Every soccer club and training organization has a bias on what they think should be the key aspects for players to work on in training. For some, it’s dribbling and the other technical skills required for 1v1 situations. For others, it may be tactical awareness and the ability to play in an organized system.

Here at ComePlaySoccer, our focus is on the ability of players to feel comfortable retaining possession of the ball in tight spaces. From our experience, we as North Americans play a very direct style of football which overlooks playing out of pressure and focuses on the use of long balls and through balls to break down defences. Although this strategy can be effective, we like to show players that they also have the option to play through pressure with quick and simple passing. To this end, our sessions normally have a ball-mastery component where we work on passing, receiving, and movement off of the ball followed by application in small-sided games or possession-based drills.