Arsenal’s Resurgence in the 4-2-3-1 – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis, World Football

It was only last month when some people were considering Arsenal as relegation contenders, and Mikel Arteta look destined for the sack. But with a change in formation and a couple of key additions to the side, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are suddenly back in the top ten, after a five match unbeaten run in the league. So what's changed? Well, after our tactical analysis earlier this season on the Gunners' 3-4-3 formation and struggles scoring goals, we now take a look at how Arsenal have found their form in the 4-2-3-1. This is our latest Arsenal Tactical Analysis.

Home Training Session – 4 Colours with Turns & Fakes

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Home Training, Player Education

Stuck inside with nothing to do? Not able to go out to the park and train? Fear not, because TheMastermindSite.com will be delivering several home training sessions over the next few weeks. Session seven is a four colour session, working on a variety of touches, fakes, rolls and turns. Coach Rhys will lead you through a series of exercises, a skills challenge and two fitness challenges this week to end off. Now, enjoy this four colour session!

Pressing from the Front – Tactical Trends in 2020

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Premier League, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, World Football

One of the most consistent tactics of the past decade has been the reliance on pressing from the front from some of the biggest clubs in the world. It would be foolish to say that pressing did not exist until the 2010s. What is perhaps more true is just how systematic pressing has become in recent years. In 2020, pressing evolved in unique ways, with many teams bringing their own unique approach to the tactical trend. Here are some of the trends seen in 2020 with regards to pressing from the front.

How Wolves Have Struggled Without Raul Jimenez – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Premier League, World Football

Since losing Raul Jimenez to a horrific head injury in November 2020, Wolves have picked up just 8 points in 11 matches. They've stumbled down the table to 14th, and they look a far cry from the side that finished 7th in previous back to back seasons. Without Raul Jimenez and a sudden abandonment of their back-three mantra, Nuno Espirito Santo's side look like a team that lack a clear identity to win football matches. This comes as a surprise, given that Wolverhampton had one of the clearest identities in the league two seasons in a row before this one. After their toothless performance in the second half against West Bromwich Albion, leading to a 3-2 defeat, we take a look at what's gone wrong for the Raul Jimenez-less Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020-21.

Innovation in Community Sport Organizations during COVID-19

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses

Innovation can be defined as the adoption of a new idea or behaviour. It is an important function of organizational effectiveness and an organization’s ability to survive CSOs often need to innovate a result of changes in the environment or societal pressures. This may include changing technologies, demographics and a multitude of threats that could arise in an organization’s external environment. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is inevitable and important that organizations adapt their programming to meet the changing needs of society. But the ability of CSOs to return to play in any fashion, let alone implement new programming and engage in innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic, was dependent on directives from their governing organizations and the organization’s ability to acquire and utilize critical resources, such as human support and external funding. Clubs that did not have the capacity to meet the guidelines set by their governing bodies or the capacity to create new innovations within those guidelines, may not have been able to successfully complete those changes.

Home Training Session – Dribbling in Tight Spaces

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Home Training, Player Education

Stuck inside with nothing to do? Not able to go out to the park and train? Fear not, because TheMastermindSite.com will be delivering several home training sessions over the next few weeks. Session #6 is all about dribbling in tight spaces. Coach Rhys will lead you through a series of exercises, several skill moves and a fitness challenge to end off. Now, enjoy this session all about dribbling in tight spaces!

Home Training Session – Ball Control in the Air

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Home Training, Player Education

Stuck inside with nothing to do? Not able to go out to the park and train? Fear not, because TheMastermindSite.com will be delivering several home training sessions over the next few weeks. The fifth of these sessions is all about ball control in the air. Coach Rhys will lead you through a series of exercises, a skills challenge and a fitness challenge to end off. You can send videos of you completing the challenges to themastermindsite.com@gmail.com for shoutouts in our next videos. Now, enjoy this session all about ball control in the air!

Stefano Pioli – AC Milan – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Managers, Serie A, Team Analysis, World Football

Juventus have won the Serie A title for the past nine seasons in a row. But this season, for the first time in over a decade, that appears to be under serious threat. The man leading that threat is the current AC Milan manager, Stefano Pioli. Although he performed well for Lazio and Inter Milan in his previous managerial stints, Pioli more recently struggled to manage expectations as Fiorentina manager. He was lucky to even get the AC Milan job in the first place and when he first arrived it was seen as a short-term solution. Now, Pioli has his team playing some fantastic football, en route to a potential title charge. The Red and Blacks remain undefeated in Serie A after 15 matches, ahead of a crucial match later today against Juventus. For all of their fantastic performances in 2020-21 so far, here is our Tactical Analysis of Stefano Pioli's AC Milan.