Notes - Sir Alex Ferguson

[CoachAndy]

These ones on Sir Alex are probably a couple of years old...and again from another forum.

Training structure

Training always follows a basic structure as follows:

1)Passing with small sided keep ball games
2)Functional work on possession and passing
3)Tactical and Technical work revolving around Penetration(both creating and preventing)
4)Shooting/Finishing Technique
5)Practice game with 7v7,8v8,9v9 or 10v10

SAF believes that training should be set out to maximise "flow" and encourage a high work rate, this is done by keeping players moving as much as possible by including movement at every phase of training. Which is to be done at high intensity to build stamina.

Focus should be placed challenging players technique in game situations involving problem solving around the above format, this is aimed at producing what SAF calls "thinking players".

Repetition should be used to create performance habits,"the skill we she in flashes should repeated in training until it becomes consistent".

Players are also coached in how the above flow of traning relates to how they "play" in the position they are in. For example midfield players are coached intensively on how to use various passing techniques to increase Penetration.

No mistake in training is allowed to repeated twice, players must accept the need to remove mistakes from performance.

Training sessions are 90 minutes in duration.

During the possession games older players are mixed with younger players to enable younger players to be challenged by higher speed of play provided by older players experience, the same is done for older players to be challanged by the work rate of the younger group. A favourite is the boxes which players are around the outside of a "box" with defenders who must intercept the ball. The older players such as Giggs and Scholes would go round the outside and the youger players would be in the inside. Players enjoy this and sets the feeling for the whole session. By letting the players "play" early in the session. These last for 15 mins in duration.

Goal Keepers train apart from the squad for the first part of the session with with a focus on handling and footwork and reflex saves. They are also coached in long passing to target players which are rotated in games between a forward pushing up, a forward dropping deep of one of the two wing players.

When coaching players to dribble SAF like to have every player "comfortable" with a minimum of 2 different types of dribbles/tricks.

SAF pushes his players to constantly refine rythem in play with changing of rythem through passing or individual play worked on.

Fitness Training

The weekly fitness training schedule is worked out depending on the number of games for the week but follwos a general pattern built around competing in 1v1, fitness to optimise penetration and sustain a high work rate during play.

With a genral cycle as follows:

Monday-strength
Tuesday-aerobic work
Wednesday-speed

The intensityis reduced to prepare for the next game with a focus shifting to injury prevention.

Before training there is normally 15-30 mins of spinning.

Game Preperation

One session per week is done preperation for the next game. This is usually done with a focus on removing mistakes made in the last game or working on a technical/ tactical point SAF wants to be "fine tuned" for the next opponent.

A favourite is 4v4 with midfield players working on through passing through gaps in the defending line while defenders must work to prevent penetration by ramaining compact and constricting space for the through pass.

SAF prepares a 45 minute team talk on the morining of the game based around the most important aspects of the oppoents play to exploit or remove. The main focus is tactical strengths and weaknesses first as SAF believes "good managers get there tactics right".

Players are then left alone and nothing further is said with SAF believeing that the most important thing to o when all is said and done is to trust his players on the pitch.

Basic Playing Tactics

SAF system of choice is a VERY fluid but simple and well refined 4-4-2.

SAF like to work with a basic basic back four with changes made to the 6 remaining players depending on the situation.

Wingers will play close to the two central midfield players as well as being able to go out wide should the need arise, this enables the midfield to be tight in terms of preventing the oppoents play.

Out of the two strikers one of them will drop back to provide a link and play the "in the whole" position.

A versatile midfield is the key to this system. The midfield is comprised normaly of one holding player, a player who can make penetrating forward runs and also shoot from distance, a "creative dribbler" and a player who can cross the ball.

Both strikers work hard at combination play as a pair.

Fullbacks can work on a support basis during the attack behind wingers to maintain support or can over lap following a winger who cuts inside.

Attacks are started from the back with the point of attack determined by passes from the central defenders.

In defence wingers track back to prevent fullabcks being in 1v1 situations.

The main defensive block is a block of the back four and two central midfielders who work along with the tracking back of the wingers to constrict attacking space especially around the edge of the penalty area.

Constant movement in attack, interchange of ositions and good 1v1 players are some of the main refinements made to the system.

Penetration is the key aim of this tactical set up.

Possession is kept when possible under the condition that the ball keeps moving which tires out opponents. If you want to beat Manchester United you have to run for it.

The focus of the system is on simple european tactics worked with the work ethic and physicality of traditional British football.

Hope that helped if I find more il post it.