Welcome to your latest issue of Soccer Coach Weekly!
Some of you will be easing back into fixtures now, perhaps after a summer break.
We’re starting this issue with some very handy tips on how to get referees onside.
It is so important that, as coaches, we set the tone for behaviour towards match officials.
We must be an example for players and parents to follow, and keep at the front of our mind that refs, like most of us, are volunteering their time and doing their best.
Elsewhere this week, we’ve got some thoughts on supporting young players to take throw-ins.
In youth football, set pieces shouldn’t take up too much training time, but it is important that players understand and can execute the techniques.
We’ve also got two defensive sessions for you this week.
Charlie Bews, from Newcastle United, provides a session on delaying for support – putting players in situations where they are outnumbered and must work out how to delay play while they wait for assistance.
Paul Musacchio’s session focuses on winning the ball, working with the four s’s of defending: sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.
Charlie and Paul have designed two great three-part sessions that you can look to build into your training schedule.
As always, I hope it’s a useful and enjoyable issue.
Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of soccer coaching since we launched in 2007, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.