Coach Bolowich and his assistants present this excellent training session in three phases; phase one is attacking the goal and getting behind the defender for a shot, phase two is the 7 v 5 situation and the third phase is an 11 v 10 situation, including: quality of shots, crosses from the flanks, timed runs into the box and combination play. One-on-one play is key to this training session. The 7 v 5 session looks for quality crosses, passes and hitting the key target areas. Attacks from the center of the field with combination play are also a focus. Offensive keys to the 7 v 5 session are: two attackers up front, hit the target post positions, timing, and quality shots on goal. Defensively - the counter attack, playing out the ball, initiating the attack and visible offside line are important. Benefits of the 7 v 5 training are to create combination plays, serving the ball to targets, practicing quality shots on goal and gaining total field awareness. The 11 v 10 situation focuses on decision-making, being aware of the entire field before passing, and finding the open post in the box before giving up the ball and switching the ball to the opposite side of the field when zones are overloaded are important to solid play in 11 vs. 10. Throughout, Bolowich reinforces good team communication and learning to work effectively as a unit.

72 minutes. 2007.

Coach Bluem brings a wealth of knowledge to this DVD on training the flank midfield player. Bluem begins by sharing several warm-up activities that will prepare players for practice. These activities are designed to practice flank combinations, the middle attack, passing and timing and meeting the ball at full speed. Bluem introduces a phase of training called 8 v 6. This session provides realistic defensive pressure, which helps develop proper decision making by the flank midfield players. All footage shows OSU players on the field in practice situations with Bluem narrating the action. The 9 v 9 session gives each team three defenders, three midfield players and two strikers and encourages the players to penetrate on the flanks. Coach Bluem teaches his players to change the point of attack and improve the results of each possession. This DVD includes sessions designed to work on combination play, penetration and improve the overall play of midfield players.

34 minutes. 2007.

RD-02735B: with John Bluem,
Ohio State University Head Coach;
2X Big Ten Coach of the Year

For 27 years John Bluem has coached soccer in the US at a variety of levels. In that time Coach Bluem has developed a great appreciation for coaching soccer to different age groups. These 12 training games cover the areas of possession, penetration, finishing and tactical awareness. The games range from 1 v 1 to 4 v 4 settings and work on passing and receiving under pressure; safe possession before making penetrating passes; transition, dribbling and shooting; combination play to create scoring opportunities; and off ball movement. Tactical awareness is another component of this presentation. The Through the Gates game works on support, mobility, defensive marking and tracking. This DVD provides an organized three-prong approach to developing the flank midfield player.

86 minutes. 2007.

Counter attacking, the art of modern counter attacking, is a relatively new concept in our country and needs to be taught, practiced and mastered to join the elite teams in the soccer world. Coach Lauffer dedicates this DVD to the modern concepts of counter attacking. Lauffer defines counter attacking as "an attack in response to an opponents attack." This part of the game is not yet appreciated in the United States. Practices are conducted with two goalkeepers in a 20 by 50 yard field. Defenders are coached to pressure or trap the ball in certain areas of the field to gain possession of the ball. This practice is a continuous game creating an attacking mentality for the players. Midfield pressing is diagrammed and discussed with regards to the developing pressure pockets and points. The goal is for defenders to win the ball and move forward at speed. The 9 v 9 (7 v 6) + (2 v 3) game has many excellent features as well. This DVD includes practice footage that will reinforce the white board presentations. Soccer coaches can get 'ahead of the game' by incorporating countering attacking into their teams.

28 minutes. 2006.

Coach Freitag believes that soccer games are won in midfield, and this system is the reason why. The 3-5-2 system has helped Indiana compete in seven of the last nine college cups, including winning the 2004 National Championship. In this DVD he rolls out the 3-5-2 with an emphasis on the 5. Using computer graphics and animation to enhance the presentation, Freitag thoroughly describes the 3-5-2 and includes various concerns and coaching points. He also describes the key qualities required of the forwards, midfielders and defenders to make this system successful. The 3-5-2 has been proven successful at the highest collegiate level of competition. The fundamental elements of this attack can be used at all levels to help coaches develop a successful style of play.

33 minutes. 2006.

Randy Waldrum, the highly-respected soccer tactician, has an attractive, attacking brand of soccer that has put him in an elite class of soccer coaches. In this DVD, he outlines his philosophy on set pieces. Set plays and situations are a vital key to the overall success of a soccer team. Using clips from his team and international play, he uses video to support his teaching in four areas: corner kicks, free kicks, the throw-in and penalty kicks. Each area is loaded with information on strategy, as well as key coaching points. In 2004, Waldrum coached the Irish to the National championship. That year his team scored 57 goals in 18 games - nearly 25% of those goals came from set pieces These plays can be adapted to be used at all levels.

51 minutes. 2006.