Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Controlling the High Ball

Warm Up

10 yds by 30 yds

This session can be used to help players practice controlling balls in the air so they are not waiting for the ball to bounce, giving the opposition time to closed them down.

Start with a ball between two players throw it back and forth controlling with different parts of their bodies by varying the height they throw to each other.

How to play it

• You want to see players taking the ball early without waiting for it to bounce
• Player A throws or kicks the ball from their hands in the air to Player B
• Player B controls and passes to C who starts in the corner and runs to the opposite corner to receive the ball
• Player C then controls the ball and picks it up so they can pass a high ball back to B
• Player B controls the ball and passes to the left corner for A to run on to, and so on
• When they have done this for six passes (three to A and three to C) A swaps places with B, B with C and C with A

How to advance it

• In this game, player B controls the ball with the added pressure of a defender (player C). He tries to beat the defender and score in the small goal
• Player A throws or kicks from their hands to Player B
• As A kicks the ball, Player C starts running to pressure B
• Player B must control an beat C and score in the goal
• The exercise restarts with A once the ball has gone in the goal or out of play

Receive on volley drill (15 mins)

30x30 area. Minimum 7 players per group.

Start with one ball - feeder throws high for central player to volley either right or left.

Rotation : feeder becomes next receiver, receiver joins feeders queue.

*move feet into line of ball

*encourage use of weak foot when appropriate

*minimum touches to make the pass

Progress to 2 balls and feeders - reduces passing options and increases chance of heading backwards or chest control for volley pass.

Progress again by demanding the volley is receiveable by feet or chest

High ball 4v3 (15 mins)

DIFFICULTY HERE IS GETTING ENOUGH KICKS TO LAND IN THE RIGHT AREA SO CONSIDER GOING STRAIGHT TO THE 6V4

Players rotate roles in order. GKs feed in rotation.

GK kicks or throws from hands and R4 and R5 look to play one touch to any team mate.

B1 starting position must initially allow some success for yellow so this is crucial and dependant on length of pitch. B2 and B3 play are active once initial contact made.

Yellows attack 4v3 to goal. If blues win ball they score by passing through the pole gates

*receiving yellow to judge flight and adjust feet to make contact

*head or volley contact - chest then volley only if time and comms from team mates

*yellows to adjust positions to make passing options

*yellows communication

*attack only when possession consolidated

Play for 5 mins then swap teams.

High ball game (15 mins)

Play 3/4 pitch and 8v8 (or 9v9).

GKs must always play long and high and receiving player control and pass in 1 touch.

Play both teams with only 1 central striker, but look for the receiving team to offer options to the receiver.