ISSUE 124

NOVEMBER 2020
WIN BETTER

VALENCIA

JAVI
GRACIA
POST-MATCH
TRAINING

+
STEPHEN ROBINSON
PENETRATION IN THE
FINAL THIRD
STUART GRAY
POSSESSION DRILLS WITH
PLAYERS IN POSITION
PETE WILD
PRESSING TO WIN
KEVIN O’GRADY
TRANSITION PRINCIPLES

INTERVIEW: CHRIS POWELL TALKS ABOUT HIS COACHING CAREER

ISSUE 124
NOVEMBER 2020

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Welcome to the November 2020 issue of Elite Elite Soccer aimed at improving passing in tight
Soccer. Despite all the hardships of daily life at areas and encouraging players to keep possession
the moment, I hope the season is progressing in order to dominate the game.
well for you. I also hope that you’ve kept yourself In contrast, we have great defending session
busy on the training ground and have had the from Halifax Town manager, Pete Wild. It’s
opportunity to implement a number of the focused on pressing and he insists it will get
coaching ideas we have suggested. players to adopt a ‘don’t get beat’ attitude.
We’re delighted to open up this issue with a
post-match training session used by Javi Gracia
with his Valencia team this season – it’s a really “I hope you’ve kept yourself busy
good high-intensity work out with the ball for
the players that didn’t participate in the latest
on the training ground and have
match, or for those that participated less than 60
minutes on the pitch.
implemented a number of the
Next up we have Motherwell manager, Stephen ideas we have suggested”
Robinson, who has contributed a penetration
session that he uses in the Scottish Premiership. To close this month’s issue we have a series
It’s one that focuses on getting wide players, of activities that work on transition principles,
midfielders and strikers running beyond the contributed by Kevin O’Grady, manager of the
opposition defenders in the final third. University of Liverpool men’s football team.
Formerly the manager of Sheffield Wednesday I hope you find that this month’s sessions will
and Southampton, Stuart Gray is currently the develop and improve your coaching. We will return
assistant manager of Premier League Fulham and next month with five brand new training ground
this month he has written a training session for blueprints.

Howard Wilkinson, LMA Chairman

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2
CONTENTS
4
VALENCIA

JAVI
GRACIA
Post-match
training

9 FULHAM 15
STUART
GRAY
Possession
MOTHERWELL drills with
players in
STEPHEN position
ROBINSON
Penetration in the
final third

19 HALIFAX TOWN 22
PETE WILD
Pressing to win
UNIVERSITY
OF LIVERPOOL

KEVIN
O’GRADY
Transition
principles

28 30
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY INTERVIEW
The importance of a mental Chris Powell talks about his
framework coaching career
 SESSION
POST-MATCH
MANAGER PROFILE
TRAINING
JAVI GRACIA
This is a session we actually ran after
a pre-season game at Valencia this
year. For the players that played more

VALENCIA than 60 minutes of the game, their

training would be focused on recovery
and largely based on aerobic work, with
some upper body weights and some
After hanging up his boots at Cordoba in 2004, time on the exercise bikes. But for the
Javi Gracia kick-started his coaching career ones that played less than 60 minutes,
with the youth teams of Villarreal. In 2007 he we would run this top up session with
accepted his first managerial position with the ball. It’s based in football and
Pontevedra in Segunda Division B, the third tier structured endurance.
of Spanish football. In 2008 he was appointed In attack, this session works on
manager of Cadiz where he achieved promotion our possession and establishing our
in his first season. He subsequently coached superiority in transition. We also
Villarreal B, before enjoying spells working in work on the proper use of space. In
Greece with Olympiacos Volou and Kerkyra. defence, we work on closing space
Returning to Spain, he guided Almeria back to inside, pressing after losing the ball and
the top flight in 2013 before moving to Osasuna. recovering our shape on the transition
In 2014 Gracia was appointed as manager of from attack to defence.
Malaga, where in his first season in charge he We would run this session after every
held eventual champions Barcelona to a 0-0 draw game, as the work is based on these
at La Rosaleda before a famous 1-0 win at the principles – it’s a recovery session and
Nou Camp. The following season Malaga twice a good, high-intensity workout with the
held Real Madrid to a draw. During his tenure, ball for the players that either didn’t
despite limited resources, Gracia led his team to participate in the match or participated
consecutive top 10 finishes in La Liga less minutes on the pitch.
Following a year in Russia managing Rubin
Kazan, in January 2018 Gracia was appointed
manager of Premier League side Watford. During “It’s a high-intensity workout
his first full season he successfully retained
Watford’s Premier League status through a mid- with the ball for the players
table finish whilst leading the club to the FA Cup
final for the first time in 35 years, and for only
that didn’t participate for
the second time in Watford’s history. many minutes in the match”
4
 JAVI GRACIA Set-up

POST-MATCH
Area: Number of Players:
Up to half a pitch Up to 14 players

TRAINING
Equipment: + 2 goalkeepers
Balls, bibs, cones, Session time:
3 poles, 4 small goals, Rondo: 15mins
2 full size goals Creating overloads: 15mins
Targeted stamina: 15mins
Small-sided game: 15mins

RONDO cause a turnover. When the blues win the ball in this
5v2, they should immediately pass it to one of their
three team mates in the other half, as shown [1a].
We set up a playing area of 16x8 yards divided into two Then the red player who lost possession, together
halves. We’re using 12 outfield players split into two with the red player waiting on the outside end of that
teams of six. Five reds start in one half along with two half, should both chase the ball across the halfway
blues, while one red waits outside the end line of that line where they become the new pressers. The three
half; three blues start in the other half and one blue blues are joined by their two team mates who have
waits outside the end line of that half. also followed the ball from the other half, making it a
The five reds pass the ball in their half and try to 5v2 in the new half, as shown [1b].
keep possession from the two blues, who press to Players are limited to two touches.

