Mike Jacobs, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at the University of Evansville, shares his notes and write up of one of Jose Mourinho’s training sessions. 5:00 PM Dynamic warm-up – outfield players and goalkeepers break up onto two different fields 5:07 PM 5 v 2 in 10 x 10 grid 5:15 PM (Diagram A) 5 players… Read More »
I have been a fan of Jose Mourinho for many years. When the opportunity came to watch him work first hand with Real Madrid in Los Angeles, I signed up for the NSCAA Course right away. I have observed numerous training sessions at professional clubs with top coaches before, but this was different. I expected to… Read More »
In this article, Hermann Bomers draws our attention to a common problem in youth soccer training and argues that a good training program must be fundamentally play-oriented. Taking dribbling as his example, he shows us how practice games with special rules can be used at any age level to promote and develop desired skills. READ… Read More »
With all the top level soccer going on right now in Champions League, Euros, promotion/regulation games, MLS….the age old question surfaces again: What is the best and most effective system to play? Do you play a 4-3-3, 4-2-2, 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-1-1, 4-1-4-1 or some other variety? The answer is not as simple as putting numbers… Read More »
It has never been hard for me to spot a good player. There is an element of ease, a comfort with the ball, a relaxed, almost nonchalant air when doing ridiculously hard things. In my eyes, the essence of this whole star or the fundamental beginnings of greatness, begins with the ability to play on… Read More »
In this interview clip from USSoccer.com, Jurgen Klinsmann discusses how a team’s style of play reflects the environment in which they live. Jurgen also mentions how this evolves from the individual player’s surroundings and by finding out what drives them. According to the Men’s National Team coach, having a strong foundation, being organized defensively, have… Read More »
Soccer coaches are always trying to beat opponents, obviously. Recruiting bigger players or playing a particular system is one set of strategies, but a growing trend to improve a team’s performance, regardless of player age, is through a training regime that includes speed and agility workouts. In speaking to pro players and coaches at the… Read More »
Every young player should be given appropriate information about the importance of movement skills and beyond that should be given abundant opportunities for the practice of such movements. Moreover, they should be given knowledge of and practice in the skills of body movement so that they can handle their bodies effectively during the changing demands… Read More »