D1 Team (Age 11) Sixteen Players and Two Goalkeepers

The players are organized with a ball each, working on two moves in a group. The moves are the Maradona Spin and the Scissors. They are practiced in a passive/static environment before being introduced into game situations.

Pass and Move
Using a half-field, the players are in pairs with one ball for each pair. Moving around the field, the players pass to their partner who lays the ball off and then moves to receive the return pass. Players alternate working on passing and receiving for one minute.

Pass and Move - Progression
This time player 1 passes to player 2 who lays off for player 1 to play forward into space. After player 2 lays off, he runs into space to receive the return pass.

Finishing
Two grids, 30 x 40 yards, with one goal and a keeper. Player 1 passes to player 2 who attacks player 3 (1 v 1) and tries to finish with a shot on goal. Two fields are working at the same time so there is constant movement and rotation.

Emphasis
Working on the moves that were done in the warm up.

Coaching Points

• Defender attacks the goal if he wins the ball
• Player 2 must check away then back to receive the pass from player 1
• Player 2 must let the ball run across his body then attack player 3 with his front foot
• Defenders stay as defenders unless they win the ball, then they switch

The players then took a five-minute break working on juggling and the two moves they practiced during the warm-up.

Half-Field Game
Two teams played 8 v 8 on half a field with no restrictions.

Emphasis
Attacking the defender and using moves to create space for a pass, shot or give-and-go options.

Coaching Points

The players were organized by position and could not cross over to another position during the game

• Free play with constant movement and running off the ball
• Looking for hard work and good passing technique
• Coach demanded two-touch (pass and move) unless attacking a defender

Cool Down
Jogging and stretching.

Observations

• The attitude of the players was first class. They worked hard, played with discipline and listened to their coach.
• They had pace on their passes, talked non-stop and were constantly moving on and off the ball.
• The coach gave push-ups and sit-ups to the whole team when the equipment wasn’t picked up and packed away in a timely fashion.
• During rest periods the players always had to be juggling the ball. PSV uses juggling as a tool to get the players to refocus on the ball, the coach, and the information being taught.
• The pace and level of execution was not the same as the U-18’s, but there was no mistaking the style and pattern of play.
• Set plays were part of the practice and were used as much as possible in the final game.

PSV had a young player named Fransisco on trial from Anderlecht in Belgium. He was one of a number of foreign players PSV was looking to bring in to the club to develop for the future.