2
[1a] Two blues
press. When
they win
the ball
they should
1 immediately

11
pass it to one
Five reds pass
of the three
the ball in

8
blues in the
their half and
other half
try to keep
possession.
All players are 8
two-touch

16 KEY
16 Ball movement

[1b] 2 The two blue pressers also

follow the ball into the other
half and join their three
Player movement
Dribble
team mates in a new 5v2 Optional movement
1
The red who lost
possession and the
red waiting on the
outside both follow
the ball across the
halfway line where
they become the 8

22
pressers
8
4 3
One of the reds The blues now
drops over the end pass the ball in
line to become the their half under
new outside player pressure from
at that end
16 the two reds

16
5
 8
JAVI GRACIA
POST-MATCH TRAINING

CREATING OVERLOADS KEY Click to show

[2]
16
1 Play begins with a 2 An opponent from 3 Under pressure 4 The midfielders work 5 One of the
keeper passing into the central zone from the blue the ball forwards, midfielders can
the defensive zone, can push into the midfielder, the creating an opportunity enter the attacking
where the red possession team’s possession team to play a through ball zone to support
attacking team has defensive zone to plays a long ball to the striker in the the striker, making
a 2v1 advantage make it 2v2 into midfield attacking zone it a 2v2 attack

18

5 12 14 12 5

We set up a playing area of 48x18 yards divided into into midfield, either from the goalkeeper or from one
a 12-yard defending/attacking zone either side of a of the centre backs.
14-yard central zone. We position two small goals at Following the pass, the centre backs can split and if
each end in a 5-yard zone that only the goalkeepers needed they can move into the central zone to create
can play in. an overload or to assist by pressing or supporting their
We’re using 14 outfield players split into two team mates.
teams of seven plus goalkeepers. Each team has two The possession team should work the ball forwards,
defenders, four midfielders and one striker and the creating an opportunity to pass to the striker in the
players start in their relevant zones. attacking zone. One of the midfielders can then enter
Play begins with a goalkeeper passing into the the attacking zone to support the striker, making it a
defensive zone, where his team have a 2v1 advantage. 2v2 attack, as shown [2].
However, an opponent from the central zone can The goalkeepers guard both goals at their end and
push into the zone to make it 2v2, applying pressure are limited to two touches. The outfield players have
and forcing the possession team to play a long ball no limit on touches.

“The possession team should work the ball forwards,

creating an opportunity to pass to the striker”

6
 JAVI GRACIA
POST-MATCH TRAINING

TARGETED STAMINA
We set up a playing area on just over half a pitch, with around the goal and receiving a pass from – and
a goal and goalkeeper in their normal positions at one returning it to – the next player.
end and three poles positioned as shown. We’re using They then complete the circuit with a sprint to the
five outfield players. back of the starting queue, picking up a new ball along
Most of the players start on the halfway line of the the way, as shown [3].
pitch but two start diagonally opposite near to one During the course of this circuit, players have the
of the poles. The players work their way around the opportunity to work on various technical aspects of
circuit, shooting at the goal at one end before running their game, such as passing, ball control and shooting.

“During the course of this circuit, players can work

on their passing, ball control and shooting”
[3] 3 After receiving a pass from – and
returning it to – the next player, he
completes the circuit with a sprint around
the pole behind the starting queue

1 4
2 After receiving the
return pass, the The first player at the halfway line The player then collects
player shoots at goal dribbles forwards and plays a long a new ball and joins
and runs around the one-two with the player coming the back of the starting
back of the goal up the other side of the pitch queue, ready to go again

KEY Click to show

247
 JAVI GRACIA
POST-MATCH TRAINING

SMALL-SIDED GAME KEY Click to show

[4a] 2 The possession team builds an attack on

the other end. There is no restriction on
the number of touches players can take

1
Play starts and
restarts with a
ball from the
goalkeeper

24
24

30
30
[4b] 1 If players try to
score when they’re
in the opposition
half, all other
players must be
in that half before
they can shoot

24
24
3
If a possession
player shoots and
scores from his
own half, there
is no restriction
on which half
the other players
should be in for
the goal to count

30 2 The goal counts double if an opponent fails

30
to drop back into their own half. Here the
red defenders have all made it back in time

We set up a playing area of 30x24 yards with a goal half, all of their team mates except their keeper and all
and a goalkeeper at each end. We’re using 10 outfield of their opponents must be in that half before they can
players split into two teams of five. We play a 5v5 shoot, as shown [4b]. However, the goal counts double
directional game plus keepers. Play starts and restarts if an opponent fails to drop back into their own half.
with a ball from the goalkeeper and the possession If a shot is taken from their own half, there are no
team builds an attack on the other end, as shown [4a]. restrictions. Normal offside applies. There is no limit
If players try to score when they’re in the opposition on the number of touches players can take.

8
 SESSION
PENETRATION IN
THE FINAL THIRD
This session is about breaking lines and
penetration. It focuses on getting the
wide players, the midfielders and the
centre forward running beyond opposing
defenders in the final third.
The reason we work continually on
this type of session at training is to
establish programmed movements
in certain scenarios. Players have a
tendency to always come to feet and
we have a lot of pace in our side,
especially up front and in wide areas,
so we regularly work on getting behind
defenders and making penetrating runs
MANAGER PROFILE that emphasises our pace.
We work on certain triggers and the
STEPHEN ROBINSON position of the opposition to try and
exploit areas in behind the back four

MOTHERWELL and midfield. We feel we need to do this

type of session at least twice a week in
some format as we tend to be a team
always looking for more passing options,
After a playing career that started at Spurs and even in the final third.
took in long spells at Bournemouth and Luton In the early part of the week we
Town, Stephen Robinson moved into coaching would run this session, or one like it,
with the Northern Ireland youth teams. He solely with the forward players. Then
soon gained a reputation as a top coach and we would add the midfielders. The day
was appointed first team coach under Michael before a game we would combine the
O’Neill, helping the Northern Irish to reach the whole team in the forward pattern and
2016 European Championship finals. bring the units together.
In club football, Robinson joined Scottish We feel the programmed movements
Premier League side Motherwell as assistant developed in this session are vital to
manager in February 2015. After a stint as establish our three stages of attack:
manager of Oldham Athletic, he returned to build up with patience, move the
Motherwell in February 2017 as Mark McGhee’s opposition in the middle area, and
first team coach. Following McGhee’s departure, penetrate in the final third.
he was appointed manager in March 2017.
In his first full season in charge at Fir Park, he
guided the club to the final of the Scottish League “We tend to work on certain
Cup and the Scottish Cup. This was the first time
the club had appeared in both domestic finals triggers and the position of the
since the 1950-51 season. He also led the club to
a third place finish in the Scottish Premiership in
opposition to try and exploit
2020 and qualification for Europe. areas in behind the back four”
9
 STEPHEN ROBINSON Set-up

