Forward play, linking the midfield, movement, timing and opportunities in the final third.

A fine example of holistic player development from MP Coaching where practical and theoretical, body and mind are all worked for maximal learning and development to take place. 

In this example session the MP Coaching team Paul McGuinness and Mike Phelan work on forward players movement, the midfielders link play with the aforementioned forwards and ultimately create goalscoring opportunities for the team.

The session is an under the microscope observation of the concept as opposed to an intense training drill. In essence this is player specific coaching and education not just a football training session and also a small test in terms of coach knowledge of some of the finer processes in attacking forward play.

The session is also supported by supplementary material and comment on the concepts at play by elite forward Jermaine Defoe. Jermaine uses the modelling analogy (Ian Wright) in his quest for detail therefore clearly taking personal ownership of his own development in his quest to be the best he can possibly be.

“Young players need to watch a lot of football” (Jermaine Defoe – 305 goals, 20 International goals) “I’d watch Ian Wright (239 goals, 9 International goals), I would watch the movements and then I would go and practice the movements.” 

“I would always want to feel the defender, I wanted to pin the defender, and I wanted to concentrate on my first touch then I can go both ways, I’m only looking for half a yard, can you get into 1 v 1 situations and then can you be strong” 

“I would watch goals but for me that wasn’t enough, I was fascinated with movement, how did he get into that position to get the chance” I would practice movement all the time in training.” - Jermaine Defoe

In the above video former Manchester United Under 18s coach and centre of excellence manager Paul McGuinness with support from former first team player and assistant manager Mike Phelan take us through the fine detail required in this particular threshold concept.

Points of note are creating space, receiving the ball, combination play between passer and receiver and the movement of the partnership to outwit the opponent. The session also deals with the detail of working and creating spaces both in front of and also behind the defence therefore aiming to create a telepathic understanding of where your teammate is likely to be. The footage then progresses through the process and beyond the highest forward opening up both sides of the field for progressive attacking play, creating 1 v 1s or clear runs towards a shot at goal.

The coaches use an educational stabiliser through the analogy of a clockface as a template for the message, this allows mind and body to connect and think and act as they learn the concept. This type of coaching will help to expedite and crystalise player learning in developmental stage players.

A clear example of two elite coaches working in a clear and digestible manner and progressing player development and coach knowledge.

The video below includes the content mentioned by Jermain Defoe which was broadcast on Monday Night Football by Sky Sports