CEC Sport Footballl

⚽ Create Separation to Play Forward

Clip from our Men’s Academy Clinic.

When an opposition player gets tight, don’t allow them to dictate where you receive. Use contact to push off the defender and create the separation needed to receive cleanly.

Once you’ve created that space, look to receive facing forward. Good separation isn’t just about getting on the ball — it’s about creating the opportunity to progress the next action.

Separate. Receive. Progress.

Play the Most Dangerous Option

Clip from our Men’s Academy Clinic.

When we win the ball back and transition to attack, the first thought should be to play the most dangerous option available.

Can we play forward? If the forward pass isn’t available, can we dribble forward and attack the space? If both options are closed, retain possession and rebuild the attack.

Transition moments give us an opportunity to attack before the opposition can recover. Recognise when to exploit it and when to secure the ball.

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⚽ Perceive the Pressure. Create the Strike.

Clips from an individual session with Wexford FC player Molly Kirwan.

When receiving with your back to a defender, perception is about more than what you can see. Use what you feel, what you hear and the pressure you sense from the defender to help inform the next action.

When turning to finish, the quality of the striking position matters. A poor angle can close off half the goal before the shot is even taken. Sometimes an extra touch through the turn creates a much better position to strike and opens up more of the goal.

decisionmaking technicaldevelopment wexfordfc cecsport

⚽ Progress Without Beating the Defender

Clips from an individual session with Fleetwood Town player Sean Costelloe.

When receiving as a No.10 and carrying the ball forward, you don’t always need to beat the opposition midfielder.

By engaging the defender and getting them square, a small shift of the ball can be enough to move outside their line and open the passing lane to progress.

The aim isn’t always to eliminate the defender with the dribble. Sometimes moving them is enough to create the next action.

Engage. Shift. Progress.

technicaldevelopment fleetwoodtown cecsport

Final Summer Camp Complete!
That’s a wrap on our 2026 CEC Sport Summer Camps!
A brilliant final week with plenty of football, learning, competition and, most importantly, enjoyment.
A huge thank you to every player who joined us throughout the summer and to all the parents for their continued support.

Our grassroots player development doesn’t stop here.
The CEC Sport Grassroots Development Programme continues every Sunday at Seanchoill Sports Complex, with additional places becoming available for our September block.
📢 More information on September places coming soon.
cecsport

Men’s Academy Clinic — Highlights
Receiving Habits & Combination Play
Highlights from our recent Men’s Academy Clinic, featuring players from:
🔹 Athlone Town
🔹 Treaty United
🔹 Aisling Annacotty
🔹 Newcastle West Town
🔹 Lisnagry



⚽ Coaching Point — Press With Intent
When you get into a good pressing position high up the pitch, be aggressive and engage.
Getting close isn’t enough. Once you’ve closed the space and the opportunity is there, step in and try to win the ball.

Don’t press just to apply pressure.
Press to win the ball.

playerdevelopment footballcoaching pressing defending decisionmaking academyfootball cecsport

Final Summer Camp Complete!
That's a wr’p on our 2026 CEC Sport Summer Camps!
A brilliant final week with plenty of football, learning, competition and, most importantly, enjoyment.
A huge thank you to every player who joined us throughout the summer and to all the parents for their continued support.

Our grassroots player development doesn’t stop here.
The CEC Sport Grassroots Development Programme continues every Sunday at Seanchoill Sports Complex, with additional places becoming available for our September block.
📢 More information on September places coming soon.
playerdevelopment grassrootsfootball youthdevelopment footballtraining footballcoaching cecsport