Derek Kavanagh

🔥 SAVE THIS FOR YOUR NEXT TRAINING SESSION 🔥 This Breakout Rondo combines possession, forward play and competitive 2v2 duels in one fast, intense practice ⚽️ ✅ 4v4 in the rondo ✅ Two players from each team stay outside the area, creating a 4v2 in possession ✅ Complete five passes ✅ Then look to play forward into the 2v2 zone Once the ball enters the 2v2 area, the attackers have one objective… 🎯 ATTACK THE END ZONE AND SCORE If the defenders win possession, they immediately look to connect back into their teammates in the rondo area. This practice is fast, intense and demanding both technically and cognitively. Players are constantly scanning, supporting, combining, reacting and looking for opportunities to PLAY FORWARD. 🔥 Loads of game relevant repetitions 🔥 Constant transitions 🔥 Possession under pressure 🔥 2v2 attacking and defending 🔥 Decision making at speed Want to increase the intensity? Introduce a touch limit in the rondo. Then add a countdown timer for the 2v2 duel ⏱️ A superb development practice that reinforces one key principle throughout… PLAY FORWARD WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE 🚀 Save it. Try it. Let us know how your players get on. For more coaching practices, visit our website ⚽️

A great example of how FC Porto manipulate a 4-4-2 mid block to build play between lines. Rather than forcing play forward, Porto use patient circulation, close positioning between two pivots, and well timed movement to create uncertainty in Arouca's defensive references. The key lesson is simple. Move the opposition first, then exploit the space their movement creates.

⚽️ CHELSEA FC POSITIONAL 4v4v4 Under Xabi Alonso at the weekend. A positional possession practice from Chelsea Football Club, designed to develop one of the most important principles in possession: creating effective angles of support around the ball. 🔵 PRACTICE DETAIL When a team has possession, players adopt a designated positional structure within each zone. Players are positioned on either side of the area, along the end line and with one central player operating inside each zone. This structure challenges players to recognize how their positioning can create passing lines, support the player on the ball and provide opportunities to play through, around or beyond pressure. Out of possession players are free to press anywhere within the practice area. The focus then shifts towards compactness, communication and coordinated collective pressure. 🎯 SCORING Teams score one point by completing the required number of consecutive passes. 🧠 COACHING POINTS 🔹 Create clear angles of support around the ball 🔹 Adjust positioning as the ball moves 🔹 Scan before receiving 🔹 Receive with an open body shape where possible 🔹 Move the ball quickly to exploit available space 🔹 Press collectively and remain compact out of possession 🔹 React immediately when possession changes 💡 COACHING FOCUS The positioning of the players away from the ball has a major influence on the options available to the player in possession. The central player becomes particularly important in helping the team connect different areas, play through pressure and create additional angles around the ball. Like and save this post for more. Follow us for all the latest training sessions from around the globe. You can also sign up to our website for instant access to over 2000 videos packed with helpful information. #xabialonso #soccertraining #footballtraining #soccercoaches

Here at Keepitonthedeck we spotted a clever detail in Manchester City’s buildup from goal kicks against Leeds United. City built with four players and the goalkeeper deep, while six players pushed high towards the halfway line. This stretched the pitch and created a big space in the centre as Leeds pressed man to man. City knew the Leeds centre forward would curve his run to block the centre back while pressing the keeper. That movement left the central space free for a City player to drop in and receive beyond the first line of pressure. Rodri started in a centre back position during the buildup and then stepped into that space to help progress the ball through the middle. At the same time there were rotations higher up the pitch. Two City players ran high to pin Leeds players back while two dropped into the space between the lines. This gave City the option to play through the press or clip a direct ball into the space created. A great example of how City manipulate a press Analysis by Derek Kavanagh

🔥Example training session from The BRAND NEW Keepitonthedeck Coaching Hub Practice Setup: 📏 Dimensions 🔹 50 by 35 yards 👥 Number of Players 🔹 12 outfield players plus 2 goalkeepers ⚽ How It Works 🔹 Coach serves the ball to start each phase (5 in total) 🔹 Defenders and goalkeeper complete one pass 🔹 Switch play to a winger 🔹 Winger crosses into the box 🔹 Progress from 2v2 to 3v2 in the box 🔹 If forwards win possession, attack immediately 🔹 Finish with a 7v7 game 🎯 Coaching Points 🔹 Quality first pass 🔹 Open body shape 🔹 Speed of switch 🔹 Timing of runs 🔹 Quality of delivery 🔹 Attacking movement 🔹 Communication 🔹 Quick transition 🔹 Recovery runs 🔹 High tempo throughout Sign up for more here ➡️ keepitonthedeck.com/members-…

👉 Become a member: keepitonthedeck.com/members-… 🚨 WE’RE LIVE! 🚨 We’ve officially launched our BRAND NEW Membership Site. Inside, you’ll get access to: ✅ Thousands of training sessions from clubs around the world - Real Footage ✅ Tactical Camera matches - Library of Games ✅ Coach education content - Masterclasses ✅ Exclusive KeepItOnTheDeck Training Sessions Find exactly what you need in seconds with smart filters — by category, player numbers, clubs & more. From grassroots to professional level, this is a real game changer ⚽️ Don't miss out sign up today.

