Soccer training, soccer drills, articles, soccer training videos and more from Wayne Harrison/Soccer Awareness.
Soccer Awareness training develops SELF THINKING players who are not coach driven; but coach guided, and within this they are allowed to make mistakes without criticism; but rather; encouraged to learn from them.
Welcome to the Soccer Awareness Coaches Corner. Browse through soccer drills, small sided games, tactical thoughts, full sessions and a variety of resources. Posts marked “Training Center Exclusive” are for members only.
The following is the introduction to a presentation on Teaching a One-Touch Mentality presented by Wayne Harrison, Founder of Soccer Awareness, at the international 2017 Derbystar Youth and Amateur Trainer Congress.
Read MoreIn this session, six outfield players plus a keeper are playing against nine outfield players. The six defending players are 2-0 up and need to maintain the lead. This is going to build up into a 10 v 11 game situation eventually.
Read MoreUse this session to work on team shape, movement in wide areas, use of one word commands and more in a 9 v 9 set-up playing a 3-1-3-1 system.
Read MoreIn the practices illustrated here both back fours operate on defensive and attacking aspects of their game in the same practice. The coach may choose to work with one of the back fours specifically or may work with both back fours in the same practice.
Read MoreThe session is designed to show how to work on team shape building up from a back four only. Side cones are 25 to 30 yards apart as are the defenders and the coach. The coach moves with the ball and the defenders mirror the movement maintaining the distances between them.
Read MoreThe ultimate goal in coaching is helping each player develop his or her talents and abilities to the fullest. With this in mind, we created this Unique Soccer Awareness philosophy of developmental coaching and training. It simply means training the mind before the body.
Read MoreWork on shooting and receiving with this long distance shooting drill from the Soccer Awareness Training Center.
Read MoreThe game encourages playing from the back as the keeper can’t kick it long over the goals. Because of the unusual pitch lay out and goal positions it really makes the players think.
Read MoreUse this warm up to work on awareness of where other players are (in this case all the other players are defenders trying to win possession of your ball) whilst maintaining possession of the ball ensuring players are looking around away from their own ball.
Read MoreIn this warm-up, players are keeping the ball away from the central player while working on passing and maintaining possession. Use different number of touches (try 2 touches to start). Body position and foot preparation is vital when playing one touch.
Read MoreThis exercise is what the Barcelona thinking model of passing and movement is built on. Players start at 7 years old and use it right thru the ages; and even at senior level it is a staple practice for the players.
Read MoreThis is a breakaway 1 v 1 situation with the striker running at the defender in a straight line towards goal and kicking the ball past them and chasing it down. The defender must be “side on” already with their body turned back and ready to run towards their own goal. Defender must increase their speed dropping back; running almost side on and backwards (but head facing forwards watching the striker and the ball until it is played pass them, then they have a full turn and chase) as the striker kicks the ball past them and must start their dropping run early enough to give themselves time and space on the striker.
Read MoreHere the players work to get free of their markers by their movement off the ball; they create space for themselves and / or for their teammates.
Read MoreHere the attacking player can make a run and the zone allows them to lose their marker. If players struggle to keep possession in a small sided game this is one way to help them and thus have them relax on the ball, knowing they cannot be tackled.
Read MoreHere we are looking at players 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9; 10 and 11 of the 11 v 11 and we will look at them in this particular formation of 1-3-3-1-1. You could of course use different formations at 9 v 9 but I'm basing it on this one because it’s closer to the set up of the 11 v 11 so it transitions easily into it.
Read MoreSoccer Awareness developmental training focuses on the concept of the THIRD EYE of Awareness, Imagination and Anticipation in Performance. Soccer Awareness is a highly innovative concept which aims to develop the thinking coach and player. Soccer Awareness focuses on the creation of a player centered environment which encourages autonomy and an ability to make correct decisions within a game specific context.
Soccer Awareness Training Center provides unlimited access to Wayne Harrison's Soccer Awareness systems, training sessions, drills and more. Wayne's system helps the development of all levels of soccer players and teams in a systematic and imaginative manner that guarantees performance at the highest level of competition.
This video is an example of a “One Touch Mentality” game situation U14 boys.
