Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Turning- Ball Control

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organization: 4 cones in the middle of the area, 4 groups

Each player has a ball

Instructions:

On Coaches command, players dribble out to the cone, perform turn and return to their starting point, when they reach starting point the next person in line goes.

Perform drag back, inside turn and outside turn

Coaching Points:

-Close Control

-Head Up (check over shoulder to assess space and pressure)

-Accelerate after the turn

-Lower your body to give a better platform to accelerate

Progressions:

Make into a race

Regression: Have all balls in center players race to perform turn and return as many balls as possible to their group.

Reasons for need to turn - into space & away from danger

Inside cut

Outside cut

Pullback/Dragback

Cruyff

Step-over turn

Conditioning Game (20 mins)

Organization: 15x10 yard area. Two lines, one defending and one attacking. Lines are positioned in the middle of opposite sidelines. Two goals at either end.

Instructions: Player A passes to player B. A thren pressures B. B receives and can score in either goal. If B or A score or the ball goes out of bounds the next pair go. Play for 3 minutes then switch lines. Players now start with additional pressure from behind instead of fron to encourage players to go for the ball.

Coaching Points: Exaggerate the turn to create space between player and defender. Look to keep body between ball and defender. Look to turn into space. Explode after each turn.

Progressions: Regress to A being a passive defender to train B's eyes.