team to 10 wins.

Progressions

1. Players must juggle the balls a certain amount of time before returning.
2. Certain amount of players must touch / combine before returning the ball.

Coaching

• First touch.
• Control.
• Keep eye on ball.
• Keep body relaxed.
• Work as team.
• Communication.

Coaches, always adapt.  My diagrams above will show a certain amount of players but if you don’t have enough – adapt!  Adjust the size of the pitch too.  Insure your players enjoy the training but demand a lot of hard work from them at the same time.

Want more info?  You can access over 450 of my session plans by clicking here!  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or You Tube

‘You only need to use one foot as you’ll be a left midfielder’  Local coach to child aged 4.5

What happened Mini Soccer & the enjoyment in kids football?  I notice it with my own programme that toddlers finishing our Toddler Soccer classes are bypassing our Mini Soccer sessions so they can get straight into the competitive world of senior football aged 5.  Do parents not realise that children need to develop their football ability & understanding the same way as they need to progress in school?  My report will annoy a few ‘coaches’ & clubs but I want that.  I want a bloody reaction as I’ve never seen youth football so poor in over 25 years involved in football.

My philosophy. centered on the European approach, continues to be successful when developing children.  It seems to good to be true…maybe it seems so simple that I insure well planned sessions that focus on the child.  Maximum touches, plenty of 1 v 1′s developing to small sided games, encouraging freedom & creativity but offering education & development all in a fun environment.  Put simply we develop the child in the right way insuring a good technical basis along with game understanding that we adapt to suit the age & ability.

Make it a fun environment for children to learn in

I have over 15 years of coaching experience, I hold my UEFA A Licence & have a passion to keep on developing as a coach & passing that information on to my players & team of coaches.  It does come with a price.  My programme is not free.  I have invested thousands of pounds into my business & it is self funded through the parents & children that support me.  This makes me the big bad wolf.  Why?  I can’t access any funding.  I am a hated figure by many at the Irish Football Association, Sport NI, Council’s & many individuals.

People reading this outside Northern Ireland will not understand.  If you’re not that experienced & have a lack of knowledge, little equipment & poor training methods then the powers that be love you.  The secret is to not be fully qualified & plan poor sessions.  So if you turn up late with little equipment, have a bottle of water for your first aid kit & have kids stand in long lines & operate crap training you are in.  If you say you are doing it voluntary & then use the magic words in Northern Ireland which is, ‘cross-community’, bloody hell you have won the lottery!   You get loads of funding & support.  You also get reduced pitch fees.

If the powers that be concentrated as much on the poor training methods as they did on child protection we wouldn’t have anything to worry about.  Don’t get me wrong child protection is important but why then ignore the poor standards of coaching?  Although child protection does get ignored after a course & background check come back complete & successful…another box ticked but why so many individuals then get away with shouting, screaming & swearing on the touch line go unchallenged?  This is child abuse but we’ll cover that another time…that’s a blog piece on its own!

But try to operate a programme like mine & you are the anti Christ of youth football.  I mean charge for good football coaching?  You can’t do that when everyone else is giving up their time to do it voluntary.

Volunteers

Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for volunteers in football but it isn’t the head coach of a youth team.  Oh, & before everyone jumps on the bandwagon of saying that it wasn’t for these volunteer coaches so many kids wouldn’t get playing football…listen it depends what you actually want.  I want my child to play golf & the piano.  Do I want to send him to someone who is not qualified.  Let me make it simpler.  Here is what would happen if I sent my child to a parent that isn’t qualified to teach him how to play the piano like in football;

Does your child stand in a long line waiting a turn?

• There is no music books so he can’t read music
• He goes for a warm up by running around the piano – he’s not allowed to play it!
• He stands in a line for ages while watching everyone else get to play one note…after waiting in a line for 2 minutes, or longer, he gets to play one note then goes to the back of the line again.
• The piano teacher wants to show off so starts playing not allowing any child to get near it…one child goes to play a lovely chord so the teacher quickly closes the lid of the piano.
• The child is hurt & needs first aid treatment so the teacher provides a bottle of water.
• When the child tries a new chord or uses the peddle the teacher screams at him & tells him to play it safe…just use one hand & don’t try anything fancy.
• This same teacher gets frustrated when his student can’t perform in Carnegie Hall on his own…he simply looks at him, always, for guidance as he can’t play on his own with freedom, creativity & confidence.
• The unqualified parents son gets to play on the piano longer than your son.
• Due to basic techniques not being taught the child can’t perform to the expected level.  The teacher will not except responsibility & instead looks at replacing him through his poor teaching methods with another student taught properly by another teacher.