PENETRATION IN
Area: Session time:
Up to two thirds of pitch Switch and penetrate:

THE FINAL THIRD

Equipment: 10mins
Balls, bibs, cones, Break out and penetrate:
10 mannequins, 2 goals 12mins
Number of Players: Penetration play: 20mins
Up to 20 players 11v11 game (not shown):
+ 2 goalkeepers 12mins

SWITCH AND PENETRATE

We set up in the final third of the pitch with a goal midfielders and strikers), with a 5v2 in each box. The
and goalkeeper in their usual positions. We mark two coach starts play with a pass into the box and the
10x10-yard boxes side by side about 26 yards from the team of five attackers must pass to keep possession.
goal and we position five mannequins as shown, with After the team makes three passes, one of the five
four of them representing the defensive backline and attackers from the other box moves out at an angle to
one representing a defensive midfielder. receive a pass, as shown [1a], and then in turn plays
We’re using 14 outfield players (usually made up of the ball into the box he came from. One player is then

KEY
[1a]
Ball movement
2 The two red defenders press Player movement
and try to win possession.
If they succeed, they should Dribble
clear the ball out of the box Optional movement

1
The coach
starts with a
pass into one
of the boxes
and the team
of five blue
attackers
passes to keep
possession

3
After the
possession
team makes
three passes
in one box, an

10
attacker from
the other box
moves out at
an angle to
receive a pass

8 10

10
 STEPHEN ROBINSON
PENETRATION IN THE FINAL THIRD

released from that box to run past the mannequins pressers in each box to press three times each and
onto a through pass in the penalty area, as shown [1b]. then switch places with an attacker.
The player penetrating the penalty area is allowed two In this drill we work on the weight of pass and the

10
touches to get a shot off on goal. timing of the run. We also emphasise the switch of play
The drill is continuous and as the coach plays from one area to another, as we feel this is when the
another ball into the box that the attacker came from, defending team are outnumbered and more vulnerable.
his team mates play 4v2 until the recovering attacker We work with the players on their decision making
makes it 5v2 again. Play continues as before. as we find they can make poor decisions about when
To progress the practice, we can ask the two to play the penetrating pass.

[1b]
8
2 One attacker is released to
10 1 The attacker who has
run past the mannequins onto moved to receive then
a through pass and into the plays the ball into the
penalty area. He is allowed box he came from
two touches to get a shot off

10

8 10
3 After he has shot, the 4 The blues receive a new ball
attacker must recover from the coach and must
to his starting box pass 4v2 until the recovering
attacker returns to make it 5v2.
Play then continues as before

KEY Click to show

“After the shot has been taken, the coach plays a new ball
in while the striker is recovering and play continues”

11
 STEPHEN ROBINSON
PENETRATION IN THE FINAL THIRD
10
BREAK OUT AND PENETRATE KEY Click to show

[2] 8
3 After the third pass, the
10 1 The coach plays a ball into
possession team must play a the box and the possession
through ball for a player to run team passes under pressure
onto beyond the mannequins from the opposition

30

8 30

4 The breakout attacker has to get a shot off 2 The two floaters play for
within two touches. He then recovers to the team in possession
join his team in pressing their opponents,
who have been served a new ball

We progress the previous activity by replacing the two After the shot has been taken, the coach plays
10x10-yard boxes with one 30x30-yard box positioned a new ball into the 30x30-yard box while the
about 26 yards from the goal. It contains four breakout attacker is recovering. Play continues with
mannequins that represent a defensive backline. We’re the other team passing until they achieve three
using 14 outfield players split into two teams of six passes and trigger a breakout themselves. We play
and two floaters who play for the possession team. three games of three minutes.
The coach starts by playing a ball into the box and We can progress this activity so that only the
the possession team passes under pressure from floaters can play the penetrating pass. We can also
their opponents. After completing the third pass, the remove the three-pass trigger to allow players to
possession team plays a through ball for a player to run assess the best times to penetrate. This ensures
onto beyond the mannequins. The breakout attacker players understand when to keep possession and
must get a shot off within two touches, as shown [2]. teaches them that they shouldn’t force the play.

12
 STEPHEN ROBINSON
PENETRATION IN THE FINAL THIRD

PENETRATION PLAY
For the following patterns of play, we set up on and realising that we can’t penetrate every time.
just over half a pitch with a goal and a goalkeeper We encourage patience while we try to move the
at one end. Ten mannequins are used to represent opposition from side to side to then penetrate. As this
the opposition, set up as if they were in a 4-2-3-1 drill is unopposed, the trigger for the attack can be
formation and positioned as shown. signalled by the coach’s whistle if necessary.
We’re using 20 outfield players split into two teams In the first pattern of play we work the ball around
of 10. Only one team runs each drill at a time and the midfield until the coach whistles or until the
the other waits to take a turn. We look at various opportunity arises to play it high to the number 8,
programmed movements, continuing the theme triggering the wide players to penetrate using the
of penetration and forward runs. We want to see number 9 as a decoy, as shown [3a].
the players controlling the possession in midfield In the second pattern, we work the ball around the

“Players must make good decisions about

when and where to penetrate” KEY Click to show
[3a]
3 The number 9 comes short
to act as a decoy, as if to
draw defenders away

