So you wanna be a football star?

I can fully understand what you guys are dreaming of, and I hope I can assist.

Persist, practice and put in.

The best I can do is try to pass on what I've learnt and help introduce you to modern football. It's a fast moving, physically demanding sport which also requires intelligence.

The most important tools for learning, is your acceptance of other's experiences as you try to build and adapt what you see and learn to suit your style. There are many ways to play and having your own style is very important.

Equally important is the ability to connect with your teammates and create a unit that is greater than the sum of its parts.

So, what's our style going to be for next season?

It's hard to say at this stage, but a high pressing fast moving game is what I hope we can achieve. Use what has been shown by the best over the last years and try to emulate. Read the FIFA Technical Report for the 2010 World Cup and you will see that the game has changed and we are in a position to go with it. Here's and article on it with a great summary:
 http://au.fourfourtwo.com/Features/6727,2010-fifa-world-cup-technical-report.aspx

Focus on the 9 points made and together we will work on how to get our game to the highest standard possible.

Now that we have an almost full squad, it's time to write on what characteristics each position will have to have.

Firstly, every player should be prepared to play in the middle. As I have stated, three positions witth one specialisation is what I expect from each of you.

1. The Spine - these are the central positions on the park: 2 x Center Backs, 2-3 Centre Mids, 1-2 Strikers
Must be able to keep a cool head at all times. Never panic and a high completion rate is expected when passing. Avoid getting caught wide and work quickly together to suffocate the opposition by eliminating their space and time on the ball. Center Backs and Strikers should be strong in the air with the ability to offer something extra in set plays.

2. Back Wings - Intelligent players who can read the game. Consistently win one-on-one battles with a combination of speed, anticipation and makes strong challenges when called to do so. Must be able to support and overlap in attack, but must understand when not to push and be caught out of position.

3. Wide Mids/Wingers - Tricky, fast, tough. Take players on, deliver accurate crosses and support the striker by helping shift defenders and pulling them out of shape. Know when to shoot and when to pass. Take responsibility for swinging into attack and getting into the 18 yard box.

Finally,  prepare to be the fittest you have ever been. Prepare to toughen up without bringing stupidity to your game. Tough is not dirty. Prepare to be better than you opponent because you will never give up, never drop your head and never take a backward step. Back your teammates, encourage and get the best out of each other.

At training, give 100%. I have had the good fortune to play with four Socceroos and I can honestly say that they trained harder than anyone. They never let their talent get to their heads and always lead by example. It's what you should also strive for.

More Teamwork on Display

This may be the re-occuring theme over the next twelve months, but visual examples performed by the world's best is a great tool for explaining what we will be trying to achieve.

Firstly, I have absolutely no issue with individual goals or individual efforts from players. In fact, all players should aspire to continue their individual development every chance they get. It is written that players who aspire to greatness, put in over 10,000 hours of time with a ball at their feet. That's 20 hours a week, every week for about 9 years (without a week off). This is what they've done BEFORE becoming full-time professionals. 

Some of you may become professional footballers one day and I will do my best to help in any way.

So where do we start?

We start with you vising http://www.soccer360.co.uk/chelsea-vs-wolves-live-stream-highlights-23-10-10/ and watching the Chelsea vs Wolves EPL highlights from last Saturday night.

Two well worked team goals which show that if everyone does their job on the training pitch, it pays off during the competition.

The first goals shows sharpness of foot and mind by moving the ball quickly in small triangles. It's followed by a simple cutback cross which goes straight to the striker. He was in the position that was expected and a goal results.

The second shows what one does when they commit to completing the attacking move. Kalou moves forward and passes to Drogba. Drogba angled pass back to Essien  who slides a diagonal pass back to Kalou who had continued his run. Goal.

Too often, we see players who do not receive the ball back immediately just give up their run. They expect only wall (1-2) passes, but a move with three passes (such as this one) is harder for defences to deal with.

Why? Because players can see and read one move ahead yet two moves ahead is too much for defenders to cope with. It's hard to defend against runner that may or may not get the ball, so they let them go after the ball seemed to move the other way (Drogba to Essien pass went away from Kalou). Look carefully at the Wolves' defender tracking Kalou. He sees a pass go in the other direction and slows just a fraction. That's enough in the EPL to cost you a goal. His slowing made it impossible for him to stop the pass reaching the goal scorer.

So in conclusion, we will use our sessions together to become a good team. There will be opportunities to hone individual skills (shooting, dribbling, heading etc), but you will all be expected to do work on your own at home or in the park with your friends. Try not to leave it to coached sessions because the "spark" that great players have is found and developed without coaches watching. It's in the backyard or in the park with friends that you should try out the ridiculous. You have nothing to lose.

See you next session.

N

Trials at Rockdale City - Day 4

A ridiculously difficult job of selecting just 15 players from over 100. I can understand the disappointment felt by the players and it was something I really didn't enjoy.

However, I have total confidence in the players chosen because I gave them several opportunities and they consistently performed. Now the work really begins.....

Teamwork v Individual Brilliance

Guys, I'm not expecting us to hit the lofty heights of these footballers, but there are tips we can take from the best in the world.
Firstly, the two team goals by Torres and Cambiaso display what coaches are always trying to point out.

Puyol makes a great run and delivers a pass, he then continues his run. This is done regardless of wether or not he will recieve the ball. This keeps the defence guessing and gives another option to the attackers. There are a few more examples of that on this video. (point them out)

Cambiaso's goal for Argentina is teamwork at it's best. Notice how often players show for the ball and how many diamonds are formed. The diamond shape gives the ball carrier three options. Short passes are made to players who seem marked and no-one takes on a player stupidly or makes a needless turn. Eventually the goal is a simple finish with a very patient build up.

As for the individual goals, technique, technique, technique. We will try and get as many hours as possible to work on that and hopefully we can all improve together.


Comments?

Welcome Players

This is designed to be used by the football players that I am coaching.

Those players with access, can communicate and add comments to the articles and links that are posted.

It is designed as a tool to help you further understand the game and my personal opinions.

I'll be uploading videos using the set YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/nestorfootball

Welcome and I hope you all participate.