Southampton’s director of performance Mo Gimpel explains how you can take the guesswork out of training by using this simple piece of technology a heart rate monitor.

When Sam Allardyce introduced heart rate monitors at Bolton Wanderers in the mid-1990s, his cutting edge approach to sports science had mixed results.

While most of the squad embraced his methods, veteran striker Ian Marshall strapped his monitor to his pet dog in a bid to avoid additional fitness training.

He was later forced to admit the canine was responsible for the bizarre readings on the device after being quizzed by Allardyce, who thankfully saw the funny side.

Heart rate monitors have since become a staple piece of wearable tech used by professional clubs, amateur sides and even Sunday League players trying to get in shape.

But how exactly can you use one to improve your fitness? We spoke to Southampton’s director of performance, Mo Gimpel, to find out…

Work out your maximum heart rate

“First of all what you’re trying to do is work out your maximum heart rate,” says Gimpel. “You can do 220 minus your age, which is a bit old school and isn’t accurate for everyone – but it will give you a rough idea. From that you will be able to work out where your 90%, 80% threshold is and all the way down.”

Get a sweat on

“When you train you’re looking to get a stimulus that makes you fitter. To do this you need to be working at 80-85%. Interval training such as repeated sprints will ensure you reach this zone and get you fit fast.”

Use the numbers

“If you have a system that means you can see your heart rate live, you can see how hard you have to work. If you have to work harder to reach that zone, then so be it – run harder or reduce your rest time so you don’t allow your heart rate to drop so much.”

Reap the rewards

“When you get used to reading the numbers you get in tune with your body and how hard you need to work. We’re all busy trying to fit in training so let’s get the best quality training we can – a heart rate monitor is a great way of trying to do that.”

The post How to use a Heart Rate Monitor appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

Coerver Coaching is widely regarded as a leading curriculum and method for teaching individual skills, with over 30 years global expertise.

Coerver Coaching Co-founder Alf Galustian gives his expert views on the two finalists USA and Japan, since he has worked extensively in both countries for over 20 years.

Alfred Galustian Coerver Co-founder with US World Cup legend Kristine Lilly also a Coerver Coach

Influence of Coerver®Coaching in the USA

Coerver Coaching started in the USA in 1985, and to date has programs in over 34 States. Coerver Coaching USA is headed by Chelsea Legend Charlie Cooke.

For over 30 years Coerver Coaching has had a profound effect on the development of both US Coaches and players. Anson Dorrance, USA Women’s World Cup Champion Coach was one of the first US coaches who championed the need to introduce Coerver Coaching into US Soccer in order to improve the technical level of players.

World Cup Champion Coach Anson Dorrance says “USA players are great athletes, have fine physical and mental qualities, now we need to upgrade our technical qualities, I believe Coerver provides a curriculum that can improve the US players technical ability”

Many other respected coaches and players in the USA also became convinced of the value of the Coerver System; this included US Men’s National Team Coach and Technical Director Jürgen Klinsmann and former Coerver graduate Kristine Lilly. Kristine remains a Legend in World Soccer; Two time World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold medal holder.

The post Coerver Coaching & Development of Women’s Soccer in USA and Japan appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

The ability to make precision passes under pressure makes the difference in an average player versus a great player.

by : Alec Fenn

Here is a great example from a top performer.

As a result of his vision, low centre of gravity and magnetic touch, David Silva is considered a master. Constantly slipping passes through gaps and creating chances in the final third.

Check out this drill designed by Coerver Coaching’s Alfred Galustian (@coerveralf).

This drill is based around the Spaniard’s skill set. It will challenge you to keep the ball in tight spaces and as a result pick that killer pass when the opportunity presents itself.

If you put the time in at practice you will eventually equip your game with Silva -inspired style.  Filled with finesse, patience, good first touch and an eye for a defense splitting pass.

Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/how-play-david-silva-master-assist#wfK1SlI37wYcheoj.99

The post Play Like David Silva: Master the Assist Killer Pass appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

Dither in front of goal no more. Supercharge the speed of your finishing with this shooting drill from Coerver Coaching.

By: Ben Welch

Mesmerising approach play, finished in a flash. Spain’s football is beautiful, but deadly.

The genius of La Roja’s highly technical passing game hogs the limelight, but it’s the speed and accuracy of their finishing that brings substance to their style.

Imagine if you could add this turbocharged ruthless streak to your game? Instead of sitting there dreaming of the impossible, focus on the screen and hit play because we might just have the answer.

