Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Day 3 Turning

2 - Reaction Race (20 mins)

Organization:

3 cones ~ 5 yards apart. The outside cones are 2x2 yd squares.

Players are set up in teams of 3 (extra players are added to the outside positions).

Middle player stands behind the middle cone. Outside players stand behind the outside boxes. Each player facing the coach.

Middle player has a soccer ball.

Instructions:

Each team starts out with 3 points.

Coach will call out players' "right" or "left." Middle player has to dribble ALL THE WAY THROUGH the box and turn back into the box. Once their ball is back in the box, the player that is waiting behind the box will dribble it out of the box, back toward the middle, and try to be the first to stop it at their middle cone.

The last team to stop their ball in the middle loses a point.

The last team with points remaining is the winner.

Coaching Points:

- Quick reaction.

- Entry - quality of touch - bigger touch to get to the cone ASAP or smaller touches to ensure control and quick turn as soon as cone is reached.

- Execution - technique for specific turn.

- Exit - set up ball for outside player to take over.

Progressions:

- Coach uses different cues e.g. right/left, new (right)/york (left), red (right)/bulls (left).

- Coach uses oppsite cues e.g. if they say right then players must go left.

- Players must turn with a specific turn (Cruyff, U-turn, etc.) or surface (Inside, outside, sole, etc.)

- Inside player starts seated, one knee, etc.

- Winning team gets to pick the next starting position for outside players.

4 - Reverse Goals (20 mins)

Learning Outcomes:

-Ability to identify when to turn based on the quality of the pressure.

-Understanding which kind of turn to use to protect the ball while turning based on the pressure.

Organization:

-8 red cones, 2 mini goals.

-Two teams in line. Coach in the middle.

-All soccer balls behind coach.

-Mini goals facing away as seen above.

Instructions:

-Coach passes the ball through the middle. One the pass, the next player from each team race and play 1v1.

-First player to score gets a goal for their team. Players can score in either goal.

-Play for 30 seconds (coaches discretion) or until the ball goes out or a goal is scored.

-First team to "x" based on quality of the players. Switch sides each round.

Coaching Points:

-Reaction off the line to get body position in front of your opponent.

-Positive first touch to get to goal quickly.

-Carry the ball on the foot furtherst from the defender to protect.

-Use of a turn to lose the defender.

-Quality of turn.

Progressions:

-Numbers Game: Each player on the team has a number. Coach calls a number(s) and game continues as before.

-Players start in different positions: Sitting, laying down, hopping, eyes closed, etc.

-Ball is chipped in by coach.

Regressions:

-First player to touch the ball gets and advantage: The player with out the ball must touch one of the goals before they can defend.

-Team that gets scored on get the ball played towards them. If no one scored in previous 1v1 ball starts down the middle.