English Premier League Academy Tour Journal - NGIN

Published For the World’s Most Innovative Soccer Coaches 

English Premier League 

Academy Tour 

Journal 

F r e e E m a i l N e w s l e t t e r a t w o r l d c l a s s c o a c h i n g . c o m

First published August, 2006 by 

WORLD CLASS COACHING 

15004 Buena Vista Drive, Leawood, KS 66224 (913) 402-0030 

Copyright © WORLD CLASS COACHING 2006 

All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval 

system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, 

recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher. 

Author - Daryn “Ozzie” White 

Edited by Mike Saif 

Front Cover - West Ham United U18 v Arsenal U18 game. 

Published by 

WORLD CLASS COACHING

March 1 - 6, 2006 

Arsenal Football Club 

Youth Academy 

Developmental Approach 

EPL Academy Tour Journal 

Mike Saif and WORLD CLASS COACHING magazine recently teamed up with 

Travel and Play to offer a fantastic opportunity for coaches in the U.S. to travel to 

England and visit two of the most successful and accomplished Youth Academy’s 

in the Professional game. 

I was asked to accompany the tour and write about the people that we met, the 

training and matches that we watched. We visited the Arsenal and the West Ham 

Youth Academies. 

Our first evening included a trip to the Arsenal Youth Training Academy in 

London. The Youth Academy is at a separate location to the first team training 

facility which is located on the outskirts of London. 

One of the first things that struck me as I walked in to the building was the history 

and the importance of this Academy to the future of such a great club like Arsenal. 

Surrounding me on the walls where pictures and posters of great legends such 

as David O’Leary, Frank Stapleton, Paul Merson, Tony Adams, and more recently 

players like Ashley Cole, who is making a tremendous impression for Arsenal and 

England. There are trophy cabinets brimming with the prizes and cups won all 

over the world by Arsenal Youth Teams. 

The Arsenal Academy is now in its eighth season, having been one of the first tier 

of English clubs to gain academy status in 1998. During its existence the Academy 

has consistently produced soccer player’s ready for first-team action with both 

Arsenal and other professional football clubs. 

The Academy Director is legendary midfielder Liam Brady, who is ably assisted by 

David Court, also a former Gunners star. Both are responsible for the development 

of all the boys registered with the Academy between the ages of nine and 21. 

At the end of season 2003/04, the under- 17’s and Under-19’s were disbanded 

by the FA to form one competitive level for Club Academies, the Under-18’s. The 

Arsenal Under-18s are based at the Training Center with the first-team squad and 

are coached by former Arsenal center-half, Steve Bould. 

The junior levels of the Academy — from Under-16’s down to Under-9’s — are 

based at Hale End Training Centre, another state-of-the-art Arsenal facility, under 

the guidance of Roy Massey. The Under-18’s finished third in their league last 

season and play most league games with many younger players from the u/16’s. 

Results are certainly not the ‘be all and end all’ for the Under-18’s with the Club’s 

primary concern at this age being “player development”. The most prominent 

example of a player progressing through the current system is Ashley Cole, who 

©WORLD CLASS COACHING


has established himself as first choice left-back for both his club and country. 

Goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, midfielders Jermaine Pennant, David Bentley, Steven 

Sidwell and defender Justin Hoyte are all Academy graduates who have earned 

England Under-21 caps, whilst Academy product Jeremie Aliadiere is a France Under- 

21 International. Taylor and Aliadiere also won Premier League Championship 

medals, in 2002 and 2004 respectively. 

Hoyte, Aliadiere and Bentley are furthering their Premiership experience on loan 

this season at Sunderland, West Ham and Blackburn respectively, whilst Graham 

Stack is on loan to Championship side Reading. 

With Academy players regularly dominating the Arsenal reserve team line-ups and 

a steady progression of players being blooded in the first-team, often through the 

Carling Cup initially, the Academy production line looks set to continue and produce 

players to grace the Gunners’ new Emirates Stadium for many years to come. 

Bobby Robson, the former England manager is credited with starting the Academy 

initiative after his experiences throughout Europe illustrated that the younger you 

identify and work with players then the better the end product will be. 

The apprentice system in England used to identify players at 16 while the European 

clubs where training players as young as 6 or 7 years of age. The Premier League has 

rules and regulations for Academy Soccer from the age of u/9. The club has talent 

scouts looking at boys playing u/8 soccer and making recommendations on which 

boys to sign for Arsenal Football Club. 

