The inaugural LMA and LCA Annual Technical Performance Masterclass took place at St. George’s Park on Wednesday 24th April, bringing together the game’s elite coaching and management community to observe some of the game’s key technical and tactical trends.

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Led by a small group of top practitioners across an action-packed day, LCA member Jason Euell kicked off the event with a session on creating goal scoring opportunities through quick counters and fast attacks before FA Coach Developer Paul Harsley looked at the high press, including forcing the play inside and how to utilise the midfield unit.

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Kolo Toure then turned the attention to counter-pressing – highlighting the importance of winning the ball back quickly and controlling the tempo – before the morning schedule was capped off by Paul Heckingbottom and Stuart McCall, who expanded on in-possession principles, including decision-making under pressure and how to find space to receive and support the forward pass.

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A lunch of networking and discussion preceded the first of the afternoon’s sessions on understanding how and when to play out from the back against an aggressive press – a commonly used tactic of the modern game – with emphasis on bravery and patience, provided by Chelsea U18 Head Coach Hassan Sulaiman.

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West Bromwich Albion First Team Goalkeeping Coach Marcos Abad, together with his team of young scholars, then offered a specialised insight into the transition between attack and defence for ‘keepers, dominating new scenarios and eliminating fear in the build-up before the final two sessions saw two former Premier League managers take centre stage.

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Former Brentford, Rangers, Nottingham Forest and Queen’s Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton focused on team shape and how movement patterns allow players to make good decisions during matches, all whilst maintaining quality and encouraging communication.

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And the day was rounded off with a session on pressing principles, and how winning the ball back ultimately turns into goals, spearheaded by ex-Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch.

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Jesse’s philosophy of having his best pressing players furthest up the pitch was reflected in an urgent one-touch combination practice, allowing opportunity to ‘attack’ the ball from the front, as well as regaining possession high up the field to punish the opposition.

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The LMA and LCA offers huge thanks to its members for planning and hosting each session on the day, as well as those who turned out in numbers to observe, learn and analyse a wide range of topics. Both associations are blessed to have some of the best coaching talent in world football and very much look forward to growing this event in the years to come.
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• To access recordings of the sessions via LMA and LCA Technical Partner Hudl, please email marc.williams@leaguecoaches.com

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• To download a copy of the Elite Soccer Magazine Special Edition, featuring session plans from all 8 presentations, please email marc.williams@leaguecoaches.com

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• To register interest in attending the LMA and LCA Annual Technical Performance Masterclass 2025, please email marc.williams@leaguecoaches.com

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‍SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday 23rd April 2025 @ St. George’s Park

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