Costa Rica Women’s National Team

Beni Rubido on coaching Costa Rica WNT

Hear from head coach Beni Rubido as he opens up on his journey into football, FIFA’s Talent Coach Programme and his philosophy of football and high performance, demanding aggression, effort and the ability to overcome mistakes.

Building defensive foundations

Rubido and assistant Edgar Rodríguez take the players through their paces, teaching them to hone defensive skills with a series of 1v1 and 1v2 drills. Intense small-sided games cap the day off, sharpening their defensive principles.

Progressing to collective cohesion

The focus shifts to collective work. Pressing as a unit takes centre stage, and the coaches begin with 1v1 duels and gently progress to an 11v11 game. Players will be tested on how well they can delay, suffocate and communicate together.

Switching the focus to high-tempo attacking

With the defensive base secured, it’s time to switch the focus to attacking with tempo. A circuit drill and a small-sided game lead into a fast-paced 11v11 match, where overloads and movement at tempo aim to break open defences.