Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): 9/20 G2013 City

Forward moves (10 mins)

Objective

Improve player's forward moves 

Organization

• In this practice, players are split into three even groups.

• Players dribble at a mannequin, which serves as a defender, before performing a 1v1 move to beat it.

• In the example here, Player A in the group on the left dribbles towards the mannequin, beats it, then passes the ball to Player B before joining the back of the queue behind Player D. Player B repeats the pattern in the other direction, eventually passing to Player C.

  
  

  PROGRESSION

• The receiving player on either side of the mannequin plays a one-two with the central player before he takes his turn to beat the mannequin.

• In this example, Player B would play a one-two with Player A before beating the mannequin and passing to Player C.

MAKING AN ANGLE

• The receiving players should make an angle by moving to either side of the flat marker (denoted by the blue circles) behind which they are stood, to open a passing line for the ball-carrier. Each flat marker should be used as a reference point to eliminate by playing around it.

DROP THE SHOULDER

• Players could be encouraged to use the drop of the shoulder – either once or twice – as a 1v1 move that would unbalance an opposition defender. They should be encouraged to exaggerate the movement in order to sell the move to the defender.

VARIETY & CREATIVITY

• Players should be afforded the opportunity to practice their own interpretations of the best way to beat defenders in 1v1s and not be limited by the coach’s imagination.

Coaching Points

1 v 1 Opposed (20 mins)

Objective

Improve 1 v 1 attacking and defending 

Organization

• In this practice, players are split into three even groups of four. Each channel is 20x12 yards.

• This practice sees a competitive 1v1 toward a mini-goal in each of the three channels that is initiated by a pass from the eventual defender to the attacker.

• In the example here, Player A is the eventual defender. He plays to Player B, who then tries to beat Player A in a 1v1 toward the mini-goal.

• Should the defender regain possession, their outlet pass is to the waiting attacker. Here, if Player A wins possession from Player B, they must attempt to pass to Player D.

• After each completion of a 1v1, the attacking player joins the defenders’ queue, while the defending player joins the attackers’ queue.

Coaching Points



1v1 DEFENDING

• Players should be encouraged to be tough to beat in a 1v1; they should attempt to force the attacker one way before making contact with them, using their leading arm where appropriate.

• Players should seek to identify the triggers that lead to their regain of possession; these could be heavy or misplaced touches.

• • Players should be ruthless in attempting to beat the opposition defender.

• • They should not seek to beat them twice, but attempt to score immediately after doing so the first time.

Interval Duration

4v4 Scrimmage (20 mins)

Objective

4 v 4 Scrimmage 

Organization

30 x 15-yard field

Mini goals at each end 

Coaching Points

Attacking shape, expand - Create 2v1's were possible 

Defensive shape - Compact, protect the goal

Interval Duration

20 mins