Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Middle School Sacred Heart 9/13

Forward moves (10 mins)

Objective

Improve player's forward moves 

Organization

• In this practice, players are split into three even groups.

• Players dribble at a mannequin, which serves as a defender, before performing a 1v1 move to beat it.

• In the example here, Player A in the group on the left dribbles towards the mannequin, beats it, then passes the ball to Player B before joining the back of the queue behind Player D. Player B repeats the pattern in the other direction, eventually passing to Player C.

  
  

  PROGRESSION

• The receiving player on either side of the mannequin plays a one-two with the central player before he takes his turn to beat the mannequin.

• In this example, Player B would play a one-two with Player A before beating the mannequin and passing to Player C.

MAKING AN ANGLE

• The receiving players should make an angle by moving to either side of the flat marker (denoted by the blue circles) behind which they are stood, to open a passing line for the ball-carrier. Each flat marker should be used as a reference point to eliminate by playing around it.

DROP THE SHOULDER

• Players could be encouraged to use the drop of the shoulder – either once or twice – as a 1v1 move that would unbalance an opposition defender. They should be encouraged to exaggerate the movement in order to sell the move to the defender.

VARIETY & CREATIVITY

• Players should be afforded the opportunity to practice their own interpretations of the best way to beat defenders in 1v1s and not be limited by the coach’s imagination.

Coaching Points

Passing and Receiving with Combinations, Give and Go's Variation 1 (15 mins)

Objective: Passing and Receiving; Combination and Give and Go's

Technical passing practice with the tactical concept of using width and depth and tactical actions such as Give and Go.

Organization:

- In a 20x20 yard area, we work in groups of 6-8 players. The four players inside start in the positions shown and we have 2 extra players outside. Each player follows their pass after their action is complet.

- Player A starts the excercise by passing out wide to Player B who moves off the cone and passes inside to Player C. Player C passes to Player D who moves off the cone and returns the ball straight back (one-two). Player C moves across and plays the ball into Player D's path who runs for the ball played into space and plays into GK hands or feet and progress to a shot on target.

Coaching Points:

-Create space before moving to meet the ball.

-The correct open body shape should be monitored.

-Change direction of the sequence to that the players pass and receive with both feet.

Interval Duration: 2 intervals x 5 minutes.