Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Recieving the ball with proper body shape

Pass and Space (10 mins)

Equipment:

-Circle set up to the desired size (at least 15 yards) using cones. Set 1 - 3 more cones than players.

-One ball to start with all other balls outside the circle to restart if ball is lost.

Organization:

-Players must pass the play the ball to a team mate and move to an empty cone. This is repeated over and over for 3 to 5 minutes.

-All players that don't have a ball should have a predetermined pass in mind and change their body shape/angle to be open if they are passed the ball. Everytime the ball moves every player should be making minor adjustments to open themselves to ball and let team mates kow where to pass.

-Start with 2 touch and progress to 1 touch when able.

Key Coaching Points:

-Players must work to ensure they are "open" or "shoulder on" at all times to 1) be able to make their first touch move the ball in the direction they want to move 2) let teammates know exactly where they want the ball 3) shield the ball from defenders

-A closed shape (hips and shoulders facing the direction the pass is coming) will require more touches to turn with the ball = more time. Also makes it difficult to "see" the field and options.

-Players must inderstand that they must open to different direction depending on the situation and options available.

Next Man Up (30 mins)

Equipment:

-two grids set up as shown 10x15 yards with small goals as either end.

-all extra balls behind the goals

-teams of 4 or 5 if needed

Organization:

-Play starts in one grid with 3v1 and players working to get 3 passes.

-Once they get 3 passes they look to move the ball to their target player in the other grid playing 1v1.

-Once the ball is played into the target player the player who made the pass must stay in the grid and the other two players may transfer into the second grid to again make it 3v1 going to goal (defender stays in the grid and will be the target play in the next round).

-Once ball is scored or played out of bounds the team that had the ball has one play call to play defence and the other two step off. The team that was defending has two players who were waiting on the endline step on and start a new round headed the other direction.

Key Coaching Points:

-First priority is to move to a possition that the player can easly recieve a pass.

-Second is to have an open body possition to move appropieatly depending on what options they have.... can they move the ball forward, forced to play negative due to restriction, dribble or shoot.