Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): running with the ball

Club Logo

FAW Coach Ed

James McIllvogue

Profile Summary

Name:
James McIllvogue
City:
Conwy
Country:
United Kingdom
Membership:
Adult Member
Sport:
Football/Soccer
Build 3D sessions in seconds
Access to 1000’s of sessions
Professionalise and modernise your coaching
Used by the world’s best coaches
US$
85
per year
Join today

Description

Technical and skill training session for U8s to focus on running with the ball at speed and retaining control using both feet.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): U8s Running with the Ball Technique

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): U8s Running with the Ball Technique
Capture Image

U8s Running with the Ball Technique

Key Factors

  • Running with the ball practice to focus on running at speed with the ball and keeping the ball under control when under pressure. Focus on physical pillar with increased activity / cardio.
  • Group pre-brief. Refresh - Interaction - ask players to explain differences between dribbling and running with the ball. Based on answers explain aim of the session (why , how and when)
  • TECHNIQUE:  Running with the Ball 1). GET BALL OUT OF FEET 2). MAKE CONTACT WITH THE LACES, 3). HEAD UP 4). GET INTO RUNNING STRIDE 5). MOVE QUICKLY . .
  • Based on previous sessions knowing ability of players, briefly run through initial technique  and what has been focused on and achieved so far - know your players. 
  • Demonstrate practice and technique slowly and ask a volunteer to demo.
  • Each player  runs with the ball in a straight line to the opposite side taking it in turns with their partner on the opposite side.  Aim is to focus on the control of the ball and speed and to not allow the ball to run away on the opposite side.  Repeat the cycle. (Monitor energy levels and enthusiasm)
  • Observe for 2 minutes and layer technique where necessary based on observations. 

  • Progression + use both feet to turn for technical balance
  • +Increase speed of acceleration
  • +Increase awareness - hold up two different coloured cones at random intervals and ask the boys to shout the colour out.
  • -reduce speed, slow it down.

  • INTERVENTIONS
  •   Each coach focus's on one side.  Moves around the group from side to side. - interventions based on observations to layer the mechanics knowing player ability from previous sessions. Small group interventions and 1-1s and  during breaks as 3 breaks planned.

Organisation

  • Pitch laid out as per plan using half of full pitch leaving goals at each end.  
  • 4 Yellow cones -- 10 red cones - 12 balls - 2 goals - 10 bibs (on arrival in warm up).
  •  A yellow cone shall be place on the center line on the edge of the centre circle. A red cone on the byline a yard in from the corner flag (for transition).
  • Two coaches walk around each side.
  • Time - 10% of the session: 6 minutes.
  • Physical activity - drink break / rest planned at 2m intervals 
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Running with the Ball Skill 1

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Running with the Ball Skill 1
Capture Image

Running with the Ball Skill 1

Key Factors

1 Vs 1 session with full pressure competition when running with the ball. Physical tests - endurance and recovery as requires sprint intervals. Maximum run 15 metres based on U9 (half pitch realisitic distance).

  • Brief the players on the practice altogether in a group.

  • As per Technical Session players paired up with opposite player /  bib.  1). Each player to take it in turns with partner to be an opposing player  2).Pairs of players stand together on one side. One shall be the attacker who runs with the ball, the other player shall be the pursuer.  3). Attacker runs with the ball towards the opposite side of the pitch. 4). Trigger - as soon as the player with the ball runs past the first red cone their partner runs after them and tries to tag them before they reach the byline with the ball. 5). The attacker running with the ball must run the ball over the line  under control. 6). Swap roles and repeat cycle after waiting for all of the players to return (for a moments break).

  • Focus on keeping the ball under control at speed.

  • Challenges:

  • 1 Point if the attacker runs the ball over the line before tagged. ( Ball must be controlled and stopped on the line to win point).

  • 1 Point for the defender if they tag the attacker before they can run the ball over the line.
  • The two players with the most points are awarded captaincy for each team in the SSG.

Progression / Regression

+Technical balance use left and right foot for running with the ball.

+ Reduce distance between defender and player - move cone towards the starting line

- Increase distance between defender and player - move cone further away from the starting line

- Change teams / players in each duel to increase success either way.

Interventions

As per technical session: 2 coaches, one coach per side.

Each coach to stand on the side to have full view to observe and focus on players technique and allow 1-1 interventions after each duel.

Group interventions face-on if necessary where general key learning point can be made.

Natural break (drink break in the session) as physical, fast practice. 

Organisation

  • Transitions straight from Technical practice, pitch as pre-laid out as per plan.
  • Players paired up - equal abilty
  • One ball between two players, spare balls placed behind each touchline ready if required.
  • Time 20% of session (10minutes).
  • Planned 3 drinks breaks / intervals.
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): U8s SSG with Conditions to Encourage Running with the Ball

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): U8s SSG with Conditions to Encourage Running with the Ball
Capture Image

U8s SSG with Conditions to Encourage Running with the Ball

Key Factors

  • SSG using all players  5v5- focus on running with the ball in the match - conditions aim to encourage running with the ball down the flanks.
  • Focus on technique to retain control of the ball at pace when running  into space with the ball under control.
  • Conditions  -  only one defender / opposition player allowed in the zones coned off on either side of the pitch at any one time.
  • Last 10 minutes remove challenge, normal rules and conditions.
  • Goals scored resulting from a player running with the ball down each channel or through the central gate is doubled.
  • Interventions to be given on each side by the nearest coach.
  • Progressions/ regression
  • - place more target cones to encourage player to attempt to run the ball through inviting pressure from defending team.
  • + increase number of players allowed to enter each channel increasing pressure on the player running with the ball.

Organisation

  • Transition straight from skill practice as per plan. Standard U8 pitch 30x20m, standard goals with cones laid out to form a channel down each side of the pitch (running zone).
  •  Single red and yellow gate remains in the centre of the pitch. Target cones and running zone removed half way through the game.
  • 1x coach per half each side.
  • Time 20% of session.

Build 3D sessions in seconds
Access to 1000’s of sessions
Professionalise and modernise your coaching
Used by the world’s best coaches
US$
85
per year
Join today