Poor Coaching Methods

Okay so I am I’m going over the top but honestly I have seen such poor methods & yet little seems to being done to improve.  The unqualified coach who turns up with their initials emblazoned across their top & ‘COACH’ written on their back then shout Premier League instructions to their 5 year old players.  I’ve heard it all before;

• Pick it up
• Switch on
• Play in the hole
• Switch
• Double up
• Squeeze

Something which I created as Academy Director at Irish Premier League side, Lisburn Distillery, has turned into a monster.  When I brought talented children into the club at the age of 6 they had already 2 years good practice in my Toddler & Mini Soccer programme.  We continued their education concentrating on the technical side of their game, plenty of 1 v 1′s & small sided games.  This was all done in-house & really developed their games.  What other clubs have done by taking my successful blue print have created a monster.  Gone is the age appropriate training & in comes the 5, 6 & 7 aside ‘mini leagues’.  The competitiveness comes out of everyone & the development in the kids is forgot about.

It is clear to me that things will not improve short term so who needs to take the stance?  Parents!  Don’t rush getting your kid into a competitive club.  Let them develop & enjoy their football.  Let them learn the game away from the pressures of uneducated coaches & don’t fall into the trap of shouting parents screaming about their 5 year old who is going to be the next big thing.

I’ve seen it all before.  The potential in children can be lost along with their enthusiasm by idiot coaches & parents.  Support your child but in the right way.  Let them play.  It’s a common sight seeing parents & grandparents watching their young children take their first steps in football.  But over the years less parents watch their child as they get older because that Premiership dream gets further away for the parent.

In Northern Ireland we are light years behind any other nation.  Clubs wonder why talented kids they send over to England often come back.  Let’s hazard a guess of a combination of lack of training, crap training & poor youth development planning is maybe a factor.  Add in the other factor of just playing a game…especially when it’s on a massive pitch & kids hardly touch the ball & that may give you an answer.  Kids in England train minimum 3 times a week aged 9-13 & when they start to hit 14 they can be in up to 4 & 5 days per week.  In Northern Ireland we can’t train more than once a week or twice…do you know why?  Well the best excuses I often here is; we’ll burn them out & then the old funding issues.  Football is a business nowadays & until Northern Ireland & the Irish League wake up to this I really do think it will be RIP Irish League & Northern Ireland football.

Is your child playing for a football team yet?  How have they been treated this season?  Do they play the same amount of football as others?  Are they receiving a good education?  Is the training good?

Watching a number of clubs I continually see poor training methods, so called favourites playing every game while the same children sit out, over excited adults cheering and jeering.  But what comes as a real shock to many parents is after a long hard year the so called coach looks to replace your child!

Trials

Youth football has a busier transfer window than the Premiership now!

It’s that time of the season again when you see posters popping up all over the place from clubs offering trials.  Some clubs go that bit further from the dodgy looking posters of, ‘Like football? Join Us!’, to features on their websites.

Some go as far as writing letters to current players and parents letting them know that their child’s place is not guaranteed next season.  How do parents feel receiving letters like this after a season of insuring their child arrives to every training schedule and match programme.  Some maybe going further and offering lifts to other children, washing the kit and of course paying their subs!

It makes me laugh.  When I see a poster about trials it makes me think that the club doesn’t have a good enough development programme in place.  Thus the players aren’t developing at the level they hope for.  How do they solve the problem?  They threaten to get rid of some of the players and replace them with more developed players from another club.  Many coming from a club that has in place a good technical development programme and coaches that can work with young players.

Short term the club may see some improvement from poaching these new players.  Long term the promising players that have arrived don’t continue to develop as players and like the children from the previous season will be replaced.  The funny thing is some of the disregarded players are being invited back in.  The sad thing about it is that many children are leaving the game in their droves.