2
The pass to
the number
8 triggers the 2
wide players 7
and 11 to make
penetrating
runs into the
penalty area

7
4
6
9

10
8 5

11

1 The number 5 works the ball

high to the number 8 who
carries the ball forward

2 13
 66

3a
99
STEPHEN ROBINSON
PENETRATION IN THE FINAL10THIRD
10
88 55
midfield until the coach triggers the attack with his number 6 who triggers the penetration from wide player
whistle. The wide player number 7 finds space in the 11 and number 8. The ball is worked wide to number
pockets behind the midfield to 11 receive the ball. This 7, allowing the number 8 to penetrate beyond and the
11
is the trigger for the opposite wide player 11, plus the number 9 to come short as a decoy, as shown [3c].
numbers 8, 9 and 10 to penetrate, as shown [3b]. In these patterns of play we want to see players
In the third pattern, we work the ball around the
3
timing their runs 3
to perfection and using the correct
midfield until the coach triggers the attack with his weight of pass. Players must also make good decisions
whistle. This time we change the point of attack to the about when and where to penetrate.

[3b]
22
1
3 The wide player 7

99
finds space in the
77
The move
also triggers pockets behind the

44
penetrating midfield to receive
the ball and carry it

3b
runs from the
number 8, the forward
number 9 and
the number 10

88 66
55

10
10
2 11
11
The movement
of the number 7
is the trigger for
33
the opposite wide
player to make a
penetrating run

KEY Click to show

[3c] 22
66

2
The ball is worked 77
wide to number 7,
1
who plays back to
10
10 44
The number 6 passes

3c
the number 6 to the number 10,
99 who has come deep

88 55

4
The number 6 launches
the ball into the box
in the direction of the
11
11
number 8, who along
with the two wide
players has made 33
penetrating runs
into the final third

3 The number 9 comes short

as if to receive the ball

14
MANAGER PROFILE
SESSION
STUART GRAY POSSESSSION
FULHAM DRILLS WITH
After a lengthy playing career that took in spells PLAYERS IN
at Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and Aston
Villa, Stuart Gray moved into coaching with
Southampton, later becoming manager of the
POSITION
club after the departure of Glenn Hoddle. The aim of the session is for players
Following his time at the St Mary’s Stadium to try and keep possession in order to
he enjoyed spells as caretaker manager of both dominate the game. It’s also designed
Aston Villa and Wolves, before he was appointed to encourage players to play one-touch
manager at Northampton Town. He also served or two-touch football. It will improve
at Burnley as first-team coach and caretaker passing in tight areas and will help to
manager and he subsequently performed both encourage quick decision making when
roles at Portsmouth. players are closed down in tight spaces.
In 2012 he joined the coaching staff of I like using this session because it is
Sheffield Wednesday, taking over as a caretaker realistic to a match day. These activities
manager before being named head coach on a will really motivate players as they are
permanent basis following a run of impressive all performed at a high intensity and the
results. In his one full season in charge at the players get plenty of touches of the ball.
Championship club, he secured Wednesday’s We usually use this session, or parts of
highest league finish for six years. it, twice a week depending on whether
Joining the coaching staff at Fulham, he or not we have a midweek game.
served as caretaker manager in December 2015
and played a key role as Fulham won promotion
to the Premier League in 2018. He departed the “These activities will really
club that summer but returned in early 2019 to
assist Scott Parker and together they helped
motivate players as they are all
return the club to the top flight in 2020. performed at a high intensity”
15
 STUART GRAY Set-up

POSSESSSION DRILLS
Area: Session time:
Up to half a pitch + full Practice 1: 15mins

WITH PLAYERS
pitch for 11v11 game Practice 2: 15mins
Equipment: Practice 3: 15mins
Balls, bibs, cones, 2 goals 11v11 game: 25mins

IN POSITION
Number of Players:
20 players + 2 goalkeepers
+ 2 servers

PRACTICE 1
We set up two boxes of 25x25 yards separated by The possession team links with the three floaters
a 10-yard central channel. We’re using 20 outfield to make it a 7v4 in each box, as shown [1]. The
players and two goalkeepers, plus two servers who possession team needs to make 12 consecutive passes
pass into the possession team. We play a 4v4 in each to score a point. If the pressing team wins the ball,
box, with three floaters in each. Players should play in they become the new possession team and should
their normal positions where possible and the floaters pass the ball with the help of the floaters.
should stay in position, with one a goalkeeper, one a We play four games of three minutes each, with one
midfielder and one a striker. minute’s rest in between.

[1] KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
1
Optional movement
Play 4v4 between the
reds and the blues in
each box, with play
25
starting from a server

5
2 If the pressing team wins
In each box three the ball, they become the
floaters play for the new possession team
team in possession.

10
They should stay in
position: one is a
goalkeeper, one is a
midfielder and one
is a striker

3
The possession team

“We want to
links with the neutral
floaters to make it 7v4
in each box

see players
keeping 25
possession and
demonstrating
good ball 4

control in The possession team

needs to make 12

tight spaces”
consecutive passes
to score a point

25
5 6 16
 STUART GRAY
POSSESSSION DRILLS WITH PLAYERS IN POSITION

PRACTICE 2 25
We use the same basic set up as before but this time to pass it back to their own box, they must follow
the 11 players in each box are from the same team and the ball and with their team mates they must pass
are in their team shape. A server starts and restarts to keep possession away from the four opposition
play with a pass to the goalkeeper and that team pressers who have followed them into their box.
must pass to keep possession. The other team sends Play is one-touch and the coach should keep count
four players across the 10-yard channel and into the of the number of passes each team makes. The first
opposition’s box where they must try to win the ball team to complete a target number of passes (50, 60 or
by working in groups to press the possession team. 70 passes) wins the game, but the passes do not need
If the four pressing players win the ball they can to be consecutive. When a team loses possession,
either pass to their team mates in the other box, they will start again at the same number of passes
as shown [2], or kick it out of play. If they manage
25
when they regain possession.

