Syllabus

The Real Sociedad approach is broken into technical and tactical training, with a special module for Goalkeepers. The below demonstrates:

The professional development football phase
The youth football development phase
The football foundation phase
The youth / professional football development phase
The football foundation development goalkeeper phase (GK development)

Professional Development Phase

Outfield Players – Technical

Passing – Playing forwards through tight passing channels
Receiving the ball – Receiving the ball in the air to pass in the least number of touches.
Passing – Generic passing practices to move the ball on two touches.
Running / Dribbling with the ball – Developing the 1st touch to break through a variation of receiving surfaces.
Running / Dribbling with the ball – Variations in the dribble to advance in 1 v 1’s
Shooting – Shifting the ball to get shots off under pressure.
Passing – Keeping the ball moving for a long period of time
Manipulating the ball – Shifting the ball across the body with a variation of surfaces
Turning – Turning away from pressure and protecting possession of the ball

Outfield Players – Tactical

Possession (Playing out from the back) – Midfield rotation to receive high and low open passing channels.
Possession (Retaining the ball to penetrate) – Working in front or behind opponents to retain the ball looking to play forwards.
Possession (Game management) – Playing with and against an overload (the extra man)
Attacking (Counter attacking) – Breaking from the defending third
Attacking (Centrally) – Playing between lines and breaking lines with and without the ball
Attacking (Wide areas) – 1 v 1’s, 2 v 2’s to create goalkeeping opportunities.
Defending (Individual) – Approach to the ball dependent on the opposition and area of the pitch
Defending (Groups & Units) – Defending later and deeper
Defending (Making play predictable, Regains and Possession Decision) – Pressure as the team/group hunting the ball for quick regain.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeeper support – Variety of passes and support for players in possession
Goalkeeper support – Awareness of best option looking to penetrate with distribution.
Goalkeeper support – How the goalkeeper can affect the state of the game.
Goalkeeper defending – How to deal with 1 v 1 situations in game situations.
Goalkeeper defending – Early shots always being set in and around the box.
Goalkeeper defending – Positioning and decision making in dealing with the cross
Goalkeeper communications – Organization and support to the defender
Goalkeeper communications – Communications to players away from the ball
Goalkeeper communications – Developing the goalkeeper to compact.

Foundation Phase

Outfield Players – Technical

Protecting the Ball – Setting the scene for receiving on the safe side – guidelines for success
Passing – Short, quick, and high tempo passing in small groups
Receiving the Ball- Developing the set as part of link play to move the ball forwards.
Turning – Developing turns under passive pressure to include disguise.
Shooting – Longer distance shooting relevant to the age of the group.
Running / Dribbling with the Ball – Long and thin practices to practice breaking into space from a dribble or receiving the ball
Shooting – One touch finishing around the goal on angles with pressure approaching.
Passing – Passing within larger areas focusing on techniques to a longer pass (floor / aerially)
Manipulating the Ball – Quick foot movements to manipulate a small skill ball.

Outfield Players – Tactical

Possession (Individual) – Developing players to receive the ball and maintain possession on their safe side.
Possession (Group Play) – Develop players to receive and play away from pressure in small groups.
Possession (Directional) – Possession / wave practices maintaining the speed of the ball from start to finish.
Attacking (Individual) – Changes of direction and speed to beat opponents.
Attacking (Groups) – Small group attacking practices (4v4, 5v5). Movement/combinations to create and exploit space.
Attacking (with/against overloads) – Small sided games working on creating and exploiting space on the transition
Defending (Pressure the Ball) – Basic principles to approaching a player in possession
Defending (Small Groups) – Possession based practices focusing the change of roles based on the movement of the ball.
Defending (Regaining to Play) – Regaining the ball and countering to a scoring conclusion.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeeper support – Passes and throws to start play.
Goalkeeper support – Choosing the best distribution option.
Goalkeeper support – Using the ball quickly after making a save.
Goalkeeper defending – Throw ball situations and close-range shots.
Goalkeeper defending – Attacking the ball and parrying away to safe areas.
Goalkeeper defending – Making recovery saves within the game.
Goalkeeper communications – To defenders individually and as part of a unit
Goalkeeper communications – Developing the ability to be clear and concise.
Goalkeeper communications – Start positions in relation to the ball.