I believe in trials at the end of the season, but instead of it being for players why not have it for coaches?  The ones I’m talking about are the ones who shout at kids, make gestures like Jose and swagger up the touch line in their tracksuit with their initials printed on their top.  ‘But hey, you can’t replace me, I’ve just done my Level 1 and I’m qualified!’  Give us a break…

Let me have your feedback.  Remember for those wanting to access additional, high quality coaching you can register your interest with me for the TWAcademy.Org.  Children involved with me over the past year have been coached to a very high standard along with receiving opportunities to be coached by SL Benfica & PSV Eindhoven.  In fact I will be taking my academy to West Bromwich Albion in May for a match, training and to see the final Premiership game of the season against Arsenal!  Last August we flew to London and played Fulham and the North Kent Academy.  The year before we were in Holland and played PSV Eindhoven!

For more info about the programme or if you need advice on training methods contact me by email.

Of course I couldn’t do this without your fantastic level of support and friendship.  I continue to re-invest to help continue to make our product the most innovative around along with offering the latest in technology with our websites, social media my blog to help communicate and make ourselves available to you.

January – TWAcademy.Org announced a tour to London for August 2011.  Tour highlights included a game against Fulham FC and North Kent Academy, a stadium tour and tickets for Reading FC.  Players involved in the Academy come together from Irish League sides and boys clubs.  Currently we have players from Glentoran, Cliftonville, Loughgall, Dungoyne, Ridgeway, Carryduff Colts and Newry.

The Academy is open to all elite players that want access to additional elite training that focuses on technical training and game understanding.  To get your child involved contact myself by email or by phone, 07740120788.

February – The TWSports.Org Group increase their presence on the social media sites of Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.  Simply search for ‘twsportsgroup’ or click on the logos at the top of our web page and follow us for the latest news.  We have also made it easy to share pages from our websites by clicking the link button at the bottom of each page!

March – During March Tim Wareing & a couple of his 1-on-1 students enjoyed some media training by featuring on UTV’s 7.30 Show.  The team from the show filmed Tim, Luke & Tom during a 1-on-1 session.  The 7.30 Show then aired later in the week.

If you missed the feature you can watch it by simply following this link.  Tim & the boys are shown approximately 16 minutes into the show.

You will see some of the great work the boys do.  You will also hear from them & Tim on some exciting opportunities coming their way in the very near future.

To get your child involved you can contact Tim direct by email or phone, 07740120788.

SC Braga visit via Porto

April – Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing, travelled to Braga to meet up with his good friend, Hugo Vicente, at SC Braga.  Coach Frank & Coach Andrew joined Tim on a 4 day Club visit of a top Portuguese club who would later secure a place in the final of this year’s Europa League.

The Ryanair flight arrived into Porto all on time.  With Hugo busy taking training sessions it offered an opportunity to see around the city.  What a beautiful city Porto is.  The team had a look around the stadium before making their way to the river to meet Hugo & have some lunch.

After lunch the team transferred to Braga to get settled in & freshened up for the evening session.  The U13′s, U12′s, U11′s & U10′s all trained on a full size 3G pitch spread over a 2 hour period.  All the sessions involved the ball & fun activities for a warm up before possession type games & small sided games after.  The Braga Academy has some of the best goalkeeping coaches in the country.

As Tim remembered during his last visit in November about the well mannered kids from the Academy it was evident still to this day.  On arrival players from the age of 7 automatically greet their coaches (& us visitors!) with a hello & hand shake.  They are confident children that behave & represent the club to such a high standard.  What is also refreshing is the relaxed friendly environment.  Although this doesn’t stop the coaches demanding the players to work hard but it proves children respond better in an enjoyable setting.

We also enjoyed a second day at the old stadium which is now the base for the U19′s & an athletics club.  We saw Hugo work with a small group of players on a technical basis.  Very interesting that it was the goalkeepers.  The hour was based around working with their feet as the modern day keeper is seen as a sweeper too.

We enjoyed another evening session with the younger boys of the Academy.  A real bonus was for us to eat with one of the U13 players who lives in Braga with a club ‘nanny’.  To be away from his family at such a young age & carry out such a busy daily schedule was amazing to hear.  Although the club look after Pedro so well.  I share more information on Pedro’s schedule on my blog by clicking here!

