Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): First touch to play forward or into space

Screen 1

Setup:

Three 3x3m squares in the middle of the playing area set up as shown in diagram 1 with one player inside each of the squares.

Rules No.1:

Player on the end passes to the player in the middle who takes one touch to control the ball and then take it out the side of the square on their second touch, they then pass to the player at the opposite end. He/she then moves back into the box to receive the ball back from the player they have just passed to and the process repeats. Work for 30-45 seconds then swap players in the middle. Work on using both feet when receiving and passing.

Progressions:

1. Can you take the ball outside the square on your first touch

2. Use different parts of the foot to take the ball out of the square, be creative

Rules No2:

As the ball is played towards the player in the middle he/she meets the ball outside the front of the square, receives the ball, dribbles around the cone and passes to the opposite end and the process repeats.Players can go either side. Work for 30-45 seconds then swap players in the middle. Work on using both feet when receiving and passing. 

Progressions:

1. Add a trick after receiving the ball (drop a shoulder and go the other way etc).

Rules No.3:

Player on the end passes to the player in the middle, he/she plays back to the same player then moves at an angle to receive the ball back again. The ball is then played to the opposite end and the process is repeated again. Work for 30-45 seconds then swap players in the middle. Work on using both feet when receiving and passing.

Progressions:

1. Vary the way that you receive the ball i.e. front foot, back foot or take a touch inside the square before playing forward.

Outcomes:

Positive first touch, Get in line with the ball, Select appropriate surface to receive i.e.inside of foot etc, Communication (verbal and non verbal)

Body shape, receive to play forward (when appropriate), Play with head up, Decision making, Weight of pass and accuracy, Movement off the ball