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

Steve Hawthorn • January 9, 2025

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


April 30, 2025
So here we are on a 7 day stint of social events, player camps, coach education workshops, university and corporate visits as the team work their way around NYC, New Jersey and Brooklyn.
April 11, 2025
Following on from session one in the games for goalscoring series ( inside the penalty area ) Mike and MP Coaching now take the original drill a little further.  In this second of the series we incorporate link play with team mates, increase the distance from goal, and also add in a variety of angles and orientations to the goal making things a little more technically challenging for all those prospective goal scorers out there. Equipment Needed: 1 x Full size goal 10 x Bibs 20 x Samba Match Balls 3 x Samba Mannequins 2 x Goalkeeper Gloves 2 x Corner Flags 1 x Half of Full Size marked Pitch 1 x VEO camera This particular drill involves multiple technical and tactical aspects from the subject player (Striker). They have to make contact with a midfielder or a wide player and initiate the sequence and intention to move and to play, they have to both pass and receive, correct timing of the run is essential and this in turn is determined by the weight, trajectory and smoothness of all passes from start to finish and from both connecting players throughout the move. So, although the drill is still unopposed and involves mannequins as opposed to defenders this is the first stage before we might think about live defensive situations and will form the building block of technical (passing, striking) and tactical (movement and timing) competencies required in a first class forward player and the session forms a solid base for your coaching to progress from as your players mature. Without being overly extensive the drill tests the strikers ability to receive from behind themselves via a central midfielder, play out wide and connect with a crossed ball, put shape on their movement to cater for defenders and ultimately face a live goalkeeper who will be anticipating their every move.
Mike Phelan Coaching | Drills | Coaches Corner | Games For Goascoring
March 31, 2025
In this training session Mike Phelan addresses the art of goalscoring and working inside the penalty area.
Mike Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjær are standing next to each other coaching Manchester United
March 5, 2025
In a recent interview with our director and co-founder Mike Phelan, the MPC media team discussed the realities of coaching, how when working with players to get the best you possibly can out of them, and also the importance of maintaining enjoyment and the love of the game through your sessions by keeping them relative to the game.
February 3, 2025
MP Coaching took part in the US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program’s boy’s interregional event at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida over the weekend working with top youth and college coaches and talented young players from across the United States. 
January 28, 2025
Deliberate play is a key aspect of learning within any talent development pathway and is arguably a fundamental piece of the jigsaw puzzle when it comes to athlete progression in a harmonious and enjoyable manner.
January 28, 2025
In this video our elite coaches Paul McGuinness and Mike Phelan break down the subcomponents of stopping the cross.
A group of young girls are playing soccer on a field.
January 10, 2025
A much-discussed topic in modern coaching is scanning. But why do players need to do this? and Why are coaches asking players to check their shoulders and lift their heads up prior to and as they receive the football?
January 2, 2025
The Mike Phelan Coaching team is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, scheduled for January 8-12, 2025. 
November 26, 2024
Mike Phelan had the honor of presenting the League One Player of the Year award at the Armstrong North West Football Awards