On the Thursday Braga were away playing their quarter final first leg game in the Europa League.  The Club President has a rule that all teams don’t train so they can watch the first team.  This gave us the opportunity to watch a typical grassroots club in Portugal train.  It is always interesting comparing the professional game to grassroots from country to country.

The Amateur Club had a very impressive set up.  From a full size grass pitch & a full size 3G pitch with floodlights, an impressive new stand & club house to an indoor 3G pitch for when the weather is poor (in north Portugal it gets very cold in the winter)

We enjoyed dinner along with watching Braga achieve a great result.  A great night was enjoyed along with a relaxing Friday before our return home.

This proved to be another great fact finding trip.  TWSports.Org would like to thank Hugo & Braga for their hospitality.  4 days of being looked after by a wonderful club & players was truly amazing.  We enjoyed great friendship, football, weather & food.  We now look forward to welcoming Hugo back to Northern Ireland.

May – ‘Toddler Soccer the Essential Guide’ book by Tim Wareing has now sold in over 20 different countries!  This stretches from the UK and Ireland, across Europe to USA and Canada, the Far East and Australia!

You can order the paperback version or the e-book by clicking here!  You can listen to the BBC Radio Ulster interview on Tim’s new book by following this link.

Tim Wareing's second published book; '1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Football Players - GUARANTEED!'

June – Tim Wareing released his second book through his publisher titled, ’1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Players – GUARANTEED!’  Copies are available in paperback or e-book!  You can order online by clicking here.

July – What a special month!  TWSports.Org celebrated its 6th birthday!  Our Summer Camps offered over 10 venues across Northern Ireland and open to all boys and girls aged 2-13.  Along with this Director of the TWSports.Org Group, Tim Wareing, was interviewed by BetterFootball.net about the release of his new book; ’1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Football Players – GUARANTEED!’

Head of BetterFootball.net, Pavl Williams, is a Development Coach at the Manchester United Academy.  An experienced coach that has travelled the world along with being an author himself.

In this podcast you will hear Pavl & Tim talk about youth development, Tim’s philosophy, club visits along with his new book & the success of his Toddler Soccer programme.

You can hear the interview by clicking this link.  You can also add your thoughts by adding your comments at the bottom of the interview page.

You can order Tim’s new book by clicking here.  The book has already sold in over 20 different countries!

TW Academy, Luke Fisher, exchanges pennants with the Fulham captain before kick off

August –TWAcademy.Org travelled to London with games set up against North Kent Academy & Fulham.  How fate works – 10 years to the day I took my grassroots side, Castlereagh Colts, to London to also play…Fulham!

The Academy enjoyed an action packed weekend with friendly very entertaining games against North Kent Academy & Fulham.  Two of our players were highlighted by the Fulham scouts.

The boys also enjoyed the experience of a tour around Reading FC along with walking onto the pitch!  The package included tickets for their Championship game against Barnsley.

September – We kicked off another new season – our biggest yet!  From offering 8 great products that cater for children aged 2 years +; to our web based products that have coaches registered from all over the world!

Along with the likes of Toddler Soccer, Mini Soccer & elite training through TW Academy we also offer other great packages to!  From 1-on-1 coaching and organising birthday parties to coaching in schools and at local clubs we offer the most inclusive and innovative product around!

October – Tim Wareing’s two books are now available online from Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith & SoccerTutor.com.  They have each sold in over 20 different countries along with being purchased by top pro clubs in England, Germany & Portugal.

Tim Wareing assisted Academy Director of SC Braga, Hugo Vicente, in operating a Portuguese style session at St. Francis football club.  The pair traveled to Dublin and spent the weekend with DB Sports to operate the clinic.  Well over 60 Irish kids enjoyed the clinic & sessions.

A successful Halloween Camp is held which offers affordable day care solution for parents while children are off school.  Helping children get active, have fun and learn new skills from only £2 per hour!  A party is held for all children and parents at the end of the week.

We base all our Fun Camps on a normal school day from 10am-3pm with an early drop off service available from 9am.  For more information contact me by email or phone, 07740120788.

November – UEFA A Licence coach & Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing, was invited to Watford FC to view their wonderful Academy.

‘I arrived on the Monday evening & was collected by Watford coach, Dave Godley.  I was welcomed on board onto Dave’s narrow boat which provided a relaxing stay in London.  Tuesday morning we attended the Harefield Academy (the school).  Watford have about 40 of their Academy players attending the school.

