Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U13s Full Session Plan- Heading

Technical Practice- 10mins

1.     Layout two 12m x 12m squares within white conedarea with red cones at each corner of the squares.

2.     6 players organised in red bibs and 6 players inblue bibs

3.     Ensure each pair has a ball each and sparefootballs located around groups.

Organisation – Playerswill be split into two teams with different colour bibs. They will pair up withsomeone in a different colour bib and stand in 2 lines within the marked area. Theteams will take it in turns to through the ball to the other team. The thrower willbe instructed to throw either in a throw-in motion or an under-arm throw.

The mechanicsof heading will be explained as well as the difference between an attacking anddefensive header. They will then be asked to undertake one of two headers.

• Recipient is to perform an attacking header with a specific target such as chest or floor or

• Recipient is to perform a defensive header with the aim of getting the ball over the throwers head.

Adaptations (Progressions+ Regressions)

Progressed orRegressed by extending or closing the size of the gap

SSG - 20 Mins

1.     Area stays the same with goals added to each end

2.     A channel will be created on the each side ofthe area (shaded area)

3.     Players will split into two teams and revertback to original bib colour, i.e. 6 blue bibs and 6 red bibs

4.     One ball in play and spare footballs located thearea.

Organisation- Channels( Shaded ) are unopposed areas to encourage players to use them and spread theball out wide. Players in these areas are still to attack with intent and notuse them to slow the game down. The channels are to encourage the crossing ofthe ball. To encourage using these areas and focus on the heading topic of thesession a team who scores a header will be awarded 2 goals, a team who scores aheader from a cross the shaded area will be awarded 3 goals.

Adaptations(Progressions & Regressions):

• A neutral player can be used to create overload in favour of the team in possession

• Points can be amended or the defending team can only have 1 player in a defensive area