Ritchie Semple has vast experience at both collegiate level and club level.  He was Coordinator of Football Studies at Myerscough College, in Liverpool, England, coach of the Under 14´s coach at Chester City Football Club as well as an active member of the Don´t X The Line Campaign.

At youth level, Ritchie has been coaching all ages at football clubs both in England and Wales for numerous years. On a playing note, Ritchie has previous experience of playing in the League of Wales for Bangor City and Conwy United but spent most of his career at Prestatyn Town.

Ritchie is a UEFA qualified coach and has his BSc in Sports Education & Coaching as well as a Certificate in Education.

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Activity #1:

Set Up:

Players are split in to 2 teams. A 40 x 40 grid is marked with alternate coloured cones which match bib colour. One ball between two players.

Explanation:

When a player passes to a team mate they must do a short sprint to the nearest cone of their colour. Players pass on command from a team mate. Continued practice for 2 mins before adding progressions.

Coaching Points:

• Accuracy of pass.
• Communication.
• Short sharp sprint.

Progression:

• Player must change direction before sprinting around cone.

Activity #2:

Set Up:

KEEP BALL : Players set up as in diagram, use the centre circle or similar size area. 3 : 1 Ratio.

Explanation:

Red players around the circle pass the ball around keeping possession. Yellow players work to win the ball. Change the middle players after 1 minute.

Coaching Points:

• Red players to keep the touches to a minumum.
• All players must communicate

Activity #3:

Set Up:

Players set up as shown in diagram, one ball between 2 on outside, 2 players working the middle (specific to centre midfielders). Make the circle big or small depending on if you are working on touch/passing or fitness.

Explanation:

Player 1 commands ball from outside, quick look to see where partner is and lays the ball off with 1 touch, Player 2 plays the ball out to a player on the edge of circle without a ball. Player 1 commands ball, lays it off then commands another ball. Player 2 passes the ball to outside then adjusts his position to support Player 1. Repetitive practice of 1 minute, second time round Players 1 & 2 change positons.

Coaching Points:

• • Player 1 – communication, awareness, vision, weight of pass, quality of touch.
  • Player 2 – communication, positioning, quality of pass, awareness.
  • Encourage high tempo and loud communication.

Progression:

• Players on the outside can move 2 to 3 metres either way
• Make circle bigger or smaller

Activity #4:

Set Up:

Set up as shown in diagram below.

Explanation:

1. Short sprint
2. Ladder – 2 feet in each gap
3. Sprint forward to pole, jog backwards to next pole, side steps then sprint to hurdles
4. Left fot hops
5. Sprint around cones to ladder
6. Left foot hopping 2 gaps at a time then sprint to flag
7. Recovery jog to flag
8. Join players on opposite side and repeat exercise.

Coaching Points:

• Encourage speed, tempo, effort, commitment.
• Progressions on ladders – left, right left in each gap down the side of the ladder, step both feet in each gap moving side on down the ladder, alternate sides.

Activity #5:

Final Conditioning:

Set Up:

Box to Box, as shown in diagram. Measure the length between the 18yd boxes on your home pitch if you do not train on the pitch. Players work in pairs.

Explanation:

Player runs at 3/4 pace to opposite 18yd box and sprints at full pace back and then rests whilst the other player runs. 4 sets, increasing by 1 set each week of pre-season.

Coaching Points:

• Players to encourage partner to put 100% effort in on returning sprint.
• Turn gradually to avoid injury.