Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Warmup Ball Mastery Grid

Screen 1 (15 mins)

Method:

 Grid 20m x 20m(size depends on ability and number of players)

 DRIBBLING AROUND SQUARE. Players dribble around square listening for commands from coach ie. -toe taps - right foot only - left foot only - inside step over - outside stepover - inside feet side to side - dragback etc...When coach shouts 'CHANGE' players stop ball dead with sole of foot and run to get another ball. When coach shouts 'GO' players run out around a cone and back in (with or without ball).  

GATES GAME:

Gates of different colours are placed around the outside of the square. Players dribble around inside the square. Coach shouts a colour and players dribble at speed through the respective coloured gates and back into the grid. Variation-players dribble to gate and do dragback or other action at the gate.

Coaching Points:

1) Always encourage use of both feet.

2) Encourage correct techniques are used when practising skills ie. when doing a stepover players foot comes right around ball. 

3) Encourage close control of the ball, lots of touches (that no player is constantly chasing their ball)

4) Praise players when trying a new skill or when they execute a skill in a match situation.