The presentation offered an insight into how Watford have taken a successful Dutch academy set up but personalise it to suit their own needs.  Other clubs in attendance included Tottenham Hotspur, Reading, Southampton, Derby County & the Scottish FA.

After our tour of the school we listened to the presentation & success stories.  We then got the opportunity to watch the training.  The boys receive two sessions daily & up to 15 hours coaching a week without losing out on their education.

Later in the day we got to watch the 7′s & 8′s train before heading down to Vicarage Road to watch the first team play Bristol City.  A very eventful game with Watford going 2-0 up only to end the game drawing 2-2.

I flew home from Luton on Wednesday after enjoying lunch with Dave & a look around Watford town centre.  I was so impressed with the set up.‘

December – A fun month with a number of coaching clinics by UEFA A Licence Coach & Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing.  Open to all children the clinics were perfect to develop children in a relaxed environment.  Tim also organised fun Christmas Eve events for all the children across the programme including the toddlers, while Santa dropped in with some presents!

Thanks for the support in 2011.  Good just got better for 2012 & we look forward to sharing it with you all!

Holiday Season Games

Emphasis

These games are great for holiday time & can easily be adapted to serve Christmas, Easter or Halloween.

I have based my games below on a Christmas theme but you can change them to the Easter Bunny or Casper the Friendly Ghost!

Set-Up

Every player has a ball inside a 20 x 20 yard grid.  Set up mini games as instructed below.

Objectives

At Christmas at Toddler Soccer we play loads of fun themed games…

1. Warm up planting Christmas Trees. Get the toddlers to place a number of pop up orange cones around the coaching area.  They then run around them.  You can then ask them to decorate them by giving them small disc cones to place on the top.  Now introduce the ball for them to dribble around the trees.  You can add another fun game by having them try to knock down the trees why you fix them.
2. Deliver the presents. All the balls (presents) are placed in the middle of the grid.  On the whistle the toddlers become ‘Santa’ & have to dribble (deliver) the presents to the children’s homes (the goals)
3. Knock the head off the Snowman. Using the large dome cones (snowman’s body) balance a ball on top (the head).  Set up a number of them & then have the toddlers pass their footballs (snow balls) to try & knock the snowman’s head off!
4. Find the snow. Hide 10 white cones (snow) under other colour cones, i.e. yellow snow (cones!) & red cones (chimney!)  Ask the toddlers to close their eyes while you hide 10 or so white cones.  Hide them under other coloured cones or maybe on someone’s head!  They simply have to find the snow.  When they find snow (a white cone) they bring it into you!
5. Snow ball fight. For a bit of fun at the end you can have a snow ball fight.  Let the toddlers throw snow balls (the ball) at you.  Make sure you make funny noises, fall funny – simply increase the fun by acting like a clown!

Progressions

1. Vary what part of the foot you use, i.e. outside of the foot, laces, etc.
2. Have a competition between the toddlers, i.e. time them on the above games.
3. Increase distance for accuracy games.

Coaching

• Dribbling & skills.
• Accuracy of pass.
• Weight of pass.
• Standing foot pointing at target.
• Head up.
• Use of both feet.

If you work with children under 6 or simply are a parent you’ll love my Toddler Soccer book!  I share my philosophy & games from my award winning programme in my book.  It has sold in over 20 different countries & has been bought by parents, nursery school assistants & teachers to coaches, teams & pro clubs to use in their community programmes!

Want more info?  You can buy my Toddler Soccer book by clicking here!  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or You Tube.

I had the pleasure of spending 3 days at the Watford Academy based at Harefield Academy.  I write about them briefly in my new book, ‘1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Football Players – GUARANTEED!‘, so was very excited to travel over & see the great work the club is doing.

Dave on his long boat

I flew from Belfast International to London Luton.  My good friend, Dave Godley, is Watford’s Youth Development Officer.  He very kindly collected me from the airport & offered me accommodation on his long boat.  Although we were in London we could have been a million miles away as the piece & tranquility on board Dave’s boat was so relaxing.  Sitting on the boat in front of the fire talking football has a real European feel to it.  Something which I always loved when I was in Holland & Portugal.

