Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U8 Scissor

Juggling and SAQ warmup (10 mins)

Organization:

Magic box as above. Cones of different colors in the corners for next activity, three yards from corner. Area approximately 25x20. All players with a ball, half in pinnies.

Instructions:

Players juggle according to coach's commands.

Solo Juggling Options:

- One juggle, one bounce, two juggles, one bounce, three juggles, one bounce

- Low juggles below the waist

- High juggles above the head

- A few low juggles, with one big touch above head

- After playing ball above head, have players take ball out of the air with a specific surface (inside, outside, laces, thigh, etc.)

Partner Juggling Options:

- One juggle, one bounce

- Two juggles, one bounce

- One or two juggles, no bounce

- 'Ladder' Challenge, 1 touch, 1 touch, 2 touch 2 touch, 3 touch 3 touch, etc.

After Juggling, introduce sole roll move, roll flick within area.

-Start with ball outside of body

-'Whip' ball across body with bottom of foot

-Ball should move more sideways than forward

-Take ball with inside of opposite foot around defender

Roll Flick

- Start ball outside of body

- Slightly roll ball across body

- Use pinky toe on same foot to push ball back toward the same side you started on

- Big touch to get away from defender and close the door

Coaching Points:

- Lock ankle, toe up to put backspin on the ball

- Eyes up and on ball

- Quick feet and movements/adjustments to ball

- Weak foot juggling and touch

- Warmup and dynamic movements to warm up players

Progressions:

None (SAQ)

Technical Repitions; Semi opposed (Scissor, Scissor cannon) (20 mins)

Organization:

As above. Field 25x20. Four two yard gates of blue cones in each corner (next activity). Double cones in middle with a cone between these cones and each endline as shown. Players in lines, one at each endline in the center and two lines facing the endlines on the double cones. All players with a ball.

Instructions:

Players dribble at the cone and preform a scissor move (single) at the cone and reutrn to opposite line. Practice going both ways with both feet. After players show proficency with the scissor move, add in the scissor cannon move (option 2). Practice scissor cannon move with both feet in both directions.

Coaching Points:

Scissor move (Option 1):

- Little touches with pinky toe as approaching target

- Bring foot around front of ball inside to outside (of your body)

- Drop shoulder to sell scissor

- Plant with foot going around the ball

- Take ball away with big outside touch to beat defender

- Use of body to create movement in defender

Scissor Cannon (Option 2):

- Use normal scissor move as above

- Instead of taking ball away with outside of opposite foot, hop with opposite foot and use the inside to continue the same way as the scissor move

Progressions:

P1: If group is showing good timing with the moves, remove the middle cone and have them time the moves to the other player instead. Focus on qaulity and quickness of move and end product.

Free Play (20 mins)

Organization:

30x20 field (adjust as needed) free play, 3v3 or 4v4

Instructions:

* Kick-ins, goal kicks

Coaching Points:

* Can you create 1v1 opporunities by moving off the ball

* Can you turn and beat a player after receiving a pass using scissor or scissor cannon?

* Have a picture of the field around you in your mind at all times, use your EYES.

* Focus on Penetration/Possession as a topic of play during scrimmage, coach in 1v1 moments

* Hips facing the middle of the park to keep a open body shape and be able to see maximum amount of the field

Progressions:

None

Varibles:

- If 9 players, play 3v3v3 tourny. Two minute games or first goal to rotate teams. Winner stays on, challenger gets the ball

- Teams sitting out can either rest, or coach can employ them as nuetral players along touchlines or endlines (bumper players)

- If 12 or more, put into 4 teams of 3 and have a tourny similar to above (based on space for play 4v4)