Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Simple warm-up to encourage passing and direct play

Free Play

This drill was used before a match-day to allow players to focus their attentions on quick passing with few touches as possible without restricting them to the number of touches they are allowed, this allowed me to coach a skill without actually directly coaching it. This was achieved through simple progressions and awarding points for certain scenarios, the progressions allowed the players to build up confident and warm-up their control and passing, which is not possible through instant possession based games.

First, allow players to warm up passing and control, by introducing three balls and no restrictions on who they can play to. Ignore inner lines. (2 minutes)

Possession (10 mins)

Down to a posession based game (one ball), reds versus yellows. Initially focus on quality of passes, so award points (1) to number of passes complete (e.g. 5), revisit keep coaching points:

- type of pass

- number of touches

- weight of pass

Also revisit coaching points related to defending such as pressing, distances and angles.

After a few minutes, introduce an element of direct play by introducing points (2) for passing, or dribbling through all four squares. You will find players will pass through 2 or 3 squares but fail to capitilise on the final square due to a lack of communication. The four squares plus the number of passes points encourages both short, quick passes, as well as switching play and playing direct. (6-8 minutes)

Note: as a personal preference I allow players a yard or two if the ball leaves the outer boundaries and they control it (i.e. rondos rule).