Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): RDS - Long Island: Winter Season: First Touch

Developmental Repetitions (10 mins)

Organization:

As shown above

Freely schoose the distances between cones based on skill level and training objectives.

Instructions:

1.- Player "A" passes to "B" (farthest foot), who takes his first touch towards the open space (Gate), away from player (C).

1.- Player "C" passes to "D" (farthest foot), who takes his first touch towards the open space (Gate), away from player (A).

After that both combinations have been performed, players will rotate.

A becomes B

B becomes C

C becomes D

D becomes A

Note: Practice with two soccer balls

Coaching Points:

1.- Getting in line with path of ball

2.- Being on your toes to receive the ball.

3.- Head up as ball travels.

4.- Deciding direction of first touch

5.- Selection of surface

6.- Ball out of feet

7.- Ball away from pressure

8.- Head up after first touch

9.- Disguise of first touch

10.- End product

Progressions:

1.- Working with the other foot

Semi Opposed (10 mins)

Organization:

As shown above

Freely schoose the distances between cones based on skill level and training objectives.

Instructions:

1.- Defender's starting position will be in the middle of the area, as is shown. This way the player "A" won't be able to play a direct pass to player "C", therefore player "A" must play to player "B" in order to go forward.

2.- As Player "A" passes to "B" (farthest foot), defender tries to intercept the pass or close the line.

Note: Defender won't chase player "B" after their first touch

3.- Player "B" takes his first touch up towards the open space, goes throught the gate, and passes the ball to player (C).

3.- Player "C" drives the ball up to the middle of the field, and passes the ball to player "A".

A becomes B

B becomes C

C becomes Defernder

Defernder becomes A

Coaching Points:

Player A:

1.- Timing of the pass

2.- Pace of the pass

3.- Accuracy of the pass (proper foot), back foot.

Player B.

1.- Getting in line with path of ball

2.- Being on your toes to receive the ball.

3.- Head up as ball travels.

4.- Deciding direction of first touch

5.- Selection of surface

6.- Ball out of feet

7.- Ball away from pressure

8.- Head up after first touch

9.- Disguise of first touch

10.- End product (Quality pass to "C")

Player C: ( Ready to receive the ball from "B" )

1.- Getting in line with path of ball

2.- Being on your toes to receive the ball.

3.- Head up as ball travels.

4.- Deciding direction of first touch

5.- Selection of surface

6.- Ball out of feet

Defender:

1.- Good positioning on the field ( making sure "A" can't play a direct pass to "C" ).

2.- Close the line at speed as the ball is played to "B".

3.- Take the player "A" positioning as soon as "B" has performed his first touch.

Progression:

1.- Perform the exercise, attacking the other side of the field.

Conditioned Game (20 mins)

Organization:

As shown above

Freely schoose the distances between cones based on skill level and training objectives.

Instructions:

1.- 2 v 2 game, player's starting position as is shown.

2.- The game is on (Full pressure) when "D" puts pressure on "A", and "A" passes the ball to "B".

3.- Attacking players get points if they pass the end line (Red) with the ball under control.

4.- If defenders steal the ball they will attack the opposite end line (Blue) to get points.

5.- The game will be over when either teams get a point or the ball goes out of the field.

6.- To restart the game players must exchange positions.

Coaching Points:

Player A:

1.- Timing of the pass.

2.- Pace of the pass

3.- Accuracy of the pass (proper foot), back foot.

4.- After passing the ball "A" should provide a second option to "B"

Player B.

1.- Getting in line with path of ball

2.- Being on your toes to receive the ball.

3.- Head up as ball travels.

4.- Deciding direction of first touch

5.- Selection of surface

6.- Ball out of feet

7.- Ball away from pressure

8.- Head up after first touch

9.- Disguise of first touch

10.- End product

Defender "D".

1.- Close the line at speed making sure "A" rushes his pass to "B".

2.- Keep on playing ( don't let "A" recives the ball a second time).

3.- Provide a passing option if "C" steals the ball from "B".

4.- Attack the end line.

Defender "C".

1.- Good positioning on the field

2.- Don't allow players "B & D" pass the end (Blue) line.

3.-If steals the ball "C" must attack the opposite end line.

4.- Good Awareness of the support player "D", if he is needed.

Progression:

1.- Perform the exercise, attacking the other side of the field.