Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Foot Co-ordination & speed

Island Game

Organization:

Use disc cones to set up small islands (small squares) in a large playing area. Each player with a ball.

Activity:

Players dribble in the area. On the coaches command, players must dribble with speed to an island; however, only two people are allowed per island. The player (or two) who does not get to an island scores one minus point. Play several rounds. The player with the least minus points wins.

Variations:

-Can play with or without ball

-Requires to use only certain part of their foot while dribbling

Coaching Points:

-When dribbling for speed the players do not have to keep the ball as close to their body.

-There should be about five or six steps in between each touch of the ball, while dribbling for speed.

Everyone vs. Everyone

Organization:

Set up several small gates within the playing area. Give half to three-quarters of the team a ball.

Activity:

Players with a ball try to dribble through as many of the small gates as possible. Players without a ball try to steal a ball from someone who has one then try try to score through the gates. Play multiple games and allow everyone to have a chance to beat their own score

Variations:

-Play in groups or as teams to incorporate passing and combining.

Coaching Points:

-Don't tell the player that they can't dribble through the same gate twice, see if anyone is creative and dribbles through the same gate back and forth. If someone does, make the rule that you can't go through the same gate twice in a row.

-As soon as players go throug a gate they should look up to find an open gate. Don't wait or that window of opportunity will close.

Outta Here

Organization:

Set up a 20x25-yd field. Establish a 1 vs. 1 matchup with teammates in each corner. The coach has a collection of soccer balls on the touch line. Players, therefore, do not chase a ball out of bounds.

Activity:

1 vs. 1 soccer. When a team scores, they stay on the field. The players who were scored on must leave the field. Their teammates, in the corner, take the field and continue play. Players in the corner should rush onto the field. When the ball goes out of bounds, both teams leave the field. Both sets of players in the corners continue play. Coach can restart play to a certain team or player to ensure chance of success

Variation:

-May play 1vs1, 2vs2, 3vs3, etc.

Coaching Points:

-This game should be very fast paced

-As soon as the ball goes out of bounds throw another ball in immediately

-Vary how balls are distrubuted into the playing area