Author name: Scmidt Nielsen

Our last session involved us recognizing how to build play from the back, as well as changing the point of attack, and when to attack. This session will allow our team to get repetitions in the final third, as well as different ideas to break opponents down. I would like for us to have as many ideas and to be able to change the way we attack in the flow of the game. Being dynamic as well as having the ability to attack in various ways will make it difficult for opposing teams to adjust or figure us out. We will hopefully create numerous scoring opportunities by changing the way we attack. Here’s the link: http://lnk2ssp.com/s/1bZf The first part of the session will be a simple shooting and finishing activity (not in the link). This will get us reps in finishing and some timing of runs, as well as some technical work with the ball to help us warm up. In our small sided activity, we will play 3v2 in the final third. A lot of space for runs and creativity to happen. I am hoping the forwards gain a better understanding of one another and notice cues of when to make certain runs. Getting a good timing and rhythm will be important and the main goal of this exercise. We will add defenders to make the space smaller for attackers, and then more attackers to start making this as game like as possible. playing 6v4 int he final third will allow a lot of space, but also a numbers up advantage for the attacking team, creating many positive chances to go forward and different looks for the attackers. In the game before the game, I will look at how the forwards are continuing to free themselves from marking now that a full back 4 is there for them to cope with. Are the runs still creative? Can we still create opportunities with more defenders, and can we still finish and have a mindset to go forward. In the game I am looking to see if our attitude is to get forward. I want us to be dangerous every time we have the ball. In the last session we talked about being patient and picking times to go forward. This entire session is about players making the runs and doing the work off the ball, to get themselves into dangerous positions. It is easy to stand around and “be patient” but I want a lot of movement and hard work off the ball, to keep the opposition under pressure and aware that we are going to take the game to them. This sessions main goals are about being aggressive in the final third and finishing our opportunities when we get them!

I have decided to share one of the training sessions that we will do, to help us work on our attacking play. Please refer to this link:  http://lnk2ssp.com/s/yq0f As part of our style of play, I would like for us to build up from the back, and switch the point of attack.  If we can get ourselves into a rhythm and move the ball from one side of the field to the other, it really stretches out the defending team and creates gaps for us to exploit. This session is designed to teach us how to switch the ball and look for those gaps. I will be looking for the team to also be patient, and only go forward when things are on.  Id like to see the team recognize, when to go forward, when to be patient, when to combine quickly, when to play a long penetrating pass.  So many things in this style of play involve our team to be quick thinkers as well as having coordinated movements to open up space. At the end of this session, we should have a better understanding of how to build up play, and more importantly, our positioning in reference to where the play is happening.  Another goal of this training session will be to get the players to be unpredictable with how we attack.  I want us to have as many options as possible when going forward, keeping the opposition wondering hat we are going to do next. A greater understanding will allow us to be able to be more creative in a game, as well as understand the correct times to exploit the opposing team to create chances and score more goals.    

I have been working with this group for almost two years now, and Sweden, although the results may not have been as positive as we would have liked, was a fantastic experience and the signs of a team coming together were shown.  For me it has always been about teaching and helping develop the team and players individually.  Malmo provided me and the rest of the team with glimpse’s of what we can be capable of if we work hard and do our jobs.  With such a tough schedule and everyone having their own lives it cannot be expected that every tournament or game ends in victory.  I have to analyze what we have done well and what we need work on, so that when we do get together the few times a year, that can be the focus. With much of last year based on building a team identity and style of play, I was happy to see the ideas like keeping possession of the ball, using the wide areas to attack, and communicating well to defend as a team, come together.  It wasn’t perfect and it needs work, but for me we needed to experience those defeats and pressure situations as well as the positives and some of the goals we did score. Finding a balance of working hard to get results but also play how we want to play, which is an exciting brand of soccer, is tough for any team. I want us to be proactive and take the game to other teams.  I want us to keep the ball, but also have a purpose with it.  Use the entire field to stretch our opponents so that gaps can be created and we can exploit spaces behind their defenders and be dangerous.  I think we have an understanding and the determination to succeed and be successful in this style of play, which is why I am so excited for Hungary.  I am looking forward to the weekend training so that we can build on the positives, and get rid of the negatives.