Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Running with the ball Central and wide areas

SI (25 mins)

Skill Introduction

A starts the drill by passing to B, B runs with the ball towards the cone then changes direction to beat the "defender" Once he has gone past the first player he plays a quick 1-2 around the second pole. When he receives the ball back he runs with the ball again to take a shot on goal.

Coaching points

When you run at the first defender, run towards the opposite side of his body you intend to attack and then change direction quickly to send him off balance.

Accelerate onto the ball when receiving the pass and go quickly for the first few steps, then slowdown slightly to change direction

When running with the ball, keep the ball far enough in front of you that you have to chase it but not too far that it is out of control.

Progression

Remove the 1-2 and instead the player cuts in between the centre of the two poles closest to the goal and runs on to have a shot.

In this example you can coach cutting across the defender once he beats the first player.

ST (30 mins)

Skill game

Start the game with the same rules as the skill training. You can only run the ball forward and must pass backwards or square – 10 minutes

Variation, remove the need to only run forward and have general play, however, one player from your team must run the ball from one third into the next third as per diagram. – 10 minutes