Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Warm-up

FIFA 11 Warm-Up (10 mins)

Organization:

2 lines each 15 yds (5 yds between each cone).

Instructions:

FIFA 11 Warm-Up

- Each exercise is run 2x

- Jog back to the start line - use as recovery

- Try to have each pair in sync/unison

- Next pair doesn't start until pair in front reaches first cones

1) Simple Jog down.

2) "Open the Gate": Drive knee straight up, then twist rotating out; Alternate legs.

3) "Close the Gate": Knee comes up but at a right angle to the body, then twist rotating inward; Alternate legs.

4) "Circle Partner": Pair runs to first cone, then still facing forward, side shuffle towards each other, going around one another in a tight circle, then shuffle back out to their side of the channel. Run forward to second cone and repeat.

5) "Jump with Shoulder contact": Pair runs to first cone, then still facing forward, side shuffle towards each other, and jump to bump shoulders, land softly and shuffle back out to their side of the channel. Run forward to the second cone and repeat.

6) Sprint to the second cone, decelerate to then backpedal to the first cone; sprint to the third cone, decelerate to then backpedal to the second cone, etc.

7) 75% pace sprint through the channel to opposite end.

8) "Bounding": Drive the knee up as you "jump/bound" across the channel; opposite arm should come up as your knee comes up; each "step" is a new bound (think long-jump strides).

9) "Plant & Cut": Pairs run across one another to the first cone and plant/cut to then go to cone two; zig-zag across one another through the length of the channel

Coaching Points:

- Movement

- Body control

- Agility

- Coordination

- Deceleration

- Proper weight dispersion (knees)

Shooting (10 mins)

Organization:

10x30 yard area

3 roughly equal lines

Instructions:

- Player in Line A stands in front of line with legs open and back is facing the goal.

- The next player in line A plays a ball through the shooter's legs who turns and goes 1v1 with the goalie.

- After Player A shoots; Player B, plays a pass to Player C and Players B & C go 2v1 against Player A who has turned to face Players B & C.

- One shot has been taken, or ball clears the field, all players go back to the end of their same lines.

- Play for certain amount of time, and rotate as a group (A to B, B to C, C to A).

Coaching Points:

- Placement of shot for Player A

- Quick transition to defense for Player A

- Sharp and quick pass from Player B to Player C

- Creating space and movement from Players B & C (Overlap or Take-over Situation)

- Attacking at speed from Players B & C

- How quickly can Player B or C get a shot off (and accurately)