Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Ball based warm up - U12 and below

Warm Up (20 mins)

Organization:

Each player has a ball and every 5th touch the perform a skill/move. Make players perform 10 foundation moves when they are called out. E.g. toe taps, inside-inside, inside-outside, tap-tap roll, L-shape, U-shape, V-shape. Rotate round the foundation moves each week.

Instructions:

- Have a skill of the week E.g. scissors, drag back, cruyff turn

- Incorporate multiple games in to warm up.

- Knock-out - each player has a ball that they must keep their ball under control whilst trying to kick out the other persons ball. Perform a foundation move 10 times to get back in.

- Hospital tag - each player has a ball and they attempt to tag each other. When tagged on a body part then they must hold that. If you get tagged 3 times then you must go out and perform a foundation move 10 times to get back in.

- Numbers game - Coach calls out a number and they get in to groups of that number. It is a race and they call out "bingo" when they get in to their groups. If they're too slow then nobody gets any points.

- After numbers game then have players pass & move in pairs. When the coach says, "battle", they go 1v1 against each other and on the coach saying, "freeze", if you have the ball you win a point. Play best of 3 points.

TECHNICAL Coaching Points:

- Use every surface E.g. inside, outside, laces, sole, heel

- Change direction and change speed

- Explode in to space

- Small/soft touches in tight spaces

- Receive open body shape

- Positive first touch