Hugo Lloris training session.

Practise does not make perfect, perfect practise makes perfect. Vincent Lombardi.

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Experts have done research into what makes a person world class at what they do. Are they born with the talent or is it something anyone can achieve?

Sports stars such as, Beckham, Federer, Murray, Tiger Woods, Gerrard, Messi, and Bale, have one common trait. They all have is the desire to practice and improve every day. The researches have found that to get to a world class level it takes 10,000 hours of quality practice. Thats Quality practice not just practice.

Now, I am not suggesting we try and put 10,000 hours in, but improvements will be made by training well as often as possible. Make sure you try to perfect your technique and knowledge of the game through good quality practice as often as possible.

Who knows where it might take you!! Alex Ferguson used to say that David Beckham was the first on the training ground and the last off it.

You might not remember this game but England needed to get a draw against Greece to qualify for the world cup finals or they were out. This was the last game in the qualifiers. At least a draw or they were out. Watch the video to see what happened.

Defending against a long ball

Watch this video to see what we should do when the opposing team play a long ball into our half of the pitch. 

Main Points,

• One player goes to clear the ball with his head.
• He should be brave, shout his name to let everyone else know that he is going to attack it.
• He should head it at the highest point that he can reach it.
• He should aim to head it, high long and wide.
• Very Important - The other defenders protect the space behind him by closing up and positioning themselves between the header and our net.
• They should expect the ball to come to them and be ready to clear it.
• The keeper should be ready for the ball coming through to him.
• If our player wins the header and heads it back up the field we should move up the field and reform the back line.

Watch this video to see how Man City defended against Stokes constant aerial threat.

Goalkeeper one on one drill

Moving to receive the ball.

This drill will be a common drill used in training and warm ups before matches so make sure your familiar with it.

Key points

1. The two players without the ball should be along the line that the ball is on creating a V shape or triangle.
2. Players should face inwards to watch play at all times. Use a side ways movement to achieve this not a running motion.
3. A maximum of two touches should be used.
4. Allow the defender to come closer to you before passing the ball. This will mean the opponent has less time and a greater distance to run to close the next player down.

Brilliant explanation of the 4-3-3 formation and how to play it. Great Video!

Use your mouse to pause the video and read the captions he's put on. I love this video. Simple but very informative.

One of the best coaching points I have ever heard. A must watch for every player.

Listen to this coach talk to these players about the importance of everyone in the team closing the ball down.



.

Have a look around before you get the ball.

This video shows you how the Barcelona players know where they are going to pass before they get the ball. It then shows you how Messi uses his body to pretend he is going one way and then goes the other.




.

Goal Keeper Drills

Some great drills to improve your agility, diving and handling. Notice the intensity the drills are done at.

Defensive, Midfield and Goal Scoring Header

How to head a football.

Drill to improve one touch passing

Transitions in Football

How defend has a team

The Best Goal Keeper Saves Ever

Goal Keeping - Saving Shots From Close Range

Great Video on making close range shots.

Goal Keeper Training - How to Dive Without Hurting Yourself

This video is shows a great drill for practicing in the back garden on your own. This is the basis of the goal keeping dive. Practise this and you'll improve your diving skills a lot.

Goal Keeper - How to throw a football

Too many goal keepers throw the ball without any thought for the team mate that is receiving the ball. The Goal Keepers' throw should have the same quality as a kicked passed. It should be as low as possible and into the area in front of the team mate so that the team mate can play one or two touch football and set an attack going straight away without pressure from the opponents.

Watch this video on good throwing technique.

Setting up a wall at free kicks

Watch this video on setting a wall up to defend against free kicks.

Attacking at corner kicks

It is important to attack all the areas of the 6 yard box and around the penalty spot when the cross comes in.

One player attacks the near post area.

One player attacks the center of the net.

One player makes a curved run to attack to longer ball at the far post area.

Two other players attack the areas either side of the penalty spot.

You should be taking a running jump and meeting the ball at the highest point that you can get to.

David Beckham's coach at LA Galaxy explains in this video.