
DESCRIPTION: - Players work in fours at one goal - Central starting cone off the line - Three sets of three cones following lines; directly out from central cone and one each either side on a line passing between the back corner and central cone - 3 player servers 3yds beyond end of each line - Player in grid starts at central cone and navigates cones in the following order; central, left line, right line - At end of each line player catches (and returns) ball from server then retreats to central cone FACING THE SERVER - Rotate after each cycle of the grid - First iteration; both feet touch ground between cones, second; bunny hops; third; zig-zag
COACHING POINTS - Concenrate on accurate footwork - Ready position for each catch - Correct hand position for high or low catch - NEVER turn your back on the ball
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
Set pieces account for roughly a third of all goals in football, yet many coaches spend surprisingly little time coaching defensive organisation at corners and free kicks. This article compares zonal and man marking systems, explores hybrid approaches, and provides a practical session structure for building set piece resilience into your team.
A player's first touch determines everything that follows: whether they can play forward, turn, or simply retain the ball. This article explores why training first touch in isolation is not enough, and how to design sessions that develop this critical skill under realistic game pressure.
The coaching methodology revolution sweeping grassroots football - and how to implement it at your club this season.