Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): VSSC Sparkles 10/2

Through the Gauntlet (15 mins)

Organization:

Set up as shown

Channel size up to coach's preference

Instructions:

Players lined up outside the channel with "penny tails"

Each channel contains one defender

Players attempt to make it past their defender while staying inside the channel and keeping their "penny tail"

1 point for successfully making it across. 1 point if defender grabs attacker's penny

Coaching Points:

Use body fakes and feints to elude defender

Keep penny tail from being exposed to defender (body positioning)

Acceleration and deceleration

Creativity (spins, rolls, "Look at that over there")

Progressions:

Make channels narrower

Add soccer balls instead of penny tails

Add extra defenders

NEW GAME: players divided into two teams and play in the whole grid trying to pull out opponent's penny tails

Treasure Run (15 mins)

Organization:

20x20 grid, organized as shown

Instructions:

Players must travel across the grid and into the treasure safe zone without getting their soccer ball stolen by the coach

They then can pick up one piece of treasure and try to make it back to start

First time, players dont use a soccer ball. Second time they must travel across the grid with a soccer ball and avoid getting tagged or ball stolen

Coaching Points:

Head up to see where the coach is positioned

Body control

Ball control

Avoid the coach with changes in direction/pace/moves

Progressions:

Start without soccer balls for players, then make them dribble their ball with the same activity

Take away the safe zone so they can always be tagged