The contest is won before the ball arrives. McCann shows two routes, taking a front position or holding a ball-side position with your body between opponent and ball at the point of contact. Light body contact is fine: a small knock-off can buy a one or two metre jump on the defender, and winning the front position also draws penalty corners. Watch the full masterclass: 9 yard scoring.
Three diagrams of the same ten circles can be read as a 4-3-3, a 3-4-3 or a 4-4-2, which for Enrich shows that systems describe the coach’s interpretation, not the game. He would rather build on principles and multifunctional players, offering alternative structures such as insiders and outsiders, or roles defined by distance to the ball carrier. His advice to formation-loving coaches: put the board aside. Watch the full masterclass: Small Sided Games.