Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Channel Training

Training Space & Setup

Organization:

Space = 1/3 of the field

8x8 yard boxes

4 vertically

4 yard gap between each box where players put their gear (yellow cones) and go for water breaks

5 channels across the field

1 player and 1 ball in each 8x8 grid

Ball Mastery and Explode (15 mins)

Organization:

Players are now paired up and using 2 of the 8x8 yard grids (separated by a cone in the middle)

Activity:

- Players perform various skills, then explode into space and sprint dribble across their grid. Players then wait for the coach's command to repeat and go the opposite direction

- Each variation is performed 12 times (6 times each foot)

Variations:

- Bells and inside cut

- Toes and outside cut

- Inside/outside both feet and Cruyff turn

- Double scissor and scissor outside cut

- Double stepover and stepover inside cut

- Double sole, pocket, push and sole turn

Coaching Points:

*reinforce players maintaining social distancing at all times from one another

- Speed of reaction from "go"

- Speed of execution of skill

- Quality touches

- Aggressive touch into space

- Maximum effort

Combination Play (20 mins)

Organization:

Players now working in groups of 4 (next page shows options for groups of 3 to make numbers work)

on combination play using their vertical channels creating an 8x32 yard grid

Activity:

- Players perform various combinations to move the ball from one end of the grid to the other. They then repeat that pattern going he opposite direction

- Perform each variation for 2 rounds of 2 minutes

Variations:

1) Receive across your body and switch the ball (2 touch)

2) Up, back, through- players stay in their zone

- central and outside grid change places after 1 minute inteval

3) Short wall pass, up, back, through- players stay in their zone

- central and outside grid change places after 1 minute inteval

4) Up, back, through

- central and outside players switch grids after passing

5) Up, back, up, back, long

- outside player progresses to the central grid toget the second layoff pass, central player switches to outside grid

Coaching Points:

*Specify players rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise to maintain proper distancing at all times

- Quality pass

- Purposeful 1st touch

- Weight of pass

- Angle of support

- Body shape/position

- Communication

- Maximum effort