[2] 5 6
3
If the four pressing
players win the ball
they can either pass
to their team mates in
the other box, as here,
1 4 or kick it out of play

25
A team sets up in team
shape in each box. 3
A server starts and 2 8
restarts play with a
pass to a keeper and
8 10
that team must pass 9
to keep possession.
KEY Click to show
7 11
11 9 10

10
2
The other team sends
four players across the
10-yard channel into
the possession box
where they try to win
the ball by working in
groups to press
4
If the blue pressers
7 manage to pass it
back to their own box,
they follow the ball
and play continues in
the same manner with
the blues now passing
to keep possession

3
25
2
6 5
5
The first team to
complete a target
number of passes
wins the game, but the
passes do not need to
be consecutive

25
17
 STUART GRAY
POSSESSSION DRILLS WITH PLAYERS IN POSITION

PRACTICE 3
We set up a playing area of approximately 50x75 yards will be playing with a 12v8 overload, as shown [3].
(the area is 50 yards long and the full width of the The only condition is that players are limited to
pitch) with a goal and a goalkeeper at each end. We’re two touches. We play three games of five minutes.
using 20 outfield players split to two teams of eight
and four floaters. How would I put this in a game situation?
We play a normal 8v8 game with players set up in We would usually finish this session by progressing
their team shape and with the floaters playing for the into an 11v11 game on a full pitch. We would play this
team in possession. This means the attacking team for 25 minutes.

KEY Click to show

[3]

2
The four yellow
floaters play for the
team in possession,
giving the attacking
team a 12v8 overload

75
1
Play a normal
8v8 game with
players set up
in their team
shape. Players
are limited to
two touches

50

COACHING POINTS
and make effective transitions from defence to
attack. We also want to see players making good
decisions.
What are the key things to look out for?
Technically, we want to see players able to keep What are the typical mistakes players might
possession and demonstrating good ball control make and how do I avoid them?
in tight spaces. Typical mistakes might be that players will fail to
Tactically, we want to see players understanding read the situation quickly enough and that they use
that they should function in their normal positions incorrect body positions when receiving the ball.

18
 SESSION
PRESSING TO WIN
This is a defending practice that I like
to use. It’s all about pressing and it
encourages players to adopt a ‘don’t get
beat’ attitude. It makes players want
to engage and be in close contact with
their opponents.
I have chosen this session as I feel it
really defines how we want to play when
we are out of possession. This session is
about players being in contact with their
opponents and being particularly tough
to play against.
I feel modern players use an ‘academy
press’ mentality when they close down
MANAGER PROFILE and stop short, allowing the player with

PETE WILD
the ball the ‘square yard’ to still do what
they want. This for me is not closing

HALIFAX TOWN
people down. I like my players to deny
opponents that square yard of space.
At Halifax we deliver this session every
Thursday morning as part of our out-
of-possession day. We feel this puts
Pete Wild played amateur football before taking the players in a defensive mindset and
up coaching at the age of 18. After working for focuses them on not being beaten.
Oldham Athletic for 12 years, including a spell This session is physically tough on
as their interim academy manager, Wild was the players but it will remind them that
appointed as caretaker manager of the League defending is hard work and that they
Two club in December 2018. need to concentrate throughout. One
He led Oldham to a celebrated victory over mistake and the team can lose, just
Premier League Fulham in the third round of like on match day. The phrase ‘don’t get
the FA Cup and won four of the eight games he beat’ is something staff and players will
oversaw before the appointment of Paul Scholes. be shouting throughout this practice and
After the departure of Scholes the following in general on the training ground.
month, he was appointed manager on a contract
until the end of the season. He won four and
drew two of his nine matches in charge, but left “This session is physically
the club at the end of his contract.
In July 2019, Wild was appointed the manager tough on players but it will
of National League Premier side Halifax Town and
led the team to a sixth-placed finish and to the
remind them that defending
quarter-finals of the National League play-offs. is hard work”
19
 PETE WILD Set-up

PRESSING TO WIN
Area: Number of Players:
Up to 60x40 yards 16 players
Equipment: + 2 goalkeepers
Balls, bibs, Session time:
cones, 2 goals Pressing practice: 15mins
9v9 game: 15mins

PRESSING PRACTICE
We set up a playing area of 25x24 yards. We’re using What are the key things to look out for?
16 outfield players split into two teams of eight. Four We want to see the pressing players being effective
players from each team start inside the playing area in at 1v1 defending and demonstrating a ‘don’t get beat’
a 4v4 and the remaining four players from each team mentality. The pressing player should get touch tight
are spaced out on the outside edge at each end. and low, denying the square yard of space to the
The possession team has to work the ball from one player he’s marking. Additionally, the presser must not
end to the other and back again to score a point, as ball watch and should always track the runner.
shown [1]. The out-of-possession team must press. When there is a turnover of possession, the new
The players in the centre are all-in, but the outside pressing players must employ delaying tactics quickly,
players are limited to one or two touches. The outside immediately picking up opponents on the transition.
players must stay outside and can’t be tackled. When The nearest player to the ball must delay whilst all
an outside player passes to an inside team mate, the other players lock on and get in shape.
ball can’t then be returned to the same outside player. Communication from both the inside and outside
We play eight games of 90 seconds, rotating players so players is key throughout the session and it will help
everyone has four goes at the pressing role. to get them to organise each other.

