Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U8G ADP - Block 2 - Week 6

Warm-Up (15 mins)

Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge

Equipment:

- Ladder & Cones (set up like image)

- 4 teams of 3, 4 or 5

Activity:

- Teams line up at the edge of the ladders

- Player 1 from both teams begin to hop across the ladder. Once the players reach eachother in the middle of the ladder, they must then play "rock, paper, scissors"

- Whichever player wins, will continue hopping across the ladder and the player who loses will quickly jump out of the ladder and sprint around the cone (8 - 10 yards) and get back in their respective line

- The purpose of the game is to get your team across the ladder first!

- Can play best 2 out of 3 or 3 out of 5 games depending how long or short the games end up being

- As the live players are in the ladder playing "rock, paper, scissors" the other teammates will be doing a dynamic warm-up (ie. high knees, butt kicks, jumping jacks, open/close the gate, straight kicks, etc.)

Progressions:

- They will begin the first round by hopping with both feet, but for future rounds coaches can ask the players different ways of getting through the ladder (ie. single leg hops, in & out etc.) - will force the players to use their creativity & take leadership

Coaching Points:

- Quick Decision Making

- Awareness

- Speed / Quickness

- Agility

- Creativity

- Fun!

Working from the back (15 mins)

Formation & Working from the Back

Equipment:

- Net, cones & balls

- 7 players will set-up in the 1-2-3-1 formation

Activity:

- Coach will play as "goalie" & will distribute the game to the defenders

- Will focus on positioning & first touch of the defenders using furthest foot in a positive direction. Adjust the body if the defender will be on you right away. Check your shoulders.

- Next transition & pass will be to the inside midfielder or winger - notice that there is a triangle. Need to focus on nice passes to our teammates & quick decision making. Why do we need to do nice passes to our teammates? Check our shoulders. Focus on first touch of our midfielders with furthest foot in positive direction.

- What are options that a midfielder can do? If they have room, do they pass right away?

- Don't take the ball away from your player if they are dribbling, support them instead.

- Move to the ball if it is a light pass - what does that mean?

- What does giving "support" mean?

- Team gets a point everytime they complete 1 cycle correctly - try to get 10 points

Progression:

- Rotate positions from 1 to 6 (as seen on the image) so players can understand all positions

Coaching Points:

- Formation

- Communication

- Decision Making

- Checking Shoulders

- Quality of touches

- First Touch