YPT : Youth Professional Training

Real Madrid CF u12: match highlight | goal

AFC Ajax u12 dribbling | ball mastery

1. the group forms a circle, each with a ball at his feet > using ‘the foundation’ (touches between the feet) the players move in towards the center of the circle > turn while continuing to move the ball > move out of a circle > turn while still moving the ball > repeat

2. foundation while moving forward > stepover and turn > repeat

3. foundation > after 10 touches use the sole to push the ball to the other foot > repeat

4. foundation > use the sole of the left foot to roll the ball across the body to the right foot > push the ball wide with the inside of the right foot > with the sole of the right foot pull the ball back across the body to the left foot > repeat  

5. group in a circle > use the soles to push the ball forward towards the center > turn towards the outside > use the soles to push the ball forward towards the outside > turn > repeat

6. The ‘double V’: use the sole to pull the back behind the standing leg > with the laces of the same foot to push the ball forward on the opposite side > use the sole of that same foot to pull the ball back behind the standing leg > with the laces of the same foot push forward to the start position > repeat

7. Starting the left foot use the sole, then the inside of the foot, to pull the ball behind the right leg then out the right side > use the sole of the right foot to pull the ball across the front of body > use the inside of the left foot to push the ball slightly to the left side > repeat

8. Players in pairs, each with a ball and each 10 yards/meters apart > at the same time the players dribble directly at each other > when they  meet in the middle they use a ‘half turn’ to change direction: use the sole of the foot to pull the ball back across the front of the body as you turn the away from the other player and back in the direction they just came from. This move would also be known as a ‘toe drag’.

FC Bayern Munich u10: vintage: dribbling | passing

A vintage training clip from FC Bayern’s academy, circa 1999.

Two important coaching points here:

1. Notice that when the player does not have the ball he is still moving on the balls of his feet.

2. When the ball comes to the player he does not stop it first before getting right into the exercise.

MASTERCLASS: Arsène Wenger: building a player

Coaching legend Arsène Wenger on building an effective player from the ground up.

FC Nürnberg u21: passing

This exercise is comes to us from Nate Weiss, a friend of the program. Nate is American but has worked at a number of professional clubs in Germany, including FC Bayern Munich. He is one of the best technical trainers I have seen. Follow him: _nate_weiss.

Real Madrid CF u12: match highlight

Arsenal FC u8: goalkeeping

Club Brugge u21: goalkeeping

7 fantastic, innovative keeper exercises from the Belgian academy.

I have been fortunate to visit the Brugge academy several times. They do great work there.