KEY
Ball movement
Player movement

[1] Dribble
Optional movement

1
The team in possession
has to work the ball 2
from one end to the
other. The players To score a point,
on the inside have they must try to
unlimited touches work it back to the
side they started

5
The pressers should
25
get touch tight and
low, denying space
to their opponent.
If they win the ball,
they become the new
passing team
4
The outside
3 players stay
on the outside
The outside players and cannot be
are limited to one tackled. They
or two touches and cannot return the
they combine with ball to the same
the inside players to inside player they
keep possession received from

24
20
2
 PETE WILD
PRESSING TO WIN

25
9v9 GAME
To progress the session we take the principles into a same number, as shown [2a]. The remaining player is
small-sided game. We set up a playing area of 60x40
yards with a goal and goalkeeper at each end. We’re
25
designated as the sweeper. The sweepers must stay
in their own half, although they can tackle anyone
using 16 outfield players split evenly into two 9v9 and can be tackled by anyone, as shown [2b], but
team including goalkeepers. We number seven of they cannot score. Other than these restrictions, it’s
the outfield players on each team from 2 to 8 and a normal directional game and we play four games of
players can only tackle the opposition player with the three minutes.
24 KEY Click to show

[2a] 2
6 6
24
1 Play starts
from the
2 keeper. It’s an

a
9v9 directional
2 game. The
Sw. 7 outfield
7 6 5 6 4 Sw.
40 players are
numbered
from 2 to 8,
4
23
plus each
team has a

a
designated
sweeper
2 Sw. 7 5
Players can
only tackle the
7 5 4
3
Sw.
40
opposition player 8 4 3 3
with the same
number. Here the 8 The sweeper must
blue 7 tackles the stay in the team’s
red 7 and passes 5 defensive half and
to his sweeper cannot score
3
8 60
8
“The pressing player should
2
get touch tight and low, denying
the square yard of space to the player he’s marking”
6
6 60
[2b] 2 2 Sw.

b
Sw. 7
6 40 1 The sweeper
can tackle

5 6
any opponent
4 and can also
5 4 be tackled
2 Sw.
by anyone

b
Sw. 3
7
40
7 5 4 8
5 4 3
8
3
2
The out-of-
possession
players should
7 608 3
get tight to their 8
opposite number
to deny them a
yard of space

60
21
 SESSION
TRANSITION
PRINCIPLES
I use this session to make our players
fully understand our transition principles
– both the transition from attack to
defence and the transition from defence
to attack.
We need to be hard to beat and
by emphasising and improving our
transition to defence, it will make
us harder to score against and help
us to attack confidently and bravely,
knowing that we can trust our players
in the transition to defence. As this is
perfected and improved, our transition
to defence will allow us to win the ball
back quickly and help us to score with
our transition to attack.
I love this session as it helps us
work on both aspects of transition by
recreating the real chaos, stresses and
MANAGER PROFILE excitement of a game. Players also enjoy
this session as it recreates the challenge
KEVIN O’GRADY and exertions of a match. As a result,
they will guide, encourage and excitedly

UNIVERSITY OF critique each other when we run it.

Ultimately, the session allows the team

LIVERPOOL to develop cohesion.

This session is crucial during pre-
season when attempting to teach our
principles of play. It is also helpful as a
A holder of the UEFA ‘A’ Licence, Kevin O’Grady reactive session during the season when
has experience working in both youth and adult the transition to defence and/or attack
football. He also has experience of managing needs to be revised or improved upon
first team squads in both the men’s and based on recent performances.
women’s game. It is also beneficial as a proactive
He is currently the manager of the University session if we feel that our upcoming
of Liverpool’s men’s first team. He has opponents are either very strong or very
previously coached and managed in the weak on one of the transition elements.
Women’s National League. Kevin holds a Masters
degree in Sport Coaching from Liverpool John
Moores University.
“I love this session as it helps
During his time as a coach he has played us to work on both aspects of
a key role in guiding the development and
driving the performances of several forward- transition by recreating the
thinking squads. He also has experience of the
professional game, having worked as a first-
real chaos, stresses and
team opposition analyst for Rochdale AFC. excitement of a game”
22
 KEVIN O’GRADY Set-up

TRANSITION
Area: Number of Players:
Up to three quarters 16 players + 4 goalkeepers

PRINCIPLES
of a pitch Session time:
Equipment: Directional 2v2: 15mins
Balls, bibs, cones, Four goal transition: 15mins
4 goals 9v9 game: 15mins

DIRECTIONAL 2v2
We set up in a playing area of 50x45 yards, with a goal On the coach’s call the first two active players from
and a goalkeeper at each end and four cones set up each team leave their starting points on each side
in the centre of the pitch as shown. We’re using 16 of the pitch and sprint around the nearest cone. The
outfield players split into two teams of eight. Each coach then feeds a ball into the centre of the playing
team is split into two groups of four, with the first area, either directly to a player, as shown [1a], or into
player in each group active and the remaining players space to be won.
waiting on either side of the pitch for their turn.
KEY
Ball movement

[1a]
Player movement
Dribble
1 On the coach’s call the first two active players from
each team leave their starting points on each side Optional movement
of the pitch and sprint around the nearest cone

45

50 2 The coach feeds a ball into

the centre of the playing area,
either directly to a player or
into space to be won

23
 45
KEVIN O’GRADY
TRANSITION PRINCIPLES

[1b]
1 After receiving the ball, the
players then contest a 2v2
KEY Click to show
directional game. Teams
have just 15 seconds to
score in the goal at the

50
end they are attacking

45

2 Teams get one point for

a goal scored from initial
50
possession and two points Blue!
for a goal scored when in
Blue
transition if they win the ball

The players contest a 2v2 directional game and We can progress this activity by increasing the
they have just 15 seconds to score in the goal at the numbers to 3v3 and then 4v4. We can also vary the
end they are attacking, as shown [1b]. Teams get one starting points of each team so that the players are
point for a goal scored from initial possession and challenged by different transition situations.
two points for a goal scored when in transition after
winning the ball from the opposition.
Goalkeepers are encouraged to collect the ball and
play out quickly to make the transition to attack if “It can be a hectic game but
they have the opportunity.
When the 15 seconds is up, players join the back of
players love the nature of it and the
their group and the next players go on the coach’s call. guarantee of goalmouth action”

Red Green
24
 KEVIN O’GRADY
TRANSITION PRINCIPLES

FOUR GOAL TRANSITION 45

We set up on half a pitch with four goals and four of eight. The coach starts play by passing to one of
goalkeepers. The goals are positioned on each side and the teams and calling out a colour to indicate which
at each end of the playing area. A different coloured of the goals should be attacked, as shown [2a].
bib is tied to the goalpost of each goal to identify and The two teams contest an 8v8, with the possession
differentiate between each individual goal. team trying to score in the goal selected by the coach.
We’re using 16 outfield players split into two teams However, if the defending team wins possession, at

[2a] KEY Click to show

1 The coach starts play by

passing to one of the teams and
calling out a colour to indicate
which goal should be attacked

50
Blue!
Blue

2
The two teams
contest an
8v8 with the
possession team
trying to score in
the goal selected
by the coach

Red Green

White

25
 KEVIN O’GRADY
TRANSITION PRINCIPLES

the moment of transition the coach calls out the depending on the selection of goal. They may struggle
colour of a different goal and each team needs to to identify the new target and team mates needs to
adjust quickly and transition appropriately, as shown communicate this quickly to the player on the ball.
[2b]. This can be challenging as players may find It can be a hectic game but players love the nature
themselves either in congested areas or in space, of it and the guarantee of goalmouth action.

