english premier league academy tour journal

Published For the World’s Most Innovative Soccer Coaches

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

English Premier LeagueAcademy Tour

Journal

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

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EPL Academy Tour Journal

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March 1 - 6, 2006Arsenal Football Club

Youth Academy Developmental Approach

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


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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

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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

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Warm -UpCoach 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.

Arsenal AcademyU16 Session

Coach – Steve Bould



Warm-Up ContinuedPass to the target player/ follow the passSet (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”

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Warm-Up Continued• Play ball into target player• Follow pass and play combination

Warm-Up Continued• Player 1 receives from rebound after combination• Player 1 turns and plays pass into next available player


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3v2 + GK3 attackers working on stopping the 2 defenders from playing out from the back1 neutral player to link the defenders with forwards

Coaching Points• Drop in to block passing angles• Work together • Communicate• Force the ball square or backwards• Decide when to tackle or delay

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Add another neutral player in the middle zone

7v7 with 1 neutral player Coaching Points• 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 ScoopCupW – handsLanding/deflection

Grid 2x2 ydsServe – high, middle, low, both sidesProgression – saving with one hand and throwing the ball back to the server

Arsenal AcademyGoalkeeper SessionCoach – Alex Walsh

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GK sitting on the goal lineServer 5 yds awayGoal is 3 yds wideServer puts the ball to each sideEach set lasts no longer than 3 mins

Server increases distance to 10 ydsGK now standing and working on the scoop technique


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Regular size goalServes are varied

GK starts with ball and distributes to server who returns the highGK works on aerial techniques (with hands)

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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

Coaching Points• Timing • Technique• Decision making• When to dive or when to stay as big as possible



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

2x 5x5yd grids2 attackers pass the ball back and forth until one attacker decides to shoot or dribble to the goal

Coaching Points• Constantly move your feet and change angle• When to come forward to close the angle• Watch for a bad touch and be aggressive

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Grid 5x10ydsServerOne attackerServer plays a diagonal pass into the path of the attacker

Coaching Points• Attacker must decide to shoot or dribble• GK must decide how far to come of the goal line and when to make the save



ProgressionServer now becomes recovering defender

Coaching Points• Relationship and communication between gK and defender• Decision to close down or just narrow the angle

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Grid – 20x10 yards2v2Target goals

Coaching Points• 1v1 moves – fakes, dribble, change of pace• Combinations• Timing of runs• Timing of passes• When to dribble/when to pass• Decision making

Arsenal AcademyU13 Session

Coach – Steve Leonard



1v1Goal & GKCounter goalsServer

Coaching Points• Angle for shooting• Decision making• Shielding• Dribbling• Distance - from server and goal

ADD• Server becomes support player making 2v1• Combinations• When to shoot, pass dribble

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Grid – 20x102v2Score on two small goals

Grid – 10x5Target players on each end

Coaching Points• Play into target player• Create space to receive• Keep possession• Shield the ball• Play to target, find space and receive again



Grid 20x204 attackers3 defenders4 neutral playersGK

Defensive Coaching Points• Pressure• 1st defender• 2nd defender• Angle of approach• Isolation• Zonal marking• Vision – ball & player• Body shape

Offensive Coaching Points• Flick, tricks• Combinations• Overlaps• Penetrative passes • Penetrative runs• Timing• Numbers up• Unbalance defense• Check & move• Movement causes confusion

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4v4Small 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



Grid 40x305v5 + GK1 neutral player

Incorporate all coaching pointsThen stand back and let them play

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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.


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• 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.

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Warm-UpThrow/catchFunctional warm up game – 7v720x30 yard grid

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



Other player’s - see the visual trigger and anticipate when to pressureRotation between 1st. defender and 2nd. Defender

Coaching Points• Visual trigger• When to pressure• When to hold ground and mark space• Stay low when defending• Body posture• Communication

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First PhasePlay with the feet nowCoach serves to promote pressurePlayers can not tackle just close down the ball holder

Coaching Points• Angle of approach• Block passing lanes• Stop the ball from traveling forward• Have a good work ethic• Communication


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Extend the grid size to 40x30 yardsSplit the grid into thirds

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

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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 pressOnly pressure the ball when it travels into the middle zone Players on the team with the ball has a maximum of four touchesThis ensures that the ball keeps moving and you can coach the defending team

ProgressionOnly one player can pressure the ball in the end zone



Coaching Points• Work ethic• Angle of approach• Make the play predictable• Stop the long ball

Finish with a game60 x402 goals – GKTwo teams playing a 332 formation

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Coaching Points• 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 AcademyDirector of Youth Development - Tony Carr

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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-UpThe 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 – 20x20HeaderVolleyPassThigh/volleyChest/volley

Dynamic StretchesKarate KicksTin SoldiersSide VolleysLungesForward runningBackward runningCheck and move

West Ham United Youth AcademyDirector of Youth Development - Tony Carr

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Next the 1st year scholars played the 2nd year scholars in a gameGrid 40x306v64 small goals2 touch1 touch finishing



Players are in teams of 4Players 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 polesContinue 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.

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Half a pitchGK2 Strikers2 wide players2 serversServer plays ball into strikers who combine to play ball wide.Wide player goes to bye line and crosses for strikers to finish



Coaching Points • 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

Coaching Points• Timing of the run • Attack the ball, be aggressive • Go for goal• Be staggered• Follow up

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Add an extra wide player to add combination and overlapSimulate wide midfielder/full back relationship

Coaching Points• Timing• Communication• Angle of run• Angle and pace of pass• Whip the cross in with pace

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Get numbers up in the box

Coaching Points• 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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