Mr. Roy Massey, Director for the u/9 - u/16 age groups for the Arsenal Academy 

admits that recruitment at 8 is very difficult; what should you be looking for? Massey 

stresses that Arsenal is very lucky to have London as a catchment area. London 

is an extremely strong soccer area and Arsenal often has the pick of the bunch. 

Massey added that 11 out of the 22 players in the current England squad are from 

the London area. 

Arsenal has a number of Regional Centers where players can train and play before 

being invited to the main Academy located at Hale End, London. These regional 

centers are based in Middlesex, Croydon, Brentford, Hertfordshire, and Central 

London and provide Arsenal with a huge catchment area for recruitment. The u/7 & 

u/8 teams all play at the Regional Centers. 

Every 4 weeks all players from the Regional Centers come to the main Academy 

for assessment games. Such is the competition for places that boys are added and 

dropped every year. The first intake is 12 players and the commitment is for one 

year. All of the squads are changed each year in an effort to constantly upgrade 

the standard of the squad and the level of competitiveness for the Arsenal Football 

Club. There is 80% of the current u/13 squad left at the club who started at u/9. Only 

5 of the u/14’s are left and 4 of the u/15’s. There is only one, 16 year old player left at 

the club who started out at u/9. 

The Club spends a lot of money and time developing, coaching, and mentoring 



many players who will never play in the first team for Arsenal and many others who 

will never become professional players. 

Liam Brady then joined Roy Massey to explain some of his observations and 

philosophies on developing the very best players for Arsenal in the future. 

Liam Brady and a number of the coaches have studied youth development 

throughout the world and have come to the same conclusions as many before 

them; Ajax of Amsterdam are a world leader and Arsenal send many of their 

coaches to Amsterdam as part of their coaching training program. Arsenal reverses 

the Ajax acronym (T.I.P.S.) and adopted S.P.I.T. to epitomize the youth development 

philosophy at the club. 

Speed – Personality – Intelligence – Technique 

London has more professional Soccer Clubs than any other city in the world 

therefore, competition for recruitment is fierce and parents have many choices if 

their son is good enough. If a player is pursued by Arsenal then he is usually being 

watched by a number of professional clubs. Many parents want to join Arsenal 

because of the pedigree and history of the club but these days many parents are 

also wary of the amount of players purchased from overseas. 

Arsenal’s expenditures to maintain the Academy are over US $4 million per year. 

The facilities include 2 full sized pitches, 1x Junior 11v11 pitch, 2x 8v8 pitches, spare 

ground for training, 2x sport turf pitches, including one housed inside a bubble to 

protect against the elements of an English winter. It also includes changing rooms, 

meeting rooms, offices and a general area for parents and guests to enjoy the 

canteen facilities and wait for the players. The Academy has 4 full time ground staff 

as well as kitchen staff. The recruiting staff, coaching staff, and Youth Development 

offices are also housed within the Academy building. 

Training is 3 times per week and the players enjoy opportunities to compete 

against the best in England as well as chances to play against the best that the rest 

of Europe and Scandinavia has to offer. The Arsenal Youth teams traveled recently 

and played against Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain, Ajax and Bayer Leverkausen. It is 

a huge commitment to Youth Football and to the future of Arsenal’s success. 

Liam Brady and Roy Massey both agreed that the worst part of the job is releasing 

players at the end of the season. They said that you develop an affinity and friendship 

with not only the player but the family as well so it is hard to tell that player he is no 

longer good enough for Arsenal Football Club. Most players released by Arsenal do 

receive opportunities at other professional clubs in the London area. 

The weekend game program is split with the main emphasis being on player 

development. 

The u/9 play 2x 5v5 games on a Sunday morning with each game split into 

quarters which allow the coaches more time emphasizing the club developmental 

philosophy. 



The u/13 play a split season; ½ the season is 8v8 and the other ½ is 11v11. These rules 

are common amongst the Academy Clubs and provide the players a better learning 

environment as each player gets more touches, more decisions to make, and more 

shots which ultimately mean more goals which is what the game is about. 

