Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Rising 11U-19U - Player Assessment Process Session #1 (Start Time: 2017-04-10 18:00:00)

Warm Up - Organised Chaos (10 mins)

Warm Up - Organised Chaos

Create an area of 25x20 and place 8-12 players in each area. Have 1 soccer ball per 4 players. If there are 12 players in each area, there will be 3 soccer balls moving around at one time. This is entirely up to the coach with that group. A good rule of thumb to go off is if people are walking around for a few too many seconds, you might need an extra ball in there.

For each of the 4 sub-exercises below, the Coach and Asst Coaches must demonstrate what is needed with clear intent. We cannot just tell them what to do, by showing them how to do it they perform much better in this opening exercise.

1) 45 Seconds - (Passing, Receiving, Moving and Dribbling) All players pass and move to anyone, encourage them to get some touches whilst dribbling also and to explore the entire playing area. The player who just passed the ball must half-sprint into a different place in the playing area.

2) 45 Seconds - (Receive the ball and take first touch forwards) All players pass and move to anyone, but this time, when the ball is passed into a player, they must take their first touch forwards into a space and then proceed to dribble or make a pass to someone and explore the entire paying area. The player who just passed the ball must half-sprint into a different place in the playing area.

3) 45 Seconds - (Receive the ball and take the first touch to a side) All players pass and move to anyone, but this time, when the ball is passed into a player, they must take their first touch to a side using the inside or outside of their left or right foot and then proceed to dribble or make a pass to someone. The player who just passed the ball must half-sprint into a different place in the playing area.

4) 45 Seconds- (Receive the ball and open up with your body) All players pass and move to anyone, but this time, when the ball is passed into a player, they must take their first touch by opening up their body and allowing for the ball to move run across their body where they receive the ball on their back foot. After controlling the ball, they can then proceed to dribble or make a pass to someone. The player who just passed the ball must half-sprint into a different place in the playing area.

2v2s (10 mins)

2v2s

2v2s - 5 minutes

After 5 minutes, move onto 2v2s. 2 defenders will pass the soccer ball into the 2 attackers. Within the game area, all players will be placed in a corner. The defending team will be on the corners on one side of the fields and the attacking players will be placed on the other corners of the field. Within the game area, the defending players will play a diagonal pass to the attacking side of players. One player from each corner (resulting in 2 defenders and 2 attackers) will them enter the playing area. The players will then go 2v2 to the goal which they started opposite from. If the Defender wins the ball, they become the attacker and vice versa. The 1v1 or 2v2 will carry on until a goal is scored or if the ball leaves the game area.

The objective here is for all players to receive the ball and attack quickly. We are looking to see if the players can identify the 2v1 situations. Limit every 2v2 situation to 20-30 seconds before telling them "TIME" which will mean that 2v2 situation is over and the next players go.

Give all players a 2 minute water break.

Game - 7v7 (25 mins)

Game - 7v7/8v8/9v9 

(ALL Rising 11U-13U players will play 7v7/8v8/9v9 on their 1st assessment night to keep everything small-sided.

(Go straight into 11v11 with the Rising 14U players if they have enough to do that straight away. 

Split the players up into groups of as close to 7v7 as possible. This can be 8v8 and 9v9 also, it depends entirely on the amount of players who are trying out on the day.

Coaches, organise the players into a formation. For example, if it is 7v7 (1-3-2-1) or if they are playing 8v8 (1-3-3-1) or if they are playing 9v9 (1-3-3-2). Do not worry about placing the players in strong positions, put them anywhere within that formation.

The evaluators present at the PAP date will be moving the players around so that they can get a better view of certain players.