FFT teamed up with Alfred Galustian, co-founder of Coerver Coaching, to create a fast finishing drill for your training sessions. The session featured in this video will not only improve the accuracy of your finishing, but teach you to do it at speed and under pressure.

The Stoke City Academy demonstrated the drills.

Coerver Coaching is the world’s number one soccer skills teaching method. For more information visit www.playgreatsoccer.com. Follow co-founder of @CoerverCoaching, @coerveralf

Read more at FourFourTwo

The post Play like Spain: Fast Finishing appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

By: Huw Davies

The sight of Lionel Messi receiving the ball on the wing is sometimes followed by a shimmy, a dribble or a one-two, but often a goal.

Whether he does it on his own, or with the help of his team-mates, does anyone find his way to goal, with the ball, more effectively that the little Argentinian?

Alf Galustian, co-founder of Coerver Coaching, brings you part two of FFT’s Score like the pros series to get you mimicking the little maestro.

This time the focus is improving your ability to engineer a chance on goal from a wide position.

“When Messi is on the flank he will use one or two moves to cut in field and fashion a shot on goal,” Galustian told FFT.

“Usually, he uses a feint or a change of direction to do that – this drill is setup so players can practice both.”

Watch the video above as the AFC Wimbledon academy take you through this ball mastery drill…

For more technical advice visit Coerver Coaching at Play Great Soccer.

Read more at FourFourTwo

The post Finish like Lionel Messi: Part Two appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

By: Ben Welch

Are you left chasing your first touch like a piece of paper in the wind? If the answer to this questions is yes, then we have the remedy for your problem: Ball mastery with Coerver Coaching.

In this particular offering, it’s not just your foot control that counts, but your head and chest. Work on this drill in training and the ball will become your team-mate rather than your opponent.

For more drills and games from Coerver Coaching visit Play Great Soccer.

Stoke City under-15s demonstrated the drills.

More at FourFourTwo

The post Master Technique: Ball Mastery Part Two appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

Learn how to dance with the ball at your feet. Try introducing this Coerver Coaching drill into your training sessions and see how a simple ball mastery drill can help you improve today.

FourFourTwo Performance has teamed up with Coerver Coaching to design a set of drills aimed at improving ball mastery.

No matter how old you are or what level you play, it is never too late to improve your skill. And this drill will help you transform into the Sunday League Xavi.

Stoke City under-15s demonstrated the drills.

By: Ben Welch

Read more at FourFourTwo

The post Master Technique: Ball Mastery Part One appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

VIDEO: Pre-season training for soccer: First touch drills
Use this Coerver Coaching drill to get the ball under control in an instant

By:Ben Welch

How do I set this drill up?
Use three discs to create a 4 x 4 yard triangle. Use different coloured discs at the base of the triangle to emphasis the use of the left and right foot. Set up another triangle up eight yards away with a supply of balls.

How to do this drill?
0 > 1.05 minutes (see video): Start at the orange disc in triangle one, with your partner on the blue disc in triangle two with a ball.

Your partner passes the ball to your right foot and moves laterally to the orange disc (left). Receive the pass coming through one side of the triangle and use your first touch with your right foot to break out the other side before passing it back to your partner with your right foot.

Now start at the blue disc in triangle one with your partner on the orange disc in triangle two. Reverse the actions so your first touch and pass are performed with your left foot. Repeat the pattern until three first touches on each foot – left and right – have been completed.

Progression one (1.06 minutes > 1.50 minutes):
Start at the pop-up cone and shuffle back left or right to create space to receive the pass from your partner.

Progression two (1.51 minutes > 2.44 minutes):
Develop your ball control by using your second touch to execute the pull-push skill. If your first touch is with your right foot use your left to drag the ball back inside and out the other side of the triangle before returning the pass with your left.

You can also try…
Challenge yourself to receive the ball using different parts of the foot i.e. control the ball with the outside of your foot and pass with the inside of the same foot, receive with inside of one foot, pass with inside of the opposite foot etc.

What are the key coaching points?
Call and show for the ball and open up your body to receive the ball with yours have hips and shoulders facing the target. Make sure your first touch carries you out of the triangle. When performing the pull-push technique create a V shape with two quick touches. Keep your eyes up so you can see the target before passing.