We witnessed a number of training sessions at the Academy, including one from 

Steve Bould with the u/16 team, a Goalkeeper session with Alex Welsh and a u/13 

session with Steve Leonard. We also watched the u/9 team and the u/13 and u/14 

play against the M.K. Dons on Sunday morning. I saw a 9 year old score about 12 

goals during two games and am still amazed at his confidence and technique as he 

scored with both feet, a couple of headers, a few stunning volley’s and a memorable 

bicycle kick, all at 9 years of age. He obviously spends a lot of his time watching 

Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas as he even emulated the Frenchman’s goal 

celebration. 

Most of the emphasis at ages 9-12 is technique, personality, and soccer intelligence. 

The intelligence is gained mostly from training against good opposition and the 

learning of the 4-4-2 system which is played throughout the club. At 13-15 years of 

age more emphasis is placed on tactical awareness as well as physical development 

and all of these are combined with a winning mentality from 16-19 years of age. 

The hospitality and friendship displayed from all of the Arsenal staff was fantastic 

and nothing we asked of them or requested to see was too much trouble. They 

answered multiple questions, took extra time to explain sessions or philosophies 

throughout our visit. Liam Brady was one of my hero’s when he was a player and it 

was a pleasure and an honor to discuss his views on the game in general, especially 

his youth development philosophy. 

Daryn “Ozzie” White 

DOC Ankeny Soccer Club 


Arsenal Academy 

U16 Session 

Coach – Steve Bould 


Warm -Up 

Coach Steve Bould sits the players in front of him, explains the session and hands out the bibs. The warm-up 

comprises of dynamic stretches and soccer specific movements with and without the ball. The players then 

pass, move, and juggle in groups of 3 followed by more dynamic stretches, longer running patterns and short 

sprints. 



Warm-Up Continued 

Pass to the target player/ follow the pass 

Set (cushion pass) for the next pass against the wall 

Coaching Points 

• Quality of pass 

• Quality of run 

• Timing of run 

• “Zip the ball along the floor” 



• Play ball into target player 

• Follow pass and play combination 


• Player 1 receives from rebound after combination 

• Player 1 turns and plays pass into next available player 




3v2 + GK 

3 attackers working on stopping the 2 defenders from playing out from the back 

1 neutral player to link the defenders with forwards 


• Drop in to block passing angles 

• Work together 

• Communicate 

• Force the ball square or backwards 

• Decide when to tackle or delay 

©WORLD CLASS COACHING 

10

Add another neutral player in the middle zone 

7v7 with 1 neutral player 

11 



• Team shape 

• Drop off to block passing angles 

• Force the ball wide 

• Do not allow the forward ball into midfield 



4 ways to handle the ball 

Scoop 

Cup 

W – hands 

Landing/deflection 



Goalkeeper Session 

Coach – Alex Walsh 

Grid 2x2 yds 

Serve – high, middle, low, both sides 

Progression – saving with one hand and throwing the ball back to the server 

12

GK sitting on the goal line 

Server 5 yds away 

Goal is 3 yds wide 

Server puts the ball to each side 

Each set lasts no longer than 3 mins 

Server increases distance to 10 yds 

GK now standing and working on the scoop technique 

1 




Regular size goal 

Serves are varied 

GK starts with ball and distributes to server who returns the high 

GK works on aerial techniques (with hands) 


1

1 


Server drops the ball at the feet of the striker on one side or the other and the gK must close the ball down at 

the feet of the attacker 


• Timing 

• Technique 

• Decision making 

• When to dive or when to stay as big as possible 


Item # 1022 

The author shares his 20 

years of experience coaching 

at pro youth academies in 

England. 

This book shows some of the 

most creative, inspiring and 

innovative training sessions 

you will find anywhere. 

Item # 1017 

Takes the exercises shown in 

Volume One and progresses 

them into functional sessions, 

then into tactical sessions and 

finally into game situations. 

Item # 1011 

This is the most 

comprehensive book ever 

written about the 4 - 4 - 2 

formation. Covered are the 

roles and responsibilities of 

the defenders, midfielders 

and forwards in both attacking 

and defending situations. 

To Order Call 

1-888-342-6224 

BOOKS 

OR 

VISIT 

Item # 1019 

This book takes an in-depth 

look at the formation used 

by Liverpool to win the 

Champions League Final. 

Whether you play with a 4-4- 

2, 4-3-3, 3-4-3 or any other 

formation, understanding 

how to play the 3-5-2 

formation is critical for any 

coach or team. 