🔵 Cesc Fàbregas at Como – Clever 3v2 Build-Up Trend Analysis research by Derek Kavanagh Como have been using a 3v2 build from goal kicks, based on the opposition’s pressing qualities. Opponents won’t fully commit because eight players are positioned high and aggressively, creating a natural overload with big spaces to step into or bounce passes through. If the GK is pressed, the CBs have space to step into, creating bigger support angles, and with 8 players already advanced, Como can attack immediately with numbers. Smart, simple, and hard to stop. An interesting tactical evolution from Fàbregas. 📥 More insights 👉 Link in the page bio

🔊🔊Volume Up⚽ Continuous Two-Zone Flowing Practice (Possession and Overloads) A high intensity session combining possession with a position specific overload. 📏 Zone 1 – Possession (16x18m): 3v3 in the centre + 2 wide neutrals supporting the team in possession. 🎯 Objective: Complete a set number of passes before playing forward. 📏 Zone 2 – 3v2 Attacking Zone: 18m outside of the box long x width of the six-yard box + 5 yards either side. Once the forward pass is played, the attacking team goes 3v2 to score. If defenders win the ball, they counter to the target goals. 🔥 Key Detail: A new ball is instantly served into the possession zone after each forward pass, creating a continuous flow and demanding constant intensity. 💡 Benefits: Encourages forward-play recognition Trains timing, decision-making, and support angles Develops finishing in overloads & defending outnumbered 📘 Coaches can download hundreds of training session plans with new ideas via the link in our page bio.

🔥 Academy Development Practice 4v4 + 5 Final Third Practice ⚽ Split into 2 zones 🔹 Zone 1: 4v4 + 3 neutrals 🔹 Zone 2: Inside penalty box + 2 neutrals 🎯 1️⃣ Goal from Zone 1 = 1pt 🎯 2️⃣ Cut-back finish in box (1-touch) = 2pts 🔊🔊Volume Up 📥 More training plans available here 👉 keepitonthedeck.com/download…

🎥 Coaches are you ready to level up your video analysis? 👉 Try it now at: keyframesports.com Create television-quality graphics and turn every clip into a powerful visual learning tool that accelerates player development. 🔥 Key Frame Sports is offering a FREE trial of their new, affordable video analysis software — see the difference for yourself! Follow @KeyframeSports for more information

keepitonthedeck.com/blog/202… €3 million in funding is a big step for the League of Ireland Academies, but one that comes with warning of those trusted with it! Outstanding work by people like Will Clarke and others who shaped LOI Academy football has laid the groundwork, but what they built is only a path, one that depends on people who want to continue the journey, not profit from it.

nitter.gq/Analysis843994/s… 🔍 Tactical Insight | Liverpool Build-Up Play Milos Kerkez shows how Liverpool’s full backs are free to move inside during build-up. He recognizes space between the lines, steps in to progress play, and connects midfield to attack. Key coaching points: timing, scanning, body shape, balance, and purpose.

💯💯 Professional Development Phase – Penetrative Runs Setup 📏 Area: 32m x 42m (attacking half) 👥 6v6 in centre + 4 pink neutrals (2 CBs, 2 FBs) → 6v6+4 🔊🔊Volume Up ⚽ Teams must combine quickly before playing forward into attacking zone 🟡 Offside line adds match-realistic timing for runs ⏱ Once ball breaks through → 6-second countdown to score in 1 of 3 target goals 🎯 Focus: penetrative passes, forward runs, timing, purposeful circulation 🧱 Pressing teams: stay compact, recognise triggers, press as a unit 🔄 Transitions: counter-press immediately / attack space quickly on regain

nitter.gq/Futboldseg64419/… A lot of coaches think “Pep-ball” = always playing out from the back. But here’s the thing: that’s not Pep Guardiola's philosophy at all. 👉 Watch this 60-second clip. It shows what many people miss about Guardiola’s football. It isn’t about forcing a style for the sake of it. It’s about one thing: making the right decision in the moment. Sometimes that’s short. Sometimes it’s long. It’s never just one or the other, and if you look back at his career, it never has been. Yet today, too many coaches demand “build from the back at all costs,” calling it “good football”, when in reality, it can be the wrong decision. Football is, and always will be, a game of decisions. ⚡️

🔵 Manchester City EXCELLENT three-phase combination setup 📅 Used in OPEN training yesterday ahead of tonight’s game 🔊 Volume up to catch how all three progressions link together 📑 Want more? Download our brand-new Pep Guardiola Training Pack featuring his full session plans via the following link: keepitonthedeck.com/download…

🚨🚨 Pep Guardiola breaking lines session plan layout 🎯 Focus: playing through and breaking lines 🔊 Volume up to follow the detail 📑 Coaches: 📑 Download over 100 Pep Guardiola sessions featuring real footage and animated session plans breakdowns by clicking the following link: keepitonthedeck.com/download…

🔥 It’s finally here… Developing Creative Footballers ⚽ BRAND NEW OUT NOW You asked for training sessions built for academy and grassroots development — and we’ve delivered! 🔗 Link to download: keepitonthedeck.com/download… ✅ 100+ ready-to-use training sessions ✅ 20 HD voice-over videos ✅ Detailed coaching eBook + pitch layouts ✅ BONUS: Tactical match footage 👉 Perfect for grassroots, academy, and senior teams. 🚀 Start developing smarter, more creative footballers today.

🎥 Slovakia 🇸🇰 vs Germany 🇩🇪 – Tactical Cam (Coach Education Angle) 📥 FREE download – no catches! 👉 keepitonthedeck.myflodesk.co… Drop your email into the form on the link above & get this match (plus more games) sent straight to you – 100% free 👊

€35 a month!!! Don't miss this 🚨 Veo Go is here – it’s time for a new era of recording 🚨 ⚽ Share all your highlights, goals or coaching points easily!. 📹 Same Veo software. Brand new way to record. 📱 Easy to use..... And the best part? 💸 Now only €35 / £29 a month – Veo is now affordable for every club. No excuses. No limits. Just football. 🔥 A must-have for all clubs – from grassroots up. 👉 Visit our page story or use the link below to grab it now 👇veo.co/product/veo-go @veotechnologies