Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): u8- u11 Pre-game warmup

Rondos (5-10 mins) (10 mins)

Organization: 1 player in the middle of grid defending with the remaining players circled up around the outer edges of the grid

Activity:(5-10 minutes) in 10-15 x 10-15 (depending on size and skill level) yard grid, players pass the ball to each other without allowing the defender to touch the ball

Variations:

1) Start with 1 defender in the middle and the offense gets 2 touch

2) Keep 1 defender in the middle, but now offense only plays 1 touch

3) Add a second defender in the middle, offense gets 2 touches

4) Keep 2 defender in the middle, but now offense only plays 1 touch

Coaching Points:

1) 1st touch with a purpose

2) Good passing technique

3) Constant communication

4) Always on our toes, ready to receive the ball

5) Move to support the player on the ball

6) Body shape/positioning

7) Play as quickly as possible

8) *When there are two defenders*- can we find the "split"?

**Rondos should be started at the beginning. Add more players on offense as they arrive to the game.

Touches (5-10 mins) (10 mins)

Organization: 16y x 16y grid divided in 1/2 vertically (making 2- 8y x 16y grids)

Activity: Passing and dribbling sequences completed for approximately 2 minutes each variation.

Variations:

1)Pass and Follow

2) Pass "One Touch" Follow

3) Pass "Two Touch" Follow

4) "Give and Go "One Touch"

5) Double "Give and Go"

6) Dribble and Take Over

7) Dribble with Pace

Coaching Points:

First touch with a purpose

Proper dribbling and passing technique

Proper supporting runs and movement

Communication

GK warmup (20 mins)

Organization: Individualized focus on GK

Activity: After Speed and Agility (if possible) have assistant coach or parent warmup GK.

Variations:

1) From about 10 yards away- slow volleys hit to GK hands. Focus on body positioning (on balls of feet, knees bent, slight forward lean, body behind ball), hand positioning, and distribution.

2) From about 3 yards away- Hands behind back (palms touching) and toss ball to stomach (10 times), then hands behind head (palms touching) and toss ball to face- focus on stretching shoulders and getting hands around quickly to catch ball with proper technique ( thumbs nearly touching, index fingers slightly turned toward each other, elbows in).

3) From about 15 yards away- throwing the ball to the ground so GK has to deal with skipping/bouncing balls.

4) From 18 yards- Driven balls that GK has to work to save, but should be saving approximately 80% of the shots.

5) Crosses and distribution

6) Double saves (shot with immediate toss after 1st save is made)- about 75% pace on shots

7) From outside 18- full on shots with moving ball. FINISH ON A GOOD SAVE

Coaching Points: DO NOT kill GK confidence. Start easy and get progressively more difficult. Always end the GK on a high note (after a big save) to carry confidence into the game. The warmup is not intended for coach/players to score, but to make the GK work.