$19.95 $24.95 $19.95 

Item # 1013 

This incredible book shows 

every GOALKEEPER 

training session, practice 

and drill done by the New 

England Revolution from 

their 2002 season. 

$19.95 $24.95 $19.95 

Item # 1001 

The most comprehensive 

book EVER published of 

soccer practices and training 

sessions. Over 200 pages 

full of training sessions 

from Manchester United, 

Brazil National Team, PSV 

Eindhoven, Boca Juniors, 

etc. 

$24.95 BEST SELLER! 

$29.95 $29.95 

1,000’s ALREADY SOLD! 

Item # 1002 

Includes training sessions and 

drills from Manchester United, 

U.S. Women’s World Cup 

Team, Venice of Serie “A”, 

Liverpool F.C., Bodens BK 

of Sweden, Brazilian Youth 

Teams plus many of the MLS 

Teams and other top teams 

and coaches from around the 

world. 

Item # 1005 


drills from PSV Eindhoven, 

U.S. Women’s World Cup 

Team, Ajax F.C., Liverpool 

F.C., Leeds United, FK 

Teplice plus many of the MLS 

Teams and other top teams 

and coaches from around the 

world. 

Item # 1003 

Includes training sessions 

and drills from Manchester 

United, Juventus F.C. 

and Venice of Serie “A”, 

Ajax F.C., Lausanne of 

Switzerland, Liverpool 

Academy plus many of the 

MLS Teams and other top 

teams and coaches from 

around the world. 

$12.95 $12.95 $12.95 

Item # 1010 

Included are 32 complete 

training sessions 

covering passing, 

receiving, dribbling, 

running with the ball, 

shooting, defending and 

goalkeeping. There are 

also 16 fun, small-sided 

games that can be used in 

any training session or as 

warm-ups. 

$12.95 $14.95 $14.95 

Item # 1016 

Contains 11 chapters showing 

practices and exercises used 

at English Premier League 

Academies to develop and 

improve technique. Chapters 

are: Warm-Ups, Passing, Ball 

Control, Dribbling, Running, 

Shooting, Attacking Play, 

Defending, Tackling, Games 

and Tactics. 

Item # 1007 

This one-of-a-kind book 

shows every training session, 

practice and drill of the Penn 

State soccer team from 

their 2001 season where 

they reached the NCAA 

Tournament round of 16. 

Item # 1014 

Over 200 pages and 100 

training sessions from 

the world’s top teams like 

Manchester United, Ajax, 

Liverpool, Juventus, PSV 

Eindhoven and São Paulo. 

These, plus sessions from 

National teams from Holland, 

Italy, USA and others make 

this book a “must have” for any 

serious soccer coach. 

Item # 1004 


drills from São Paulo of Brazil, 

Italy U15 National Team, Tony 

DiCicco, Liverpool F.C., Lira 

Lulea BK of Sweden, Leeds 

United plus New England 

Revolution of the MLS and 

other top teams and coaches 

from around the world. 

Item # 1008 

Included are 32 complete 

training sessions covering 

passing, receiving, dribbling, 

running with the ball, 

shooting, defending and 

goalkeeping. There are also 

22 fun, small-sided games that 

can be used in any training 

session or as warm-ups. 

WORLDCLASSCOACHING.COM

Item # 4001 - Attacking 

Item # 4002 - Defending 

Defending With a Flat Back Four 

Zonal Defending 

Improving Confidence For 

Heading 

Developing Techniques For 

Youth Players 

Developing Quick Play Using 

Circle Practices 

Item # 1023 

Former England U21 

Coach, David Platt, shares 

his tactical knowledge on 

how to coach your team to 

beat an opposing team lined 

up in a 4-4-2 formation. 

Item # 1025 

In this book are sessions 

from English Premier League 

teams and their Academies like 

Manchester United, Liverpool, 

Everton and Fulham. Also 

included are sessions from 

England National Teams, and 

top British clubs like Glasgow 

Rangers, Glasgow Celtic, 

Crystal Palace and Leeds 

United. 

International Coaching Three-DVD Series 

Featuring Coaches of 

Manchester United - Liverpool F.C. - Leeds United 

NEW BOOKS 

Item # 4003 - Possession 

Item # 4004 - All Three DVD’s 

TOPICS INCLUDE 

Passing Progressions 

Counter-attacking With Pace 

Improve Your Shooting and 

Finishing 

Build-Up Play For Crosses 

Attacking In Waves 

Item # 1024 

Former England U21 Coach, 

David Platt, shares his 

tactical knowledge on how to 

coach your team to beat an 

opposing team lined up in a 

4-3-3 formation. 

