Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 1 NHS JV Soccer (Start Time: 2025-10-16 11:05:00)
Description
This drill focuses on counterattacking speed, positioning, and finishing under pressure.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
5 mins
Warm-up: 1v1 Control and Passing Exercise
Duration:
5 minutes
Equipment:
Cones, bibs, and balls
Activity Description:
Players are divided into two facing lines, each positioned behind a set of cones.
Players dribble forward to meet the opposite line.
The first players from each line pass the ball to one another freely at first, focusing on accuracy and control.
After passing, each player moves to the back of their own line, allowing the next pair to start.
As the activity progresses, limit the number of touches or control types.
Emphasize not letting the ball collide between the two lines during passes.
Objectives and Key Rules:
Learn and improve through play.
Focus on:
Accurate passing and first touch.
Using both feet, not just the dominant one.
Keeping rhythm and coordination within the lines.
Progressions:
Directional control behind the cone (to the left or right).
Forward-oriented control, preparing to play ahead.
Body positioning: receiving the pass while side-on, adjusting body shape to control and pass efficiently.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
5 mins
Warm-up: 1v1 Attack vs Defense Exercise
Duration:
5 minutes
Equipment:
Cones, bibs, and balls
Activity Description:
Players are divided into two facing lines.
The first player in one line starts with the ball and dribbles toward the opposite side of the area.
At the same time, the first player from the opposite line steps out to defend.
The attacker’s goal is to reach the other side while maintaining control of the ball.
If the attacker succeeds, the next player from their team immediately starts with a new ball.
The defender returns to their line, and the next defender steps in for the following duel.
Objectives and Key Rules:
Learn and improve through play.
Focus on:
Dribbling and ball control under pressure.
1v1 defending techniques (positioning, timing, body balance).
Quick transitions between attack and defense.
Progression:
Gradually reduce the playing space to increase difficulty and intensity.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
10 mins
Activity Description (7’): 3v2 Counterattack Combination
Equipment:
2 goalkeepers
5 players (minimum 3 per team)
2 goals
Cones and balls
Activity Description:
The exercise starts with a quick outlet from a goalkeeper on the wing.
The winger receives the ball and crosses into the box.
Simultaneously, the two defenders and the two attacking players move into position to perform their respective roles.
The winger crosses, and the attackers attempt to finish on goal, while the defenders try to stop the shot.
Once the play is over, the goalkeeper quickly restarts, allowing the same three attackers to attempt a goal on the opposite goal.
Objectives and Rules:
Improve speed of movement, counterattacking awareness, and competitive decision-making.
When switching sides, repeat the exercise on the other wing.
Encourage players to cross naturally, using either foot, not just their dominant one.
Key point: Emphasize that reaching the endline before crossing benefits the team, e.g., by avoiding offsides.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
10 mins
Scrimmage
Duration:
20 minutes
Equipment:
Bibs and balls
Activity Description:
7v7 match where players apply everything learned during the session.
Encourage natural play, decision-making, and teamwork.
Objectives and Key Rules:
Learn and improve through game-based practice.
Focus on:
Applying the techniques and tactics taught during the session.
Decision-making under realistic game conditions.
Progressions:
Reduce the playing space to increase intensity and pressure.
Limit the number of touches per player to encourage faster decision-making and ball circulation.
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
5 mins
Game: The Snake Catcher
Category: Fun warm-up / coordination game
Age group:
~14 years old
Players:
Around 30 players (3 groups of 8–10 players + 2–3 catchers with balls)
Duration:
3 rounds of 4–5 minutes
Equipment:
2–3 balls
Cones to mark the playing area (approx. 20x20 m)
Optional: small bibs or ribbons
Organization:
Divide players into three “snakes” of 8–10 players.
Each snake lines up holding the shoulders or a short ribbon, not hands (for safety).
Select 2–3 players as catchers, each with a ball. First with the hand and then with a foot.
All move inside the marked area.
Description / Rules:
The catchers try to hit the last player of a snake with a soft pass or a gentle touch using the ball (below the waist).
If a catcher hits the last player, that player joins the catcher’s team or becomes a new catcher (depending on the chosen variant).
When the tail of a snake is hit, the head of the snake becomes the new ball holder, and the team continues moving.
The goal for each snake is to stay untagged as long as possible and work together to protect their tail.
Objectives: Warm up
Encourage teamwork and coordination.
Develop spatial awareness and reaction speed.
Improve decision-making under pressure.
Add fun and competition to large group sessions.
Variations:
Safe zones: Create small areas where snakes can rest for 5 seconds without being tagged.
Multiple balls: Add extra catchers to increase intensity.
Reverse version: Each snake has a ball and must pass it along without breaking formation while avoiding the catchers.
Competition mode: The last snake remaining untouched wins.
Coaching Points:
Encourage communication within the snake.
Emphasize quick reactions and teamwork.
Ensure safety: players should move carefully and avoid pulling arms.