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.
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This is a very simple set up to get the idea of the 3rd man run into the heads of the players. The third man run player makes the initially pass to start the sequence off. Here (1) makes the first pass to (A) coming short, who plays it off to (2) who plays (1) in ahead of the run. After the three runs (1) lays off a diagonal pass to (B) and the sequence continues.
Read MoreA three zone movement off the ball clinic focusing on zone 14 emphasizing movement back towards the ball to receive and play forward and the consequent interchange of players between the three units.
I really like this game you can bring in so many different ideas to the session and it all involves mental challenges to the players with regard to playing, moving and thinking quickly (and ahead of the ball).
This would be one of my regular training sessions.
Read MoreShowing how we can attack from the back through the right center back (5). The same can happen with our left center back. This is not an expected play so it can catch opponents out if we develop this idea.
We start with our attacking team shape of Phase 2 of the 5 phases. I am showing potential options of attack we can use and develop knowing we are covered behind so whichever center back gets forward they are confident they are covered. Here opponents play 4-4-2 then 4-3-3.
Read MoreIn a 2 v 2 show the “piston effect” of support movements as the ball travels. Also consider that the closest player can close down the ball as it travels from player to player.
Read MoreThe emphasis in this drill is on executing one-touch passes with the correct accuracy and weight. If players can't pass and receive the ball in soccer, they will not be successful. The coach of youth players should emphasize technical training while also having a basic understanding of correct technical execution.
Read MoreIntroducing footwork and coordination to new players is vital in their development, even if only for 5 minutes at the start of each session. Our work is based upon developing a balance between ball handling and functional running and sprinting in combination with jumping, stopping and turning.
Read MoreBack four team shapes defending and attacking team shapes
In the practices illustrated 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.
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Read MoreAn easy introduction to teaching players to develop play from the back without the pressure they would get in a game situation. Builds confidence and composure in the players and you can increase the pressure as they improve.
Overload at the back. Striker can’t encroach into the 10-yard composure zone. Defenders pass ball across under no pressure until one is free to run it out, attackers can now try to win it back. Defenders can take the ball back into the composure zone for safety and this encourages spreading out and playing from the back. Be patient, keep possession; go forward at the correct moment.
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Read MoreThis presentations shows the basic Rondo. It is none pressured, unlimited touches, and presented in a simple way to allow the players to easily begin the process of education. It is the attention to detail that is paramount in the learning process. The Ball must be passed around the square not across it. Players adjust their position based on the ball. They use the cones as positional points of reference.
Read MoreHalf a touch mentality teaches players to recognize the best options; and therefore make the best DECISIONS; BEFORE and in ADVANCE of receiving the ball. This means we want players to ALWAYS; AT EVERY MOMENT THINK: “I only have One touch”; therefore this will force players to always do “THE LOOK” before they receive the ball to see several options and pick out their best option, which may be actually to DRIBBLE!!
Read MoreTo play the game successfully it is vital we keep possession of the ball.
The following presentation is ONE WAY to show how to teach players successful decision making, because the game is about the brain and mind and the thinking processes as much as the body, perhaps more so as the game gets faster and faster.
We have Technical, Tactical, Psychological and Physical and all will be a part of this presentation in terms of decision making, but it will all come down to the “SKILL FACTOR” in my opinion.
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Read MoreA 2 v 2 game going to 4 goals. The team who scores stays on and must quickly defend the 2 new players coming in. We are working on Quick break and counter attack, Quick one and two touch passing and Positioning to open up passing lanes and getting between defenders to pass the ball in early.
Read MoreWith these drills our players are developing awareness of where the player they receive from is and where the player they pass to is. Because of this players begin to anticipate the pass to them and where it is coming from. Also they must look to where it is going to (where is the player they are passing to?). We are trying to create a situation where players are looking two moves ahead not just one.
Read MoreThis game is based on possessing the ball and the movement off it.
We have several progressions we can use to challenge the players these include:
A simple Warm up to get the idea going
Playing through the thirds with targets
Playing through the thirds without targets
Players must stay in their own thirds so we have 3 combination games going at once
We can add free players therefore creating overload situations
More!
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Read MoreThis is a wonderful way to teach your team how to move around the field with “one word commands” that are fast and simple and everyone immediately knows what to do per each call.
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.
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This video is an example of a “One Touch Mentality” game situation U14 boys.
