Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Mixed Carousel - whole-part-whole

Carousel of fun (30 mins)

Objective: Carousel of fun will be to incorporate different types of techniques/skills within a single session. The idea is to make the session fun utilising different techniques so the children can practice within one single session instead of over multiple sessions

Set up
Area 22x22m with a 2m gap to separate the stations

Balls: 10-12 balls

Players: 8-14

Drill 1 - passing and control - 10 minutes

3 players minimum

Instructions - pass and move:

• Player A starts with the ball and passes to Player B
• After passing the ball Player A follows their pass and moves behind Player D ( or Player B if only 3 players)
• Player B takes a touch to get the ball under control
• Player B then Passes the ball to Player C and follows their pass
• Repeat sequence for time limit

Progression and regression

+ one touch control one touch pass

+ one touch for both control and pass

+ variation 1 - 1-2. Pass the ball into the player B, player A will run close to Player B where they will then pass to Player A before passing back to Player B.

+ variation 2 - bounce pass, pass ball into the player then create angle to receive the ball and layoff to the player to continue the flow- take as many touches as they can to control and pass- shorten the distance between cones

Control mechanics 1. On toes2. Eye on the ball3. Get in line with ball4. Decide and present surface towards ball5. Relax on impact

Passing Mechanics1. Look at target2. Eye on ball3. Angle of approach4. Non-kicking foot alongside ball in acomfortable position5. Strike centre of ball with inside/ outside of foot (Identified area of ball)6. Firm ankle7. Follow through towards target

Drill 2 - Dribbling and close control - 10 minutes

Each player has a ball to start

2-3 players minimum

Instructions:

• Player take it in turns dribbling the ball around the cones using different parts of their foot
• One player completes the circuit once they will move onto different type of dribble
  • Variation 1 - inside foot taps
  • Variation 2 - Outside of the foot chaning foot at each cone
  • Variation 3 - Sole role right
  • Variation 4 - Sole role left
  • Variation 5 - Sole role right/left at each cone
  • Variation 6 - inside cut
  • Variation 7 - Pull back V
  • Variation 8 - step over
  • Variation 9 - Chop
• Repeat sequence for time limit

Dribbling mechanics1. Keep ball close2. Vary surfaces of foot3. Head up4. Change of pace5. Change of direction

Progression/regression

+ add more cones

+ coach to call out different variations at each cone - allow children to make decisions based on learning

- shorter distance between cones

- simply the movement to inside/outside of the foot

Drill 3 - Running with the ball - 10 minutes

2 blue cones and 2 red cones, players split evenly behind the blue cones.

• Player A and Player B will run (anti-clockwise)with the ball around the red cone and pass the ball to Players C and D respectively
• Repeat the sequence continuously
• Players to make 6 touches before getting to the next blue cone

Progression/regression+ take less touches around the square, make it a race with other players- shorten the distance
Running with the ball mechanics1. Get ball out of feet.2. Make contact with laces3. Head up4. Get into running stride5. Move quickly