Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Advanced Level Training - Ball Skills

Ball Manipulation - Warm Up 1 (15 mins)

Setup:

We use a simple square measured out at 15 x 15 with each player positioned on the outside, each 4 sides occupied. The letters, A-D, mark out each side of the square, indicating a different skill move to be performed from each side that the player starts their dribble from. 

Instructions:

A, for example will only use the sole roll to manipulate the ball across the area. B, will use the inside of their right and left foot to move the ball from one side to the other. C, will use quick, small touches with their laces to go from one side, to the opposite facing them. D, finally, will have the freedom to use any skill move, or combination of touches to perfect their ball mastery. IMPORTANT - remember each player only uses the assigned skill move from their original starting side, so if A dribbles with their sole across to C, they will dribble back across to A still using the sole roll, until it is time to rotate the players to a new starting point. 

Progressions:

Rotate each side of players, so that each player can have the opportunity to work all different types of skill moves, ball mastery. We can also introduce new skill moves each week to keep things fresh and varied - step overs, drag backs, turns, drop of the shoulder etc. 

Skills + Visuals Square (15 mins)

Setup:

We have 4 teams working inside and outside of the area marked out with the tall orange cones. 2 red, 2 blue, 2 black and 2 green. 1 red, blue, green and black start inside the area and their partners are positioned anywhere they want on the outside of the area. The 5 squares inside the area are used for back, side moves and change of direction skills. The red cones within the  area are used for acceleration moves and use of the outside of the players right and left foot. 

Instructions:

Inside players have to do their 2 separate skills and then pass the ball to their partners on the outside of the area. Outside players can move around to any side of the area they want, and this should encourage their partner on the inside to lift their head up and look for the pass to feet. 

Progressions:

Give the players more dynamic skill moves to practice and change up the requirements and demands of the players on each red cone or when they are inside the small squares. 

Dribbling + Scoring Game (15 mins)

Setup:

Place 2 small pug goals diagonal to one another. Beside each one of the small goals, set up 2 separate gates, to the left and right of each goal. If an attacker can dribble through either of the gates they will get 1 point, but if they can score in the small pug goals, they will get 2 points. 

Instructions:

Attacking players must attack at pace and use their changes of direction, skill moves and unpredictability to put the defenders off and make their movement unreadable. 

3 vs 2 (ATT + DEF) (15 mins)

Setup:

View as shown above.

Instructions:

Keep it a simple 3 vs 2 situation, giving players opportunity to practice skills and help the wide players try to isolate their defender in a 1 vs 1 situation and try to work on moves and dynamic movement to beat players and score in the small goal. 

Progressions:

If defenders take the ball, they can go to the opposite mini goals.

Rotate players from left to right.