Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Session 1 - Dribbling with the ball

Arrival Activity SSG (10 mins)

Upon arrival, players are put straight into games. Encourage mistakes and only give small points. Encourage free play.

Dribbling, Ball Mastery And Turns Skill Practice (10 mins)

Setup -

The end zones on each line are safe zones. 3 players in the end zone each play against a player in the opposite end zone. The defending player starts with the ball and passes across the area to the opponent then they play 1 vs. 1. If the attacking player beats their opponent gets into the end zone they need to perform a turn and dribble past the defender and return to the safe zone where they started. (defenders not allowed in safe zones). Rotate roles of players change opponent after 1 minute. 

Regression:

• Increase the size of the area

Progression:

• The attackers have to dribble past the defender in 7 seconds.
• Make the area smaller

Key Coaching Points

Awareness

• In order to perform ball mastery and turns players should be aware of the space and other players by keeping their heads up.

  
  Dribbling
  
  

• Players should look to keep the ball close to their feet when there is no space to dribble into. If there is space to attack, encourage players to take bigger touches into the space.

  
  Change of speed
  
  

• Once performing turns, players should look to change direction and accelerate away from the defender.