Talking about Holland this is where I met Dave.  He played for Dutch second division side OJC Rosmalen.  I love his way of life.  Being away from the hustle & bustle of city life, my 90 hour working week, my laptop, mobile (sort of!) & no television offered a real refreshing couple of days to charge the batteries.  Dave is a talented singer & guitar player to.

So after a night talking football & catching up over a beer, while wearing some house slippers in front of the fire, it was time for bed.  I’m glad I don’t sleep walk as I can’t swim but enjoyed my first night on the boat!

Harefield Academy

The next morning we travelled up to Harefield Academy, or ‘The School’ as many people refer to it.  Pat Cottis, Head of the school, gave us an insight into school life & a tour of the fabulous Academy.  I was very impressed.  She was passionate & driven to achieve success.  Watford Academy used the school as a training facility up until 2005/2006.  At this time it is probably fair to say the school was failing & facilities were not great.  But exciting plans of a brand new building & a relationship between Watford FC & the Harefield Academy were on the horizon.

The relationship began in September 2007 with about 35-40 boys, aged 12-16, from Watford’s Academy signing up.  This would be approximately 50% of the boys attending from Watford’s Academy.  There is always a lot of thought from both the football club & school as to who attends.  Players that have maybe only just started at the club, settled at other schools or maybe it’s not right for them would not attend.  Another factor early on was convincing parents to take their child out of their current school where they were settled, performing well & had their friends there.  Harefield Academy is open to all boys & girls – not solely Watford FC.

The School

'The School', Harefield Academy

‘The School’ is built over 3 floors & is open plan so is very modern, bright & the Head always has a good view of her pupils!  It has a real welcoming feel & offers everything for the pupils.  Pat explained to us about this unique school commenting, ‘take the school as a jig saw puzzle & put it together.’  Along with the normal lessons that children everywhere receive they also offer students 45 minutes in the middle of the day to progress in their dream, whether that be sport or music.

Children buy into it, it’s like a package deal.  For example, some attend horse riding for the day while others are based at Crystal Palace (athletics) for 2 days.  Their education is always closely monitored to insure no one falls behind.

I love this philosophy.  We all perform better & put more effort into something we enjoy, that we are passionate about.  It makes perfect sense to offer it to students.  Children also have full use of I.T. with over 30 computer stations set up.  This is positioned on arrival at the school.  A real open, bright area with positive messages draped over flags coming down from the ceiling.  There is also the ‘wall of fame’ positioned here of previous students from the school that have developed well in their chosen profession.  This is a mix from footballers to athletics, including a young man who is being tipped to feature in team GB’s next Olympic team for the 200 metres.

The school also operates a no cash policy.  Instead it is replaced by students using their finger print to purchase food & monitor what they are eating & drinking.  This is especially useful for those training on a daily basis to insure each individual is hydrated & eating the right things.

Generally 6 or 7 players from each age group at Watford’s Academy will be invited into the school from a squad of 20.  The club assess players at the ages of 10 & 11 for entry into the school.  Then the school interview them based around the educational side.  Both parties are always looking long term – will this 11 year old be here at the age of 16?  It is very rare for a player to be released mid term, the club is always looking at long term assessment.  Players are assessed on a monthly basis with goals being set.  They are assessed twice a year on their technical, tactical, physical & psychological performance & given a grade of 1, 2 or 3.  1 being on track, 2 meaning work required & 3 being concerned.

Watford Academy

Indoor 3G Facility at Harefield Academy

Nick Cox is the Watford Academy Director.  It is very interesting listening to Nick & seeing the thought process & the importance of everyone at the club to the school backing the concept.  The typical English Academy system will have boys going to school as normal then returning home to start homework, eat dinner & then to be transported by a parent to training.  This adds a busy schedule to each individual boy & adds pressure to the family life.  It is not uncommon for a father to return home from work early & to eat on the way to take his son to training.  Nor is it uncommon for that child to be up at 7.30am on the morning & on the go all day to 9.30-11pm at night.

Watford made many visits to European Academies to see what suited them best to move forward as a club.  The Dutch Academy set up was one of choice, especially a club called Willem II.  They have a similar set up in terms of stadium size, club structure, fan base, etc.  The big difference in the Academy structure was the club would work in partnership with a school.  This is what Watford FC based their concept on.  Although it was not copying the Dutch club they would simply set up an academy to best suit Watford FC & their Academy players.

