Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Red Hook Passing and Receiving

Warm Up

Organization:

1.20 x 20 yard area divided into 4 10 x 10 yard areas, set up as shown

2.Minimum of 5 players

3.1 ball

Description:

1.Each group compete in a relay race around the squares

2.The ball is passed to next square in clockwise direction

3.Players follow their pass

4.The race stops when players are back to the square they started in

5.If ball leaves any square, the team must start over

6.Set up multiple areas so that groups are able to compete

Coaching Points:

1.Accuracy of pass

2.Weight of pass

3.Give the ball direction with 1st touch

4.Speed of play

Progression:

1.P - Players must use both feet when moving the ball to next square

2.P – Have two teams playing in the same space so that players must pass around traffic

Main Theme

Organization:

1.60 x 30 yard area set up as shown

2.12 players (4 Attackers, 4 Defenders, 4 Target players)

3.1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1.Teams set up in the three different zones (defenders in the middle zone, attackers and target players at the end)

2.Attacking team pass amongst themselves (only using two touches) till every person on the team touches the ball

3.Players score a point if they can get the ball through to the target team without the defending team stopping the ball

4.Players score 2 points if the ball travels through the defending team on the ground without being touched

5.If the defending team stops the ball, they switch with the team that lost possession

6.If the ball goes out play restarts with the team who were receiving the ball

Coaching Points:

1.Angle of approach

2.Head up to observe your target

3.Specific Technique

4.Weight and Accuracy of Pass

5.Disguise your pass

6.Look for the opening between players

Progressions:

P – Only allowed one touch

P – Send a defender in to pressure the ball

R – Take out touch restrictions

R – Decrease the defending zone to 10 x 30 yard area

Conditioned Game

Organization:

1.50 x 40 yard area set up as shown

2.14 players (2 teams of 4, 4 Neutrals, 2 Goalkeepers) set up as shown

3.1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1.Playing a 4v4 tournament

2.Have one team as neutral players at the side lines, minimize their touches 3,2,1.

3.Looking to see ways of using different passing techniques depending on situation

Coaching Points:

1.Angle of approach – pending on the passing technique

2.Supporting foot next to the ball, pointed towards target

3.Disguise pass (Push Pass – inside, outside/Low driven, Lofted, Chip, Swerve – inside, outside) refer to manual.

Progressions:

P – Make the field small, allowing less time on the ball to help with decision making ability with the ball