Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Mirror Moves Side Step and Double Side Step

Ball mastery

Objective: get players warmed up, develop ball feeling relevant to side steps, introduce moves

Ball mastery / warm up (do on arrival, doesn't require the set up in this pic, players can do in any available space): 

Shuffle https://vimeo.com/268924464/6b2b79852d

Shuffle take https://vimeo.com/268925034/1db5539d64

Dribble cut single foot:  https://vimeo.com/268926537/36e41897ed

Dribble cut both feet: https://vimeo.com/268926621/31542e0f1d

Take lunge https://vimeo.com/268926180/f8a23e2836

Then introduce the moves and allow the players to get a few reps: 

Action (use the set up in the picture, 4 - 6m between cones and manequin):  

Players start at yellow cones

Dribble toward manequin 

Complete a move and exit through blue / red gate

Moves: 

1) Sidestep both sides 

2) Double sidestep both side

Coach the mechanics as per "coaching points" on page 1 of this session plan.  

Transition straight to speed drill which uses the same layout.  

1v1

Objective: use side step moves to beat a defender 1v1 with full defensive pressure 

Set up: 

12 to 15 metre square as above.   

Around 8 - 10 metre gap between 2 goals

Adjust distances of blue / red starting gates so that a player must beat a defender to score. 

Scoring zone (yellow cones), 3 metres away from goal

Action: 

Reds enter and score (unopposed), red then becomes a defender 

Blues enter as soon as reds score and can score in either goal 

When goal is scored or ball goes dead next red player enters and plays 1v1 against blue player who is now a defender

And so on

See video:   https://youtu.be/xvyLOkLhTK4?si=zcXAkuPvEnF0LulX&t=103

Condition: 

Must be beyond yellow cones (scoring zone shown shaded) to score

Targets; 

1 point per goal 

3 points if used side step or double side step to beat defender before scoring

Challenges: 

How quickly can you score, e.g. 3 second limit

Make easier: restrict defender to walking, or only allowed to intercept (not tackle)

Make harder: move red / blue starting gates back a few metres.  

Small sided game

Objective: Use moves to achieve success in a game setting 

Set up and distances

15 - 18 metres wide by 20-24 metres long

Scoring zones 3 metres from goals marked by yellow cones and shown shaded  

Action (3+1 v 3+1):

One player from each team is positioned on goal line between opponents goal and can combine with team mates.

Teams effectively play 4 v 3 

Coaches serve balls in to maximise ball rolling time.

Conditions:

must be in scoring zone to score (beyond yellow cone, shaded)

defending team not allowed to "guard" the goal, must defend outside scoring zone until ball or attacking player enters scoring zone

Target: 

1 point per goal

3 points per goal after combining with attacking player on goal line

Challenge: 

can you score quickly, e.g. in less than 3 seconds after entering the practice area

player on goal line must play one touch wall pass

Coaching points:

Coach mechanics of moves as per page 1

Encourage team mate not on ball to make runs to create space by making the pitch big such that player on the ball can isloate a defender 1v1 

Encourage use of side step to create space for a pass to team mate on goal line and then run into space to receive again

Progress to 4 v 4 with no conditions to end.