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