Tunnel Vision

I have recently looked at a way at getting my players to lift their heads whilst running with the ball, as most kids are unable to do two things at once I found this session very useful as it forces the player to rely on their ball skills and lift the head up avoiding bumping into others.

The session itself can be used for any number of players and has to be as quite compact, maybe 20 yards in length and 10 wide with 3 rows of players

Keep the progressions to 2 rotations of the course and then move onto next progression.

The different progression can be:-

• Stronger foot

• Weaker foot

• Kick ups

• Other skills

• Both feet

 Click to enlarge image

 Click to enlarge image

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Click to enlarge image

To move this session on further, move 2 players to the sides and their objective is to complete a successful whilst the other players carry on running up and down,

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Click to enlarge image

4 Corners Model
Physical


• Running
• Turning
• Stretching

Psychological

• To understand when and where to use an appropriate turn to avoid another player
• Understand movement on and off the ball

Social

• Discussing what worked well

Technical

• Use of both feet
• Skills
• Changing direction with the ball

Interview with Justin Jose

Name

Justin Jose


Background

Semi-Pro football playing career ended early with a bizarre injury. Graduated in Aeronautical Engineering and worked for a year. Quit the job because I wanted to follow my heart, and that was football.

Did FA level 1 and started coaching. Next year will do coaching degree under Arsenal FC.

Favourite Team

Arsenal FC

Most memorable moment in sport

When 2 of my boys from the Vision India Project got selected to attend the U-14 National Camp.

Most embarrassing moment in sport

Failing to connect with my team during the play-offs. Everyone was excited about the match. We conceded 3 crazy goals in the first 3 minutes, and my players wanted to quit the match. I couldn’t motivate or inspire them from the shock. Managed to keep them on field, and lost 7-1.

Hobbies

Reading, Music & Football

Current Job

Working with the AFC Vision India Project.

Best Player played against/coached

Blaise Mathew, gifted boy, good attitude and comes from a very poor family. With luck, one day he will play at the highest level for India.

Interview with Andy Brown

Name
Andy Brown

Background

I spent most of my life working in call centre/sales management. I took up coaching about seven years ago as a favour for the club my son started playing for and have loved nearly every minute of it. After being made redundant 3 times in 5 years I decided to get paid for doing what I enjoy. Now as well as coaching voluntarily at a Grassroots club, I work as a Sports coach running after school clubs and P.E sessions and not just in football, but also martial arts and multi-sports.

Favourite Team

Millwall

Most memorable moment in sport

In professional sport it is without a doubt seeing Gary Alexanders wonder goal for Millwall at Wembley against Scunthorpe. I saw the greatest ever goal at Wembley!

In Grassroots football it would be seeing my son score a very rare goal, he was playing right back for the U11 team I was coaching, he picked the ball up just inside his own half, ran down the wing beating everyone for pace, cut in level with six yard box and from just inside the 18 yard box smashed the ball into the far top corner. He then ran all the way back to where he started his run and skidded along the floor.

Most embarrassing moment in sport

Having to replay a game that a side that I was coaching was losing 5-0 with only a couple of minutes to go, one of our players suffered serious knee damage and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Because the game wasn’t finished we had to replay it - Leagues and their decisions…eh!

Hobbies

Just football and I write the http://youthsoccerlessonplans.blogspot.com/ blog.

Current Job

Sports Coach

Best Player played against/coached

Not coached any stars yet, as most of my career had been with young kids who would not have progressed and at school most of the talented players actually went into athletics rather than football.

If you could run the FA, what 1 thing would you change?

I would add regular assessments for coaches at Charter Standard clubs and start to progress it from the tick box exercise it has become.

Interview with Tim Wareing

Name


Tim Wareing

Background

Played to Amateur Level in Northern Ireland before getting involved in coaching. I hold my UEFA A Licence & run my own coaching business, TWSports.Org Group.

I set up a successful Academy with Irish Premiership Club, Lisburn Distillery.

More info about me here; www.TWSports.Org/whois

Favourite Team

Manchester United

Most memorable moment in sport

Has to be 1999! Treble winning season for United

On a personal level it was seeing youth players I had worked with secure a move across the water, seeing them represent their country & simply moving up into the reserve team / first team.

Most embarrassing moment in sport

Fortunately nothing too major. I have slipped & landed on my backside demonstrating a session much to the amusement of many watching children & parents!

Hobbies

Football, coaching (even though it is my job!) & spending time with my family + travelling.

Current Job

Run my own coaching business, www.TWSports.Org & www.ToddlerSoccer.Org. I also have 6 other products including my coaching website, www.TrainingSoccer.Org. I published my first book at the start of the year, Toddler Soccer – The Essential Guide.

Best Player played against/coached

Best player played with / against has to be Bert-Jan Heijmans. Great Dutch coach that played to a decent level in Holland.

In terms of coaching I have worked with many players who have moved to England. Many others now play in the Irish Premiership & youth internationals including Mark Cooling & Stuart Thompson to name but a few.

I’m currently working with a number of talented kids at the minute. One is attracting interest from over 7 English, Scottish & European clubs.

If you could run the FA, what 1 thing would you change?

The boring, outdated coaching methods! Get down to the kids level, make the sessions fun & challenging & encourage our kids to be brave & play with flair & creativity – let them play. The FA (& IFA) need better relationships with Grassroots coaches & clubs if they want to make a real change.