Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Land Park Younger Ages Coaching Education

Warm-up (30 mins)

Organization:

-20 x 20 yard area

-Each player has a ball

Instructions:

Part 1

Each player has a ball and is introduced to a few different types of dribbling techniques:

Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi and Ineiesta

Players will be asked how they might use each type, after they have been introduced:

-If you have a lot of space which technique might be the best?

-If you are in a very tight space how could you dribble?

Part 2

-Space is the same, now all but two players have a ball.

-The players with out the ball are defenders and hold a pinnie in their hand.

-Defenders are trying to simply touch another players ball with their foot (They are not trying to tackle)

-When a Defender touches a ball they take that ball and give their pinnie to the attacker.

-That attacker then becomes the tagger/defender

-The goal is to get tagged the fewest times and to not be it when time runs out.

Coaching Points:

-Using the proper dribbling technique/surface of the foot

-Looking for/identifiying where the open space.

-Aware of the defenders and other attackers

Jack in the Box

Organization: Players split in 3 teams. 3 goals 15 yards away.

Instructions: One player starts behind the goal (jack). A goal must be scored to release him. Once the first ball goes in the shooter starts a line behind the goal and jack returns to the ahooting line. From that point on all players try to shoot the ball into the goal and join the line behind the goal. The (Jack) is the last shooter and once they score and join the line behind the goal the game is over. Players who form the line behind the goal can help get missed shots back to the shooters.

Coaching Points:

Eye on the ball

Supporting foot next the ball and pointing at target

Angle of approach is off center

Follow through straight to the target

Progressions:

Time limit

Jimmy Neutron (10 mins)

Organization:

- 40x30 area (adjust size as needed).

- Players in pairs.

- One pinnie per pair.

- All balls in center of area.

Instructions:

• Players hold pinnie between two.

• They must run attached by their pinnie the entire time.

• Player in the middle looks to strike his/her ball at pairs running around the area.

• If a pair is struck, they immediately drop their pinnie and join the blaster in the middle.

• If a pair run apart and drop their pinnie, they join the blaster(s) in the middle.

• Players can only get hit below hip or knee level, depending on group dynamic.

• Last pair remaining wins the round.

Coaching Points:

1. Ankle locked, non-kicking foot next to ball.

2. Look up at the target before striking ball.

3. Weight over the ball to keep it down.

4. Contact ball: mid-line to keep it down.

5. Contact foot: inside (for short push pass), 2nd knuckle (for driven pass).

6. Timing/disguise of pass.

Progressions:

1. Allow blasters to pass amongst themselves (i.e. use give and go, double pass).

4v4 - Small Sided Games (30 mins)

Organization:

4v4 Small-sided tournament games: 4 teams of 4 players each team. 2 fields of 30x40 yards with 2 Pugg Goals on opposite endlines.

Instructions:

4 Teams of 4, play 4v4 tournament style where each team will play one another. 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 for a loss. Each game should be approximately 6-8 minutes in duration (play a 3 game tournament).

Coaching Points:

· Review of session's learning outcomes being translated into the game

· 3 lines of attack

· Creating diamond (angles of support)

· Making diamond as big as possible (Creating space)

· Identifying when you have numbers up opportunities

Progressions:

-(Optional) Limit touches

-(Optional) Add a passing quota( must complete X amount of passes before shooting)

-(Optional) Combine 4 teams into 2 and either combine the 2 smaller grids or play half/full field.