Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U6-U8 ODP Session 2

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organization

- Players in pairs line up opposite each other in the middle of a 20x30 box

- One ball between the pair

- Pairs stand around 3 yards apart

Activity

- The players are numbered 1-2, and stand opposite each other on their toes

- On the coaches call of a number the number that the coach calls will spin and attempts to get to the line behind them before the rest of the same number on their side.

- Whichever player makes it first gets the point

- This is then repeated for 1-2 minutes with the players racing to the lines in different ways. The coach may say that the players have to run to the line backwards or they have to roll at least once on the way, etc.

Progression

 - The number that is called continues to do the same action and run to their line. The difference is that their partner will now attempt to beat them to that line. If your number is called you run to your line, if its not you run to the opposite line.

Progression

- Introduce a ball so that the players are manipulating a ball at their feet and when the coach calls the numbers they need to dribble their ball with them.

This warm up is all about the players having fun while developing quick reactions to triggers. The trigger in this instance is the coaches call of a number. Once we add in the ball we are en looking for players that are able to manipulate the ball and show off their dribbling/running with the ball abilities.

Mirrors (15 mins)

Organization

- 30 x 30 area

- Set up pairs of gates on teh outside of the area with the gate around 3 yards apart

- Players set up in between the two gates with one either side of the line, players facing eachother

Activity

- Players begin by shaking hands

- The player on the outside of the square then attempts to get through either gate without the inside player tagging them. (No ball)

- The defending player can only tag when inside one of the gates and they cannot cross over the central line

- Let the players switch after each go and continue the activity for 2-3 minutes

Progression

- The ball is now added and the players on the outside are attempting to create the space to pass through one of the gates

- The defenders are now attempting to block the pass through the gates

Progression

- The attackers now can pass through the gate for one point or they can attempt to dribble through the gate and in to the central square before putting their foot on the ball for 5 points

- The defender is now trying to block the pass or the dribble through. If they can defend the attacker and win the ball before they get to the central square and in turn get to the square themselves then they are able to get the 5 points.

In this session we are looking to highlight the difference a change of speed and direction can make when playing against a player in a 1v1 situation. In adding the ball we are looking to see if players are able to manipulate the ball in order to make the change of speed and direction effective. Throughout this we are asking players to use disguise and sell the fake movements they are making to make them believable.