In partnership with

LMA AMBASSADOR
Sir Alex MY PHILOSOPHY
Ferguson Paul Scholes v 3 Mikael Silvestre
My Panathinaikos and Wes Brown
exchange passes
philosophy Champions League,
Second Group stage,
Overview: Group A
My key football November 21, 2000,
Old Trafford
philosophy has
always been to make
sure my teams keep
hold of the ball. The 1 United have
use of possession in already made 10
consecutive passes
creating space and by the time David
reducing opposition Beckham lays the
threat is recreated in 2 Sheringham lays ball forward to
Teddy Sheringham
every match situation, it back to Mikael
Silvestre
so this knowledge
is invaluable in the
modern game.
While the concept
is straightforward,
searching for
improvement and
development in this
vital skill is important.
There are a variety
of challenges
that enable us to Another exchange of passes
perfect the art, and is made before a ball is fed
this practice can centrally to Paul Scholes. He
angles a long pass to Dwight
be embedded in Yorke on the wing, then
more difficult game begins a forward run
play situations by
applying specific 3 Teddy Sheringham flicks
the ball to Paul Scholes who
coaching exercises has made a blind side run
and conditions...
encouragement to 4 Paul Scholes takes
switch the ball, for one touch to control the
ball then lifts it effortless
instance. over the Panathinaikos
At United, the players keeper for a
memorable goal
are so good at these
activities it is a joy to
watch. All players
are comfortable 2 David Beckham has
receiving the ball and advanced into midfield
and receives the pass
using space, from
the goalkeeper right
through the team. 1 Dwight Yorke’s positive run
up the wing creates space, with
Panathinaikos unable to close
the frontman down

I have used the quick,
tight, measured
passing that you see
in this session in my
soccer training at
Aberdeen and St.
Mirren, right through
to Manchester United.
While there are League at Old that, but constructed a
countless examples Trafford in 2000 was passing move of more
of players who have particularly special. than 20 passes, which
excelled in this role, We were leading 2-1 ended with a sublime
the performance that and looking to keep Scholes chip over the
Paul Scholes put in hold of the ball in order goalkeeper and into
against Panathinaikos to see the game out. the net.
in the Champions We not only achieved

4 october 2013 www.elitesoccercoaching.net


MY PHILOSOPHY
SET-UP
Area
Up to a half-pitch
Equipment
Balls, cones, goals,
poles
Number of Players
Up to 9v9
Session time
Boxes 20mins,
6v6 20mins,
Goals 20mins
Boxes (1a, 1b)
This involves the use of boxes
as a primary start, something
that is fundamental to players
building understanding and
motivation of movement and
passing in tight areas. We
use multiple boxes so that
everyone is active.
A simple 4v2 in a 20x20-yard
box is two-touch, ensuring
players enjoy time on the
ball. Blues work together to
intercept while reds must
retain possession using quick,
efficient link-up, the use of
angled runs and passes, and
an appreciation of space.
Players should operate on the
balls of their feet, always ready
to turn.
How do I progress the
game?
Progressions are always
determined by the quality of
the session at each stage, so, in
this example, once we are sure
sufficient progress is being
made and a high quality of
passing attained, we apply the
same principles to one-touch
5v2. The adjustment of teams
(to 6v2, 7v2 or even 6v3) or box
size (right down to 10x10 yards)
becomes part of the players’
motivation and entertainment
as it is they who, through their
actions, show they are ready
for the more demanding parts
of training. And remember,
perseverance is vital for the
creation of habit and expertise.
5 october 2013
In partnership with
Key
Blues work as a Ball
movement
close-knit pair in the Player
1a
movement
middle, looking to Dribble
win possession from One blue closes Optional pass/
run
reds down his opponent
Reds move closer
20 to their team mate
The other blue prepares
20
in possession to
to move towards the offer angled passing
next receiving player options
Now the red attacker
1b
must look for passing
angles as blues press
tightly
The red moves in off
the line, staying active 2Blue
0 presses the ball
20
at all times
Technique: Balls of the feet
A player who is up on the balls of
his feet is already ‘on the move’,
in motion, and his feet are
anticipating onward movement
(be that a run or the receipt of
the ball). Being on the balls of
the feet also implies minimal
contact with the ground,
enabling players to turn quickly.
Contrast this to being flat-
footed. The player needs to
find time and energy to rise up
on the balls of his feet to move
off. Spinning movement is also
restricted because the whole
foot is planted in the ground.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
 In partnership with

MY PHILOSOPHY

2a
Key
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
Optional pass/

Sir Alex run

Ferguson
LMA AMBASSADOR
At the end of last
season, Sir Alex
Ferguson CBE
concluded 26 years in
charge of Manchester
United, and celebrated
by leading the Red
Devils to their 20th top
division title.
The Glaswegian had
been the longest- In the Goals game, teams
can attack any of the four
serving and most
corner goals
successful manager
in British football,
clinching 49 trophies
and numerous other

2b
awards along the way.
After managing St
Mirren and East Stirling,
Ferguson moved to
Aberdeen in 1978,
earning the Dons 10
trophies in seven years.
And after guiding
Scotland through
the 1986 World Cup
in Mexico, Ferguson
began to turn the tide
at United - the 1990 FA
Cup success providing
the catalyst for a run of
domestic success that
may never be bettered
by one man. In the progression, we add
Two Champions League in two central gated goals to
provide further goalscoring
titles, 13 Premier options for the team in
League wins and five possession
FA Cup final victories
were key achievements,
but ‘Fergie’ was also 6v6 (not shown) possession with practice, no closer pattern of movement
England’s Manager of
Next, we enlarge to goalscoring. They than 10 yards from should not be
the Year 10 times, the
LMA Manager of the a 40x40-yard box, can score in any goal, each goal line. forgotten, and we want
playing 6v6. This is though passes must to see players using
Year three times, and What are the key
an evenly weighted be 18 yards or more. the balls of their feet...
Manager of the Decade things to look out
for the 1990s. practice that examines To progress, we can never flat-footed.
for?
ball retention without add two gates, as And any player in
In every part of this possession must be
the benefit of an extra goalscoring
session, ensure pressured at all times,
overload. options, or as part of
players begin two- with excellent work
Goals (2a, 2b) an instruction that the
touch, with team rate throughout and
ball must be passed
Then, on a half-pitch mates always no-one standing on
through a gate before
and with a goal in providing angles at the lines – that’s too
a goal is attacked.
each corner, players which to receive the easy.
Gates must be placed
combine measured ball. The consistent
near the centre of the

6 october 2013 www.elitesoccercoaching.net