Goalkeeper Youth / Professional Phase

Goalkeepers – Technical

Distribution – Out of the back to the best option and supporting the play.
Crossing – Dealing with deep crosses into the 18-yard box and transition to distribute.
Shot Stopping – Into line and down the line of the ball for angled strike.
Handling – Dealing with low balls around the set position inclusive of the 1v1 encounter.
Shot Stopping – Dealing with low, medium, and high dives from a central and angled strike.
Crossing – Dealing with crosses centrally and to front post areas.
Shot Stopping – Dealing with close reaction shots, double and triple saves.
Distribution – Technique of starting counter attacks, choice of delivery
Crosses – Dealing with crosses centrally and to the back post area.

Goalkeepers – Tactical

Goalkeeper support – Start play using a variety of passes and providing angles for support for players in possession.
Goalkeeper support – Awareness of best option looking to penetrate with distribution.
Goalkeeper support – Managing the game and understanding how the goalkeeper can affect the state of the game.
Goalkeeper defending – Dealing with 1v1 game situations.
Goalkeeper defending – Dealing with early shots always being set in and around the box.
Goalkeeper defending – Positioning in relation to the ball, decision making on dealing with the cross
Goalkeeper communications – Organization and support to the defender (clear and concise information)
Goalkeeper communications – Communications to players away from the ball
Goalkeeper communications – Developing the goalkeeper to compact play through the line taken by the defending players.

Goalkeeper Foundation Phase

Goalkeepers – Technical

Handling – Footwork set in position with a variation of serves.
Distribution – Playing out from the back from feet and hands, providing angels of support.
Handling – Variation of handling practices concluding with penetrative distribution.
Shot Stopping – Dealing with 1v1 encounter.
Shot Stopping – Low, medium, and high diving sales from central.
Distribution – Technique of longer distribution for feet and hands (classic counter attacks)
Shot Stopping – Speed of movement across the goal in the line down the line of the ball for an angled strike.
Handling – Technique of dealing with low balls in and around the body.
Crossing – Basic technique and positioning (in relation to the ball) covering balls into front middle far areas.

Goalkeepers – Tactical

Goalkeeper support – Using a variety of passes and throws to start play.
Goalkeeper support – Choosing the best distribution option.
Goalkeeper support – Using the ball quickly after making a save.
Goalkeeper defending – Dealing with through ball situations and learning how to deal with cross range shots.
Goalkeeper defending – Attacking the ball and parrying away to safe areas in game situations.
Goalkeeper defending – Making recovery saves within the game.
Goalkeeper communications – Communication to defenders individually and as a unit
Goalkeeper communications – Developing the ability to be clear and concise.
Goalkeeper communications – Set positions in relation to the ball.

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Success on the field

By attracting the best talent, it’s paying off for Real Sociedad. A fourth-placed finish this season is only the second time this century that they have ended a campaign in the top four of LaLiga, the topflight of Spanish soccer.

In 2020, they won the Copa del Rey title, their first since 1987. Under coach Imanol Alguacil, who hails from the local area and spent over eight years with the club as a player, the club have hit new heights. Alguacil famously stood up in his post-match press conference after that final, donning a shirt like any fan, holding a scarf aloft and singing chants.

Alguacil returned to Real Sociedad in 2011 after 13 years away, joining the club as a youth coach and working his way up through the ranks. Five years after that appointment, he has already committed his future to the club until 2025.

The club’s B team is also doing well, having spent the 2021/22 campaign in LaLiga Smartbank, the second tier, with Xabi Alonso as coach. The now retired midfielder, who started out at Real Sociedad before moving on to Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, departed after the side were relegated, but has now caught the eye with his achievements at Bayer Leverkusen.