What are small sided games and why use them in training? I have used small sided games in training sessions with kids to reinforce the skills that they have been practising during the training session. A small sided game might by 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4 in a small area field. You can modify the number of players on each team and the area of the field to change the intensity of the game. These games allow the players more touches on the ball, help with player development of both attacking and defending roles, and as a coach I find it easier to observe the respective skills of each individual player.

Are you limiting your team’s goal scoring opportunities by the way you have them playing the game? I was looking at the English Premier League goal scoring results for last weekend and about 50 percent of the goals that were scored were scored from a central position and the other 50 percent were initiated from a wide position. There were a handful scored from corners and penalties, but I will leave that for another article. So what is your attacking strategy, and are you limiting your opportunities by only attacking through one area of the field?

One of the major challenges facing coaches of young soccer players in terms of soccer fitness and conditioning is that soccer is a game that requires players to have a high level of fitness in many different areas in order to play to the best of their ability. There are many fitness elements required to be an effective soccer player including endurance, speed off the mark and over distances up to 50 or 60 metres, agility, jumping, power and flexibility. So, if you only see your players for a few hours each week how do you ensure they are in a condition to play?