Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Running with the ball

Warm up

Organization:

1.30 x 30 yard area set up as shown

2.12 players set up as shown

3.1 ball per player

4.Assign each side a number as shown

Instructions:

1.Coach calls number one or two

2.Players on the corresponding sides to the number called run with the ball to the opposite sides

3.Players race each other to stop ball on opposing line

Coaching Points:

1.Positive first touch out of the feet

2.Head up and observe situation

3.Head down when playing the ball to ensure good contact

4.Play with the laces of the foot closest to the ball

Progressions:

P – Call both numbers at the same time to make players make a decision on when to run with the ball and when to dribble

R – Each side is given its own number (1 - 4), and numbers are called out one at a time

Main Theme

Organization:

1.30 x 10 yard area set up as shown

2.6 players set up as shown

3.1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1.Player A accelerates towards opposite end of area

2.When adjacent with the opposite gate, player A passes through the gate to player B

3.Player A continues run to join the back of the opposite line

4.Player B repeats in opposite direction

Coaching Points:

1.Positive first touch out of the feet

2.Select the appropriate controlling surface

3.Play with the laces of the foot closet to the ball

4.Fewest number of touches to cover the distance quickly

5.Run in a straight line

6.Execution of final action

Progressions:

P – Both lines start with a ball at the same time. If a player overtakes or tags the player in front of them they score a point. First individual to 3 points wins.

R – Width of area is narrowed to 5 yards, and gates are increased to 4 yards each, thus enabling an easier final pass.

Conditioned game

Organization:

1.50 x 30 yard area set up as shown

2.12 players (2 Teams of 4, with 2 Neutral players, and 2 Goalkeepers) set up as shown

3.Supply of balls by each goal

Instructions:

1.Teams play 4 v 4 with goalkeepers

2.Teams must look to pass to neutral player in channel, who has max of 3 touches with no opposition

3.No defensive player can enter safe channel to challenge attacker

4.If more than 3 touches are taken by neutral player, possession is surrendered to other team, with a pass infield

5.If ball goes out, opposing goalkeeper restarts – no throw ins, corners or goal kicks

Coaching Points:

1.Positive first touch out of the feet

2.Select the appropriate controlling surface

3.Head up and observe situation

4.Play with the laces of the foot closet to the ball

5.Fewest number of touches to cover the distance quickly

6.Execution of final action

Progressions:

P – After a pass enters the safe channel, one defensive player may enter the channel behind the point where the ball entered. Should they make an effective challenge, resulting in the ball going out of play, play will restart from their goalkeeper

R – Players may take up to 5 touches in the safe zone, with no defensive players allowed to challenge