Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): JFA Women - Keepers - Distribution Session

Technique of catching, throwing (10 mins)

Organisation:

Half pitch, incorporating penalty area, Marked with cones from side of 6yd box to center circle and appropriate goal displayed

4 Players: arranged 3 attackers and goal keeper, plus server, 12 balls

Server feeds ball using various heights and strengths, for Goal keeper.

Goal keeper feeds attacker one, two and three with the ball rolled out or javelin throw,slide arm throw,use of side arm or over throw.

   Coaching points:

1. Focus on the target2. Make a decision on the aspect and technique of distribution to be use3. Decision! - Aim for player or into space4. Focus on the quality and accuracy of the pass or throw5. Support the pass/throw

Goalie Wars - Distribution (15 mins)

Half field, three goalkeepers, lots of balls and a coach feeding. Cone roughly level with penalty spot and the edge of the center circle. A couple of lines of cones dividing up the space between those cones into three, but narrow not the full width. A mini goal in two diagonal corners.

RULES

The two goalkeepers are throwing the ball to each other. They can go over the head of the goalie in the middle (whi cannot leave the central zone) they can throw around them with speed or height to get through. The keeper in the middle can use hands or feet to block the attempted throw. If they prevent a throw going to the keeper on the other side they can try to immediately throw the ball into one of the mini goals in order to score. If they score they swap with the keeper who made the bad throw, but that keeper has the chance to redeem themself with a save of the throw.

SSG - Shooting and distribution (20 mins)

70 x 50 wide. 5v5 outfielders, 1 neutral, 2 goalkeepers. Two full size goals. 4 small nets at halfway facing the goals at a 45 degree angle. Cones mark approx 15 yards from each goal, leaving a 40 yard deep shooting zone.

1. Players attempt to work an opportunity to shoot – there is a 30-second shot clock.

2. Players can enter the area close to goal, they can’t score from there. They cannot shoot from close in.

3. Teams get two points for each goal one point for a goalkeeper making a shot-stopping save (not just picking up a loose ball), and five points if the goalkeeper, can save, retain the ball and throw the ball into the small net within five seconds. A single redirection touch by their team is allowed.

4. If the ball goes out of play from the goalkeeper throw, the goalkeeper has to go and get the ball, the game restarts from the coach at the halfway line with posession going to the team which doesn't have a goalkeeper - they must try and buy time for their keeper to get back in goal. The other team should press and seek the ball back to take advantage of the empty net.

5. PROGRESSION 1: If the players start gaming it and not challenging attackers in the non-shooting zone (a logical response to the game's restrictions), put in a crossing zone in each corner of the field where a player can cross and and attacker may score with their first touch. That opens up a little space and forces defense of the non-shooting zone.

6. PROGRESSION 2: Allow shots to score in the non-shooting zone if the shot is a first or second touch after a goalkeeper throw. This prevents defending teams crowding round the wide mini goals at restart and adds in the well placed central throw as an option for the keeper.

Coaching points: I'm looking for accuracy and pace on the goalkeeper throws, as well as good positioning for saves, balls of the feet. I want the outfielders to set up as many shots as possible in the allotted time and work out that they don;t all need to hang around in the shooting zone (which is what they will do to start).