Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Teach the dribble in order to eliminate at least one opponent

7v7 Free play (15 mins)

7v7 play:

Regular Soccer Rules 

2 teams of 7 (Formation is 2-1-3-1 for both teams)

**Goalies are included in the formation as a player

Field is 44x50

Equipment:

Soccer Balls

Pinnies (Purple and Blue)

4 Pug Nets

Coaching Points:

NONE

Let the players play and make some mistakes.  

Questions at the beginning will be asked to have the players start thinking about the session ahead

Questions to have the players start thinking about the session:

1. What does it take to beat an opponent 1v1?

2. How do speed, pace, and direction come into play in a 1v1 situation?

1v1 in the middle

Set-up:

The game consists of 2 teams (7v7)

2 Sets of pinnies (Blue and Purple)

A split in the field of 10 yards in the middle section

The field is 44x50

Offensive and Defensive zones have a 3v2 situation (3 def; 2 attack)

In the middle grey area (10 yards), we have 1 CM from each team creating an automatic 1v1 scenario

The Coach is in the middle section where he/she can see the whole pitch. He/she can move onto the field to guide when needed.

The objective of the game:

To help the players to develop the right technique in a 1v1 situation in a game

Description:

The play starts with the goaltender rolling the ball to one of the purple defenders who then either choose to pass or dribble.  The ball will always start with the goaltender.

The purple defensive team must pass the ball into the grey zone to their CM player.  He/She has to control the ball and challenge the blue player in a 1v1 scenario to advance the ball into the attack zone.

If the purple player succeeds and gets through, he/she may join the attack (creating a 3v3 scenario).  However, the purple team has to have a player ready to challenge the Blue player in the grey zone if there is a counter-attack. 

Important to also remember that at either end of the field (Defensive and Offensive Zones), 1v1 situations will occur and so the emphasis on what we do and how we beat the opposition is also just as important.  

Progressions: All progressions are created to work on the 4 main coaching points of the session

A. The defender dribbles the ball into the grey area to challenge the Blue player in the grey zone and can perform 1 of 2 possibilities:

1. Dribble to beat and eliminate the defender

2. A wall pass with the CM on their team who is already in that zone (1-2 pass)

B. Remove both players in the middle section creating a 3v3 at each end.  Once the defensive team dribbles into the zone they wait for the opposition to challenge and commit to a 1v1

C. Remove the middle section completely and have a single line that must be crossed by the dribble creating an overload in the attack zone.  

Coaching Points:

• Positive first touch into space (Your touch being away from the defender)
• Scan defenders body positioning (Is the defender showing you a certain direction and how to change it and become the dictator)
• Sheild the ball with the body (Keeping the ball on the outside foot and using your arms and body to shield the player)
• Change your speed, pace, and direction in order to beat the defender (Choosing the right time to make your move and/or waiting for them to commit)

Full Game (10 mins)

Full Game

Field size (44x50)

Two teams - 7 aside

2 sets of Pinnies: Purple and Blue

Formation for both teams = 1-2-3-1

The main rules of soccer apply

Coaching Points:

• Positive first touch into space (Your touch being away from the defender)
• Scan defenders body positioning (Is the defender showing you a certain direction and how to change it and become the dictator)
• Sheild the ball with the body (Keeping the ball on the outside foot and using your arms and body to shield the player)
• Change your speed, pace, and direction in order to beat the defender (Choosing the right time to make your move and/or waiting for them to commit)