Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Dunham Soccer Practice Plan: 11-10-21

FIFA 11+ Warmup (10 mins)

The Session:

The course is made up of 6 pairs of parallel cones, approx 5-6 yd apart.

2 players start at the same time from the first pair of cones, jog along the inside of the cones & do the various exercises on the way. After the last cone they run back along the outside. On the way back, speed can be increased progressively as players warm up.

Part 1 - Running Exercises (8 min)

1) Jog Straight Ahead - 2 sets

2) Hip Out - 2 sets

3) Hip In - 2 sets

4) Running Circling Partner - 2 sets (Jog to first cone, shuffle sideways toward your partner, shuffle an entire circle around one another & then shuffle back to the first cone)

5) Running Shoulder Contact - 2 sets (Jog to first cone, shuffle sideways towards your partner, in the middle, jump sideways towards each other to make shoulder-to-shoulder contact. Land on both feet with your hips & knees bent.)

6) Running Quick Forwards & Backwards - 2 sets (Run quickly to 2nd cone, then run backwards to 1st cone, Repeat, running 2 cones forwards & 1 cone backwards until you reach the other side of pitch)

Part 2 - Running Exercises

13) Running - Across the Pitch - @ 75-85% max pace. 2 sets

14) Running - Bounding - 2 sets across pitch

15) Running - Plant & Cut - Jog 4-5 steps, then plant on the outside leg & cut to change direction. Accelerate & sprint 5-7 steps @ high speed before you decelerate & do a new plant & cut, repeat & jog back. 2 sets.

See FIFA 11+ Poster for more detailed instructions on body mechanics

Technical Y-Drill Warmup (15 mins)

Y-Drill

 - Start with 1 player at each of the 4 Outside cones (Position 3,4,5,6) , 2 players in the middle cone (Position 2) and the rest at position 1 with a ball.

 - Position 1 Starts by passing to the position 2 who will complete a half turn and pass out to position 3.

 - Position 3 will then take a touch on the outside of the cone and play a longer pass to position 4.

 - Position 4 will receive the ball around the cone and dribble to the back of Line 1.

AS SOON AS THE BALL GETS TO POSITION 3:

 - We work the opposite side (1-2-5-6-Dribble to 1)

Progressions

 - 1st add that player 2 instead lays off for player 1 in space to make the pass to 3 or 5.

 - 2nd add that player 2 lays off to player 1 then spins off to play a 1-2 with player 3/5. 

2v2 counter pressing (15 mins)

Overview

Defender (blue) passes to 1st attacker who takes a touch around mannequin and shoots. Other defender then repeats with 2nd attacker.

If the GK saves the 2nd shot, they roll this out to their 2 defenders and the attackers who shot then counter press to win the ball and try to score. The 2 defenders try to dribble the ball through the mannequins (2 points) or into one of the 2 shaded zones (1 point). 

Repeat with next pair of attackers.

3 min reps and change players over.

Coaching Points

Receiving skills

The attackers need to focus on their first touch to receive and direct the ball around the back of the mannequin in order to set up the appropriate body shape to shoot at goal.

Finishing technique

The players must concentrate on their technique and execute their finishing action with accuracy and power. Being aware of the GKs position will help the attackers identify where to aim for. They also need to decide which technique to use quickly (laces, side foot, instep)

Defensive transition and counter press

The attackers must react quickly during the 3rd phase of the practice, particularly if the GK saves shot number 2 as this is the ball rolled out to the defenders to play with. The attackers must counter press with urgency to stop the defenders playing out and make any forward progress difficult.

Positioning

The attackers positioning must be that which blocks the central area (i.e where the mannequins are) but also so that one of the shaded boxes is blocked off as well. This should make play predictable for them and hopefully result in a regain opportunity to create another goal scoring chance.

Progressions

Attackers must win ball back within a set time (e.g 5 secs) and if unable to do so, the defenders score a point and the game is over

3 defenders play during counter press phase so it's 3v2

Finish is from a closer distance to goal

Only 1 defender plays during the counter press phase

Half Field Scrimmage (20 mins)

Half Field Scrimmage with Keepers.