Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U9 Skills & drills

Screen 2 (15 mins)

12' X 12' playing area, soccer balls, 1 pinney, 4 cones to mark the square area. 6 players per area.

Each player on the outside of the square has a ball. There are 2 players in the middle of the square.

1 player is the pressure player and 1 player is the receiving player.

Players on the outside of the square service the ball when the receiving player communicates they can take a pass. 

Player in the middle goes to any service player. When they play the ball, the ball gets played back to that player, (back atcha).

After the ball is played to that player, the middle player then has to lose their mark and find space to safely receive another pass from the outside.

The pressure player attempting to mark the player playing the passes cannot take the ball from the outside players, or the receiving player. 

They must intercept passes only. If a pass is intercepted the players switch. 

Coaching Points:

Be creative to lose your mark.

Communication between players.

Shielding the ball from your mark to play the ball back.

Defending properly and marking to intercept passes.

Marking from behind and quick movements to jump infront of the receiving player to intercept passes.

High intensity.

Change of pace and direction to lose your mark.

Progression:

Use a Hexagon instead of a square, for more players on the outside servicing passes.

Make the square smaller, fewer touches, add to more players in the middle to work on awareness.