Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Ball Control & Shooting

Ball Control and Shooting (30 mins)

• Two starting cones (10 yards apart)
• Diamond of 4 cones in central space
• Wall or rebound board ~20 yards from top of diamond
• Players split across both starting cones
• All balls start with one line

Set up:

• Player A starts opposite Player B (server)
• Continuous rotation between lines

Objective:

Develop receiving on the move, controlled dribbling, and long passing/finishing with immediate reaction.

Practice: 

• Player A makes a timed run into the diamond.
• Player B passes into Player A.
• Player A receives on the move.
• Dribbles around two cones (pattern or free choice).
• Plays a firm pass/shot into the wall.
• Reacts quickly to control the rebound.
• Joins the opposite line.
• Player B follows and becomes next attacker.

Progression 1: Dribbling Variation

Inside the diamond:

• Free choice (decision-based), not fixed pattern

  or

• Assigned moves (cuts, turns, changes of direction)

Progression 2: Weak Foot Demand

• Final pass/shot must be with weaker foot
• Or first touch must be weaker foot

Progression 3: Passive Pressure

Add 1–2 “dummy defenders” inside the diamond:

• Apply shadow pressure
• Block direct routes

Now players must:

• Adjust path
• Scan before receiving

Adaptation (Important):

Can replace Wall with Player

• Use a bounce player instead of a wall
• Bounce player must:
  • Set the ball first time
  • Adjust angle based on pass

Duplicate the Practice

Set up two (or three) identical diamonds side by side.

This:

• Reduces waiting time
• Increases repetitions
• Maintains intensity

Gamified Scoring (Optional)

• 1 point for clean receive + drive
• 1 point for accurate strike/pass
• 1 point for controlled rebound

Teaching the “Why”

Read the Picture

• “Where is your first touch taking you?”
• “What changes when space is blocked?”

Purpose in the Action

• “Are you moving through space or following a pattern?”

Change the Rhythm

• “When do you glide?”
• “When do you accelerate before the strike?”

SSG - 2v2 Target Game (30 mins)

Organisation

• Area: 16x16 square
• Split into two halves with a central line
• 6 players per grid:
  • 2v2 inside
  • 1 target player on each end

Targets stay in their end zones.

Objective

In-possession team:

Use the target player to create a 3v2 and play through to the opposite target.

Out-of-possession team:

Deny central passes and force play wide or backwards.

Practice:

• Play starts with one team in possession.
• Inside players combine (2v2).
• They can use their target player to create a 3v2.
• Objective is to connect with the opposite target player.
• If successful, team keeps possession and goes again.
• If possession is lost, roles switch immediately.

Continuous end-to-end flow.

Progression 1: Possession Control

Must complete 2 passes before playing through.

Forces:

• Patience
• Movement
• Better positioning

Progression 2: Carry to Commit

Ball must enter the opposite half before passing to the target.

Encourages:

• Dribbling to commit defenders
• Creating passing lanes

Progression 3: Target to Target

Allow direct target-to-target play.

Now players must:

• React quickly
• Reposition
• Anticipate second actions

Gamified Scoring

• 1 point for successful connection to opposite target
• Bonus for playing through centrally
• Bonus for using target as bounce before splitting

Teaching the “Why”

Read the Picture

• “Where is the overload?”
• “What changes when the target is used?”

Purpose in the Action

• “Are you using the target to escape or to break the line?”

Change the Rhythm

• “When do you move it quickly?”
• “When do you hold to draw pressure?”