Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Winter Skills Wk. 1

Dribble COD (15 mins)

Organization:

-Using two 10W yd x 15L yd fields

-Every player has a ball at their feet

Procedure:

-Four cones will be placed inside the lines of the field with one cone in the middle being used as a defender

-The blue team will be working on two of four turns: Inside turn and the Pullback

-The yellow team will be working on the other two turns: Outside turn and Blind Pullback

-The groups will rotate to work on the remaining two turns

-On the coaches command, either group A or group B will dribble (controlled or speed) to the cone in the middle and perform a turn and COD, then speed dribble back to the cone they came from. Next player goes when the first player gives them a high five

Progression:

-Spend the first few minutes working on each turn and making sure they are being performed correctly

-Then for the last few minutes turn the activity into a competition (ex: 30 second-1 minute game-count how many successful turns can be completed by players)

Coaching Points:

-Use of the proper part of the foot

-Pullback is when player turns with the same foot being used (turn w/ the ball to keep eyes on the whole time)

-Blind Pullback is pulled between the legs and eyes aren't on the ball at all times (younger players tend to do this form of pullback first, rather than the regular pullback)

-Use big toe to cut the ball on the inside when performing inside turn and pinkie toe when performing an outside turn

-Comfort on the ball- if a player makes a mistake have them go again, keep them from getting discouraged

1v1 (15 mins)

Organization:

-Two 10W ydx 15L yd fields, with 1v1 games being played

-Ball will start with 1 team. If/when the ball goes out of bounds, current players on the field will go back to their respected side (going outside of the field) and a new 1v1 game will begin

Procedure:

-Teams will be split evenly and will rotate in order to play everyone

-Teams will keep track of thier score during the game, but will start back to 0-0 after rotating teams

-When the ball goes out, new 1v1 game will start

-In order to score, 1-2 turns must be completed. If not and a goal is scored, goal will not count and a new 1v1 game will begin

Coaching Points:

-Awareness and vision

-Comfort on the Ball and performing a move or moves with confidence

-Praise the act being attempted even if it leads to failure and the other team scoring. This is the time to try and fail, but more importantly learning from the failure and continuing to try a turn(s) or a move(s) until successful