$24.95 $24.95 $24.95 

$24.95 

$34.95 

$34.95 

To Order Call 

1-888-342-6224 

$24.95 

Item # 1026 

In this book are sessions 

from Europe’s top teams like 

Real Madrid, Ajax and A.C. 

Milan, plus South American 

teams like Boca Juniors, 

E.C. Vitoria and others. 

Plus sessions from the 

Canadian National Teams, 

and from Anson Dorrance 

and Tony DiCicco. 

DVD’s 

OR 

VISIT 

$34.95 

$24.95 

4-4-2 DVD’s 

$34.95 $34.95 

Item # 1033 

Former England U21 Coach, 

David Platt, shares his 

tactical knowledge on how to 

coach your team to beat an 

opposing team lined up in a 

3-5-2 formation. 

Item # 1040 

Play at English Premier 

League speed. This 

book contains 124 drills, 

exercises & small-sided 

games that coach David 

Williams has conducted 

during his many years as a 

coach in the English Premier 

League. 

Item # 4005 - Attacking - # 4006 - Defending - # 4007 - Both DVD’s 

The 4 – 4 – 2 is the preferred formation for just about every team in the English 

Premier League. The 4 – 4 – 2 is also used by the majority of the world’s top 

coaches and teams such as European giants Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern 

Munich as well as the national teams of Brazil, England, USA, Italy, etc. 

These DVD’s will explain how the 4 – 4 – 2 formation is played, why it is so 

successful and why it is the formation of choice for the world’s top teams. 

Coach David Williams (former Leeds United, Everton and Manchester 

United U19 coach) explains the roles and responsibilities of the defenders, 

midfielders and forwards, both in attacking and defending situations. The 

DVD’s show many practices that he has used during his vast coaching 

experience in the English Premier League, and will show you how to train 

your players to play using the 4 – 4 – 2 formation. These practices start with 

2 v 2 exercises and build all the way up to 11 v 11 conditioned games. 

WORLDCLASSCOACHING.COM


GK serves the ball to the attacker and then closes the ball down. 

2x 5x5yd grids 

2 attackers pass the ball back and forth until one attacker decides to shoot or dribble to the goal 