How will this drill help?
This drill will help to develop first touch direction and speed, which will help you keep hold of the ball when defenders close you down. It develops ball mastery skills so you can change the angle of attack when a defender shuts off space. It also encourages you to play the right pass – i.e. giving a teammate a ball they control into space away from a defender.

Read more at FourFourTwo

The post Pre-season training for soccer: First touch drills appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

Use this Coerver Coaching pre-season soccer training exercise to pick out a team-mate every time.
By: Ben Welch

How do I set this drill up?

Use three discs to create a 4 x 4 yard triangle. Use different colored discs at the base of the triangle to emphasis the use of your left and right feet. Set-up another triangle 10 yards away with a supply of balls. Use four pop-up cones to create two passing gates, both two yards in width, at the halfway point of the grid, diagonally facing the top triangle.

How do I do this drill?

0 > 1.11 minutes (see video): Start at the pop-up cone in the top triangle with your partner in the centre of the grid, between the two passing gates. Once your partner takes a touch and feeds you the ball, look back over your left shoulder and shuffle back to the left cone.

Use your first touch on your right foot to break out of the triangle on the other side, before performing the pull-push skill with your left foot to bring the ball back through the other side of the triangle. As your partner moves behind the left passing gate, pass them the ball.

Repeat this for a further two passes. Now switch to the opposite side so that you’re checking back to the blue disc, taking your first touch with your left foot, performing the pull-push with your right foot and passing through the opposite gate. Repeat this for a further two passes.

Progression one (1.14 minutes > 1.42 minutes):

Stand on the right cone (orange) and have your partner start behind the left passing gate. Check away, out of the triangle, before darting back inside to receive the pass with your right foot.

Your first touch should take out of the triangle. Now use the pull-push skill with your left foot to bring the ball back through the other side of the triangle. At the same time your partner should move across to the opposite passing gate (to your left) to receive your pass.

Repeat the above steps on the opposite side of the grid – left foot first touch, right foot pull-push, right foot pass to partner.

Progression two (1.44 minutes > 2.38 minutes):

Using the same set-up as the one used in progression one, you now start on opposite side of the triangle (blue cone) and receive the ball on your left foot, before performing a push-pull with your right foot and dribbling to the right passing gate.

As you reach the gate execute an inside left foot cut and drive back to the top triangle, where you perform a right foot twist off and then pass it back to your partner through the passing gate with your left foot.

Switch sides and repeat on the other side – start on the orange cone, right foot first touch, left foot push-pull, inside right foot cut, left foot twist off and return pass with right foot.

You can also try…

Positioning the target gates further away to increase the range of passing and reduce the width of the gates to demand more of your accuracy. See how many successful passes you can make in 30 seconds, keep the score and have a competition with your partner.

What are the key coaching points?
Make sure you call and show for the ball – communication is key. Movement has to be late and fast so you arrive just as the ball does. Before you receive the pass, make sure to check over your shoulder to see where teammates, opponents and the space are.

Try to get out of the triangle with one touch. When you’re playing a pass keep your eyes up with your hips and shoulders facing the target so you deliver the ball to the correct foot. Play at game speed – punch the pass back to your partner.

How will this drill help?

This drill will help to develop first touch direction and speed, which will help you keep hold of the ball when defenders close you down. It develops ball mastery skills so you can change the angle of attack when a defender shuts off space. Most importantly it improves passing, which is crucial to keeping possession when marked tightly i.e. – hitting your teammate’s furthest foot from the defensive pressure.

Read more at FourFourTwo

The post Pre-season training for soccer: Passing drills appeared first on Coerver Coaching.

This app is perfect for soccer players of all abilities from beginners to the elite.

In the last 30 years, millions of Coerver Coaching football players from ages 5-18, have improved their soccer skills at our practices. When you download the FREE app, you will get these secrets to soccer ball mastery. When you use this app at home or at practice, your game will improve.

You can always get better. Want to improve your first touch? Want to improve your weaker foot?
Well if you want the answers download this app NOW for FREE.

With this app you will improve;

• Your skills to beat your opponent
• Your weaker foot
• Your first touch

To celebrate 30 years of teaching skills you can download free ball mastery soccer skills. You can work you way from the beginner levels, and if you practice hard enough, you can reach the master level!

There are 99 soccer skill videos that will help improve your game. You can also share your football skill videos through the app.

Wish you all the very best in your football training and good luck with Coerver Coaching’s free app, 99 Football Skills to soccer ball mastery.

DOWNLOAD NOW on iOS.

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