YOUTH DRILLS PLAYER SEARCH PSYCHOLOGY INTERVIEWS LINKS
An Interview with.................................

Dario Gradi

Q1. Which Major Changes do you feel have taken place in English football over the past 10 years?

More money, more foreign players, more media attention and the game is faster and more physical.

Q2. What do you think our young players should work on, to develop in the game today?
They need to work on better techniques.
Q3. Do you have a preferred playing system?

Yes, I do. 4-3-3.

Q4. Have you been influenced in your coaching career?
Yes.
Q5. Has this changed your philosophy on playing the game?

 Yes.

Q6. What is your philosophy on playing the game? 
Controlled skillful passing game with quick movement.
Q7. What role does sports psychology play in your preparation?
A lot.
Q8. Who is the most talented player you have coached and why?
Peter Osgood - Chelsea. Scored some great goals. He had good skill for a big man and a good football brain.
Q9. What is your worry, if any, on football today?
MONEY! The rich get richer and the poor, poorer. 
Q10. If football vanished, what would you become?
Retired.
Q11. What are your three favourite practices that you use with your players?
1. Passing 12 v 8 in half of the pitch:- 2 teams of twelve numbered 1-12. Numbers 1-4 off from one team, hence 12 v 8. Defenders have to win the ball 6 times then numbers 5-8 off. Count total passes

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2. Players stay in own third, except for play running or passing the ball out. This causes overload in midfield and even numbers at ends.
3. Similar to drill 2 but equal numbers in three zones, Players have to stay in their area and the ball has to be passed through the midfield. 
Congratulations to Dario on his 1000th game in charge of Crewe Alexandra FC, a 2-2 draw with Norwich City FC. Dario has been at Crewe since 1983, in a occupation that is hard to hold down, this is a fantastic achievement.