Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Passing & Shooting SFA

Warm up (5 mins)

Organizational / Instructions - 12x12 area. Players will jog round the circle on the outside in pairs of 2 performing a series of dynamic stretches until it is their turn to go into the reaction zone. Players in the reaction zone will have to race against each other 2 times reacting to whatever colour I shout out (sometimes I will use a cone to state which colour rather than speaking so they are fully focused at all times). After the race they will take a turn each at reacting to a ball fed in by a pass or even a throw, it is their job to score into the mini goal with the colour that I have shouted out. It is important to reinforce 1 touch finishes, 2 touch maximum. After this the next 2 will come into the reaction zone and the other 2 will join the players jogging and stretching.

Coaching Points - light footed ready to react, bent knees for low centre of gravity, fully focused, quick first time finishes, performing full range of motion for dynamic stretches to prepare the muscles in the body especially the legs.

open gates - whilst jogging take turns with each leg raising that leg towards the core of the body at a 90 degree angle, maintain the bend in the knee and take the leg away from the body on the outside (abduction motion) to stretch the groin, extend the leg and place it on the ground and repeat with the other leg.

Game related (15 mins)

Organizational / Instructions - 4 defenders will be trying to prevent goals from the attacking team. If they win the ball then they can transition to attack and work as a unit to try dribble through the red gates on either side for a point. Wide players MUST be used to set up a goal. If the left winger receives the ball the right winger can make a run to the back post in attempt to score. The goalkeeper always starts this phase of play by playing a lofted ball to the attacking team then play begins. Defenders can press up to defend if they wish and the full backs are responsible for putting pressure on the winger they are marking.

Coaching Points - Communication, sharpness in the box, first time finishes, sharp movement to lose the defenders, stay on-side, minimum touches on the wing before crossing, ready to react to rebounds.

Progressions / Adaptations - can make it a back 5 to challenge the attackers or make it a back 3 if there is no success with a back 4, once success is accomplished then build back up to a back 4 and try again.

Cool down (5 mins)

Organizational / Instructions - 40 yard jog up then back x2, 40 yard walk up then back x1 breathing in through nose and out of the mouth trying to decrease heart rate. After this get in a circle and perform static stretches, get some people to volunteer to perform stretches and show the group. Hold stretches for 8 seconds then intensify the stretch for another 8. After this have a session debrief talk about positives / negatives and potential changes for the future.

Coaching Points - Switchover hamstring stretch - place the right foot on the ground across from the left foot so your legs are crossed, slowly reach towards the toes until you can feel a stretch in the hamstrings, hold this for 8 seconds and then slowly intensify until the stretch becomes stronger then hold for another 8 seconds and slowly come back up to a standing position and do the same with the other leg.