By Brendan Donahue, Director of Coaching Lexington United SC, USSF A licensed, NSCAA Premier DiplomaOn January 14 to 18 the National Soccer Coaches Association of America … [Read more...]
Systems of Play with a Focus on the 4-4-2 and 4-3-3
Before choosing a system of play, the coach must establish a vision of how he/she wants the team to play and what he/she hopes the team will accomplish. If the coach … [Read more...]
Teaching Possession for the Modern Game
The speed of the game at the highest levels continues to increase at a rapid pace. More passes are being attempted and completed at a higher percentage than ever before. … [Read more...]
Favorite Books from the Director of Coaching
As you settle in for the holiday season and take an extended break from the soccer pitch, I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for the work you do to make the … [Read more...]
Defensive Principles for 1v1 and 2v2 Defending
Before deciding on “What system to play” or focusing on your team defending you must recognize that defensive success is first and foremost based on quality 1 vs. 1 … [Read more...]
Teach Them to Read the Book
“Don’t give them a book and tell them to read it, teach them to read the book.” - Romeo JozakRomeo Jozak, the Technical Director for the Croatian Football Association and … [Read more...]
Control What You Can Control
A few years back I had the opportunity to observe former US Men’s National Team Coach, Bruce Arena, run a field session at The Soccer Champions Workshop in CT. I’ve long … [Read more...]
Perspective: “What are we trying to accomplish here?”
“What are we trying to accomplish here?” This is a favorite question of a former colleague of mine that has really impacted the way I look at not only my coaching, … [Read more...]
How I Build a Practice Plan
Although a good practice plan follows a simple to complex progression model, I tend to build my sessions in the reverse order. The first answer that I need to arrive at … [Read more...]
Enjoy the Journey
It may be odd to some, but my favorite time of year is during the final weeks of summer as the days shorten and the fall season approaches. This has been true since I … [Read more...]
Teaching Positions: With a Focus on the Right Back
One of the dangers of teaching positions to young players is that kids can view a particular position to be a stationary spot on the field and not an active part of the … [Read more...]
Developing Game Intelligence Newsletter 2012
Here's some great exercises and tips for coaching 3rd grade and older. ~ Brendan Donahue Claudio Reyna: US Director of Player Development, former National Team … [Read more...]
Teaching 1 vs. 1 Defending
Before deciding on “What system to play” or focusing on your team defending you must recognize that defensive success is first and foremost based on quality 1 vs. 1 … [Read more...]
Functional Training in the 4-3-3
At the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, I had the pleasure of watching Peter Vermes, Head Coach of Sporting Kansas City, run a session titled Approach Play with … [Read more...]
Pass the Time On
At the 2011 National Soccer Coaches Convention in Baltimore, I had the privilege to observe Ken Lolla, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Louisville, run a session dedicated to … [Read more...]
