Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): turning

Messi/Xavi/Ronaldo (10 mins)

Every player with a ball.

Players are asked to dribble ball inside of area avoiding other players using correct dribbling technique showed by coach:

-Use pinky toe to push ball

-On toes/lift heels/knee over ball

-Head up tp observe other players/space

-When space is tight, take a touch with every step like Messi

-When see space to drive into, take bigger touches and accelerate into the space like Ronaldo

-If area crowed with players can you turn into a new space like Xavi

Once players grasping technical aspects shown by coach a competition is introduced:

-players must compete to see who can reach 'X' amount of dribble touches (pinky toe pushs) first, however if they leave the area or hit another player/ball they lose 'X' amount of counts i.e.if have taken 30 dribble touches then hit another player they are back down to a 20 count and may be racing to a 50 count.

-Make sure to at least play twice ensuring 1 game is left foot only and the 2nd is right foot only to train both feet equally.

Progression:

Add defenders. Every player has a ball apart from the defenders who are holding pinnies. The attacking players start on 10 points each, and the defenders on 9. If a defender touches your ball, the attacker gives them the ball and takes the pinnie to become the new defender along with losing a point. The player with the most amount of points left after 'X' amount of time is the winner.

-Keep head up and check shoulders regualry to identify where the defenders are/where the space is

-Smaller Messi touches in tighter areas, bigger Ronaldo touches if see pockets of space to drive into

-If challenged by a defender, can you shield ball (put body in between defender and the ball) and eventually turn away/beat the player like Xavi without defender getting touch on the ball.

Technical Semi opposed (20 mins)

Organization:

6 cones, 3 lines, 4 players, 1 ball.

Area size 10 x 20

Instructions:

Player in middle plays to player on end line and then puts semi-opposed pressure on attacker for 2 turns. Attacer does 2 turns then plays to opposite player and process continues.

Coaching Points:

1. Recognition of no space to penetrate foward (change direction)

2. Protect ball if pressure is tight

3. Ball out of feet when changing direction

4. Head up after changing direction

5. Player on 2nd line checking opposite way (opening lane)

6. Player on 3rd line finding lane

Progressions:

Defender blocks passing lane and then pressures attacker. Attacker looks to play foward before turning back and playing a give and go with player on the middle line. The 2 attackers then go as against defender on end line who can try and win the ball once they have crossed the middle line.

Progression 2:

Defender now can defend for real on 1st touch of attacking player

Progression 3:

Attacker can pass to end player on 2nd touch (only 2nd touch) to win game.

Tournament/Free Play (20 mins)

Organization:

2 x 20x30 yard fields

Balls placed all around fields for quick restarts

4 team tournament, 3 points for win, 2 for tie, 1 foir loss

'X' amount minute games

Everyone plays each other once in group stage, followed by the Campionship game and 3rd place game.

Instructions:

Normal rules apply apart from all restarts are kick ins