Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Improving Ball Control Skills ( Age 5 -7)

Skill Box (10 mins)

INSTRUCTIONS: Every player has a ball and will work on keeping it close to their body while using multiple surfaces. Player will use the inside, outside, laces, sole and back of the foot surfaces. Players dribble their ball and will use awarness to avoid cones and other players. There are many versions of games that can be played in this area. Dimensions are based on the amount of players. 8 players can do this excercise 20 x 15 m grid.

PROGRESSIONS:

1. Outside Foot Cut

2. Inside Foot Cut

3. Cruyff,

4. Roll with the sole - Use bottom of the foot and roll ball across body from cone

5. Faint - Drop your shoulder and head and fake going one direction

Progress to a game that requires change of pace as well as direction. (RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT)

I. Red Light - Stop Ball

II. Yellow - Slow Down / Scan

III. Green Light - Accelerate

1 v 1 Cage (15 mins)

INSTRUCTIONS: This game will improve change of direction and decision making in 1 v 1 situations. Players can score on either Goal from Zone A.

PROGRESSIONS:

A Start players from side of grid. Coach plays ball 1st to anywhere on the field.

B. Start players from opposite sides and give 1 team the ball to start. Team can only score on one goal.

C. Add 2nd player creating a 2 v 1 situation from the endline ( Zone B ). Encourage the players to make a decision based upon the defender. The attacking team has an extra player so the decision should be either pass or dribble based on defender.

KEYS TO SUCCESS:

-Good ball control

-Awarness

-Deception

-Attacking mentality