Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing I

Warm Up

Organization:

1. 20x20 grid set up as shown

2. 6 cone gates (1 yard apart)

3. 6 balls

Instructions:

1. Players will dribble around square with partner, passing to each other on every third touch. Figure A

2. On the coach's command "Pass", the pair will find an open gate and complete 20 two touch passes. Figure B

3. Once complete, the pair will return to dribbling and passing through out the field.

4. On the coach's command "Figure 8", the pair will find an open gate and complete two figure 8s through the cones with their right and left foot.Figure C

5. Once complete, the pair will return to dribbling and passing through out the field.

6. Continue the squence until each exercise has been completed 3-5 times depending on coach's preference.

Coaching Points:

1. Head up when dribbling

2. Small quick touches

3. Correct surface of foot when passing and dribbling

4. Weight of pass through cones and when passing through out field of play.

Progressions:

1. One touch passing through gates.

2. Limit number of touches when dribbling and passing through out field

3. Specific surface of foot when dribbling, passing, and receiving.

Main Theme 2

Organization:

1. Middle markers are set around 3 yards a part forming a triangle

2. Outside markers are set between 5 and 10 yards (depending on age and ability)

3. 12 Players (3 teams of 4)

4. 3 balls (1 per team)

5. 6 markers

Instructions:

1. In groups of four,place one player on the middle marker and the other 3 players on the outside

2. Player A starts with the ball

3. Player A passes the ball to player B then follows the pass to the middle

4. Player B then passes to player C and follows the pass to the back of the line

5. Complete session with all 3 groups

Coaching Points:

1. Angle of approach – Specific technique being coached

2. Head up to observe your target

3. Supporting foot

4. Contact with the ball

5. Contact with the foot

6. Weight of pass

Progressions:

1. One touch passing

2. See Main Theme 3

Conditioned Game

Organization:

1. 40x40 grid set up as shown

2. Two teams of 6. 4v4 with two players of each team in corner boxes, as shown.

3. 3x3 or 5x5 boxes set up in each corner of the field depending on ability of players

4. Pugs goals are for progession

Instructions:

1. Players will pass amongst their team trying to make their way to their teammate standing in the box.

2. Player A will pass the ball into the box to Player B.

3. Player B will receive the ball and dribble out of the box.

4. Player A will then take the place of Player B.

5. Teams must complete 5 passes before going to the same box again

6. First team to replace 5 players wins the round.

Coaching Points:

1. Angle of approach – Specific technique being coached

2. Head up to observe your target

3. Supporting foot

4. Contact with the ball

5. Contact with the foot

6. Weight of pass

Progressions:

1. Teams can play to the pug goal to score once they have switched one player from the corner boxes. Must switch out a player before a goal can be scored.