Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Strike

Ball Striking: Technical Practice (25 mins)

Overview/Set Up:

• Setup an area approx. 30 x 20 yards. 
• As per the diagram, setup cones and training poles (or just cones) to resemble the diagram. 
• Divide your squad into 4 teams (ideally even teams, but it's okay if one team has more or fewer players). 

Game Rules/Points:

• To begin with, the first player from each team dribbles the ball as quickly as possible to perform a body feint skill past the central training pole/cones (either to the right or left - doesn't matter which side) and then quickly and accurately pass the ball to their waiting teammate who will repeat the action.  

Work to Rest Ratio:

• Players perform this first drill for 3-4 mins. Give players a super quick 10 sec drinks' break. 
• Then they move onto the 1st progression.  

Coaching Points:

• Can players dribble at speed (driving runs), using simple but effective body feints and skills when dribbling past the central training pole/cones. 
• When passing the ball to their teammate, can players pass with accuracy and correct power (not too hard, not too soft). 
• When passing the ball, can players use different parts of their foot (inside, outside, laces). Challenge players to use their weaker foot too. 
• Can players keep their passes along the ground i.e., not raised or lofted passes.
• Can the receiving player take their first touch as they're already moving forward towards the ball - thus being able to be more direct in their play. 
• Can the receiving player take first touches that are soft and well-controlled so that the ball doesn't bounce of their foot. 

Progressions:

• Ask players to only use their weaker foot for the final 1-2mins of the drill.  

Regression:

Progression 2

Overview/Set Up:

• Keep the playing area the same size.  
• Place a 'target player' in-front of each training pole/cones facing their teammates. 
• Each player has a ball. Each team should also have a couple of spare balls next to them.  

Game Rules/Points:

• As per the diagram, the first player from each team passes the ball to their teammate who's the 'target player'. The target player with their first touch quickly pivots around the training pole/cones and then immediately strikes the ball to score. 
• Once the 'target player' strikes the ball, they must quickly and carefully retrieve their ball and run to the back of their line, waiting for their next turn. 
• The player who passed the ball into their target player now becomes the new 'target player' etc. 
• As before, the first team to score 5 goals (or whatever number you decide), wins the round.

Work to Rest Ratio:

• Play 2 rounds. Play the first round with the target player pivoting to their left and second round pivoting to their right.   

Coaching Points:

• Can the 'target player' pivot quickly using either the 'outside' or the 'inside' of their foot without stopping the ball at their feet. This is to help them play with more directness and speed.   
• Can the 'target player' strike the ball using the inside of their foot. This will assure greater accuracy when shooting at goal. Affirm this coaching point: Placement over Power. 
• Can the playing passing the ball into the target player, deliver quality passes that are accurate and well-weighted (not too hard or too soft).  

Progressions:

• same as before.  

Regression:

• same as before. 

6 Goal Strike (25 mins)

Overview/Set Up:

• You might need to adjust the size of the pitch for the small-sided game? For 5 v 5 game = 30 x 40. For 6 v 6 game = 35 x 45. For 7 v 7 game = 40 x 50. 
• Place three mini goals (or training poles or cones) at each end. 
• Place spare balls with coach. 

Game Rules/Points:

• Normal game rules and points. 1 Point per goal scored.  
• If teams can score within 10secs (adjust the time limit for different players e.g., 15 secs for younger/less developed players; 7 secs for more advanced players) they receive a bonus point. This is to encourage teams to be more eager to score quickly (be more direct in their play). 
• If teams manage to have ALL their players score, they receive 3 bonus points. 

Work to Rest Ratio:

• Play two 10min rounds with a 1min drinks' break between.  

Coaching Points:

• All the same coaching points but now made on the run without stopping the game too often. Stopping the main game for coaching points frustrates players who just want to play the game! Offer coaching points on the run (as they're playing) and during the drinks' break.  
• Penetration: can attackers strike the ball as soon as they see an opening to goal. 
• Mobility: when in possession of the ball, can teams use good mobility (clever, well-timed runs off the ball) to increase goal-scoring opportunities. 

Progressions:

• Play the super 1 min round (within the normal 10 min round) where all goals are doubled - normal goals = 2 points, scoring within the time-limit = 2 bonus points, and when goals scored with the weaker foot = 3 points.    
• Make pitch smaller, making it harder to score due to limited space. This forces/encourages players to be more precise and quick when striking at goal. 

Regression:

• Make the pitch bigger, making it easier to score due to increase space and gaps to exploit.