Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): CORE_SKILL_INTRO_SESSIONS_FIRST_TOUCH

First Touch 1 (15 mins)

THE SESSION: First Touch - To Protect

Set Up: 8x8 Boxs

2 players per box who are asked to pass and move

On the command of "Protect" the player in possession must put his/her body between their partner and the ball.

The player in possession must shield and protect ball under pressure for 10 second. Only half pressure (no tackling).

Now two players must look battle to retain possession in a 1v1, the player with the ball in the box at the end of 30 seconds is the winner

If the ball leaves the square, play like a normal game and other player gets possession to restart

Key Messages:

Side on

Be aggressive

Winning mentality

Wide stance, low centre of gravity

Protect at all time

Dominate your opponent

First Touch 3 (15 mins)

THE SESSION: First Touch - to beat opponent 

Set Up: 16x16

Half the group half a ball next to the goal (A) and the other half are at the top of the area (B)

One player from A and B steps forward

Player A passes the ball directly towards player B and picks one of the gates to run through

Player B must check which way player A has gone and take their touch through the free gate before scoring in 5 seconds

Player A and player B swaps groups and the next two players go

Progression:

1. Player B takes first touch through a gate and player A runs through the opposite gate and then around to catch player B. 

2. The two side gates are removed and its just a single gate in the middle. Player A passes and must run through the gate, player B take their touch either side and tries to score quickly

Key Messages:

Awareness of defender

Type of touch depends on variation of ball

Disguise first touch

Contact of ball to get away quickly

First Touch 5 (15 mins)

THE SESSION: First Touch - to beat opponent

Set Up: 

Two lines going at the same time to minimize waiting team

Players A is stood near the mannequin and their job is to receive the ball from player B, take their first touch past the mannequin and score in the goal

Players either let the ball come across their body and receive on the back foot or take their touch towards where the ball has come from

Players first touch must beat the mannequin as they only have three touches total to score

Player B becomes player A and player A stands waiting to become a passer

Key Messages:

Can you be sneaky and hide the way you are going

Start open to see the full field

Your first touch depends on the weigh of the pass

• Softer pass - meet the ball and take your first touch in the direction ti came
• Harder pass - allow the ball to travel towards your back foot

Progression:

Take the mannequin out and create a gate a defender must run through before turning to chase the attacker,

The attacker must take the pass left or right and score as quick as possible