Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Change of Direction - Ronaldo Chop

Warmup (10 mins)

Organization:

- Groups start as shown (Be sure there is plenty of space for the attacker to run into (25-30 yards if possible).

Instructions:

- Game is live on attacker's first step

- Attacker attempts to run through either the red or the blue gate across the area from them.

- Defender attempts to tag the attacking player.

- 2 pts for running through the red gate (gate in front of attacker), 1 pt for running the through the blue gate (gate diagonal from attacker), 1 pt for tagging as the defender

- Switch lines after each go; be sure to switch roles so players are going from the left as well.

Coaching Points:

- Can I take space with speed to get through red gate (beat defender with pace)?

- Is the defender going to cut me off? Should I change direction?

- Timing and technique of changing direction.

Semi-opposed/Fully Opposed (30 mins)

Organization:

- As shown

- 15x25 yds

Instructions:

- B drives forward towards opposite endline

- A is live on B's first touch (A is passive defender does not attempt to steal ball)

- A gets infront of B at which point B perfroms a Ronaldo Chop and cuts into the space inside.

- Rotate A to B .

- Work on both sides.

Coaching Points:

- Communication (feet)

- Quality of pass

- Quality of touch

- Timing of move

- Quality of move

- Acceleration into space (head up)

Progressions:

Fully Opposed, defender can now steal the ball, attackers score by dribbling past the opposite endline, defenders score by winning the ball and dribbling past the near endline.