This page is in support of the Brookline Soccer Club Warriors NXT 5th grade boys soccer division. We consist of 3 teams (Roma, Porto, and Fulham) that play in different BAYS divisions and one Academy team that plays with NEFC. 

We use this page to share thoughts and training about soccer. These are generally broken down by the week of the season. 

We recommend players take the time each week to see what is new on the page. Watching soccer is a big part of their development as players. 

Training Focus by Week

Week 1 - Defending: pressure and cover

Our first week we focused on our defensive lines defending as a unit with one player pressuring and one player covering. We also wanted them to shift together side to side across the field adjusting to where the opponent played the ball. We also focused on the individual skill of defending and especially of turning the attacker onto his non-dominant foot (normally his left).

Here are some videos helping show what we covered. 

1v1 Defending

This is a good video showing how to individually defend. 

Understanding Pressure-Cover-Balance

This video describes the concept of pressure-cover-balance and how defenses work as a unit to protect the goal. 

Week 2 - Build-up out of the back

This week we focused on building out from the back primarily starting from a goal kick. The skills we focused on were push passing and driven passes. 

Push Pass

Sorry that the video does not show like normal. Follow the link "watch on youtube" to watch the video. He does a really nice job of showing the fundamentals of a push pass. 

Driven Pass

This is another really good video showing the steps of a driven pass. 

Coach Jeremy's Video on Building Out of the Back

Coach Jeremy create a brilliant video showing how to build-up out of the back from a corner kick. 

9v9 building out of the back

Week 3 - High Press against a Goal Kick

When the other team takes a goal kick it is a very good opportunity for us to score. We are focusing on that team tactical task this week. 

Our technical focus is trapping above the knees so that when the other team takes a long goal kick or a drop kick we are able to effectively trap it. 

Tactically we have introduced the concept of a "line captain". This is a player who is given the responsibility of coordinating the effort of the forward line, midfield line, or defensive line. This position rotates. 

Trapping the Ball from the Air

This is a pretty good video describing many of the aspects of trapping a long pass that is coming in the air. As with nearly every thing with controlling the ball in soccer, start with a good soccer body posture. Be up on the balls of your feet with your knees slightly bent. 

Week 4 - High Press against the Goal Kick and Shooting

This week we are focusing on leadership of our line captains while we apply a high press against the opponent's goal kick. 

Teaching Kids What to Say on the Pitch

This coach does a good job of discussing the different soccer words we can use to talk with our fellow players. These are words we should all be using with each other during the game. Practice using these words and practice using them loudly! One additional word that is important that he does not cover is "Time". "Time" means that the player has the time to receive the ball, look up, and play the ball. 

Kevin De Bruyne INSANE Long Shot Goals

This video is full of amazingly beautiful goals Keven De Bruyne. Watch close where on his shooting foot he strikes the ball. Notice also his different type of follow throughs with his foot when he strikes the ball. Lastly, look and see if you can tell if he is left or right footed. Simply amazing. He only got this good by practicing thousands of shots. He was one day like you and now thousands and thousands of practice shots later he is one of the best in the world. When we high press this coming came I want you to attack the ball and shoot. 

Week 5 - Possession Build-up: Quality Passing

This week we are focusing on the fundamentals of good passing as it enables possession based build-up. We are going to be focusing on good passes with solid tempo (speed of the ball), that the ball stays on the ground and is on target. Additionally, we will be focusing on finding and moving to supporting passing lanes. 

Amazing 26 Passes Leading to a Manchester City Goal

When you watch this video notice the tempo on the ball as they pass it and how it almost always stays on the ground until the final pass leading to the goal. Keeping the ball moving quickly and staying on the ground greatly improves their ability to maintain possession.

Manchester City Rondo

Notice in this video how quickly they move the ball. Notice the tempo of the ball as they pass it and how the ball stays on the ground. Now, they have the skill to go one touch which helps them move even faster. The lesson for us is to quickly pass the ball away from the defender with pace on the ball and keeping it on the ground. 

Week 5 - Positional Possession Build-up

This week we are focusing on the entire team working together and maintaining their general positions as we use passing to build up the attack and move the ball down field. For this to work we must continue to keep our passing quality hight (on the ground, good tempo, accurate) and within our space move to passing lanes. 

46 Passes! The perfect team goal? | Foden's strike v Nottingham Forest

Watch how in this video Manchester City flawlessly moves the ball around the field and sets up a beautiful goal. As you watch this focus on:

• How they generally stay in one area relative to their other players as they move the ball down the field
• Notice that nearly every pass is on the ground, accurate, and a good tempo
• Notice how within their relative position they move into passing lanes to always help their player with the ball

Games of the Week

In this section we will post some videos of games that boys may enjoy watching. The purpose of this section is to just give the players some high quality soccer to watch. 

Every Premier League Goal of Match week 4

It is interesting to see all the different ways goals are scored in the PL. It is also interesting to find trends between the goals. 

Match week 5 Highlights of Manchester City vs Arsenal

 This was an exciting game between two of our favorite teams in the Premier League. 

Match week 6 Arsenal vs Leicester City

This was a game with a very exciting ending. The game is not over until the very end of the game. Arsenal stays at the top of the table.

 Match week 7 Manchester City vs Fulham

An inspiring match by our Fulham namesake. By some great playing they gave Manchester City a real challenge. Notice how both teams use different types of passing as they move down the field and get into scoring positions. The closer they get to their opponent's goal the riskier the passes become.