I am really keen to get us all up to full speed and on the same page in regards to the TST footwork process for next term. So with next term in mind i have gone through the TST process again below.

None of the below is a criticism towards existing coaches. It is just that TST has a very specific format which takes a couple of terms to fully understand and appreciate. So newer coaches need this run through, and it does no harm for the old guard to go over it again.

 

It is also worth saying that TST works.

 

What can I do in the first 70 minutes that will make the biggest difference in the last part (2v2s / 3v3s) at the end of the session.

Simply put : If it won't affect the SSGs then don't do it.

Since the SSGs are about playing in tight spaces - then it makes sense that this is also the focus of the whole session.

• I don't mind a couple of minutes (max) on juggling at the start (while players turn up) but not much more.
  • TST develops precision of touching using footwork. Let players juggle in their own time or at team training. Or use it as an exercise that players can do while you set up the next drill.
• Some drills are also better suited to team training -> like a player throwing the ball to another player who lays it back !
  • This is not an efficient exercise in terms of maximizing touches.
  • Does not offer enough repetition (at TST) to get improvement.
  • Does not have a place in the 3v3 at the end.
  • So let team training take care of this.
• The homework flip-books covers the absolute basics (develop fundamental foot shapes) and is ok to do at the start of the session. This is the TST homework, so it is a test and a reminder for the homework. Wiz through it. Find a way to make it interesting and challenging.
• Make sure that you ensure the footwork being introduced is appropriate for the level of the players. [EG : Doing fake kicks with beginners (in terms footwork ability) - will be way too advanced for them. Plus beginners need lots of repetition of the basics : Nudge touches and Turns : Are what beginners need most.]

 

Maximise game functional touches that maximize game functional neuroplasticity.

In other words - change the brain so that it instinctively reacts to problems in a technical and intelligent way.

 

 

At the most basic level TST footwork can be kept really simple.

 

When players are too young to do actual FFPs - hide the FFPs behind very simple footwork objectives [Nudge touches].

1. Inside only : 

• This can be as a turn, a meander, a crab etc

2. Outsides only

• This can be as a turn, a meander, a pony etc

3. Right foot only

• This can be as a turn, a meander, a fake (inside step outside) etc

4. Left foot only

• This can be as a turn, a meander, a fake (inside step outside) etc

5. Turns

• Drag turn, inside turn, outside turn etc

6. A Drag Back V

• DBVs may be too complictaed for some beginners.
• Same foot, Swicth foot, flick behind etc

Note : The suggestions below are just an idea / illustration of what could be done and are probably works best for players who are new to FFPs.

I would barely ever follow the suggestions below, as instead I would sense what would work best for the level of the players I was working with. But as a guide to what should be taught over a term it is good. If you get to the end of the term and you haven't done all the patterns listed below, then you have probably not completed the full FFP curriculum in a term for the players being coached. [This generic statement is obviously player / level specific. It could take a year for beginners to get through all of this].

 

TST Footwork Curriculum

 

• 0 : Always do a Fundamental Foot-shape (FFSs) ball mastery [ the TST flip-book homework].

  • EG : Drag and hop in to an Inside hop [repeat]

• 0.1 : Always develop the ability to turn quickly.

  • EG : Drag Turn

• 0.2 : Always develop nudge touches (touch step touch step)

  • EG : Outside step Outside step : can be used to do a high amount of different things.

• 1 : Go from FFSs to Working on Drag Back Vs (there are a few :SfiV, SwoV, DBFB etc)

  • DBU exercises work on the 3 main fundamental foot shapes so are a great starting exercise.

• 2 : FFP#1 and #2 : Inside switch outside (IswO) & Inside step Outside (IsO)

  • Lateral and Fake lateral + Context

• 3 : FFP#3 and #4 : Inside Inside [II] & Outside step inside [OsI]

  • Lateral forward + context

• 5 : Crab [ IsIsIs] (Defencive 1v1 approach) into Inside fake Outside [IsfO] as well as any pattern above 

  • Lateral nudge touches into an outside fake.....

• 6 : Pony [OsOsOs] (Aggressive 1v1 approach) into Outside fake outside [OfO] as well as any pattern above

  • Forward nudge touches into an outside fake.....
  • [Always go back over previous weeks and add more intensity and more advanced additions etc].

• 7 : One touch FFPs : 

  • Ish&sw [Front or back foot] : 

  • Osh : 

  • Roll Across (RA) patterns : These can be done above where appropriate.

  • Other : Maradona spin : Ronaldo chop : Inside inside behind etc : Roll Across behind

• 8. Recap anything above whilst adding more advanced aspects of footwork development, or doing combination exercises.

 

I hate writing TST out like this because it seems that i am asking you to copy this process. I am not. I am trying to paint a picture of the TST vibe, so that you can add you own flavour and personality to a TST session without it stopping being a TST session.

 

So : Always remember and apply the key rules first.

@ 2v2 level players : Start with a 2v1 and go from there !

@ 3v3 Level Players : Develop Footwork in isolation : Then develop Individual game intelligence in practice:

 

Always offer sufficient repetition of game functional footwork techniques and pressure problems,

that slowly rewires the brain and transforms how the game is seen and played by TST players.

 

THIS IS TST.

 

 

• Combinations : You might come up with an exercise that combines 4 FFPs [Fundamental Footwork Patterns].
• Improvisations : Are obvious tweaks of a FFP which turns a FFP into a fake. Also no touch fakes are also great to teach.
• Speed. : This is critical to add at all levels. No matter how good a player's footwork is, if it is not quick, it won't be effective.
• Head up : Can players move the ball without the head being down. Get the head up.
• Add agility 'into and out of' the ball (as this is closer to what the game is like).
• Passing and receiving is also something advanced players can do (again as this is close to what a game is like) as part of an footwork exercise.

So as players get more and more advanced. The patterns might not change, but how you package them does.

 

• Ball mastery (just make sure players understand it at a basic level). Recap TST homework.
• Drag back U's. (no cones then 1 cone, or a straight line of cones)
• Working in a square. (Cones in a square)
• Zig zag cones easy (Forward only or include a drag back).
• Straight line cones. [ This is the average level)
• Zig zag cones hard.
• Parallel cones.
• More advanced cone patterns.

If you never progress past the ball mastery level, or the DBU level - footwork will get boring very quickly.

• Ball mastery should be used to introduce the patterns to average players, before the final exercise which may be a complicated.
• As a benchmark level : Zig zag cones (moving through the cones)  is an average level for most players.

 

• Introduce it.
• Practice it.
• Get Feedback [See feedback cycle note below].
• Improve it.
• Get Feedback.
• Race it.
• Move on.

TYPES OF FEEDBACK

• Internal Feedback : This is a players ability to analyze what they are doing compared to the picture of success, and make the necessary changes.
  • Young players struggle with this.
• External Feedback : The cones and the coach are critical sources of external feedback.