Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U9/10 - Turning with the ball (outplay 1v1)

Act 1: Tag / Ball Mastery (15 mins)

Start with a high energy tag game. In this session I might use tail tag as it encourages more twisting/spinning movements. Tail Tag = every player tucks a pinnie in their shorts. Play 30 second rounds and most tail pulls wins.

Ball Mastery - Take the energy from tag straight into ball mastery. Every player with a ball dribbling freely in space. Introduce and practice various turns with the ball: 1) Inside/outside cuts/spins 2) V Behind (L turn) 3) Step over turn 4) Cruyff Turn

Don't worry about getting to every move. What's important is the players perform the skills with proper technique and start to challenge themselves by doing the skills quicker. Catch them being good and be sure to praise a player when they improve at the skill and use it in game situations. 

Act 3: 1v1 4 Goal Game (15 mins)

4 Goal Game (1v1)
Setup = roughly 20-25 yards long with goals 12 yards a part.  Two lines = Attacking (white) and Defending (grey).

One attacker and one defender start 1v1 in the middle of the grid by touching the middle cone. Once the attacker touches the cone then the next player in line passes a ball in to them. The attacker scores in the yellow goal and defender scores in the red goal. Once the play is done the next 2 players start right away.

You can have the players rotate lines after each attempt as they practice and experiment in the 1v1. After some practice, put them in teams and compete team vs. team. Play for 2 minutes and then change roles so each team gets one attempt to attack and defend.

Progressions:

- Change the location of the middle cone to change how the attack is receiving the ball

- Once the player passes the ball they can join the attack to create 2v1. Another defender can also join to create 2v2.

Coaching Points:

- Movement to create space (double/triple movements to lose your defender)

- Skill/deception to turn your defender

- Separation touch to create space to face up to defender

- Creativity - try your skills and take risks

- Defensive pressure - make it tough for the attacker