• Constantly move your feet and change angle 

• When to come forward to close the angle 

• Watch for a bad touch and be aggressive 


1

Grid 5x10yds 

Server 

One attacker 

Server plays a diagonal pass into the path of the attacker 


• Attacker must decide to shoot or dribble 

• GK must decide how far to come of the goal line and when to make the save 

1 




Progression 

Server now becomes recovering defender 


• Relationship and communication between gK and defender 

• Decision to close down or just narrow the angle 


20

Grid – 20x10 yards 

2v2 

Target goals 


• 1v1 moves – fakes, dribble, change of pace 

• Combinations 

• Timing of runs 

• Timing of passes 

• When to dribble/when to pass 



U13 Session 

Coach – Steve Leonard 

21 



1v1 

Goal & GK 

Counter goals 

Server 



• Angle for shooting 


• Shielding 

• Dribbling 

• Distance - from server and goal 

ADD 

• Server becomes support player making 2v1 


• When to shoot, pass dribble 


22

Grid – 20x10 

2v2 

Score on two small goals 

Grid – 10x5 

Target players on each end 

2 



• Play into target player 

• Create space to receive 

• Keep possession 

• Shield the ball 

• Play to target, find space and receive again 


NEW BOOK 

worldclasscoaching.com


Grid 20x20 

4 attackers 

3 defenders 

4 neutral players 

GK 

Defensive Coaching Points 

• Pressure 

• 1st defender 

• 2nd defender 

• Angle of approach 

• Isolation 

• Zonal marking 

• Vision – ball & player 

• Body shape 


2 

Offensive Coaching Points 

• Flick, tricks 


• Overlaps 

• Penetrative passes 

• Penetrative runs 

• Timing 

• Numbers up 

• Unbalance defense 

• Check & move 

• Movement causes confusion

4v4 

Small goals 

Defensive Coaching Points 

• Defensive shape 

• Balance 

• Shift together with the play 

• Staggered shape – See diagram 

Offensive Coaching Points 

• Attacker under no or little pressure has 

• 5 options 

• Shoot – left or right 

• Pass- left or right 

• Dribble 

• Attacker under pressure 

• Retain possession 

• Shield 

• Pass backwards and start again 

2 




Grid 40x30 

5v5 + GK 

1 neutral player 

Incorporate all coaching points 

Then stand back and let them play 


2

2 


Jimmy Gilligan 

Head Coach Barking Abbey Academy 

West Ham United Football Club has a historical relationship with the Barking 

Abbey School. The school provides tutors to the West Ham United Youth Academy 

and private tuition for West Ham youngsters when required. Current first team 

player, Bobby Zamora is a Barking Abbey graduate as is another professional 

at the club, Darren Blewitt. The school is located close to the Hammers training 

ground as was one of the first six in the country to become a Specialist Sports 

High School/College. 

Football and education has been a focal point for the school for over 14 years 

with the school being the National Schools Football Champion three times in 

the last ten years. The senior year at Barking Abbey boasts a Football Excellence 

course, sanctioned by the English Football Association. This course provides 

many budding footballers a second chance at the professional game. Most of the 

players at Barking Abbey have been released by professional clubs and it gives 

them a chance to continue their education, train every day as soccer players and 

compete at a good youth level. 

Below is a course outline for the Barking Abbey Football Excellence Course; 

• This course is aimed at talented male and female footballers aged between 16 

and 19. 

• A full time programme of football and education for students aged 16-19 to 

start in September 2006. 

• The scheme is part of the Football Association development plan and fully 

endorsed by the F.A. 

• There are 20 male and 20 female scholarships available to candidates on 1, 2 or 

3 year programmes. 

• Scholars must have played at the highest level of schoolboy football. 

• The players would access structured training sessions every day from a UEFA 

Advanced License Coach on site. 

• 5 GCSEs at Grades A-C gives you access to the widest range of courses. We 

do offer a First Diploma in Sports Studies and Business for students with good 

references and lower grades (not necessarily As – Cs). 

• Alongside this they would follow academic courses such as the BTEC National 

Diploma Awards, AS or A Levels. 

• Scholars will also progress through their Level 1 and 2 UEFA coaching awards, 

treatment of sports injuries and first aid. 



• Each player receives regular 1-1 and squad mentoring on professionalism, mental 

strength, football fitness, diet and nutrition, career development and match 

analysis. 

• There is also a match programme. Every Wednesday the squad represents Barking 

Abbey Centre for Football Excellence in two Merit Leagues. 

• Players also access a variety of games at the partner club who provide a well 

structured and extremely supportive environment to progress. 

• The squad will attend football tours in Europe and the USA. 

• They also have close links with professional clubs and universities both here and 

in the USA which provide playing, coaching and studying opportunities for the 

scholars to further develop after they graduate from Barking Abbey School. 

Jimmy Gilligan is the Head Coach for Barking Abbey and has brought a wealth of 

knowledge and experience to the school program. Jimmy is a former professional 

player and has vast experience as a coach at the highest level with Watford, 

Wimbledon, and Nottingham Forest to name a few. Jimmy was the first team coach 

when David Platt – a former WORLD CLASS COACHING clinician was the manager 

at the club. 

The following session was conducted at the West Ham United training ground by 

Jimmy Gilligan with the Barking Abbey Academy players. The focus of the session 

is “Pressuring as a Team” - When to Pressure and When to Drop Off. 


0

Warm-Up 

Throw/catch 

Functional warm up game – 7v7 

20x30 yard grid 

First defender to pressure the ball (touch tight) then drop off to defend space 

1 




Other player’s - see the visual trigger and anticipate when to pressure 

Rotation between 1st. defender and 2nd. Defender 


• Visual trigger 

• When to pressure 

• When to hold ground and mark space 

• Stay low when defending 

• Body posture 

• Communication 


2

First Phase 

Play with the feet now 

Coach serves to promote pressure 

Players can not tackle just close down the ball holder 



• Block passing lanes 

• Stop the ball from traveling forward 

• Have a good work ethic 





Extend the grid size to 40x30 yards 

Split the grid into thirds 


When the ball is in an end zone – Press high and push up 



When the ball is in the middle zone – drop off and use all of your players to condense the space. 

