Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Balls in the air and GK basics

Technical mastery (20 mins)

Organization:

1. Open area

2. 12 players set up as shown

3. 4 balls

Instructions:

The ball is served from the hands.

Round 1. Receiving player makes a cushioned volley to the third player, who catches it. Repeat.

Round 2. Receiving player makes a cushioned volley to the third player, who volleys it to the original server. Repeat 5 times, then change server.

Round 3. Before the servers throw the ball they call out a number 1, 2 or 3, receiving player has that number of touches to control the ball and play to the third player, e.g. One would be a cushion volley to third player, two would be one touch control and pass, three would be two touches to control and pass

Coaching Points:

1. On toes

2. Get into line with the ball

3. Select appropriate surface

4. Keep ankle locked

Progressions:

1. P - Play 2, 3, or 4 so that players must now take at least two touches of the ball

2. R - Allow the ball to touch the floor

3. R - Reduce the serving distance

4. R - Players must complete the number of touches before catching the ball not passing the ball

5. R - Work in pairs, receiver volleys back to server in one touch

Team Foot Tennis (15 mins)

Organization:

Use cones to mark out playing area. Use any available equipment (large cones, puggs, chairs, gym mats) to represent the net.

Instructions:

Use tennis rules and scoring. Teams have 3 bounces to play a return ball.

Coaching Points:

On toes

Use appropriate surface

Progressions:

P - Reduce number of allowed bounces to 2 or 1.