February 08, 2022

Distribution from the Keeper and Playing Out from the Back Using the 3-1-3-3 - Training Center Exclusive

February 08, 2022/ Wayne Harrison

Here are 9 ways to distribute from the keeper and play out from the back. We owe it to the players to teach them this as Young as is possible.

I work on this initially practicing all ways to get out. Have opponents only intercepting passes to begin. Then let it go free. When opponents win it back we work on the defending team condensing and defending correctly.

If three or four ways to develop play are done very frequently then it becomes a subconscious decision to move into position so no decision making required as such.

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November 18, 2021

9 v 9 Animation of Team Development using One Word Commands

November 18, 2021/ Wayne Harrison

Just a one-word signal can organize a defense, so everyone on the team knows what to do and reacts together as a unit. Also midfield players close by can react off the call too as can strikers. These One-word calls ensure everyone will know quickly and effectively what they should do as a unit and as a team. Hence the back players (and the keeper) can organize their movement as a unit (and therefore influence those in front of them) from Five VERY simple one-word commands. The momentum is triggered from the back and runs forward through the team to the strikers. We must have a very vocal and confident leader at the back organizing this and making the decisions.

August 02, 2021

Small Sided Third Man Run Games - Training Center Exclusive

August 02, 2021/ Wayne Harrison

Some of the best forward runs in soccer are deemed “third man runs” often made from a position that is blindside of the opponents. The third man run player can start the passing sequence; or not, but invariably they are on the end of a forward pass often beyond the back four of the opponents.

The set up in the first game is as it would be in the attacking shape of a 4-2-3-1, so you can take this small sided game to represent the 11 v 11 in a particular area of the field making the same types of plays. You can also use this for any team shape set up you might use in an 8 v 8 or 11 v 11. If you play with two striker s then play 7 v 7 and two up front for example or even change the shape behind.

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June 14, 2021

Throw Ins in the Attacking Third - Training Center Exclusive

June 14, 2021/ Wayne Harrison

The best way to win the ball from a throw in; more often than not ; is for the opponents to throw it in. The best way to lose the ball from throw ins; more often than not ; is for US to throw the ball in. It sounds “back to front” but watch and see. Therefore, its very important to have pre meditated plans for throw ins, as must as for corners, free kicks wide and central or long, and how to defend from these set plays too.

This is a basic crossover move. The person who receives the throw to cross the ball starts their run second. (7) and (10) line up with (2). They look to cross over . All other players stay out of the immediate area.

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February 09, 2021

A Rondo Overloading Players in the Zone 14 - Training Center Exclusive

February 09, 2021/ Wayne Harrison

A rondo can be applied on certain parts of the field of play that apply to the game. This exercise is based on the positioning of the players around Zone 14 (the zone in front of the opponents back 3 or 4 and their midfield).

Here we start the exercise off as a typical rondo and develop the idea to take it into the game situation. This example can be the shape within a 4-2-3-1 system of play. I have used this same set up many times in training to bring the ideas out in actual games with my U14 team. Certain moves become almost automatic as each player mentally knows what the other will do; before they do it. Especially good when teams defend deep against you and you have to open them up with imaginative movements OFF the ball. I love this session.

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November 25, 2020

Positional Possession Areas to Create Superiority - Training Center Exclusive

November 25, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

This game and its many progressions are designed to get the most out of the thinking processes of the players. Many mental challenges to overcome and learn from. In the game players must develop the ability to be calm under pressure, to be confident to receive the ball in tight spaces and to have the confidence of teammates to give the ball to you under pressure. Players need to develop their ability to look ahead of the ball even more, to assess options and make decisions even faster because the time on the ball is even more restricted than usual.

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November 01, 2020

Overloading Players in the Zone 14 eBook - Training Center Exclusive

November 01, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

Teams may work out that we are good at playing penetrating passes and making great runs in behind them so the way to try to stop this is to defend deep. If they defend deep we need a tactical solution to counter this. This presentation gives you ideas on how to do this and play initially IN-FRONT of the opponents back four.

October 09, 2020

7 v 7 Animation of Team Development Using One Word Commands - Training Center Exclusive

October 09, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

This is just A WAY to play 7 v 7, there are various other ways to do it. Just a one-word signal can organize a defense, so everyone on the team knows what to do and reacts together as a unit. Also midfield players close by can react off the call too as can strikers. These One-word calls ensure everyone will know quickly and effectively what they should do as a unit and as a team. We must have a very vocal and confident leader at the back organizing this and making the decisions.

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October 05, 2020

5 Phases of Play for 1-3-1-3-1 at 9 v 9 - Training Center Exclusive

October 05, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

This is a very simple way to show how the team movement works. The main theme is movement OFF and often AWAY from the ball. Players position OFF the ball based on: The best spaces, the opponent's positions, their own teammates positions, the position of the ball. These are ALL EXAMPLES of what “might / could” happen. Players can interchange positions as we develop the play. We offer great dynamics and fluidity to the players to allow them to express themselves on the field.

With this we can show the discipline also involved when we lose the ball and we recover back or press high. Teams will develop their style of play within these frameworks, it will never be as picture perfect as this due to the nature of the game, it is more just a guiding framework. How we do it per team it can be determined by the level of play.

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September 12, 2020

Introduction to the 5 Phases of Play for 1-3-1-3-1 at 9 v 9

September 12, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

September 08, 2020

Rotating Shadow Strikers and Teammates In and Around Zone 14 - Training Center Exclusive

September 08, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

This presentation shown through animations looks at the effective use of Zone 14 and the various uses of shadow strikers.

Zone 14 is located outside the penalty area. It is a factor to differentiate successful and unsuccessful teams because it provides the most assists in the game. The most effective way to use zone 14 is to make a forward pass into the penalty area from there. Moreover, the attacking play should be quick. The possession in zone 14 should not be more than 8 seconds. Not looking at the build up; but rather; focusing on the final pass into Zone 14.

In my opinion, the best way is to attack through zone 14 first as it is more effective. If they can’t penetrate through the central attacking area, then they attack the wide areas. Phase 3 shows how we overload Zone 14 with inverted runs by wide players to OUTNUMBER opponents CENTRALLY. This is the key.

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May 11, 2020

Playing a 5-4-1 and Counter Attacking with Opponents Defending High

May 11, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

In this presentation, we are playing a 1-5-4-1 (1-3-4-3) defending deeper and Counter Attacking. This strategy can be used when your team is winning but under immense pressure. Your focus is on defending then counter attacking. You can also experiment playing this way for an educational experience. Lastly, we look at the timing of various run so as not to be offsides.

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April 11, 2020

Pressing in the Attacking Third - Training Center Exclusive

April 11, 2020/ Wayne Harrison

Practice regaining possession in the attacking third of the field using the press. As a last resort we can kick the ball long as opponents prevent us building out the back. We can turn this into an advantage but the correct positioning of the players around where the ball is going must be addressed. Position all around the receiving player and try to out number the opposition in the immediate area. Teams often think if they have possession of the ball through the keeper they must spread out but in this case it is the opposite which should happen and they must condense around where the ball is being delivered.

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