If you go too soon you will end up isolated against their players in the front third 

Press high near to the opposition goal 

In the end zone you can not press 

Only pressure the ball when it travels into the middle zone 

Players on the team with the ball has a maximum of four touches 

This ensures that the ball keeps moving and you can coach the defending team 

Progression 

Only one player can pressure the ball in the end zone 




• Work ethic 


• Make the play predictable 

• Stop the long ball 

Finish with a game 

60 x40 

2 goals – GK 

Two teams playing a 332 formation 



• Make play predictable 

• Shut off one half of the pitch 

• Isolate the player on the ball 

• Pressure the ball in high area’s of the pitch (further way from your goal) 

Progressions 

• Add an offside line 

• Move the off side line higher 




“The biggest single contributor to the current England national squad is not Manchester United, Arsenal, 

Liverpool or Chelsea, but the West Ham Youth Academy.” -- ITV Football article, 13 September 2004. 

Tony Carr is the Director of Youth Development at West Ham Football Club. Carr was born in 

East London, and was a West Ham youth team player in the late 1960’s. As an apprentice he 

cleaned the boots of the famous West Ham players, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, and Martin 

Peters who represented England winning the World Cup in 1966. Carr was forced to retire 

early through injury, although he admitted that he was not good enough for the top level 

anyway. 

Tony Carr did the next best thing and decided to become a coach. He was appointed as 

West Ham Director of Youth Development in 1973 and has been at the helm ever since. He 

has had remarkable success and seen many players, coaches, and managers come and go 

during his time at the club. Tony Carr is considered one of the most influential developers 

of young talent in the game today. He has been the coaching mainstay for over thirty years 

with West Ham and has seen five different managerial reigns during this time. Tony Carr 

remains at his post developing the players of the future. The club has produced many players 

over the years and their youth development system has become known as the “Academy 

of Football” within the English professional game and refers to the club’s reputation of 

developing talent from a young age and for playing the game in a free flowing, passing 

game which is always exciting to watch. The title “Academy of Football” was attributed to 

the club by the media in the 1970’s and has since been adopted by the club on its official 

crest at the side of the playing surface at the club’s stadium, Upton Park. 

The West Ham youth Development System is widely regarded as one of the most successful 

in the country and has earned a reputation for its integrity, stability and continuity. Tony Carr 

is indeed a fine coach and as we found out on this visit to the Academy; a man who loves 

to talk about the game and share his passion, his beliefs and his many, many experiences. 

The club was formed in 1895 as the Thames iron works team from the ship building docks 

of London’s East End. They where re-launched in 1900 as West Ham United Football Club 

but have never won the top division in England in its long history. The club has, however 

produced many of the games top players over the past 40 years. The club won the F.A. Cup 

in 1975 with a team comprising solely of English players. No club has matched this feat 

since. Just this week the club won its semi final replay to earn a spot in the 2006 F.A. Cup 

Final. 

Tony Carr has not only been present during this era, but responsible for developing much 

of the talent that has worn the claret and blue jersey over the last thirty years including; 

Trevor Brooking, Paul Ince, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, and 

current Hammers first team players; Anton Ferdinand, Elliot Ward, and Mark Noble. 

The WCC trip was not only a wonderful opportunity to see Tony train his player’s, but to 

spend time with him and listen to his experiences and philosophies. The following is a 

summary of the discussions with Tony Carr; 


West Ham United Youth Academy 

Director of Youth Development - Tony Carr


Tony addressed the coaching group at dinner one evening and spoke about the “West Ham 

way”. He firmly believes that the West Ham Youth Academy is very welcoming to the player 

and his family. He believes that the traditional, homely, welcoming atmosphere helps the 

young players settle quickly and feel good about themselves. He believes that West Ham 

have a fertile catchment area and a very successful scouting system. Tony knows that he has 

a good eye for talent and is comfortable that he knows what he is looking for in a player. 

When I asked; what are the qualities that he looks for his response was “individual aspects of 

the game”; can he pass? Can he dribble? Does he have football intelligence? 

