Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): General Activites For U10 to U16 Ages

Main-Theme(Fully Opposed) (15 mins)

Organization:

1 field, 2 teams, two goals facing outside of the field in the middle. 1 team starts with all the balls

Instructions:

Defender plays to attacker and then looks to pressure and win ball, both players are looking to score in either goal.

Coaching Points:

1) 1st touch out of feet.

2) Head up

3) Recognition of space and pressure. Cutting across player after turn. Protecting ball if pressure is tight.

4) End product so head up after turn.

Progressions:

R-Defender cannot leave until attacker takes first touch

-Most goals in 3 mins.

Main Theme 1

Organization:

- 20x10 yard area

- 6 players - 2 attackers, 2 defenders and 2 target players (set up as shown)

- 1 ball

Instructions:

• Teams plays 2v2 inside the area

• The objective is to receive from one traget player and pass to the other

• Target players have the option to pass to each other

• If the defending team wins the ball they become the new attacking team

• Play for a set time limit before rotating target players

Coaching Points:

1. Objective is to play forward so encourage target players to pass through when defenders are split

2. Players on the inside should focus on width and depth - one player check to the ball the other looks to stretch.

3. Body position when controlling the ball on the inside should be open - encourage players to check at angles to keep their body open.

4. Players on the outside need to focus on which foot to pass into - front foot if pressure is high, back foot if pressure is low.

Progressions:

P- Allow defending players to tackle outside players

P- Two touch limit on the outside

P- One touch limit on the inside

Main Theme 2

Organization:

- 30x30 yard area

- 12 players - 8 attackers and 4 defenders (set up as shown)

- 1 ball

Instructions:

• Six attacking players are positioned on the outside of the area and two in the center.

• Four defenders attempt to win the ball, defenders can tackle players on the outside

• If the defending team wins the ball they play 4v2 on the inside of the area

• Objective for the attacking team is to combine using the central player

Coaching Points:

1. Shape from central players - one player should check to the ball the other looks to stretch

2. Passes should be made quickly on the outside to help unbalance defenders centrally

3. Players on the inside should look to combine quickly by playing first time

4. All players should focus on body shape and the quaility of their first touch

Progressions:

P- Inside players are not permitted to play back to the same outside player - forces them to open up and play in a new direction

P- Two touch limit on the outside

P- Reduce area size to 20x20