Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Land Park U10 U12 Session 2

Warm-up (25 mins)

Organization:

-20 x 20 yard area

-Each player has a ball

Instructions:

Part 1

Each player has a ball and is introduced to a few different types of dribbling techniques:

Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi and Ineiesta

Players will be asked how they might use each type, after they have been introduced:

-If you have a lot of space which technique might be the best?

-If you are in a very tight space how could you dribble?

Part 2

-Space is the same, now all but two players have a ball.

-The players with out the ball are defenders and hold a pinnie in their hand.

-Defenders are trying to simply touch another players ball with their foot (They are not trying to tackle)

-When a Defender touches a ball they take that ball and give their pinnie to the attacker.

-That attacker then becomes the tagger/defender

-The goal is to get tagged the fewest times and to not be it when time runs out.

Coaching Points:

-Using the proper dribbling technique/surface of the foot

-Looking for/identifiying where the open space.

-Aware of the defenders and other attackers

Progressions:

Main Activity 1: 1v1 Defending (20 mins)

Organization:

- Same organization as previous slide, however players are in corners of the square, diagonal from each other as shown.

- One player with a ball.

Instructions (passive defender):

- Players play 5 passes back and forth to one another.

- On the 5th pass, the player receiving stops the ball and the passing player closes down (1)

- Once the defending player closes the space, the player with the ball dribbles while changing direction every few touches until they reach the opposite corner of the square (2)

- Once reaching the opposite corner, the defender retreats to opposite corner, player w/ ball plays pass and process repeats.

Coaching Points:

- Close space quickly, smaller/shorter steps as you approach defender. Can I get attacker's head down?

- Bent run: make play predictable

- Distance between player w/ ball and yourself: based on defender's / attacker's speed and quickness

- Jockey: how (body shape) / maintain comfortable distance - close enough to win ball if needed

- When to tackle / How to tackle

Progressions:

- Attacker takes heavy touch, defender wins ball

- Go live, attacker must touch cone w/ ball

FreePlay

Players play 3v3 to maximize 1v1 confrontations and bring out the topic of indiviudal defening. Coaches could also include the addition of man to man marking within the scrimmage to force 1v1 defending and secondarlily to bring out 1v1 attacking skills and the confidence to take a player on