Leon Jackson

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Replied on U18 + Season Plans

14 Apr 16:58

Hi Jesus cortesย Yes, itโ€™s definitely applicable and can be tailored specifically for your group. Whether youโ€™re in a college spring/fall season or working with a club team, the content is fully adaptable. ๐Ÿ‘

14 Apr 16:56

Heyย Sam Pearce, is this what you were referring to?

ย https://app.touchtight.com/catalog/search?catalog_filter_8400=42134

Granted this tells you if a Goalkeeper is required, but it could be one or two. Let me know if this works or if you were talking about more refined filters here. ๐Ÿ‘Œ

Used to play CDM myselfโ€ฆ but letโ€™s be honest โ€” I was just a destroyer. My second touch?

Usually a tackle ๐Ÿ˜…The gameโ€™s evolved big time โ€” now itโ€™s all about scanning, tempo, breaking lines, and actually keeping the ball (who knew?).

What do you think defines the modern CDM? Drop your thoughts below ๐Ÿ‘‡โšฝ

14 Apr 16:53

Used to play CDM myselfโ€ฆ but letโ€™s be honest โ€” I was just a destroyer. My second touch? Usually a tackle ๐Ÿ˜…The gameโ€™s evolved big time โ€” now itโ€™s all about scanning, tempo, breaking lines, and actually keeping the ball (who knew?).What do you think defines the modern CDM? Drop your thoughts below ๐Ÿ‘‡โšฝ

Adam McGowan With limited time and space, focus on constraints that encourage forward play. Use small gates around the box where passes must go through before scoring to promote breaking lines. Try a โ€œpass before you scoreโ€ rule that demands a forward pass into feet or space. Reward central or half-space entries with points to develop vertical play. You can also require the striker to receive a pass before a shot, helping players connect more through the middle. Adding a time limit in the final third pushes quicker decisions. These keep sessions sharp and will link well with your VEO analysis. Let me know if this comes in useful or need any more info. ๐Ÿ‘

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Youโ€™re clearly progressing well Adam McGowan , and now is a good time to refine some tactical habits to support your Striker and overall build-up play. Her movement and hold-up play are a real asset, but if teammates arenโ€™t spotting her runs early enough, that disconnect can grow. Introduce pattern-based training where specific triggers prompt her runsโ€”e.g., CM receiving on the half-turn, full-back stepping into space. Then train your midfielders and wide players to scan at the right moments and deliver early passes, ideally before the run is made.

To break the habit of long hopeful balls into channels, constrain your build-up during phasesโ€”e.g., require three short passes before playing forward or ban direct wide passes for set periods. This will encourage your full-backs to combine in tighter spaces around the edge of the box and help wingers work in pockets rather than chasing. With a wide age range, consider slow walkthroughs or freeze-frame clips to reinforce recognition moments and focus especially on timing of third-man runs and full-back overlaps. Finally, keep emphasising possession with purpose: use small-sided games with touch limits and passing targets to promote tempo and intelligent decision-making under pressure. Let me know if there is anything specific you want me to source for you. ๐Ÿ‘

Yeah I think sometimes we can over complicate at times and forget how much they actually retain. Iโ€™ve often looked back and thought.. โ€˜Theyโ€™ve only took in about 20% of what Iโ€™ve just said! ๐Ÿ˜… Itโ€™s definitely a skill to keep it as accurate and purposeful as possible.

11 Apr 21:04

Hi Adam McGowan a common problem for sure. Can you let me know a few details about your set up, formation you play, age group and strengths of your group etc. Woukd be happy to provide some advice on what has worked for us previously. Some quick wins could be the following depending on your set up.

1. Ensure you have one or two forwards stretching the back line when you have decent possession in the middle third. You need opposition defences being stretched and dropping deep to track runners.

2. This will create space for one or two atta king players to find space between opposition defences and midfields to get on the ball.

3. Focus on sessions that encourage midfielders and defenders to find these options for forward passes, gaining confidence with direct passes in behind and awareness to see space for that pass into the pockets of space in between.

The magic pass is key and the more you encourage this in sessions the better they will get no doubt about it. Iโ€™ll have a look for some sessions that might help here as well. ๐Ÿ‘Œ

11 Apr 20:24

Great feedback Adam McGowan ! Our team will be looking to add these elements back in for larger squad practices from now. ๐Ÿ‘Œ

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