OK, we just completed our second day of pre season soccer training.

Here is the format:
8.15am-10.30 Practice #3 Topic, Running with the Ball and Beating Players

1.00pm-2.00pm Team Meeting #3

2.30pm-4.30pm Practice #4 Topic, Crossing and Finishing

7.00pm-8.00pm Team Meeting #4

The format for the team meetings were as follows:

Housekeeping
Review of the previous practice including Key Points
Briefing on the upcoming practice
Watch 20 minutes of a tape of Man Utd’s Treble Winning Season 1998-99

I can outline the practice plans for both of the above, simply send me an email and I will share them with you.

It is amazing how you can think on your feet and come up with really good ideas. I really struggle when I try to stick to a really rigid practice plan, I like to have a framework for the practice, but I enjoy adjusting the practice as necessary.

By the way, I haven’t used a cone or a flag yet. We have been working really hard in game like situations. The players prefer it that way and I think it is more effective as well.

We haven’t done any formal conditioning either. Having said that, the players have worked their socks off and don’t even know it. I would much rather have them working with a ball and in a pressure situation with high demands on them than simply have them carrying out conditioning drills.

So, today went well, the players are exhausted, yet hopefully they are looking forward to tomorrow.

Twelve more practices before our first game.