Football Coaches Lyceum

Training Session (MD+1) - Spanish FA 2025 - Luis de la Fuente

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Juventus FC v Borussia Dortmund

Link to download: https://mab.to/t/zZ7o2ZEpJF5/eu1

When Teammates Give Away Penalties: The Hidden Cues in Football

Penalty kicks are often described as a psychological battle between the taker and the goalkeeper. Countless hours of analysis, preparation, and mind games are invested in those decisive seconds from the spot. Yet, what many don’t notice is that sometimes the biggest clue doesn’t come from the penalty taker at all — it comes from his own teammate.

Take for example Joshua Kimmich’s positioning during one of Harry Kane’s penalties. Before Kane even began his run-up, Kimmich place...

FC Bayern v Chelsea FC (Tactical Cam)

Link to download: https://mab.to/t/M7RgRGjzLZ3/eu1

Wydad AC and Rulani Mokwena’s Innovative Use of Vision-Limiting Glasses

Unlike the more common use of vision-limiting glasses in isolated, analytical drills, Rulani Mokwena introduced them directly into specific football training at Wydad AC. By integrating these glasses into realistic game scenarios, players were challenged to make decisions with restricted vision under true tactical and physical demands. This approach not only sharpened scanning and anticipation but also ensured that once the glasses were removed, competition felt more open and manageable.

Breaking Down the Low Block: Think Inside, Not Outside

A common mistake against deep defensive teams with a back five closing central spaces is to rely too heavily on the wide corridors. Yet, there’s often more value in trusting the interior game: finding the free man between the lines in central pockets, then using that connection to release attackers in depth. It’s a smarter way to unlock compact defenses and create real chances.

Manchester City v SSC Napoli: 2025-09-24 11:56:21 +0000 UTC View Post

Manchester City v SSC Napoli

Link to download: https://mab.to/t/9vq7HhlixJi/eu1

OM v PSG

Link to download: https://mab.to/t/ZatOc5sz16E/eu1

Training Contexts (September 23, 2025)

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Mbappé Spots the Flaw in the Pressing Structure

Kylian Mbappé quickly recognized that the pressing structure was misaligned, noticing that both Franco Mastantuono and Trent Alexander-Arnold needed to step higher up the pitch and switch their pressing targets. However, his teammates failed to adjust accordingly, and that lack of coordination allowed RCD Mallorca to find the free man drifting into the space behind Vinicius Júnior.

Real Madrid CF v RCD Mallorca: 2025-09-23 09:38:53 +0000 UTC View Post

Real Madrid CF v RCD Mallorca

Link to download: https://mab.to/t/ksemjZkyJOB/eu1

Set Pieces Lab (September 22, 2025)

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Rayo Vallecano’s Offside Trap Strategy vs High Lines

Rayo Vallecano were the only team to stop Barcelona this season, and they did it by exploiting the very thing that makes high defensive lines risky. Their attackers often positioned themselves deliberately in offside zones through the central corridor, forcing Barça’s back line to constantly readjust.

With quick passes played into the wide channels, those “offside” players could then re-enter the play with a positional advantage, racing onto the ball in space. It was a c...

Rayo Vallecano v FC Barcelona

Rayo Vallecano v FC Barcelona (Tactical Cam): https://mab.to/t/aZpHO2gcDaT/eu1

Why Coaches Should Update Their Knowledge – And Why Unemployment Can Be the Best Time

In football, knowledge is never static. The game evolves, tactics change, and methodologies shift. For a coach, standing still is falling behind. That’s why regularly updating one’s football knowledge is not just advisable — it’s essential.

Yet the question remains: when is the best time to do it? One of the most overlooked opportunities is during unemployment. Instead of treating those periods as wasted time, they can become seasons of renewal and growth.

Mourin...

2025-09-18 15:00:52 +0000 UTC View Post

José Mourinho and the Method of Guided Discovery

Few coaches in modern football have had such a profound impact on the game as José Mourinho. Beyond his trophies and iconic press conferences, Mourinho’s legacy also lies in his methodology of training. Among his most notable approaches is what he calls “Guided Discovery” — a way of teaching that transforms training sessions into collaborative journeys of learning.

Moving Beyond “Because the Coach Says So”

Mourinho learned early in ...

When Is It Time for an Assistant Coach to Step Up?

The journey from assistant coach to head coach is one of the most delicate transitions in football. It’s not just about technical knowledge or tactical awareness — it’s about recognizing the inner signs that tell you your time has come. Few have described this moment with as much honesty as José Mourinho, when reflecting on his period under Louis van Gaal at FC Barcelona.

Mourinho recalls how his wife, Tami, became a witness to his inner conflict. By day, he was ...

Training Session - FC Schalke 04 2025 - Miron Muslic

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Training Contexts (September 16, 2025)

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Set Pieces Lab (September 15, 2025)

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Turkey v Spain (Tactical Cam)

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Teaching Progression from Day One

From a young age, footballers must learn a basic principle: progression. Whether it’s progressing the ball through passing or carrying it forward, this principle should be developed from the earliest stages.

Patrons of the Football Knowledge Tier get access to full matches in Tactical Camera view: https://www.patreon.com/c/pedmencoach/membership

Harry Kane: The Modern Striker!

Harry Kane is the epitome of the new centre-forward — dominant in the box with outstanding finishing, yet also a crucial support for his attacking teammates. He frequently drops deep to act as the pivot in offensive play (the 2nd man in 3rd-man combinations) and displays the vision of a playmaker to deliver penetrating passes for runners arriving from deep.

Patrons of the Football Knowledge Tier get access to full matches in Tactical Camera view: 2025-09-11 08:43:22 +0000 UTC View Post

Training Contexts (September 10, 2025)

Patrons will gain access to 10 Training Context examples from some of the best teams in the world – practical insights to inspire your weekly planning. Please check your Patreon Direct Messages.

Best coaches never stop learning: https://www.patreon.com/c/pedmencoach/membership

Set Pieces Lab (September 8, 2025)

Patrons of the Football Knowledge Tier will gain access to Set Piece videos, helping them score more goals from these situations and win more games: https://www.patreon.com/c/pedmencoach/membership

Training Contexts (September 5, 2025)

Patrons will gain access to 10 Training Context examples from some of the best teams in the world – practical insights to inspire your weekly planning. Please check your Patreon Direct Messages.

Best coaches never stop learning: https://www.patreon.com/c/pedmencoach/membership

Training Session (Pre-season) - Eintracht Frankfurt 2025 - Dino Toppmöller

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Sporting CP’s Focus at U14: Building the Complete Player

As one of the best football academies in the world, Sporting Clube de Portugal has long been recognized for producing elite players. From Luís Figo to Cristiano Ronaldo, João Moutinho, Ricardo Quaresma, and Nani, the club’s academy is a benchmark in youth development. At the U14 level, Sporting highlights the core values and skills that every young footballer should focus...

Set Pieces Lab (September 2, 2025)

Patrons of the Football Knowledge Tier will gain access to Set Piece videos, helping them score more goals from these situations and win more games: https://www.patreon.com/c/pedmencoach/membership

Outsmarting the Wall: A Subtle Free-Kick Trick

In direct free-kicks, it’s common to see players in the defensive wall edging forward, trying to steal valuable inches from the ball’s original spot. Every step they gain reduces the free-kick taker’s angle and time, making it harder to strike cleanly over or around them.

One way for the free-kick taker to counter this disadvantage is surprisingly simple: instead of placing the ball slightly ahead of the mark (closer to goal but also closer to the wall), he can position it a littl...