Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Castle Games

Warm-Up - Bow & Arrows

Warm-up drill.  Ball to be placed on top of cone, this is now the target ball.  Players to be set-up in pairs, both facing the target ball, opposite each other.

Players to stand 5 yards away from cone.  Players to use inside of foot and aim to knock the target ball off the cone.

When a player hits the target ball off the cone, the player can walk 2 yards back into their new starting position.  The player who is standing the furthest away at the end of the time is the winner. 

Mechanics

• Look at target
• Focus on the ball
• Angle of approach 
• Non-kicking foot alongside ball
• Strike centre of ball
• Firm ankle
• Follow through

Progression:  Use weaker foot, use outside of foot, when ball is received can the player chip the ball up and either catch the ball or do a keep up.  Can players chip the ball over the target ball. 

Regression:  Remove ball and replace with gates.  Reduce distance between players 

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Score counting between players.

Players could work in pairs and add scores together. 

Coach Support

C = Potential coaching positions to observe drill. 

Depending on quality of session an invention may be required.  Coaches should ensure that players are following the mechanics of the drill.  If a demonstration is required the Coach(s) could pull an individual, pairs, sub-groups or the entire group.  

Stuck In the Moat

Aim of drill:  Players to dribble with the ball within a set area (Castle) and avoid being tackled by the 'catcher'.  If a player is tackled, the player becomes 'Stuck in the Moat' and cannot move.  Player should then remain still, place ball above head and open legs.  The player who is stuck can become unstuck if a team mate passes the ball through the 'stuck' players legs.  

Starting the drill:  Allocate Castle 1 to red bibs and Castle 2 to blue bibs.  Players to group together and select the first catcher who will be sent to the opposite Castle.  

Running the drill:  Follow the above and timebox to 2 minutes.  Players to return to home Castle and send the next player.  Ensure all players play as a catcher.

Mechanics

• Focus on the ball
• Direction
• Surface of foot
• Dribble
• Head up
• Change direction
• Identify space

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

Progression:  Use weaker foot to dribble, use all parts of the foot, perform a skill pass the catcher, reduce area size (Castle), add an additional catcher.

Regression: Increase area size (Castle), players can become unstuck if touched by another player.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Can a player perform a skill move passed the catcher.

Can a player change direction and burst into space.

Players to gain points for each player they catch.

Players to gain points for player they free.

Coach Support

C = Potential coaching positions to observe drill.

Observe session and identify and players that are getting caught frequently.  Refer back to the mechanics of the drill and see if they are applying them.  Perform an invention on a 1-1 basis and support player.  If this is happening to the entire section, coaches can stop a group at a given time.

Small Sided Game

Aim ofdrill: Small sided game, goals to obtain points. Players to reuse mechanics that has been usedthroughout session, close control and beating opposite players.

Allocateplayers to set zones which should encourage players to take on opposite playersin a 1 v 1 scenario.

Adaptations(Progressions & Regressions):

Progression: use weaker foot to dribble, use all parts of the foot, perform a skillpass the opposite players, reduce area of zones.

Regression:Remove zones.

Challenges,Conditions or Targets:

Can aplayer perform a skill in a 1 v 1 scenario. Points could be gain for the number of successful 1 v 1 attempts.

How manyassists can a player gain.

Allowcertain players to enter multiple zones to create overloads.

CoachSupport

C =Potential coaching positions to observe drill.

Observesession and identify players that are finding it challenging beating a player. Explain to player about different methods ofbeating an opposite player, either by a skill or performing a 1-2 pass. Perform an invention on a 1-1 basis, zone ofentire pitch if required. Encourage playersto identify space within zones to become available to receive a pass.