Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Session: Fun Christmas Training Session

University of South Wales Football

Molly Green

Profile Summary

Name:	Molly Green
City:	Bristol
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Learning Outcome

An enjoyable and engaging Christmas-themed session for a variety of ages and abilities used throughout the festive period. There is no specific learning outcome or coaching points for this practice however, it can be easily linked and adapted to game-related purposes.

Coaching Points

Ensure that each drill incorporates ball control skills

Drills are closely linked to football sessions whether that's in an opposed or unopposed environment

IMPORTANT: PLAYERS ARE ALL HAVING FUN!

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Snowball Fight

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Snowball Fight

Organisations/Rules

Equipment and Layout: Mark the area of the pitch depending on size and numbers. Bibs will be imaginative snowballs and balls will be kept on the side for later.

Drill Execution: Players will be split into 2 teams, 1 team will be holding bibs (snowballs) and the other without. The team with the bibs need to try and throw the bibs at the player without. If they miss, they must retrieve their bib and try to hit someone else. If the players get hit, they must do a forfeit (e.g., 5-star jumps) before continuing. After 2 minutes, swap players around so everyone has an equal chance of throwing and dodging the snowballs. This practice can be used as a warm-up or a drill.

Progressions: After a few rounds, incorporate the balls into the drill where players will have to be more aware of not only avoiding getting hit by the opposition but also keeping a close eye on the ball by keeping close control.

Circumstances

Uneven numbers - The numbers in each team will constantly get rotated so everyone will have a turn throwing and dodging the snowballs.

Fatigue - Depending on numbers, sizes of the area can be adjusted to make it easier if the players are getting worn out.

Coaching Interventions

Analyse how the players are using their problem-solving skills to throw/dodge the snowballs. Are they targeting particular individuals? Are they guarding certain parts of the area? Are they moving into areas that have less risk of them getting hit?

Game Realism

Incorporating the balls into the drill, this can improve the players awareness of their surroundings either in unopposed or opposed environments when dribbling with the ball. They will have to be cautious of the position of the ball, opposition and their teammates around them promoting the realistic scenarios they will face in a game.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Grinch Game

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Grinch Game

Organisations/Rules

Equipment and Layout: Area of the pitch can remain the same or be adjusted to make it bigger and cones to mark a square on opposite ends. Even number of balls will be distributed into the square, different coloured balls can be optional to be used as a scoring system. Bibs will be needed to set up teams.

Drill Execution: Teams will be split into 2. Each team will have an even number amount of balls in their square (e.g. 8) where they will have to try and steal some from the oppositions square. Each ball will be worth different points (white=1 point, blue=3 points) and must be inside the square for it to count. The team with the most points/balls inside the box wins.

Progressions: The rules of the game can be adjusted so that each team must develop a strategy to steal and defend the balls to win. Players can position themselves into defence and attack all having an equal responsibility within the game. Defenders can not go into their own square to retrieve the ball and must delay the oppositions attack when approaching their square.

Circumstances

Uneven numbers - A coach can rotate the team around if their is an unfair advantage between the 2 teams.

Fatigue - The players that are more fatigued or injured can be used as defenders to be used as a wall to help delay the amount of steals in their own box.

Coaching Interventions

Depending on the age and ability of the players. They may have no planned strategy on how they could win such as dribbling through certain sections, going after balls worth more points etc. Its important to guide players on effective tactics to help them win before progressing onto the next part of the drill.

Game Realism

Giving the players the added responsibility within the drills progression can promote a lot of factors such as communication, team-building, problem solving and adaptability, skills that are needed in football that could be the deciding factor between winning and losing a game.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Secret Santa

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Secret Santa

Organisations/Rules

Equipment and Layout: Area size expanded to make it a match. No other equipment will be needed except bibs and balls.

Drill Execution: In a match format, the players will be split into 2 teams and must work together to win the game. Before the match begins, each team selects one player to act as their "Secret Santa." This player becomes crucial to their team as any goal they score will count as 3 points. Teams will have a 5 minute game where they must guess who the Secret Santa is. If the guess is correct, all goals scored by the opposing Secret Santa are removed from the scoreline.

Progressions: To make it seem interesting, there can be more than one Secret Santa meaning they will have to guess more then one player. They can also be worth different points depending on the unlikelihood of the opposition guessing correctly.

Circumstances

Uneven numbers - There can be floaters used to keep the teams balanced which can be worth certain points if they help assist the Secret Santa (2 points). Teams could also be rotated round if one team are having more possession then the other.

Fatigue - Bounce players can be used from each team to help set up for goal for players that are tired/injured. They could also be worth points if they assist the Secret Santa on goal.

Coaching Interventions

While this session has no "clear objective", observe and reflect on the teams current weakness from previous sessions/matches and try to implement it. For example, are players creating triangles to help with passing lanes? Are they keeping enough space from each other but also moving around to be an available option?

Game Realism

This will be the match element of the game with a few conditions. The Secret Santa element links with the fact that grassroots teams teams often don’t know much about their opponents and key players. The team will need to identify standout performers on the opposing team by communicating and limiting their opportunities to attack.

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