Here is some videos on Harefield; video 1, video 2, video 3 & video 4.

The main positives for club, school & player include;

• Increased contact time for training with the boys.  From an average of 3,500 hours to 9,000 hours (approx 10-12 hours per week but up to 15 hours available)
• Greater Academic support & discipline – less conflict between school & club.
• Prime time training – day light & on grass (indoor 3G dome available too)
• Better home lifestyle – more family time with less inpact, i.e. transport & finance.
• Professional lifestyle – more training, less late nights, regular meals, less hectic.
• Better relationship with players – get to know them better.
• Optimum time for education & sport.

Typical Day

Below you will find a typical schedule for a Watford Academy player attending Harefield Academy.  Classes are mixed, i.e. not exclusive to all WFC players.

• 6.45am – Pick Up
• 8.15am – Lesson 1
• 9.15am – Football Training with WFC Academy Coaches
• 11am – Lesson 2
• 12pm – Lunch
• 12.30pm – Lesson 3
• 1.30pm – Lesson 4
• 2.30pm – Normal day ends
• 2.50pm – Study (home work / support)
• 4.20pm – Day ends
• 4.45pm – Football Training with WFC Academy Coaches

Success Stories

Over the years Watford have produced players like John Barnes, David James & Ashley Young.  But most recently other players have broken into the first team including Marvin Sordell, Lee Hodson, Ross Jenkins & Matt Whichelow.  Other recent first team graduates from Harefield include Tommie Hoban & Sean Murray.

The benefits of players coming through Harefield help to keep a normal school life.  The old cliche of footballers being stupid has been thrown out the window as 100% of junior scholars have achieved grades A*-C at GCSE.  This includes 88% achieving A*-C in English & Maths.  The average is 10 GCSE’s per junior scholar!

Ex Liverpool player, Ronnie Rosenthal, with Coach Tim. Ronnie's son, Tom, attends Harefield

Harefield is entering its 5th year with the oldest graduate still only 18 including Ronnie Rosenthal’s son, Tom.  So far there has been 36 graduates, 7 internationals, 6 pro contracts signed, 22 scholars at Watford FC while 10 have signed for other clubs.  3 have played for the first team.

In 12 years 50 Academy players have made their debut in first team.  43% of all starts came from the Academy graduates.  20 Academy players featured in first team last season.  Last year there was 5 new debuts & 13 international players.  Genuine home grown players.  The average is 12 miles from Vicarage Road (Watford’s ground) with the closest only 100 yards away!

• Better People
• Better Players
• Better Grades

Key Issues

The average spend from clubs on their Academy set up is 2-3% of turnover, Watford spend 10%.  The intial focus was on the start up.  As mentioned already it was convincing parents to come to a school that had a poor level of results & old building.  Watford also had to be very selective of the players & also when it came to the release of players – U16 decision time.

They set up a talent ID for enrolling new students.  It is a demanding schedule when they enter into the school (the novelty factor can were off!)  The club has greater responsibility for player behaviour.  It is essential there is a ‘whole club approach’.  It really does require the right people that ‘want to do it’ v ‘have to do it’.

It was a very informative day.  There was representatives (invite only) from Tottenham Hotspur, Reading, Derby County, Southampton & the Scottish FA along with myself (TWAcademy.Org)  I personally believe that this is the best way forward to encourage a better education for potential players & to help develop better technical & tactical players through increased contact time.

Vicarage Road

Vicarage Road, home of Watford FC

After the presentation I had opportunity to walk around the town centre.  Watford is a lovely town & I found the people very friendly.  I then went back to the school to see the U7 & U8 development squads train.  Refreshing to hear Dave talk about them being one of the most important age groups.  Getting the ‘right’ coaches to work with them is essential to help develop them.

After the session we transferred to Vicarage Road to watch the first team play Bristol City.  It was great to see Watford old boy, David James, return to the ground as Bristol City goalkeeper.  It was a very entertaining game with Watford going 2-0 up before City pulled a goal back just before half time.

