Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Skill Acquisition - First Touch

Skill Introduction 01

Set Up:

16 players, 08 in each square and paired as shown. 

Instructions:

a) Blue player receives a pass from a Red player, bounces the ball back to the same player, turns around to repeat sequence from the Red player at the opposite end. Blue player to stay in between the cones always to receive.

b) Blue player receives and takes the ball around one of the cones & then bounces back to the same Red player, then jumps around to repeat with the opposite Red player.

c) With one ball; Blue player receives facing forward from a Red player, turns around with the ball and passes to opposite Red player & repeat sequence. 

Variation/Progression:

* Can players come up with a simple combination/passing sequence?

Coaching Behaviours to Introduce:

* Can you check away from the cones and scan over your shoulder as the ball is travelling towards you (do I look over left/right shoulder?)?

* Can you release the ball in no more than 03 touches?

* Can you receive a pass with your body facing forward?

Skill Training

Set Up:

20x20m; 4 Reds v 3 Blues + 01 neutral player, 02 goals (only one square is shown)

Instructions:

Play can start from any end; offsides and throw-ins apply; neutral player to play with team in possession. 

Exercise Task:

Can you get the ball forward through controlled possession to create scoring chances?

Player Tasks:

a) Can you receive a pass with your body facing forward?

b) Can you take the ball away from a defender under pressure?

c) Can you give the ball-carrier at least 03 passing options? 

d) Can you bring the ball down from a throw-in using your head/chest/thigh?

Cues:

a) When your teammate has the ball, can you scan to find the good areas to get into to receive a pass at angles away from defenders? And if you receive with your back facing opposition goal, can you bounce back, scan and move into good areas?

b) When you have the ball and if a defender is running towards you, can you take the ball away from him with a good first touch using any foot and any part of the foot?

c) When your team has possession, can you scan to find the good spaces and give him a left, right and back passing option and receive with your body facing forward?

d) When your team has a throw-in, can you bring the ball down with your chest/head/thigh, and keep the ball away from the defender?