Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session 6 - Dribbling and Shooting under pressure

Warm up (5 mins)

Organisational / Instructions

Introduction 

Before the session, the coach will introduce themselves to the group, point out fire exits, check for any injuries and tell the participants the aims and objectives for the session

Set up

Four cones are set up in the shape of a square

Instructions

Participants will move between each of the cones in a square.

Participants will perform various dynamic stretches such as high knees, open/close the gate, side steps and lunge twists.

The coach may shout change direction, in which case all participants turn round and continue running or performing the dynamic stretch but in the opposite direction.

Coaching Points

High knees – Stand with your feet hip-width apart and lift one of your knees up towards your chest. Use alternate legs each time you perform this movement and begin to move towards the cone on the other side. Keep your arms out in front for a guide as to how high your knees should go. Keep your back straight and head up looking forwards. – working the hamstrings and quads

Progressions / Adaptations

Skill practice 2 (5 mins)

Organisational / Instructions

Set up

Two 15 x 15 yard areas are set up

A goal is placed at each end of each area

Defenders have a ball each  

Defenders start at one end and attackers at the other end

Instructions

Defenders start with the ball, one at a time they pass the ball into one of the attackers.

When the attacker receives the ball they look to take a touch and look to dribble forwards, make a half yard and shoot for goal.  As soon the attacker has taken a touch, the defender may close them down and put them under pressure. If the defender wins possession of the ball they can transition and look to score in the opposite goal, the attacker must also transition to defend. After the attacker, has had a shot or the defender wins possession of the ball and scores, the attacker collects the ball and the defender and attacker swap over.

Coaching Points

Dribbling– Head up, taking small touches, using both feet, using different parts of the feet e.g. inside, outside, laces, sole

Passing –Using the inside of the foot, striking through the centre of the ball, standing foot next to the ball pointing the direction you want to pass, head up looking at who you’re passing to

Shooting– Head up. Using the instep of the foot to shoot for accuracy, or the laces for power, striking through the centre of the ball, standing foot next to the ball, arms out for balance

Progressions / Adaptations

Cones are placed in the goal marking out the corners, attackers must look to score in the corner of the goal

Conditioned Game (10 mins)

Organisational / Instructions

30 x 20 yard pitch is set up with a goal at each end

Participants remain in two teams of five

Instructions

Participants will now play a conditioned game. Participants will be encouraged to focus on shooting and dribbling. Participants will play as normal, however, if they  dribble by a player before they  score a goal it counts as two goals. If a player scores without dribbling past a player it counts as one goal.

Coaching Points

Dribbling– Head up, taking small touches, using both feet, using different parts of the feet e.g. inside, outside, laces, sole

Shooting– Head up. Using the instep of the foot to shoot for accuracy, or the laces for power, striking through the centre of the ball, standing foot next to the ball, arms out for balance

Progressions / Adaptations

Unconditioned Game

Cool Down (5 mins)

Organisational / Instructions

Debrief - While the participants are cooling down the coach will complete a debrief with the participants, asking them various open questions about what the participants have learned in the session

After the session, the participants/players will complete a cool down. Participants/players

will carry out a light jog around the area and then slow down to a walking pace. They will then gather in a semi-circle around the coach (yellow) and do these 4 stretches. For the safety of participants/players all leg stretches should be carried out while seated.

The following stretches will be used:

Tricep stretch  

Raise one arm and bend it behind your head. Bring your other arm across and place your hand on your elbow and push down gently.   Hold for 10 – 15 seconds, – stretching the triceps.

Shoulder stretch: 

Participants should fold one arm in and move the other across behind the other arm slowly and lock it in.

Pull arm towards body. Hold for 10 – 15seconds, – stretching the latissimus dorsi

Seated single hamstring stretch:

Place one leg straight out in front, bend the other leg in at the knee and place sole of the foot on the opposite inner thigh.Extend both arms and reach forward slowly. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Stretching the hamstrings

Seated Piriformis stretch:

 Sit down with both legs extended. Cross one leg over the other and bring the knees up, put the foot flat on the floor beside and on the outside of the knee of the extended leg. With the heel firmly n the ground, twist your upper body in the opposite direction from your raised knee. Place one hand on the floor with other hand pulling the knee gently towards you. Hold for 10 – 15 seconds. Working the hip rotators

Coaching Points

Triceps stretch

Keep your head facing forward.

Breath calmly.

Keep your back straight.

Shoulder stretch

Keep your back straight and your head facing forward.

Breath calmly.

Seated single hamstring stretch Keep one leg straight

Reach forward and extend arms

Breath calmly

Keep other leg bent inwards

Piriormis stretches

Keep one leg straight.

Keep the other crossed over and raised at the knee.

Progressions / Adaptations