[2b]
1 Play restarts from the coach,
who again calls out the colour
of the goal to be attacked
KEY Click to show

White!
Now green!
Blue

2
If the defending
team wins
possession, at
the moment of
transition the
coach calls out
the colour of a
different goal

Red Green

White
3 Each team needs to adjust and
transition appropriately, with the
new possession team attacking the
new goal selected by the coach

“Expansive and ambitious attacking will stretch the opposition

and challenge the opposition’s transition to defence”
26
 Blue

KEVIN O’GRADY
TRANSITION PRINCIPLES

4 9v9 GAME
We set up on a normal pitch between the goal line players have learnt and improve the team’s transitions
at one end and the 18-yard line at the other end. We from defence to attack and from attack to defence.
position a goal and a goalkeeper at each end. We’re We tend to set up for this in 4-3-1 formation with
Redsplit into two teams of eight
using 16 outfield players Green
full backs acting as wing backs. We can increase
plus keepers. the challenge by allowing only 20 seconds for an
We play a normal 15-minute game, as shown [3], attack before the coach will play a new ball to the
emphasising the transition principles the players have opposition. This is particularly effective in the last
already explored. The aim is to consolidate what the five minutes of the session.

KEY Click to show

[3]
3 The blues don’t transition
to defence quickly
enough and fail to stop
the reds from creating a
White
shooting opportunity

2 1

Here the reds Play starts from

win the ball the keeper. Play
and transition a normal game,
quickly to attack emphasising
the transition
principles that
the players have
already explored

COACHING POINTS
able to spot where the opposition are disorganised.
There is less of a rigidity needed with respect to the
transition to attack and players are encouraged to
What are the key things to look out for? express themselves.
In the transition from defence to attack, players In the transition from attack to defence, teams
need to be brave and aggressive when they win the need to get compact instantly. Teams can vary
ball. Expansive and ambitious attacking will stretch how they do this and experimentation is to be
opponents and challenge the opposition’s transition encouraged, particularly in pre-season. During
to defence. As soon as the ball is won, teams need the season, an upcoming opponent may influence
to create height, width and depth. Forward runs whether we aim to press aggressively when the
are necessary to provide support and teams need ball is lost or whether all players drop instantly
to identify the space available to attack and be to become compact behind the ball.

27
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

DEVELOPING A
MENTAL FRAMEWORK
SPORT PSYCHOLOGIST DAN ABRAHAMS DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING
PLAYERS THE FINAL PIECE OF THE PERFORMANCE PUZZLE

“Every player needs

a mental framework
to support their
capacity to compete”

“What are you trying to achieve mentally when you and are able to quell the negative emotions that
play?” emerge as they compete. The reality? It’s likely that
The response to this question tends to be the same everyone can improve the mental side of their game,
– a blank look. An uncomfortable silence. An awkward and having been fortunate enough to work with some
moment. of the best, I’m a big believer that every player needs
It’s not like this all of the time, but it certainly a mental framework to support their capacity to
happens most of the time. Most players I consult compete.
with don’t have a mental how-to guide for match With this in mind, I’d like to ask you a question:
day. They don’t have a mental framework that helps does every player in your squad know how to find
them manage the unhelpful and destructive thoughts, their very best mindset come kick off? Does every
feelings, and emotions that can envelop their game. player know what they’ve got to do to stay in their
Perhaps it’s because some players have so much high performance mindset no matter the challenges
skill in their feet that they feel they can get away with that are thrown at them during the game?
poor thinking. Or maybe it’s because some players If the answer is no, this may be an opportunity to
consider themselves to be naturally mentally strong add a piece to the performance puzzle.

28
 SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

POSITIVE MINDSET
A framework can be as simple as a couple of
cue words to snap a player back into the present
moment, or a technique like self-talk to manage
negative thoughts and feelings that arise as the game
unfolds. It can involve the use of body language and
communication. It can incorporate physical triggers
and instructional keys. It can utilise an attentional
cue to help players scan the pitch better.
Whatever it looks like, the point is this – a mental
framework helps a player take charge of him or
herself on the pitch. It helps players take control of
themselves. And having the ability to dominate one’s
own mindset is vital for several reasons.
Firstly, because of the demands of the game.
Football is a game of perceptual chaos. Player, ball doubt through a player’s body if it perceives the game
and space are constantly changing – space emerging is going really badly.
and dissolving; team mates and opposition players
continually moving; the position of the ball rapidly NEGATIVE EMOTION
shifting. As coaches we want players to be able to A player engulfed in negative emotion or awash with
deal with these demands effectively, and we want unhelpful thoughts cannot deal with perceptual chaos,
them to do so while teaming with others, and leading and cannot help his or her team mates as expected.
others. We want them to display interpersonal skills A player drowning with uncertainty will struggle to
with strong communication. control a ball with a deft touch, cannot pass with
But this isn’t easy. Why? freedom, will likely play with tunnel-vision, may be
Because whilst football works in seconds, the brain slower to anticipate, and will tend to make poor
and nervous system work in milliseconds – they decisions.
trump football for speed every single time. And as the So take a little time to ask your players this: “What
brain marches to such a quick beat, it searches and are you trying to achieve mentally when you go and
scans for threats in its immediate vicinity, and within play?” I wonder if they’ll be able to tell you exactly
its immediate past, present and future. So the brain what it is they’re trying to accomplish. I’d put to you
loves to bookmark failure – the mistake just made, that if they can’t, you have a window of opportunity to
we’ve gone a goal behind, the opposition are playing help them put that right. You can help them develop a
incredibly, the referee is having a shocker. The brain mental framework to their game. You can add another
will happily shoot a sensation of anxiety or worry or piece to that all important performance puzzle.

