Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Agility Session

Agility 1

Aim

To improve players explosive power, agility and speed

General Information

Players always start the activity from the red gate

At the end of the activity players accelerate to the white cone

Players will continue in an anti clockwise direction for four minutes

It is important players focus on doing the activity with sharp and explosive movements

Activity 1

Player starts at gate 1

The player runs up the the first hoop

On one foot the player hops through the hoops in a zig zag motion without changing the foot

At the second set of hoops the player hops on the same foot and follows the pattern that is shown next to the hoops

The second time around the player swaps feet

Activity 2

Players start at gate 2

Players run through the ladder placing one foot in each square

Players should focus on maintaining balance and control whilst moving at speed

The activity can be developed so that players step in each square twice

Activity 3

Players start at gate 3

Players run up to the first hurdle and perform a two footed jump over each of the hurdles (kangaroo bounds)

Players need to focus on jumping of of both feet and exploding over the hurdle

Forward speed is not as important as performing each jump with power

Activity 4

Player starts at gate 4

The aim of this drill is for players to shift their weight from one foot to the other, pause, get their balance and then transfer their weight to the other foot. They continue this through all the poles

The pause is important because it requiresplayers to focus on and develop their balance

Game (10 mins)

Aim

Develop player's positional awareness in a game

Introduce the number system that represents different positions

Continue to develop the skills worked on throughout the session

Activity

Small sided game with players given a position

Players are encouraged to continue to develop the skills worked on during the session- passing, dribbling and receiving the ball

Key Points

Encourage players to hold their positions and not follow the ball

Stop the game to highlight points where players could be using skills worked on throughout the session

Progressions

To encourage players to pass the ball goals can be awarded for 3 consecutive passes

Reward skill moves with a point e.g. a point for beating a player with a step over

Encourage players to place or pass the ball when shooting to increase accuracy