Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Hazlet Skills Clinc (10-12 yrs.) - S7 Passing

Juggling / Pop challenge

Instructions:

1. Allow players to practice juggling.

2. Coach demonstrates which surface he/she would like the players to use (laces) and allows players to practice by bouncing the ball on the ground first and trying to pop the ball back up to his/her hands.

3. If this becomes to easy for the players then ask them to pop the ball before it touches the ground.

Progression:

(P1) - Pop Challenge: Players must pop the ball back up to their hands using their laces, and have to control the ball so that it doesn't go higher than their heads.

1. For the challenge the players must pop the ball up to their hands with his/her right foot, then catch it, afterwards pop the ball with their left foot and catch it (level 1).

2. After completing level 1, players must then pop the ball twice on each leg, catching it, and then finish by alternating the legs, so that the ball pops on the right and then the left.

3. If the ball is dropped, player starts back at level zero.

4. Players try to beat their latest level, or his/her peer's level.

Example: (Level 1) Right foot - pop - catch, Left foot - pop - catch; (Level 2) Right foot - 2x pop - catch, Left foot - 2x pop - catch, Right + Left foot - 1 pop in between each - catch; etc.

Passing: 1st touch

(from Ian Richard's: Curriculum, Tier 2, Passing)

Organization:

10 x 30 yard area with 2 x 5 yard area either end, set up as shown

Players work in teams

One ball per team

Instructions:

1. Players must look to drive the ball into their partner’s area

2. Their partner must attempt to control the ball without leaving their area

3. If the ball lands in the box, the player that hit the driven ball gets a point

4. If the receiver can control the ball inside the box with 1 touch, they also receive a point

Coaching Points:

1. Angle of approach

2. Head up to observe target

3. Placement of non-kicking foot

4. Hitting ball slightly off center – opposite to kicking foot

5. Body weight over ball (this is effected by placement of non-kicking foot)

6. Heel down, toe up

Progressions / Regressions:

(P1) – Increase service distance

(P2) – Reduce controlling area

(P3) - Set cone 4 yards behind box. Players must backpedal around the cone after passing the ball, and check to once their partner looks up and makes eye contact.

(R) – Reduce service distance