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Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Youth Dribbling

Profile Summary

Peter Collins
Name: Peter Collins
City: Aldershot
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Session aimed at encouraging young players to dribble with the ball. The session is designed so that cones should only have to be removed between sections, to aid a good flow throughout the practice.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical Practice

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Technical Practice
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Learning Objectives

Technical Technical
How to dribble with the ball and beat an opponent.
Technical Physical
Using strength to hold off an opponent.
Technical Psychological
Confidence to keep trying, even after failure.

Technical Practice (15 mins)

Often used in youth football, a "1v1" can be created using just 4 cones. Have players pair off and give each pair four cones, they must then play a match inside their space. Can create a "ladder" competition, where winner moves up and loser moves down in order to create extra competitiveness. Can even give a reward to eventual winner.

Key parts are that plenty of space is given to the players for these 1v1s. Given the topic, only count goals if they can dribble through the cones.

Coaching Points

Shielding the ball

Pace to get away from defender

Attack defenders weaker foot

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Skill Practice

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Skill Practice
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Learning Objectives

Technical Technical
Both dribbling past opponents and passing the ball.
Technical Tactical
When is a good time to dribble and when is a good time to pass.
Technical Physical
Strength to hold off an opponent.
Technical Psychological
Confidence to keep trying to beat an opponent.
Technical Social
Communication amongst the players.

Skill Practice (20 mins)

A good way to introduce the idea of when to dribble, developing the session from simply dribbling past defenders. By going 2v2 or 3v3, the players have an extra option.

Coaching Points

When to pass and when to dribble

Is there cover behind you? (Time to dribble)

Is your teammate in a better position to score? (Time to pass)

Communication - when dribbling it is easy to have head down, but players need to be more aware of what is around them. Communication can help in this respect.

Make Easier

Larger areas

Larger gates to dribble through

Make Harder

Smaller areas

Smaller gates to dribble through

Smaller footballs to play with

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG
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Learning Objectives

Technical Technical
General game practice, so all aspects of play.
Technical Tactical
When to dribble, when to pass. How to adjust when there is cover behind player with the ball.
Technical Physical
Strength to hold off opponents, physical endurance to keep covering ground.
Technical Psychological
Confidence to keep attempting to dribble past people regardless of failure.

SSG (40 mins)

This is for 14 players, spread across two pitches. Can obviously change numbers to fit numbers actually present.

Play a standard game, especially with youth players. They tend to be 'ball hoggers', so merely permit them to play without any extra restrictions at first. 

Coaching Points

Look for players that know when to dribble - Is there cover? Is there another player through on goal?

What is the players reaction when they beat their marker?

What is the players reaction when they fail to beat their marker?

Are players beating the same opponent multiple times? (Should be beating and escaping, or moving ball on)

Progressions

If players are not dribbling enough, consider alternatives:

Give them points for a successful dribble (And large points for a goal)

Change to create an overload, meaning players will often have more time on the ball (Two 3v3s with a magic man)

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