Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Explosive first step, the first 5 yards,

Warm-up (10 mins)

Organization:

Area size according to number/age of players, but sized to have the correct balance between challenge and success for the players.

Instructions:

The activity can be manipulated easily to bring about either group possession or individual possession aspects of the game.

To bring about group possession teachings (left box), have less balls and more 'free' players circulating in the activity.

To bring about individual possession teachings (right box), have more balls and less 'free' players.

The object of the activity is for the group/individual to keep possession of the ball

Defenders hold pinnies in their hands and must try to simply touch a ball, or force a player to play a ball out of play. When they acheive this, they switch roles with the players who exposed the ball/played the ball out.

The coach is to manipulate the activity so to bring about the

teachings the group of players need most and use it to reinforce

the mentality of the clubs philosophy of having every player comfortable in possession of the ball, either as part of a group or an individual.

Coaching Points:

Group Possession:

-Awareness of space/pressure/passing options

-Continually check shoulder to assess the above

-Checking to/from ball, how do I support my team mates best?

-Can I receive on my back foot when appropriate to increase my options

-Can I combine to get out of tightly pressured situations

-Angles/distance/timing of support

-Quality/weight/type of pass

-Communication (verbal and visual)

Individual possession:

-How do I protect ball?

-Sheild? Place body in between defender and ball, make distance between the 2 as big as possible.

-Turning away from pressure while protecting the ball (xavi)

-Close control in tight spaces (messi touches), bigger touches to drive into space (ronaldo touches)

Individual 1v1 skills to evade defenders

-Disguise your intentions (fake to turn/dribble in opposite direction)

Progressions:

Remove/add balls/defenders to

a) bring out the learning outcomes you wish the group to foucs on and

b) gain the right balance between challenge and success for the players

Conditioned Game (15 mins)

Organization:

2v2 to goal with players resting in pairs to the side of each goal.

Instructions:

Regular 2v2 game until the ball crosses the endline (Goal, Goal kick. Corner) at which point the defending team are off and a new team comes on from behind that goal with a new ball. Game should be continuous and fast paced.

Coaching Points:

- Decision making in possession (Pass, Dribble or Shoot - Visual cues for each),

- Movement off the ball (Role of 2nd attacker)

- Creative combination play.