After giving away a goal at an awful time – just before half time – Watford then gave away a soft goal straight after the interval to level the score.  That is how the game ended, 2-2.  I was very impressed by the stadium.  We sat in the Rookery Stand.  This is positioned behind the goal & Dave tells me offers the best atmosphere.  As an added bonus it was great to read a 2 page spread on Dave in the programme!

After a very enjoyable day it was back to the boat to talk football.  How I would love to work at a professional Academy like Watford!  My final day in Watford was relaxing & after some lunch with Dave I had a final walk round the town before making my way back to Luton for my return flight home to Belfast.

I was returning home full of energy after an enjoyable 3 day visit to the school.  Not only was it a terrific experience to see Watford’s Academy but enjoyable to sample Dave’s way of life & his wonderful hospitality.

I would like to extend my thanks to Watford FC & the Harefield Academy for their wonderful hospitality.  It is refreshing to see a club open its doors to let other coaches view their set up.  Special thanks to my good friend & Watford coach, Dave Godley, for providing transport & accommodation for me.

About the Craig Bellamy Foundation

The Craig Bellamy Foundation is a charity that offers underprivileged children in Sierra Leone the chance to reach their true potential in life through sport and education, enabling them to build a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. We do this by running a non-profit-making residential football academy and international school, as well as operating a nationwide community development youth league, supported by UNICEF.

Since the leagues inception in 2009, over 3200 players have competed at u12 and u14 age brackets, and the Craig Bellamy Foundation has handed out an impressive 1720 academic scholarships to children who would have otherwise struggled to enter mainstream education.  This has resulted in a staggering rise in school attendance rates amongst the league participants – with CBF registering an average school attendance rate of 92%, in comparison to the national average for secondary school attendance of a concerning 21%.

The league’s impact doesn’t end there however.  Youth Exclusion and Health Awareness are some of the most pressing challenges facing Sierra Leone today, and the Craig Bellamy Foundation are intent on playing their part in tackling each of these issues.  To date the players and volunteers of the foundation have completed over 500 community projects across the nation, and effected in excess of 50’000 people through the delivery of positive health messages.

And it is not just the boys who are getting in on the act.  January 2012 will see the Craig Bellamy Foundation further challenge the issues of Gender Inequality within Sierra Leone by launching the country’s first national youth football league aimed at girls.  20 Female football clubs from Freetown, Makeni, Bo and Kenema will compete at u15/u19 age categories – mirroring their male colleagues by collecting points not only through their performances on the field, but also through school attendance, fair play, community involvement, and health awareness.

Over the coming 12 months, the Craig Bellamy Foundation aims to continue to increase its impact within Sierra Leone, expanding the number of players registered with the foundation from 1680 to over 2300, as well as offering academic scholarships to every child competing in both the boys and girls leagues.

How you can help…

Currently ranked 180, out of 187 countries in the United Nations Development Index, the challenges facing Sierra Leone are extensive, but through football, we at the Craig Bellamy Foundation believe we can motivate and empower the next generation of Sierra Leonean children to change their lives for the better, and create a better future for Sierra Leone.

By constantly improving our national development leagues, we are able to attract more children to play the game, and through doing so – increase their access to education, community involvement and health awareness.

One area that the league struggles in is our ability to source football boots for our children to wear when playing the game, with many of the young players in Sierra Leone playing bare foot on rough pitches.

This is where we believe that the participants of TW Sports can help.  As we all know, children grow out of shoes and football boots so quickly, and are constantly in need of ‘the next size up’.  We at the Craig Bellamy Foundation, and the children of Sierra Leone would be eternally grateful if you would allow us to provide a new home for those football boots that are no longer needed by your son or daughter.

If you feel that you would like to help support us in our quest to improve the lives of children in Sierra Leone through the donation of football boots, please drop your old boots off to Coach Tim at any of his coaching centres.  If he is unavailable then please tell the Head Coach to pass on to him.

For more information on the Craig Bellamy Foundation you can visit our website at www.craigbellamyfoundation.org

In addition to this you can see the work we are doing for yourself by viewing the recently aired documentary – “Craig Bellamy’s African Dream’, available online via the following links.

Episode 1 – http://www.itv.com/wales/craig-bellamys-african-dream30371/

Episode 2 – http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/video-craig-bellamy-charity-football-work-sierra-leone-part-2-32534/