Following on from what had been explored during the last training session, I decided that choosing a theme of focus was a practical technique that brought about improvements in most of the players. Being the case, the manager and I discussed our thoughts regarding areas that we felt were in need of improvement, and what were the most efficient and effective methods available. Reciting problem areas from recent games, it was agreed that the team as a whole seem incoherent when it came to creating space for themselves. One persisting setback was when a player released the ball and remained stationary with no intention to make strides to gain a return pass.
I initiated the session with a linked warm up. In groups of three (a feeder, a defender, and an attacker) the task required the attacker to receive a pass from the feeder and return it. To oppose, the defender was ordered to shadow the attacker and intercept when possible. As the defender was pursuing the ball, it put extra pressure on the attacker to make sharp, dynamic movements in order to find space. This exercise worked well as a warm up as it incorporated much of the technical knowledge required by the players for the remainder of the session.
As the warm-up had covered a large portion of the technique, I felt that progressing it into a skill, and therefore a situation representative of a game, would help the players see how it would be beneficial to them.
The drill required the players to dribble the ball throughout a series of cones using both feet, playing a one-two with a feeder, then passing to a receiving team-mate. The manager and I placed the emphasis on the individual with the ball ensuring he maintained tight control over the ball and his movement, and a good first touch when receiving from the feeder.
Progression came relatively quickly as the players dealt with the situation competently and efficiently. The drill moved on to include two feeders per team, and a goal for the individual to make an accurate shot at. By including the extra feeder, and essentially a new challenge to consider when creating space, the player was made to actively think about his movement rather than falling into the trap of assuming that it was an autonomous motion.
The final stage of progression came by introducing a defender to shadow the attacker when creating space for the final pass from the feeder. Prior to this extra obstacle, many of the players were finding success in the drill. However, once opposed they seemed unable to create the space encountered during the warm up. Observing that this was a recurring trend throughout most of the team, I halted the drill and instructed the team to revisit the warm up and utilize the skills adopted during it. After breaking the skill down, the whole team noted improvements. Dolan (1976) stated that the foundation of a child’s football skills, paved the way in which to mould their future in the game. At this stage I felt that many of the team were thinking too technically and becoming redundant in the game, due to attempting too much at one time.
Following discussion, by which I explained the link up process, moving through the skill acquisition (Fitts and Posner, 1967) phases from cognitive to autonomous stages, the players seemed to respond well and incorporate the final element of the skill to lose the marker and make an accurate shot.
To assess how successful the work had been, the conditioned game required any shot on goal to come from a resulting one-two.
Despite the setback experienced during the latter section of the final drill, the players reacted well to the instructions and used the knowledge taught to create opportunities that had previously eluded them throughout many games.
I felt that the fluidity of the session worked well as the exercises flowed relatively effortlessly. One area that I will ensure is understood before continuing to the next stage is the technique. I assumed that the performers fully grasped what was required of them however, that seemed a false assumption due to the low level of success experienced during the final drill.

Dolan, E.F. (1976) Starting Soccer: A Handbook for Girls and Boys. Harper and Rowe Publications

Fitts, P.M. & Posner, M.I. (1967) Human Performance, Belmont, CA, Brooks/Cole