Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Nike Day 4 EPL August 7

1v1 Thru the Gates (20 mins)

Overview: 10x10 yard space with two cone goals in the middle. Make sure enough balls for half of the group.  Defenders start in between cone goals and attackers start 10 yards away.  Play starts when attacker goes and defender needs to react.  Players get one point for running through the gate and 1 point for tagging player.  Play 2x3 minute rounds without ball.  Add ball where attackers now have to dribble through one of the two gates. Play 3x3 minute rounds with attacking player gaining a point by dribbling thru gate and defender a point by winning the ball.  Start without ball so players are working on body feints and then add ball.

COACHING POINTS:

• Angle of defender helps make decision
• Drive at defender keep both options open
• Change of speed and Body Feints
• Can you drive at one gate to draw defender and change direction to score on the other gate?
• Who can do it more than once

KNOCKOUT (20 mins)

KNOCKOUT

Each player has a ball and dribbles it within the area. 

Each player attempts to maintain possession of their ball while attempting to poke as many of the 

other players balls out.  

Play multiple games

Rules to game:

• Players can't leave their ball to go and knock another one out. 
• All balls must be poked out of the grid on ground and not in the air (safety)

VARIATION #1

If ball is dribbled out of the grid or knocked out, player does three toe taps to return and play in the Coaches can make the grid smaller

VARIATION #2

Elimination: if you get knocked out, you remain out

VARIATION#3

Two to three teams playing against each other. If player dribbles or gets ball knocked out they are out The last player remaining color wins

Coaching points:

Get body between ball and opponent

Constant Scanning of the field

Extend and use arms

Drop body down for more balance and strength on ball

Double Pug (25 mins)

Double Pug Game

25x25 grid with small goals back to back inside the box. 2v2 inside the area with players divided outside box.  Players interchange on pass to outside.  Focus on movement of ball to find open opportunities to score.  Movement of player inside grid to receive a pass and score.  Players on outside should be always moving in their area to find angles. Winners out and must play an interchanging pass to exchange.

Greatest Game (25 mins)

25 Minutes

Greatest Game - Passing and First Touch

players must pass to each other while keeping the ball inside the lanes

- 1 point if the opponent passes outside the lane

- 2 points of the opponent's first touch go outside the area

Can play singles or doubles

winner moves up, loser moves down.  Adjust the distance and size of grid based on ability