Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Pirates Ahoy - Dribbling Turns session U4-U8

Pirate Training

Setup: 1/4 of field. Every player with a ball. blue cones - dock

Game: A sea captain has recruited a fleet of pirates and would like to train them to become the best pirate fleet in all the seas. Pirates report to captain on the dock (blue area) with their ship (soccer ball). The captain (coach) will give the pirates (soccer players) various commands that they must follow on each trip out to sea. Captain asks, "Pirates are you ready?" they must respond like a pirate, "Aaaaargh!!" Then sends them out. Keep adding commands. Be sure to have fun but work on skill. Be quick.

Example: First command is scrubbing the deck. Captain demonstrates bell tap (also called tic toc, popcorn, foundations). Then, he says we have to get the whole deck clean. "Can you do it". Captain then says "Pirates are you ready?" "ARRGHH!" Then, all players go into big red space and try to bell tap in as many spaces as possible. Captain says "Report to dock!" They all come back to blue. Demo "rats on deck" and send them back out. "ARgh" Captain now will call out "scrub the deck" or "rats on deck" Each time a new command is introduced you can vary calls.

Pirate commands:

- "Scrub the deck" means perform bell taps ("popcorn","foundations",etc)

- "Rats on deck" means perform toe taps.

- "Avoid other ships" means soft touches, keep close ball control.

- "Fastest ship of the fleet" means take a bigger touch out of feet to go faster.

- "Anchors down" means players stop by placing sole of foot on ball.

- "Report to Dock" means race back to dock and stop ball in zone. Don't be last.

- "Cannon Fire" perform a specific turn to dodge cannonball and quickly move away (i.e. outside hook, pullback, inside hook, step-push back, inside drag, L-turn)

- "Sword fight" knock out someone elses ball (avoid by shielding and turning)

Coaching:

1. Head up to see the big ocean blue and other pirate ships.

2. Only do one command at a time, then call them back to the dock. Demo the next command and send them back out.

3. Don't forget the fun. Make them say "ARGH!" before dribbling.

4. Close ball control - dribble with pinky toe (i.e. Messi).

5. Go faster - bigger touch with laces (i.e. Ronaldo).

6. Use both feet.

7. Coaches move around and correct technique while kids are on deck. Keep play flowing.

Progressions: 1. Pirates look to destroy other ships by kicking their balls out of the safe ocean. Last pirate left with a ship in the ocean wins!

Pirates of the Pugg

Setup: Large circle big enough for 16. 12 v 4. one pugg in center (or two back to back)

Game: 12 players with a ball and 4 without. Players without a ball are "Pirates" and they are trying to collect the treasure (ball) from other players and put it in the treasure chest (goal). If Pirate wins ball, they take it to goal. If they score, the player they stole from becomes a pirate. If the player that lost the ball, regains possession, they continue to play. Play until one or two players left. They are the winners.

Progression: Defenders must make one pass before scoring.

Coaching:

- How do you use turns with a defender on you? Timing? Body position?

- Use turns that we practiced earlier to get rid of defender (hook, cut, pull)

- How do we shield player from ball?

- "Scan, plan, play" Can you keep head up to see defender coming and know where to find space?