NSCAC Presentation

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Learning and Performing the
Physical and Technical Game
www.ianmcclurglearnperform.com
Presented By: John White

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Technical Skills in Soccer
• Soccer is a highly intermittent, dynamic sport involving skilled movements
150-250 brief intensive actions/game
• Expertise in soccer depends not only on speed of executing technical skills but also the
precision (accuracy) to influence the result ( Russell & Kingsley, 2011)
“Skill is the consistent production of goal-oriented
movements which are learned and specific to the task”
(McMorris, 2004)
“In order to acquire and execute skills players must
be equipped with fundamental motor skills such as
sprinting, agility, acceleration, etc.”
(Strand & Wilson, 1993)
“ Technique is everything, tactical success largely
dependent on individual player qualities”
(Kevin Thelwell- Wolves)

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Demands of Modern Game
• Pass accurately with both feet - variety of
distances.
• First touch is a key requirement - more
congested playing areas.
• To retain possession and break down
more organized defences,- execute
technical skills with greater speed &
precision
• Most valuable players will be those who
can eliminate opponents though 1v1
individual play/ combining with
The modern game is much quicker and technical, physical, tactical & psychological demands much higher.

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eticism predicts individual variation in match pe
New study found that individuals with the
highest skill levels achieved the highest
performance levels in matches
• The researchers found it was their skill -- not speed,
strength, or fitness -- that was the most important factor.
• “ Higher skill allows players to have a greater impact on the
game,”
• “ Accurate passing and greater ball control are more
important for success than high speed, strength and fitness.

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Implications for Talent ID
What’s the youngest age you can tell if a player has
the potential to make it? Have you ever looked at a
player and known instantly?
At 12 you can detect if technically a player can make it or
not.
At 14 to 16 you can detect if physically he will be able to
cope with the demands of professional sport.
And from 16 to 18 you can start to see if a player
understands how to connect with other players.
At 20 the mental side of things kick in. How does he

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Implications for Talent Development
“Guardiola eschews the usual methods to focus on
improving his players' technical skill, and it is
therefore unsurprising that Manchester City players
have been regularly filmed doing ball-work and
taking part in rondos since the Catalan took charge
of training”
(Pep Confidential - Perarnau)

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What skills should we focus on
• Quick foot movements - manipulate a ball in tight spaces
• Passing - Short, quick and high tempo
• Receiving - with both feet & other surfaces
• Turning - under pressure from opponents /using both feet
• Shooting - one and two touch finishing
• Dribbling/running with ball - exploiting space
• Comfortable in beating opponents in 1v1 situations
• Willingness and ability to head the ball
• Defending - correct shape/stance
Wolves Academy Foundation Phase - Ages 8-11

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What skills should we focus on
• Manipulating the ball - shifting ball across body with variety of surfaces
• Passing - quick and early over variety distances/switching play
• Receiving ball - control ball from varying distances, angles, heights
• Receiving - body position/angles & distance of support
• Running/dribbling - refine turns/changes in direction
• Shooting - shifting ball to get shots away under pressure
• Turning - away from pressure and protecting the ball
• Heading - in various situations
• Defending - pressure ball/showing inside/outside
Wolves Academy Youth Development Phase - Ages 12-15

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Skills Acquisition: Deliberate Practice
Anders Ericsson (1993) - demonstrated through
research that building top expertise is more than a
matter of raw talent - it is a matter of long and
repeated deliberate practice.
Deliberate practice is an effortful activity designed
to improve individual target performance and it
consists of the following four elements:
• It's designed specifically to improve performance
• It is repeated a lot
• Feedback on results is continuously available
• It's highly demanding mentally, means you are
focusing on improving areas in your performance

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How does technical development fit with
other aspects of the game
Organization & Set Up
Each player has a ball. The players dribble at pace and when the opportunity
presents itself they dribble through the central skills area and execute a skill.
Players are encouraged to constantly "scan" the area and look for opportunities to
execute a skill in the central area and to attempt different skills every time.
Technical /tactical
Dribbling technique
Change of direction techniques
Feinting techniques
Awareness & Vision
Physical
Speed
Agility
Co-ordination
Balance
Conditioning
Psychological
Decision-making
Confidence with ball
Commitment
Concentration
Social
Self-esteem
Responsibility
Enjoyment

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Wolves FC - Case Study

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Wolves FC - Case Study
Age
Group
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total Hours
Under 9 Rest
And
recovery
4.00-5.00pm
(Ball mastery)
5.30-6.00pm
(Movement Prep)
6.00-7.30pm
(Training)
(Compton Arena)
Small sided
Games Night
6.00-7.00pm
(Compton Arena)
4.00-5.00pm
(Ind. specifics)
5.30-6.00pm
(Movement Prep)
6.00-7.30pm
(Training)
(Compton Arena)
Rest
And
recovery
9.00-9.30am
(Movement Prep)
Training 9:30 –
11:00am
(Compton Grass)
Games
Programme
7.5Hours
+
Game
Under 10 Rest
And
recovery
4.00-5.00pm
(Ball mastery)
5.30-6.00pm
(Movement Prep)
6.00-7.30pm
(Training)
(Compton Arena)
Small sided
Games Night
6.00-7.00pm
(Compton Arena)
4.00-5.00pm
(Ind. specifics)
5.30-6.00pm
(Movement Prep)
6.00-7.30pm
(Training)
(Compton Arena)
Rest
And
recovery
9.00-9.30am
(Movement Prep)
Training 9:30–
11:00am
(Compton Grass)
Games
Programme
7.5 Hours
+
Game

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Wolves FC - Case Study
Age
Group
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total Hours
Under 11 5.30-6.00pm
(Movement
Prep)
6.00-6.30pm
(Ind. Specifics)
6.30-8.00pm
Training
(Compton
Astro)
Rest
And
recovery
School Release
8.15-5.30pm
(Compton Arena)
SELECTED U11’s
5.30-6.00pm
(Movement
prep)
6.00-8.00pm
(Training)
(Compton Astro)
Rest
And
recovery
(Movement
Prep)9.00-9.30am
9.30-9.45am (Ind.
Specifics)
Training 9:45 –
11:00am
Reviews 11:00-
11:30am
(Compton Arena)
Games
Programme
10 Hours
+
Game
Under 12 5.30-6.00pm
(Movement
Prep)
6.00-6.30pm
(Ind. Specifics)
6.30-8.00pm
Training
(Compton
Astro)
Rest
And
recovery
School Release
8.15-5.30pm
(Compton Arena)
5.30-6.00pm
(Movement
prep)
6.00-6.30pm
(Ind. Specifics)
6.30-8.00pm
(Training)
(Compton Arena)
Rest
And
recovery
(Movement
Prep)9.00-9.30am
9.30-9.45am (Ind.
Specifics)
Training 9:45 –
11:00am
Reviews 11:00-
11:30am
(Compton Arena)
Games
Programme
10 Hours
+
Game

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Wolves FC - Session Breakdown
20%
20%
10%
50%
Ball Mastery Technical Development Skills Development Tactical Developemnt
Ball Mastery - individual skills work (unopposed)
Technical Development - small-groups (unopposed )
Skills Development - Opposed ie 1v1’s/2v2’s
Tactical Development - SSG’s with conditions

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What a player can do individually

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Questions & Comments