Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U14E1

Unopposed - Progression 1 (25 mins)

Organization:

triangle set up with cones, cones about 15yds apart, 6 or 7 players (works ideally with 7)

Instructions:

Player from first cone passes to player from second cone after they open up away from the cone (next players in line wait on the inside of the cone nearest to the center of the triangle),

Player from second cone takes 1st touch around their cone (and other player at the cone), then plays pass to player at third cone,

follow your pass and join the line at the next cone

continuous rotation

Coaching Points:

head up to observe position of teammate to pass to

movement to check into space away from the cone

weight and accuracty of pass

direction of first touch

angle of support

Progressions:

allow second player at cone to apply light pressure to the receiving player

W/out the Ball (30 mins)

Organization:

4 players per grid

No Balls

Area set up as shown

Dimensions vary on work to rest ratio desired.

Instructions:

Part 1

1. Player A is looking to get a point in one of the two corner gates without being tagged by the opposing player in the center of the area.

2. If the defender tags the attacker on the shoulder before he or she is able to score, the defender earns one point. 

3. Target CP - (a) Approaching the defender straight on to allow the attacking player two options, to go left/right; (b) Change of Speed/Direction; (c) Use of the body to sell the move by exaggerating movements

Part 2

1. Same as before, however the defender is now restricted to the midline where he/she can only move side to side to tag the attacking player.

2. This will allow the attacker more time under less pressure to break down the move, and read the defender.

3. Instead of running through one of the two corner gates at the end, the attacker must cut back inside and give the target player a high five.

4. Target CP - (a) Player's mentality to get pass the defender as quick as possible. (b) Recognizing the defender's movement to close down the space between them and the attacker. (C) Recognizing the defenders body shape - hips facing forward vs. angled to the side, in which case players then identify their positioning as the moment to change direction and cut the opposite way.

Coaching Points:

Please see Instructions - Part 1 - # 3 and Instructions - Part 2 - # 4

Progressions:

(P1) - During the Part 2, have the players grab a pinny and tuck it into their shorts show that it is still exposed near their hips. Players will continue to play with the previous rules in place but now be more cognizant of where they placed their pinny and if it is exposed to the defender as they exit/execute their move. Then allow the defender to steal the pinny for a point instead of tagging the attacker on the shoulder. At the end of the activity ask the players what could the pinny represent. And if it is the ball are you showing it to the defender as you try to execute your move.