Being in a small state, and now having consistent access to a number of FFA staff coaches, on a regular basis, amongst them being an assistant national team coach, and a SAP curriculum writer, I can regularly view their training ground practice, only a few kilometres from my residence.


The Aussie coach, uses some interesting cues and player actions. As well as the standard, " Can you receive the ball in a position to play forwards?" he also uses in midfield structured possession play:

"Can you receive the ball almost level with the defender, so your first pass can break the line?"

Often if a player is closer to his/her own goal than the marker, a player needs to bounce it back to a team-mate. With good positioning and vision, one can break the line with the first touch if one has the body shape side on receiving a diagonal ball.







I've heard Ange Postecoglou doesn't like it on TV and read Cruyff doesn't like it, but the Aussie coach also encourages players to always play diagonally, "Never a square ball or a straight ball."

This is in order for a team-mate to receive the ball in a better body position in the hope of playing forwards, and, to have better vision when that team-mate receives the ball.








Edited by Decentric: 28/2/2013 11:55:52 PM