Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U12: Tactical Possesion / Technical Pass & Receiving Session

Warm Up Activities (25 mins)

Warm up Activity 1 - Skill moves (Ball Familiarisation) and Stretching

Players have a ball each and are asked to dribble their ball using all parts of both feet at game speed and intensity when executing a skill move after every third touch, e.g 'elastico' or 'Cruyff turn', After completing a skill, players should accelerate away.

Stretching should be inluded every 2 minutes with the coach stopping players and demonstating correct technique and safe dynamic stretching. e.g alternate leg lunges or leg extensions

•On the commands of the coach, the group should play the following;

(1)Numbers Game - players must get into groups of whatever number the coach calls out

(2)Switch – players stop their own ball, and sprint to find a new ball – which must be taken with a skill move – and continue dribbling as above.

(3)Specific Foot Dribbling – players can only use part of a particular foot/both feet to dribble, i.e. inside of left foot.

Coaching Points:

1.Keep the soccer ball a comfortable distance away from them

2.Dribble with their head up, with both feet, and all parts of their feet.

3.Be encouraged to take lots of touches and have sharp movements off the ball.

4. Perform skills/moves at game speed, changing direction and speed to replicate beat/go past defenders.

5.Keep their center of gravity low as they turn so that they can turn quickly and explode away into space in another direction.

Warm up Activity 2 - Juggling Challenges

Ball each juggling using various parts of the foot, knees, head (age dependant with us soccer guidlines). Each player keeps track of their score, encourage honestly with coach and give a challenge to beat their scores tracking their ball familiarization progress throughout the season and format can change such as partner juggling /sequence juggling, find different ways to flick the ball off the ground.

Warm up Activity 3 - Passing and moving

Within one half of the field, put the players into groups of four with one ball per group and have them pass and move. Stress weight of the pass, a quality first touch and movement off the ball.

5v2 Possession (25 mins)

Possession Activity 2

Using the same organization used in the 3v1 and 4v2 practices, arrange players into groups of seven so that they play 5v2 in a slightly larger area (30 x 5 yards).

Coaching Points:

1. Emphasize both the quality and the timing of the pass.

2. Commit the defender (i.e. draw them in) before passing.

3. The players must make both appropriate decision-making and a quality first touch.

4. Emphasize player movement on and off the ball (i.e. supporting runs).

5. The defender(s) must apply realistic pressure

6. Encourage communication between all the attacking players

7. Give a blueprint for success (i.e. 2 short options, 1 long split pass and 1 pass to link play).

8. Promote constant movement to keep the shape.