Name: | Jeff Bird |
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City: | Hanover Park |
Country: | United States of America |
Membership: | Adult Member |
Sport: | Football/Soccer |
Session is designed on helping players win second balls in 50/50 situations - primarily in punted or high volley played balls.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
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Technical Passing, Receiving, First-Touch |
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Tactical Positioning, Communication, Movement off the ball into Space |
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Physical Speed, Quickness, Maintaining Position |
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Psychological Challenging |
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Social |
Equipment: One flat-faced training goal; 30 cones; 4 soccer balls (1 minimum for play; additional to keep activity going - and not chasing loose balls); 6 pinnies
Field Layout: 30x15 yards grid with a flat-faced goal centered in a way to split the grid into two 15x15 yard areas.
Activity: Three pairs (offensive v defensive players) are in each 15x15 area. Coach on the side starts the play with a punted ball into either area. The goal is for the team to receive and control possession within the area. Once a team has completed three passes, it tries to find an opportunity to send the ball over the flat-faced goal to teammates on the other side. Teams receiving the ball need to focus on controlling the ball and/or deflecting it to a teammate.
Variation: Area can be enlarged if a) there are more than three pairs of players per side; or b) there is too much possession change in one area that prevents a switch. Another variation could be to add neutrals to the sides to start the play and to provide additional passing options.
Coaching Points: Players on the team receiving the end of the pass over the net need to anticipate the pass and position themselves ball-side of the player receiving the pass. Do not let the defender be ball-side. Receiver needs to either trap and shield, deflect the ball to a teammate, or take a touch from the pass into open space.See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Equipment: 10 soccer balls (to keep activity flowing, but number is optional); 6 pinnies
Field Layout: Typical soccer field, using half field or more, depending on number of players.
Activity: Players position themselves as they would when receiving a punt from a goalie restart kick. One team is designated as the offense, one as the defense. Teams work to get four touches and play the ball back to the keeper to score a point. Either team can score - the team that earns possession after the 50/50 kick. If the team in possession earns loses the ball, play stops and another punt is sent out. Only the team earning possession can score (this is to keep the focus of the activity on winning 50/50 and 2nd balls and not a possession activity)
Variation: Pugs or other targets can be set up for offensive and defensive teams to pass to. This can make for a more game-like setting by attacking or counter attacking from possession.
Coaching Point: Players need to battle to be ball-side of the punt on this drill. The focus is to win the ball or 2nd ball.
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2nd Ball Grid Play (20 mins)
Equipment: 4 flags (or large cones); 20 cones (for grid); 4 soccer balls (1 minimum for play; additional to keep activity going - and not chasing loose balls); 6 pinnies
Field Layout: 30 x 30 yards grid set up for 12 players (adjust as needed)
Activity: Play starts with the 12 players spaced throughout the 30x30 grid. Coach punts the ball in the air to an area within the grid. Players work with teammates to earn possession of the ball. The activity continues as a possession drill for 30 seconds or the ball is knocked out of play. Play restarts with the coach punting the ball back into play and repeating the process.
Variations: 1) Coach can have defensive team start outside the square and offensive squad inside. Once punted, defensive players can quickly get into position to challenge for ball; 2) Have teams battle for possession, requiring the first touch be a deflection to a teammate; 3) Start with only two pairs (offensive-defensive) inside the 30x30 grid, position the others outside at the flags. Players on the outside remain there until the ball is touched by a player in the grid.