Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U7/U8 Coaches Clinic

1v1 (Run around goal) (15 mins)

Organization:

• Soccer Balls with coach
• Two pug goals
• Two teams
• Kids run around goal
• Play the ball directly to one player 

Offense Coaching Points:

• Players to attack defender at speed 
• Drive towards the player front foot
• Challenge players to try new moves (scissors, stepover, and hesitation moves are good starting moves)
• Don't have them repeat a player multiple times - explosive touch out of a move
• Have them take a touch vs attempting to shoot the ball on the first touch

Defensive Coaching Tips:

• Focus on defensive stance - side on, low, feet shoulder width apart, and on their toes
• Leading the dribbler wide and away from the goal
• Waiting for a mistake - "delay"  "jockey" "contain"
• Stepping into a tackle with their front foot to be able to explode into their own dribble

There are multiple variations and fun ways to make this more interesting to the kids, ex. Lines on the goal lines, have kids face backwards or sitting down to start

3v2 Attacking (20 mins)

3v2 Attacking scenarios

Organization:

Play 3v2, pug nets on each side, three lines on one endline, two line on the other endline.

Have the coach playin in one of the attackers and have another supporting player come on

the field with on oncoming defender to create a 3v2 scenario. Encourage using proper passing

and receiving techniques to beat the one person press and score the goal.

If defender wins the ball, can they score on the other net.

Coaching points : Technical - Passing: 

See the player first (communicate, eye contact, vocal or using your body)

Body position (planting foot slightly ahead of the ball so your body is over the ball, eyes on the ball, lock your ankle, follow through, weight of the pass, part of the foot, and part of the ball)

Levels (10 mins)

Setup:

• Players start on the 6 yard box 

• Must hit the net cleanly in the air to move to next level
• Next level can vary depending on age and skill
• Keep playing till only 1 player is remaining

• Teaching the kids proper striking technique 
• Having them keep their technique while increasing the distance

Body position (planting foot slightly ahead of the ball so your body is over the ball, eyes on the ball, lock your ankle, follow through, part of the foot, and part of the ball)