Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Mark, small sided game with communication factor

Mark , small sided game /with communication factor (15 mins)

Key Factors

• small side game.
• 10/15 mins duration.
• under 13's/ 9 a side
• 1 player on each flank who cannot be tackled.
• 2 teams (blue and red bibs)
• plenty of footballs with both coaches on both sides of pitch
• marked playing area of 45 x 20 m
• playing area is marked in to 3 equal thirds of 15 m

Organisation

• before the ssg. i will explain the drill and purpose of the drill
•  players are instructed that the game/task is a drill about using the maximum playing area marked 
• coach as instructed the group some basic rules and conditions of the drill.
• players are allowed no more than 3 touches of ball
• 
  
• keep the ball moving, look for space , create movement
• encourage players to communicate verbally and non verbally to each other
• each player must touch the ball before a strike on goal is allowed ( minimum of 8 passes before a strike on goal)
• ball must be played between the red discs if moving into the next 3rd
• encourage players to be positive and want the ball to look forward whenever possible.

other points i would add:

good positioning of coaches is key for verbal or non verbal instruction when needed ,

praise a player who is near enough if he has done something well.

if a player needs a little help, wait until he is near you to have a quiet word without stopping the drill,

if a player score or does a good pass , give a clap or well done thumbs up ,

show body language is positive and that your interested in what they are doing.

if after a few mins and the drill is not going as planned, stop the group, gather them round and explain .

eg: body position or technique in striking a long ball /shot, or how a change of body angle can open up a new line for a pass.