Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 152

Welcome to the latest issue of Soccer Coach Weekly.

This week, we’re starting with a look at the benefits of small-sided games.

I’m a massive fan of small-sided games and look to centre most of my sessions around them, to give players as much ball-rolling time and opportunity for decision-making as possible. 

In fact, most of my development this season has been about how I can better coach in-game to ensure the players get the most out of them.

Gordon Nicolson, who works with the academy at Scottish club Inverness Caledonian Thistle, provides us with an example of a small-sided game, focused on high pressing.

It’s a great example of how these games can be set up to focus on a particular topic or principle. 

We have got loads more small-sided games on our website, so do make sure to check them out!

There’s a second small-sided game in this issue – the last bit of a three-part session from FA level 1 coach, Dave Knox. 

His session is focused on transitioning from attack to defence once the ball has been lost. 

As with all of these three-part sessions, we hope you use them as you wish: taking all three parts, or using bits alongside other practices.

Finally, our consultant coach Carl Wild looks at how to design flexible sessions so you’re prepared to deal with any unexpected change in player numbers.