Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Team Balance

Warm-up: Hunters (10 mins)

Organization:

In a group of approximately 12 players, 8 players would have a ball and the other 4 will not have a ball. On the coaches signal the “dribblers” will dribble in the grid trying to stay away from the “Hunters” who do NOT have a ball. The “Hunters” try to take a ball from the “dribblers”. If a “dirbbler’s” ball is stolen, the dribbler then instantly becomes a Hunter and the Hunter that stole the ball becomes the new dribbler. Play two or three rounds and encourage high energy from the Hunters to get to the player dribbling.

-How can the hunters be more successful?

-Do the hunters need to get to the dribbler fast or slow?

Coaching Points:

-Bend your knees, stay low, and light on your feet

-Keep your eyes on the ball

Analytical - 3v2 to 2v1 Transition (15 mins)

Organization:

-see diagram for setup

-half field & 2 pug net

-two teams - even out the groups

-bunch of balls

Instructions:

-defenders play a pass into the attacking team for a 3vs2

-as the ball is played out 2 defenders come out and defend

-if attacking team scores or ball goes out of bounds, or goalie makes a save, the person who shot the ball or lost control of the ball becomes the defender for a 2vs1 going the other way, the other 2 players get quickly get bacl to their line. The coach will quickly play a passs into the dark blue team for a 2vs1 attack going the other way. After a goal, or ball out of bounds play is restarted again after the 2vs1 attack.

Coaching Points:

-attack the defender with speed; quick decesion making; communications;good passing; shoot to score; movement off the ball

Defending Side:

-pressure the attacker; don't dive in; force them outside away from goal; quickly get back and defend against the 2vs1; quickly transition to attack