Tony and his staff are looking for players with; “sound technical skills, a good football 

brain, players who are hungry and desperate to play at the highest level” and players with 

personality who have a chance of making it in the extremely tough professional game. Carr 

relies heavily on Jimmy Hampson (Chief Scout) and his scouting staff who bring in the talent 

for the coaches. Hampson is responsible for spotting many of the Academy graduates and 

bringing them into the club. Carr is particular in the way that the Academy works and he 

allows each age group coach to coach the team without interference. He believes that the 

team coach knows the players best and should be allowed to develop them in the way that 

the coach see’s fit. Tony Carr believes in the coach’s toolbox and thinks that every coach 

should participate in coaching courses to increase ideology and knowledge which helps 

the coach respect the way that players respond to information and turn the knowledge 

into practice. He studies the way that player’s learn and recognizes different learning 

techniques in individuals. “Some players use trial and error, some siphon bits of information, 

and some take it one step at a time.” He wants his coaches to make training “uncomplicated 

but challenging, and wants to take the players through the process one step at a time”. His 

advice to players; “Understand your restrictions, learn through trial and error, be a sponge, 

and work harder than the next player” 

I asked Tony about the best player that he has ever worked with at the Youth Level and his 

response is this; 

“Rio Ferdinand is the most naturally talented and influential player at Youth level, Paul Ince is 

the player who went on to achieve the most” – Ince is currently playing for Wolverhampton 

Wanderers at the age of 39 and has enjoyed 5 top English clubs (West Ham, Manchester 

United, Liverpool, Middlesborough) as well as Inter Milan in Italy. He has won many domestic 

honors including the Premiership title, F.A. Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup 

and has played for England on 53 occasions. Carr thinks that “Tony Cottee is the best one 

touch player in the box that he has worked with, but, Frank Lampard may go on to achieve 

more than any of these players” Quite an impressive Alumni? 

Tony Carr is an impressive coach and a wonderful man who took the time to pass on his 

views and passion for the game. Trevor Webb, the West Ham Education and Welfare Officer 

was magnificent in his hospitality and organization of this WCC visit to West Ham United 

Football Club. “Webby” orchestrated most of our visit to the club and nothing was too much 

trouble. We had access to the youth Academy as well as the first team training facility. He 

also arranged tickets for the WCC coaches to attend the Premier League fixture between 

West Ham and Everton. A truly memorable experience at possibly the friendliest Premier 

League Club; West Ham United. 



Warm-Up 

The warm-up is conducted by the Academy Sports Scientist, Eamon Swift. 

Half of the players with a ball and the other half without a ball 

Across the grid – 20x20 

Header 

Volley 

Pass 

Thigh/volley 

Chest/volley 

Dynamic Stretches 

Karate Kicks 

Tin Soldiers 

Side Volleys 

Lunges 

Forward running 

Backward running 

Check and move 


West Ham United Youth Academy 

Director of Youth Development - Tony Carr 

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Next the 1st year scholars played the 2nd year scholars in a game 

Grid 40x30 

6v6 

4 small goals 

2 touch 

1 touch finishing 

1 




Players are in teams of 4 

Players had to juggle the ball. The ball could not touch the ground at any point during the race. Juggle to the 

first obstacle and take the ball over the poles 

Continue to juggle to the next obstacle and go under the poles. Next, juggle to the mannequin and play a 

one two off the mannequin. Control the ball and flick it over the mannequin to finish with a volley to the 

small goal. Each player had 4 attempts. 


Half a pitch 

GK 

2 Strikers 

2 wide players 

2 servers 

Server plays ball into strikers who combine to play ball wide. 

Wide player goes to bye line and crosses for strikers to finish 





• Quality of serve 

• Combination between strikers 

• Angle and pass of pace to wide player 

• Timing of the run and delivery from wide player 

Strikers make runs away from the ball and 

overlap before attacking the cross 



• Timing of the run 

• Attack the ball, be aggressive 

• Go for goal 

• Be staggered 

• Follow up

Add an extra wide player to add combination and overlap 

Simulate wide midfielder/full back relationship 


• Timing 


• Angle of run 

• Angle and pace of pass 

• Whip the cross in with pace 





Get numbers up in the box 


• Stagger the runs to cover near post, middle of the goal and far post 

• Have an extra player on the edge of the box for any rebounds or clearances 




This shows the whole picture that the coach wanted in the game against Arsenal the next day. Balls were 

served into the strikers who combined to play in wide players and deeper players (midfielders or fullbacks) 

have license to join the attack and get crosses in as West Ham attempt to get numbers up in the box. 


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English Premier League Academy Tour Journal - NGIN

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