Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): 1v1 (younger groups- camp)

1v1 to space (20 mins)

Equipment Needed:  

• Pinnies
• Cones
• Soccer balls
• 2 to 4 small goals

Session Organization:  

• Set up: 2 teams, one team in Pinnies
  • Set up as shown
  • Field size dependent on age/ability
• 3 goals- Two wide goals and one in the middle. 
  •  The two wide goals can be shot in for one point, 
  • Center must be dribbled through with the ball under control for 2 points  
• The attacker must be in the scoring zone to earn their points 
• If the defender wins the ball they look to score in their goal
• Rotate offense and defense
• Keep score and make it a competition
• Discuss that defenders must press the ball so they can win the ball back as fast as they can. 

• Head up/ Scan the field
• Find the space/ Attack the space (drive)
• Change Direction and Speed
• Be brave/ creative
• When should you use small touches vs big touches?

1v1 (20 mins)

Equipment Needed:

• Cones
• 1 ball per player

Session Organization:

• Two 12x20 areas with 3 gate goals as shown
• One defending team, one attacking team. 
• Player 1 from the defending passes into player 2 who turns and passes to player 3 of the attacking team. 
• The attacker (3) must score by dribbling past the defender (1). 
• The attacker gets 2 points for a dribble through yellow goals, 1 point for the red goals.

Progressions:

• If the defender wins the ball in the pressing zone they get 2 points
• Rotation 1 to 2 to 3 to 1

Coaching Points:

Defenders:

• Close down quickly - pressure the ball
• Body position - side on (sideways), footwork
• Slow down/delay the attacker
• Don't dive in - patience, look for triggers

Attackers:

• Dribble to create space
• Change tempo, accelerate