Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): first skillls

Skills dribbling grid (15 mins)

#1. THE DRIBBLING GRID

SET UP

20x20m grid set up, with one ball for each player.

a. BASIC MOVING AND DRIBBLING IN A GRID – “MAKE SOME NOISE!”

ACTION

Each player with a ball. Foot on the ball to start (and stop).

Start moving slowly with the ball, using eyes to avoid collisions.

On whistle/command ”UP” players have to stop immediately with their foot on the ball then jump up in the air and shout “YEAH!”

Next: On whistle/”DOWN”, players stop, bend down at the knees and touch the ground and go “Woo.”

On whistle/”CHANGE” players leave their ball and quickly find another.

Fun variation: STOP the ball with foot, then sit on the ball and try to balance.

Instructions:

“CARS”- THE DRIVING GAME

(dribbling and turning the ball)

ACTION

Players are the drivers of their “Car” (the ball).

The edge of the grid is a cliff! Don’t fall off!

Move without collisions. Use you EYES.

“SLOW” / “FAST”

When coach shouts “RED LIGHT,” players must stop.

“GREEN LIGHT” to go.

TURN – Cut with inside of the foot / or outside of foot.

U-TURN (turn around with inside or sole).

CRAZY CAR: Coach acts as a crazy car trying to get in front of players and stop them – players must stay away from the crazy car.

c. “ COPY THE COACH!”

ACTION

First without the ball. On “GO” players must run in any direction, staying in the grid. On the word “CHANGE” they must change direction, avoiding any collisions.

On the word “STOP” they must stop, look and copy what the coach is doing – sitting down / standing on one leg / hands on head / kneeling on one knee.

Repeat with the ball. On STOP, the coach does some simple ball mastery exercise: Roll with sole / toe taps / sole taps / thigh and catch…

Variation: As above, but the coach does not shout “stop” – players must constantly take a look at the coach as they dribble, and react to what he is doing.

TIPS

As players get used to this, ask individual players to be the leader, call “stop” and do some ball mastery execises

Shooting shoot and score (15 mins)

SET UP

Players line up cone. Marker cone 5-8m out. Mini goal.

ACTION

The first player passes to the coach. Runs around cone. Coach rolls out the ball close to goal. Player runs in on the ball and strikes first time, then quickly retrieves ball and gets back in line.

If you have two coaches, divide into 2 teams. Keep team score (2 mins games).

TIPS

Keep it moving . The next player going as soon as the first rounds the cone.

Roll the ball slowly, straight at the player, and very close to goal to start

with. Players need to feel the success of scoring. Then further out as the skills

develops.

Summary Home Play

Set Up Toe taps

Instructions show proper technique for them to practice at home

Coaching Points