“A player drowning with uncertainty will

struggle to control a ball with a deft
touch and cannot pass with freedom”

29
INTERVIEW CHRIS POWELL

NOW OR NEVER
CHRIS POWELL IS ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED FOOTBALL COACHES IN THE ENGLISH
GAME. HERE HE TALKS ABOUT HIS CAREER IN MANAGEMENT AND COACHING

Chris Powell’s first full season as a manager was, he studied alongside for their opinion or support.
says, “empowering”. With Charlton Athletic in League Early on in your career, you have to learn on the job,
One, having been in the top tier only three years and quickly. You’re facing questions and problems
before, Powell succeeded in winning the league and constantly and, while your courses, diplomas and
securing promotion back into the Championship. coaching qualifications are invaluable, they won’t
A decade on and he has also been a manager at both provide you with all of the answers.
Huddersfield Town and Southend United, a caretaker Nothing beats learning from fellow managers in
manager at Derby County and an assistant manager at the game because if one thing is for sure, whatever
Dutch side ADO Den Haag. Now coach of the U17s to you’re going through, other managers will have been
the U23s at Tottenham Hotspur and a part of Gareth through it too.
Southgate’s England coaching staff, Powell speaks
frankly about his career and his hopes for greater I’m not afraid to take on different roles.
diversity in the game. Some people only want to be the manager, but I want
to expand my skillset, to learn about different roles
I’ve never had any qualms about asking for advice. in the club, to see things from different perspectives
During my first six months at Charlton, the learning and build relationships. I think the fact I’ve had
curve was incredibly steep, but I knew I could call that experience can only benefit me in the long run,
Nigel Pearson, Chris Hughton and others I’d worked or because I’m able to better understand where other

30
 CHRIS POWELL
INTERVIEW

people in the club are coming from, what they might

be thinking about and what they need in order to
perform at their best.

Not enough UK coaches work abroad.

I adored working in the Netherlands. I loved the
lifestyle and the culture, and it was great to be
pushed out of my comfort zone, to have to adapt
my coaching and man-management.
I had to learn very quickly what is and isn’t
negotiable in their culture and in how they play and
think about the game, because the mentality of the
players is quite different. I also learned to speak some
Dutch, albeit terms relating to football, because small
details like that are important. It demonstrated my
willingness to learn and a commitment to the role.
It was a shame my time there was cut short because
of Covid. It wasn’t easy, but I learned so much and I’d
strongly recommend working abroad to anyone who
has the opportunity to do so. “Nothing beats learning from fellow
I had to be successful, because the statistics
managers because whatever you’re
don’t lie. going through, other managers will
There are many good managers out there who never
get a second opportunity to make a good impression, have been through it too”
so I knew I had to make a success of it. There
were other reasons, too. Charlton was a club I was
synonymous with as a player, so I was really keen to
make a positive impact there. But also there was the
fact that I was a young black manager. I wanted to do
my absolute best to inspire other black coaches to
stay in the game and apply their qualities in coaching.
Black players have always been part of the fabric
of the game and the same should be true off the
pitch. I’ve always wanted to make a difference. There
aren’t many black managers and coaches for people
to look up to. I was lucky to have Chris Hughton, Keith
Alexander, Terry Connor and Noel Blake.

I had self-belief and you need that as a manager.

Many people go into media or agency work, or simply
walk away, but I always wanted to stay closely
involved with the game after I retired as a player,
regardless of my colour. preparation. To me, this is what modern Britain is
I was really fortunate that someone gave me an about – tolerance and inclusion.
opportunity as player-coach at Leicester City; it was Organisations can be so much better for diversity.
then up to me to prove that I was knowledgeable, and We’re at a point in the game where there’s real
that I could learn and improve. We should all have the respect and enthusiasm for diversity in coaching and
same access to opportunities like that, whatever our I’m really emboldened by what I’m hearing and seeing
race or gender. at the moment. When you have people who have been
through diverse life experiences, you’re better placed
I’m a manager who happens to be black. to solve problems, and in many cases the organisation
I’m English, this is my country, irrespective of becomes more representative of the community that
where my parents and grandparents come from. it serves.
I’m incredibly proud to have played for the England
senior team, and now to work with them as a coach. I see a real appetite for change in the game now.
I can’t tell you how powerful it is for me to be seen There are so many coaches out there with great
working with them, to be closely involved with their potential, male and female, and I think they’re feeling

31
 CHRIS POWELL
INTERVIEW

more empowered than ever. I hope that football takes

the lead in instigating change, because sport can be
an incredibly powerful force for good. But the changes
required go beyond just creating opportunities here
and there for black candidates. Without a doubt,
ongoing education will play an important part in
ensuring lasting change.
There’s now much greater awareness of unconscious
bias and of the need to understand people’s cultural
differences and what they may have been through,
but it’s time to act on it. Ultimately, everyone should
have equal opportunities and feel comfortable doing
their job regardless of the colour of their skin or their
background.

There have been too many false dawns.

We have such an opportunity in the game now to
create lasting change, and we must not let that pass.
What tends to happen is there is lots of noise around
diversity, a few small changes are made and then
things pretty much go back to how they were until
the next time the topic raises its head.
This time, it has to be different. The changes need
to be made public and there needs to be transparency.
If not, if it all goes on behind closed doors, there’s
a real risk that we’ll be discussing this issue again
in another five years. We need to implement lasting,
meaningful change, and if we don’t do it now I fear it
may never happen.

“We’re at a point in the

game where there’s real
respect and enthusiasm
for diversity in coaching”

32
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