Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Attacking and defending- U10 & U11 boys

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organization:

All players with a ball inside the grid

Instructions:

Begin with ball mastery. Players should get a lot of touches on the ball.

Layer in restrictions

-Only use your right/left foot

-Only use the inside/outside/sole of the foot

-Messi/Ronaldo touches

-Add in specfic turns/moves

Once players are warmed up, begin with a few rounds of knockout

Coaching Points:

Knockout: Head up to observe potential threats

Use changes in direction/speed to avoid losing your ball

After a round or two, introduce the tactic of shielding the ball to prevent it being kicked away

-Keep your body between your ball and any opponents

Don't play defensive, try to win!

Progressions:

You are automatically out if you leave your ball to attack someone elses

Fully Opposed (15 mins)

Organization:

Set up as shown

red starts as attackers, Blue begin as defenders

Instructions

Blue player throw the ball to red players

red dribbles the ball down the channel, while Blue player attempts to cut them off and steal the ball

red player can score by dribbling through the cone gate or shooting into the goal

Coaching Points:

Attacker: Penetrate the space ahead of you to gain an advantage

Use of moves/feints/shielding to keep possesion and create opportunity to score

Decide what you want to do and act

Defender: Recover as quick as possible to get yourself between the ball and end line

Force the defender one direction and use the sideline like another defender

Don't hesitate, win the ball at first chance

Progressions:

Defender starts level with Attackers

R - Defender can not play until Attacker's first touch