Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Distribution

Mid - Long range passess

Mid-Long Range Passing (Lofted) (30 mins)

Station 1 - "Stationary Ball", Simulate a Goal Kick

Set Up:

- Goalkeeper operates in the box as in a game. with a supply of balls

- 5 Mannequins placed at different distances representing players in a game

- Each mannequin is coded with a coloured bib

- Coach/player stands in the middle.

Explanation:

Phase 1 - Stationary

- Goalkeeper places ball on 6yd box and coach nominates a target by calling out their respective colour, "Blue Mannequin" etc.

- Goalkeeper then distributes a lofted pass into this mannequin.

Phase 2 - Moving Ball (Distributing after a pass back)

Explanation:

- In the same area we now change the scenario.

- Coach/Player plays a firm pass into the GK and calls out a colour whilst doing so.

- The GK then scans, takes a good directional first touch out of feet and lofts a pass into the nominated mannequin

- Keeper resets and then repeats, each time a new colour is nominated.

- After 10 balls coach and GK observe video feedback and then tweak whats needed and repeat.

- Looking for good habits to form and improvements to be visible throughout.

Key Factors:

- Stay alert with constant pre-scans (See the picture ahead to help with decision making)

- Stay agile on feet to align yourself with moving ball

- Good, firm touch out of feet to set up next action "Keep ball alive" (Not too heavy where it becomes dangerous, but not too close where ball stays under feet or is killed)

- Approach run up on toes (Stay light on feet)

- Swing arm out for balance chest upright

- Striking leg fully flexed (Heel facing backside)

- Standing foot next to ball, toes pointing towards target, slight bend in knee

- Strike ball below centre, create height and backspin (If the ball was a face strike ball on the chin)

- Striking ball with toes pointed down, ankle locked.

- Lean back slightly so posture helps with ball elevation.

- Striking foot slightly angled to expose sweet spot of foot

- Short follow through to maintain control

- Kicking foot finished up going across body