Category: Training/Coaching Articles

If we follow the basic loop then after transition defense comes defense which these days is a full team affair, not just your back 6 defenders, and there is fair bit of overlap with the previous 2 game moments we’ve covered. The defense game moment starts once the opposition can work the ball into the...

Today we look at transition offense which is when we regain possession and have control of the ball – such as the Lizard taking this intercept mark. WE REGAIN POSSESSION IN OUR DEFENSIVE 50 Scenario – They were in possession and we were able to intercept in our defensive 50. A1 – Maintain Possession, Find...

This week I’ll post some checklist templates you can use to ensure you’re covering everything you need while training so your 100% ready for round 1 in around 10 weeks time. You can add/subtract to this template but just ensure that everyone has a role at all times, it is clear what it is, and...

With tomorrow being Saturday February 1, it marks 6 – 7 weeks before practices games will be played and that means there might be only 12 training sessions between now and then to train up the principles you want your team to follow for season 2026. Over the 4 main phases of the game laid...

This hot-off-the-presses study looks at quantifying the effects of individual players and teammates on small-sided games through repeated-game observations. Does 1 or a group of players drive a team’s success or do all players need to contribute to become a winning team? Find out below. In the study 31 people participated in 3v3 soccer matches...

So far in this this series on Aussie but now American performance coach Alan Couzens we have covered lactate, training zones and metabolic fitness and today we look at the aerobic system in a bit more detail. AEROBIC THRESHOLD During a Step Test, if your aerobic threshold is 60% or less of your VO2Mmax power,...

Yesterday I introduced Alan Couzens, an Aussie but now American-based performance coach who specialises in energy systems. He has totally transformed how I look at aerobic development and although maybe not applicable for team footy training, it’s totally what you should be following for whatever energy system straining you do in your own time. Yesterday...

I have been following Alan Couzens for some time now and it has completely switched my process on aerobic development. In my teens and early 20’s I used to be able to run but after 3 – 4 years off footy and just doing gym and jump/sprint work, getting heavier (I was 55kgs as an...

Osku Partonen is another soccer coach and educator based in Finland who I’ve only came across recently but I like how he’s constantly connecting his content to how he sees the game that allows the reader to do the same and then replicate with their own philosophy. TEAM Stay brave…Show personality…Take responsibility every time…Play with...

Gary Piggot is yet another coach and coach educator based in soccer from England who I’ve referenced before in my content (as with all of these outsider coaches). As with all these coaches I’m posting notes from, chuck them a follow and expand your coaching practices with what you can learn from them. PLANNING What...